Have you ever known a make-up artist who could transform Eddie Murphy into Thurgood Marshall? Probably not. Then why would you expect an admissions officer to transform an application that looked like it was prepared by a comedian into one that came from a serious, prospective law student? Although obtaining and completing the application is by far the easiest part of the law school admissions process, you'd be amazed at the number of "pre-law" students who screw it up. First impressions are often lasting. Make certain that the admissions officer's first impression of your application is an accurate portrait of the person you want her to know. Here are some simple suggestions: Make copies of your applications and complete the copies to your satisfaction before transferring the information to the original. We’ve seen many applications that state “Print Clearly,” but we have yet to see an application that stated “Do Not Type.” If you can find a typewriter, use it. Don't rush. Give yourself adequate time to do a good job. Read and follow directions. If the directions state “Answer Yes, No, N/A,” don't use check marks. NEVER leave a blank. Type “N/A” or explain why a question does not apply to you. The assumption that early applicants have a better chance of admission is especially true for the disadvantaged or diversity applicant. Your file takes more time to review, because in most cases you're asking the admissions officer to get a fuller picture of your achievement by considering your life experiences and background in relation to your grades and LSAT score. A student who begins the process after December 1 is at a disadvantage. You'll be trying to get professors to write recommendations during finals or over winter break, when faculty are hard to reach. You may not receive all the applications you request in time to complete them. If you haven't taken the LSAT yet, you will be at a further disadvantage. Many schools with February deadlines will not accept a February LSAT score (because the score won't be available until well after their deadline). Give each application the attention it deserves. Sloppy work or skipped questions are taken as a sign that you don't care about the law school, or that you don't pay the meticulous attention to detail required of a good lawyer. The first step is to prepare a basic fact sheet of the commonly asked questions for your own reference. It is unlikely that you will complete all the applications in one sitting; having a reference sheet will save you from having to recheck information for every application. Every applicant should be prepared to provide the following information: all colleges, the dates you attended them, and your grade point average at each school; all the dates on which you took the LSAT and the score you received, if you know it; all jobs, with the dates and the number of hours worked; all extracurricular activities and honors, along with dates and titles of any positions of responsibility. your mailing address and phone number during the school year and over the summer, and the date when you want the school to switch to your summer address. In addition, you should gather data for any of the following that apply to you: If you are not a U.S. citizen, note the details of your citizenship and visa status. If you served in the military, note your enlistment and discharge dates, rank, and responsibilities. If you identified any "problem" areas while reviewing applications (leaves of absence, arrests, academic or disciplinary action), report the details of the event, including dates, the reason for the action, the outcome, and the explanation. Recommendations Since most law schools require recommendations (and virtually all prefer them), you should choose your recommenders well in advance of completing your applications. Allow four to six weeks for your recommendations to be written, so they’ll be ready when you need them. Recommendations submitted on your behalf are best when prepared by someone who has personal knowledge of your ability to perform in work and/or educational environments, and who has a sincere desire to assist you with getting into law school. A boilerplate letter prepared on the stationery of your United States Congressman is not necessarily as persuasive. Personal Statements A well-prepared personal statement can turn a rejection into a wait list, and a wait list into an acceptance. A good personal statement does not reiterate information already in your file—your work experiences, internships, or awards. Instead, it gives further insight into who you are as a person. The best approach is to first choose something interesting to tell—an event that helped teach you humility, independence, or self-confidence, that changed the way you think about something, or that shows your motivation or personal style. Write a story—500 words or so—about this topic. Then explain the events in this story by reference to the background you need to show. “Having grown up in West Philadelphia’s ghettos, mountains were new experiences to me.” “Until I got to college, I had never needed to study.” The finished essay should have the story as its central theme, but should also show how elements of your background affected your development. Most students have no idea what is interesting or unusual about their lives. They see themselves as a part of their environment, and don't realize it is the environment itself that makes them different. That's why it is essential to seek the help of someone who can look at your life experiences objectively. Family members and close friends are not good choices for this task. They often come from the same background you do, and make the same assumptions. Your pre-law advisor, academic advisor, or a favorite teacher can be great resources. >>more on personal statements Diversity Statements Many schools will give you the opportunity to explain any diversity or disadvantage in your background. Take advantage of this opportunity to tell them about your socioeconomic and demographic diversity as compared to the rest of the applicant pool. You might want to tell them of coming from a blue-collar background, of a rural or urban lifestyle, or of a particular physicalor emotional problem (including a learning disability) you have overcome. If a law school asks only about racial and ethnic minorities, you should not include yourself because you are poor or disabled. But if your parents were born in another country, you may avail yourself of the opportunity to explain your culture and how it shaped your life. This is especially true if English was not your first language. As with a personal statement, the point of a diversity statement is not just to show the admissions officer how you are different, but why those differences are important and how they might be viewed as an asset. If your background affected your grades or LSAT, this is an excellent place to briefly mention it, but refrain from making excuses. Admissions officers do not want to read a page about the drugs or drive-by shooting that happened in your neighborhood. Your desire to use your law degree to help other disadvantaged people or to support your culture can also be emphasized in this statement. Completing the Applications ou should allow a full evening (three or more hours) for each application. Typed applications are much easier for the admissions committee to read. Never leave a question unanswered. Questions about military service or citizenship should be answered with a “no,” a notation of “n/a” (not applicable), or a line drawn through the space. If you are willing to spend some extra money, you may be able to simplify this step considerably by purchasing an application software package. LSACD, the CD-ROM software developed by Law Services, has applications for all American Bar Association-approved law schools. LSACD costs approximately $50. Supplemental Essays Many law schools ask specific questions on their applications. They may want to know the most influential person in your life, or ask you to “show us how you think.” They may want to know how many term papers you’ve written, or why you think you’ll be an addition to their class. Never try to answer these questions off the cuff. Think about the question, and give a carefully prepared and honest answer. Often the most important “extra question” on the application is, “Why do you want to attend our law school?” This question should also be given careful consideration and an honest answer. If geography, demographics of the student body, or special facilities influenced your decision, say so. No matter what your reasons, an honest answer is the best. Enclosures The application is rarely complete with the few pieces of paper you see. Reply cards, forms for residency, or a dean's certification (to prove you really are a student in good standing at the college) and addenda must be enclosed. Accordingly, they must be organized and kept with the application, so you don't lose them. In preparing to mail your application, pay particular attention to whether the law school requires you to enclose recommendations, wants them sent directly from the recommender, or will accept copies mailed by your career planning office.