ADVICE to the next cycle of applicants

[The Poster]

How early?

I'm going to have my recommendations already sent in by the end of summer, my transcript sent in, and hopefully my Dean's certification...so I am planning on having my applications go in at the beginning-middle of September. Obviously the earlier the better, but is there such a thing as "too early," as in you don't want to be the first app they review due to the "well he's ok but let's wait" effect?

there is NO such thing as too early. trust me on this.

[redemption]

there is NO such thing as too early. trust me on this.

Bolded and underlined.

[Pythagoras]

1. If a law school has an official option for "EA", definitely take it.  (Be wary of "ED" though) I think this is a good idea for those applicants who have a fairly narrow idea of where they would like to attend and are looking to not drop too much money on apps.  For example, Penn EA saved me application fees at M,V etc

2.  For URMs, do take your personal statement very seriously.  Allot yourself enough lead time to craft a good essay and to have it critiqued by at least 5 different people--preferrably of varied personalities & tastes.  Have a liberal arts professor read/edit it if you can manage it.

3. Also for URMs, don't assume that that status will necessarily make you a shoo-in for T-14.  On the other hand, don't undersell/restrict yourself either.  LSN can be a great resource when it comes to finding out where others with similar stats were accepted and what their particular soft factors were.

4. Take Powerscore. Or Testmasters.
5. Stalk your professors if you have to when it comes to getting your LORs done on time.  Remember to buy them a thank you gift after. You may need their help again when applying for outside scholarships.

6. Read Ivey's book and Montauk's book too.
7. Stay logged in to LSD.  It will keep you sane--when the mass anxiety isn't making you insane.  

[A.]

there is NO such thing as too early. trust me on this.

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With the caveat that quality should not be sacrificed for earliness.

[piggy-buttercup]

lsac. makes thing much more organized.

i used all three varieties. paper-apps, lsac apps, and school specific e-apps.

i had my personal reason of the paper-apps route. i do not recommend this.

specific e-apps has its advantages if you want them to be processed a little quicker (used gtown's & penn's to meet their EA deadline) but i can be wrong on this. so check.

MAKE SURE YOU APPLY EARLY!

MAKE SURE YOU DO THE DIRTY WORK(TRANSCRIPTS AND LORS) NOW! SOON!!

ps: how ya been lily? 

Question to all of you pros out there:

Would you suggest using the LSAC application for the schools or each schools' specific e-app?

LSAC.  Talk to Piggylola about that.

[The Poster]

there is NO such thing as too early. trust me on this.

Bolded and underlined.

See everyone, if red. is agreeing with me, I must be on to something with this.

[Alexis27]

Thank you for this advice. I am applying next cycle, and I really appreciate the information.

[The Poster]

Thank you for this advice. I am applying next cycle, and I really appreciate the information.

You are welcome. This is why I started the thread.

[aerynn]

there is NO such thing as too early. trust me on this.

Bolded and underlined.

With the caveat that quality should not be sacrificed for earliness.

I can't think of a better quality than being early.  90% of it is numbers, 5% is when you turned it in, 4% is the Personal Statement, and 1% to other stuff like LORs.  (Percentages vary for URMs).  Get the 5% bonus for being at the head of the pack.  That personal statement will sound 100 times better if it is the first one the adcomms read this cycle instead of the 1500th. 

[Towlie]

Grow a beard. Trust me, it works.