Spotlight on Ann Levine’s book, The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert
Wouldn’t it be nice to have your very own law school admissions expert hanging out by your computer to answer the many frequently asked questions that arise during the law school admissions process? Well, here’s about the next best thing to guide your every step. Read through Law School Expert, Ann Levine’s handy book, The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert.
As anyone who has applied to law school can tell you, there are just tons of questions that come at you as you start down that path and begin to prepare your applications. At every turn, there are strategic choices, some large and some small. But they can really impact your overall application and your choice of schools. It can be overwhelming, but don’t panic. In this comprehensive, but conversational-style book, you can probably find the answer to nearly all your questions!
As the director of admissions for two ABA law schools, author Ann Levine reviewed thousands of applications each year and was primarily responsible for making all admission decisions, including awarding scholarships. She knowswhat admissions committees look for in applicants and, in this book, she puts her behind-the-scenes experience at your disposal. Ann’s writing style and the voice you hear in the book, tells it “like it is” with just the right amount of healthy perspective that keeps applicants balanced, realistic and positive about applying to law school. Ann is also the Founder of www.LawSchoolExpert.comand, since 1994, she’s helped more than 1,000 applicants through the admissions process.
Something for Everyone
Ann was a guest on our podcast Law School Admissions Guides: Authors Who Wrote the Book on How to Apply and Get In, where she said “The Law School Admissions Game is not just for people aspiring to attend top law schools. The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert is a law school guide geared toward giving specific insider advice to all law school applicants no matter their backgrounds or goals. So whether someone is applying to Harvard or Hamline or anywhere in between, the information in my book will absolutely apply to their case.”
This book is concise, but no stone is left unturned
The book is organized into 3 sections. The first section, “Getting Started” introduces the law school admissions process and takes a look at the planning details for those applying in the next year or so. Levine shares her inside perspective on “why the LSAT is so darn important,” and gives great practical tips for getting your best LSAT score, how to prepare for the test, what to do with a low LSAT score and your options when your score disappoints. The chapter offers an example of how the author provides just the right mix of objective perspective (“[The LSAT] is an aptitude exam. What this means is that some people will naturally do better on this exam than others”) with balanced personal perspective (“I’m a reasonably bright person, graduated near the top of my law school class, was a graduation speaker, but even if I studied for a year for the test I probably would not get a 95th percentile score. I’m ok with that, and so should you be if that’s the case for you.”). The chapter on “working the rolling admissions process” gives readers valuable insight into the timeline for taking the LSAT to submitting your application.
The second section, “Applying to Law School,” walks readers through each part of the law school application, including how to get the best Letters of Recommendation (including some advice geared directly to non-traditional applicants), the mechanics of getting your transcripts sent to schools, how to build a resume that shows you to be an interesting person, a comprehensive guide to drafting your personal statement as well as the specific additional essays that you might want to include. The chapter on selecting schools covers everything from the number of schools you apply to, the type of program you’re interested in (part-time or full-time) and whether to apply early.
Ever wonder how law school admissions committees actually review applications? That’s covered in the third section, “Things to Consider After Applying.” If you’re an applicant, don’t send your application off until you read this chapter to gain some insight into the process. This section of the book also covers both what to do when you’re waitlisted (take action!) and how law schools evaluate waitlists (likelihood of attendance, numbers and diversity), taking time off before law school, hiring a law school admission consultant, and deciding which school to attend and transfer issues. The chapter, “What I’d Wish I’d Know Before Law School,” with real advice from recent applicants, law students, lawyers and former admissions committees members, is a must-read before you apply, when you’re deciding which school to attend and before you start classes.
The title of the book really nails it here. The law school admissions process is a game where the player with the strongest record and the best strategy stands the best chance of winning admission to their chosen school. No matter what your credentials are or what law school you want to attend, read The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert to hone your strategy and to win admission to the right law school for you.
You can hear more about this book from Ann Levine herself in Law School Podcaster’s show Law School Admissions Guides: Authors Who Wrote the Book on How to Apply and Get In. Ann is also a guest on our show Getting Off the Waitlist: How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Accepted where she has more valuable advice for law school applicants.