Best and Worst Advice

[abbygal0330]

Best Advice: TBD. I might say apply early, if I get in off of my desired waitlist. Im pretty sure the fact that I applied ED is the only reason I was rejected flat out at this school.

WORST Advice: While at a law school alumni event (where admitted students were invited to talk to alums) only a handful showed up. So im walking through the bar, my nametag says "prospective student"-- One guy comes up to me and asks where Im considering, and I tell him his school, and another. He tells me if he were me, he woudl go to the other.

[MahlerGrooves]

Best Advice: TBD. I might say apply early, if I get in off of my desired waitlist. Im pretty sure the fact that I applied ED is the only reason I was rejected flat out at this school.

WORST Advice: While at a law school alumni event (where admitted students were invited to talk to alums) only a handful showed up. So im walking through the bar, my nametag says "prospective student"-- One guy comes up to me and asks where Im considering, and I tell him his school, and another. He tells me if he were me, he woudl go to the other.

Which school's event was this!?

For me:::

Best: Apply early, emphasize the diversity my UG and grad degrees bring (music), be POLITE TO RECEPTIONISTS!!!!

Worst:  Apply to low ranked schools because my music degree would be shunned (did not take this advice)

[Harsh Reality]

Best advice: Treat law school like war. Don't need to make friends.  If you got no job in 3 years, you naturally have no friends because you got no money to hang out with them.

Worst advice: Going to social events like bar nights.  More drinking = lower grades = unemployment line. That was true 100 years ago, that was true in college, and that is even more true in law school.

[Maddie]

Best advice:  Don't be afraid to ask for more money and leverage your other offers.

Worst advice:  I don't think I got any advice that was BAD per se, maybe just not applicable to my circumstances.  My boss (an attorney) told me not to worry about debt and just go where I want to go.  He totally meant well, but I don't think that's really great advice unless you are in at T14.

[drleather2001]

Best Advice other than "apply early" and "ask for money":  Think regionally, and be mindful of scholarship requirements (i.e. GPA cutoffs).

Worst Advice: Go to the highest ranked place you get into, money be damned.

[Quail!]

Best advice: Treat law school like war. Don't need to make friends.  If you got no job in 3 years, you naturally have no friends because you got no money to hang out with them.

Worst advice: Going to social events like bar nights.  More drinking = lower grades = unemployment line. That was true 100 years ago, that was true in college, and that is even more true in law school.

What a sad life you must have

[Astro]

Best Advice: TBD. I might say apply early, if I get in off of my desired waitlist. Im pretty sure the fact that I applied ED is the only reason I was rejected flat out at this school.

WORST Advice: While at a law school alumni event (where admitted students were invited to talk to alums) only a handful showed up. So im walking through the bar, my nametag says "prospective student"-- One guy comes up to me and asks where Im considering, and I tell him his school, and another. He tells me if he were me, he woudl go to the other.

Which school's event was this!?

For me:::

Best: Apply early, emphasize the diversity my UG and grad degrees bring (music), be POLITE TO RECEPTIONISTS!!!!

Worst:  Apply to low ranked schools because my music degree would be shunned (did not take this advice)

You know, the whole being polite to adcomms and receptionists thing is actually some of the best advice anyone could give you.

I developed a great rapport with the adcomm liaison who first contacted me, and I'm convinced that this is the only reason I am attending school in this city today.

[NOTaPepsiFan]

Best:  If you are not a "top" prospect, consider cheaper state schools, or schools that give you a lot of money in the T1/T2 range.  If you're looking at T3/T4, you should probably re-evaluate things.

Worst:  I think that sending all sorts of worthless essays hurt me.  I had Diversity Statements and Why X's that I don't think helped in the least, and may have hurt (I'm not a "diverse" person I guess).  This does not apply to schools that specifically ask for them.

[billymahogany]

Best Advice:
1. Apply early
2. Do all "optional" essays
3. Study for the LSAT
4. Get LOR's from professors that actually know you
5. Proofread your applications before submitting them
6. Make sure your personal statement is personal, and that it shows you know where you've been and where you're going

Worst:
1. "Go to the best school you get into"

[Martin Prince, Jr.]

Another Best, that's already been mentioned several times: Ask for more money!!! The worst they can say is "sorry, no." All other scenarios: free money!