Law School Podcaster

We hear these questions again and again:  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. Guests: William Hoye,  Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, Duke University School of Law Sarah Zearfoss, Senior Assistant Dean for Admissions, Financial Planning, and Career Planning, University of Michigan Law School Noah Teitelbaum, Executive Director of Academics, Manhattan Prep Jeff Thomas, Director of Prelaw Programs, Kaplan Test Prep

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 within the allotted time and give you the tools you’ll need to maximize the number of points you earn. Guests: Noah Teitelbaum, Manhattan LSAT, Executive Director, Academics Glen Stohr, Kaplan Test Prep, Senior Manager for Content Development Steve Schwartz, LSAT Tutor, Editor LSAT Blog John Fowler, LSAT test-taker and Columbia Law School student

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. Guests: Paul Schiff Berman, Dean and Robert Kramer Research Professor at Law, George Washington University Law School William Henderson, Professor of Law and Val Nolan Faculty Fellow; Director, Center on the Global Legal Profession, Indiana University Maurer School of Law Nancy Rappoport,  Gordon Silver Professor, University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd  School of Law Patrick J. Lynch, Co-Founder & Policy Director, Law School Transparency

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? Guests: Renee Post, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, The University of Pennsylvania Law School Ann Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions, The University of Chicago Law School Sarah Zearfoss, Senior Assistant Dean for Admissions, University of Michigan Law School Chloe Reid, Associate Dean & Dean of Admissions, University of Southern California, Gould School of Law Richard Montauk, Admissions Consultant & Author, How to Get Into the Top Law Schools

You’ve anguished and fretted over the LSAT, you’ve spent countless hours revising your personal statement, you’ve checked and re-checked all your optional essays, your bio and everything else that goes into perfecting your law school application.  You’re ready to press “send,” but once you do, what happens?  What goes on at the other end?  What do the people in the admissions office think about it? What would they tell you now, as you prepare to apply, if they could?  Listen in as we probe these questions. Guests:  Andy Cornblatt, Dean of Admissions, Georgetown Law School Ann Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, The University of Chicago Law School Anne Richard, Senior Assistant Dean for Admissions, University of Virginia School of Law Nancy Rapoport, The Gordon Silver Professor of Law, William S Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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. Guests: David Stern, Executive Director, Equal Justice Works Luke Bierman, Associate Dean for Experiential Education, Northeastern University School of Law Christina Jackson, Assistant Director, Public Interest Specialist at American University Washington College of Law Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher, Fastweb.com and FinAid.org

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! Guests: Noah Teitelbaum, Manhattan LSAT, Executive Director, Academics Glen Stohr, Kaplan Test Prep, Senior Manager for Content Development Cathrina Altimari-Brown: LSAT Student, Legal Assistant, Google

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. Guests: Janice Johnston, Coordinating Producer,  ABC NewsMagazines and Specials Raquiba LaBrie, Director, The Equality and Opportunity Fund, The Open Society Foundations Bernard Fulton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, Department of Housing and Urban Development Andrea Kilpatrick, Founder/President, Cool Kids Learn & Director of Law Admissions, Admit Advantage Wendy Siegel, Director of Recruitment and Marketing, Office of Career Services, NYU School of Law

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. Guests: Noah Teitelbaum, Manhattan LSAT, Executive Director, Academics Steve Schwartz, LSAT Tutor, Editor LSAT Blog Milena Jurca, LSAT student, English as a Second Language (ESL)

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 who 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 and when you apply. Guests: Anne Richards, Senior Assistant Dean for Admissions, The University of Virginia School of Law Richard Geiger, Associate Dean, Cornell Law School Renee Post, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, The University of Pennsylvania Law School Andrea Kilpatrick, Director, Law Admissions, Admit Advantage