[E]ducation - [A]pplication - [R]esearch - [L]SATx

Whether you’re referring to the Duke of Earl, basketball superstar Earl “the Pearl” Monroe, actor James Earl Jones, or the former Chief Justice Earl Warren, they were all Born to Win Earls. So if you’re thinking about attending law school, regardless of whether your name is Keyonna, Maria, Jose or Lee, start thinking of yourself as a Born to Win EARL. Despite what you may have heard, the law school admissions process can be successfully navigated if you plan ahead and then follow through with your plans. And since you don't plan to fail, here are a few tips to guide you on your way to success. Even if your name is not Earl, (or Earline), by thinking of yourself as a Born to Win EARL–Education, Application, Research, and LSAT–it will be easier for you to gain admission to law school and to adjust to the more demanding law school curriculum. How can this be accomplished? Luis DeGraffe, a professor at the City University of New York School of Law, advises that your approach to getting accepted to a law school should be a “professional one using skill, precision, and acumen.” “It may seem somewhat ironic that I recommend to law school candidates that they think of themselves as ‘lawyers’ before even being admitted to law school; but I do so to emphasize the fact that law school applicants must become ‘advocates’ who methodically construct a case which will eventually go to a ‘jury’ made up of members of an admissions committee.” According to DeGraffe, this approach conveys to the applicant several things: • first, that advocacy takes planning involving strategy and tactics; • second, that the application process involves putting together a “package/case” which is made up of several components; and • third, that getting accepted to law school depends on how well your “package/case” is put together. Regardless of what school you apply to, the following four items will be part of your “package” and the components of the “case” you will present. To help you remember those components, think about Born To Win EARL. EDUCATION In assessing a prospective law student’s qualifications, “juries” usually consider the chosen curriculum, the grades earned, and the reputation of the college attended. Admissions committees generally look for strong indicators of the applicant’s ability to think analytically, communicate effectively, discern relevant facts from complex scenarios, and reach sound conclusions supported by logical reasoning. Ultimately, however, it is your undergraduate grade point average that will provide the "evidence" of your ability to engage in academically rigorous study. APPLICATION Submit your completed application (including application fee, self-addressed postcards, and personal statement) as early as possible. Many schools begin reviewing applications and making decisions as early as November. Make certain that the admissions officer’s first impression of your application represents the person you want her to know. RESEARCH Because applying to law school is an unfamiliar venture, much of your application process will have to involve research. Spend some time determining what various law schools’ environments provide. Research admissions data to make sure you’ve chosen schools that are interested in your academic and extracurricular profile. Research your financial aid options to make sure you can afford the schools you’re thinking about. The Official Guide to Law Schools published by Law Services and Approved Law Schools published by the American Bar Association are comprehensive books that can expedite your search. And don’t forget the law school’s admissions officer, one of the best sources of information. LSAT The Law School Admissions Test was developed to provide an additional measure of an applicant’s potential for success in law school. Whether you opt for individual preparation or a structured review course, some type of preparation will be helpful since studies have found that the LSAT is a “coachable” exam. The Law School Admission Council offers preparation materials or you can buy commercial test-preparation books. Acceptance into law school depends on many factors: choosing schools wisely, the timing of your application, and making arrangements to finance your legal education. Charting the law school course begins with using the right strategy and tactics—the strategy and tactics of an advocate who is prepared to methodically work on developing an airtight “case” which will return the right verdict—ACCEPTANCE. If you are serious about going to law school, then from this point forward EARL must be constantly on your mind. On the pages which follow you will learn more about EARL and its ability to maximize your opportunity for success. Whether charting a law school course or laying the foundation for excelling in law school—Born To Win EARL will make you competitive.