Law School Podcaster

We hear these questions again and again before and after each test administration:  Should I cancel my LSAT score? Should I reschedule my test? Should I retake the LSAT? What if I’m unhappy with my LSAT score?  How do law schools view multiple LSAT scores? How do I know what the best score is for me? You're not alone in trying to figure this stuff out.  In this segment, we talk with deans of admission from top law schools and with the premier test prep experts to get you the answers you need.

Not all law students are headed to Big Law firms.  More now than ever, students want to do public interest work, as they seek a rewarding, balanced life, where they feel they can make a difference. What does a career in public service really involve? Which law schools are leading the way with curriculum offerings and opportunities for students? What do you need to know about financing law school if you are thinking of a career in the public sector? Our experts help shine the spotlight on this career path.

You probably already know that you can’t master the LSAT without preparing. You must study. And this is a standardized test that requires that you start early.  Just how much time should you plan to devote to LSAT prep? What must you include in your action plan? On this show, our experts help you map out a study plan that gives you enough time to assess where you are at the beginning, set goals, learn the mechanics of the different sections, develop strategies for different question types and take practice tests – all so you can rock the LSAT on test day!

Law schools like to tell students they can do anything with a law degree, but can they? Many head to law school and think that it’s still a valuable education for all sorts of future career opportunities, but is it? Facing sky-high tuition and a tight job market, it’s never too early to think about the type of career you’re planning and whether a law degree really fits your career goals. We talk to law grads with diverse careers, who aren’t practicing law, about whether and how they use their legal training in their work. A lead admissions consultant shares school selection strategies that will help you answer these questions.

The LSAT is a really hard test – even for native English-speakers. Can you imagine taking it in a foreign language? Students who learn English as their second language (ESL) face a unique set of challenges, confronting dense reading passages, with subtle nuances in language, and time limits that can hinder performance. If you're looking to achieve a high LSAT score, and English isn't your first language, hear what the LSAT test prep experts, and an ESL LSAT student, say can help you prepare for the test.

Going to a top law school can mean greater job opportunities, wider name recognition and the chance to learn and network with top students and faculty. That’s also why they’re tough to get into. If you’re reaching for a top law school, we have 10 great tips on getting you in, from the ones that let you in. On our show are deans of admission from some of the most selective law schools in the nation. We also talk with a leading admissions consultant about the things you should know before you apply.

Timing can be everything - especially on the LSAT.  Running out of time to answer questions is one of the most frustrating – and universal – problems test-takers face. The test is designed to challenge your ability to pace yourself and allocate time efficiently. If you find the clock is wreaking havoc with your ability to answer all the questions and answer them accurately, then listen in as our guests outline a plan to put you on pace to get everything done with the allotted time and give you the tools you’ll need to maximize the number of points you earn.

Steeped in books and theory, the traditional curriculum at most law schools hasn't changed in decades. But the tighter job market is bringing changes - albeit a bit slowly.  Law firms, businesses, and the clients they serve, are demanding that more be done by law schools to train and prepare properly future lawyers while they are still in school.  What does this mean if you are a prospective law student? What should you be looking for to get the most innovative, practical and relevant law school experience?  We talk with law school deans, law professors and those on the front lines of developing new paths in law school to help bridge the gap from law school to law practice.

To get into a top law school, you need sky-high LSAT scores, a perfect GPA from an Ivy League school, fluency in five languages, a Nobel prize, and have public interest experience in a 3d world country. Well, not exactly. Though it may seem that way, the top schools are not full of super heroes. They want to know who you are as a person, how you have overcome obstacles, and why you want that top-tier degree. Getting that prized acceptance letter from one of the best law schools can seem daunting, but with some great application advice, it is more attainable than you may think. After all, someone has to fill those classroom chairs. Why not you?

For many, the road to law school begins in college. Early on, you may wonder if there's a way to focus your undergraduate studies to help your law school application stand out or to prepare you for the rigor of law school. Are there courses that can help boost your LSAT score? Do certain majors help convince the admissions committee that you're “law school ready?” Which undergraduate classes might actually help you as a law student? We talk with top law school admissions deans, a prelaw advisor, and a leading admissions consultant and author to explore how the admissions committee evaluates your coursework and to see how your undergraduate studies might impact your performance as a 1L.

What exactly is an "optional” essay and is it really optional? Separate and apart from the personal statement, many law schools offer applicants the opportunity to write "optional essays,” on a range of topics and to explain certain aspects of their application through an addendum. When should you write these essays and what should you say? We asked admissions deans, a top admissions consultant and a prelaw advisor when an applicant should choose to answer these supplementary questions, how law schools use these essays to evalute your application, how to choose among topics, and hear how they think you can use these as opportunities to round out your application.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the logical reasoning section is the most important part of the LSAT. Since two of the four scored sections consist of logical reasoning questions, it accounts for half your scaled score on the test. So, mastering the questions in these sections is twice as important to as any other single portion of the test. With that in mind, we asked our experts to break down the types of questions you’ll encounter, how best to prepare yourself and what you need to know on test day to achieve your highest possible score.

Planning and getting through the law school application process can be a daunting task. Where should you start? How should you map out the next year so that everything gets done and gets done well? When should you take the LSAT? When should you make your list of schools? When should you actually fill out the application. Admissions consultants, prelaw advisors and a student give you solid advice on when to start your law school application process, addressing issues like research, how and when to tackle the application, the LSAT, managing recommenders and school visits. And they will help you plan your candidacy before you apply and throughout the process.

You probably think you're a pretty good "reader," but the reading comprehension section of the LSAT catches many test-takers by surprise.   It's easy to feel rushed when reading long passages on dry material and to struggle with answering complex questions with the correct answers.  And while these passages and question-types are similar to what you've seen and done before with other standardized tests, this familiarity may not translate into success on LSAT test day.  Our guests caution students who overlook this section in test prep that they may be leaving valuable points on the table.  Listen as our guests give you tips to help you maximize your speed and accuracy and increase your score. 

The legal specialty of sports and entertainment law sounds pretty glamorous. If you’re thinking about a career in this field, you may be drawn by the prospect of representing celebrities, athletes, authors, entertainers and their employers. But what exactly is this practice area? What do sports and entertainment lawyers actually do? How can law students pursue a career in this specialty? We explore this topic and speak with lawyers who serve as outside and in-house counsel in some of the leading sports and entertainment organizations and firms and also with the director a program at a top law school with a special curriculum devoted to this exciting area. Listen in to learn more.