College Scandals
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Sixteen Scandals: The Top College Scandals of the Last Decade
From selling human remains to trading sex for grades, there have been a number of university scandals that have rocked headlines. Perhaps most interestingly, is that most of these acts were either committed or facilitated by members of faculty and administration. The following is a list of the most headline-worthy scandals that have affected our universities during the past decade:
Baylor Basketball Murder
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On June 8, 2005 Carlton Dotson pleaded guilty to the murder of his college basketball teammate, Patrick Dennehy. Both played for Baylor University, a NCAA Division 1 basketball school. Dennehy disappeared from the Waco campus in June of 2003. A month and a half later, his remains were found in a field near the University. On September 3, 2003, Dotson was indicted for the murder. After his arrest, Dotson was declared incompetent to stand trial and was sent the state mental hospital for evaluation. Eventually Dotson was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Sadly, the motive behind this killing is still unknown.
Japan’s ‘Rape Club’
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Tomoyuki Takayama was arrested in 2003, confirming rumors that students from Japan’s top private universities were involved in what the press labeled “The Rape Club.” Grim details of multiple gang rapes emerged after the arrest of Takayama from Shin Wada’s Super Free Club (The Rape Club). Takayama was convicted of joining seven other men in gang-raping a female student in a nightclub stairwell after one of the Super Free parties. The leader of this “club”, and orchestrator of the rape parties, Wada, was arrested shortly thereafter as well. Thirteen other male students were also arrested for plotting and videotaping the gang rapes of women at the Super Free Club.
College Loan Scandal of 2007
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In spring of 2007, the $85 billion student loan industry came under heavy fire by New York’s Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo. Loan industry giants such as Student Loan Xpress were investigated for revenue sharing schemes with America’s top Universities. Cuomo investigated alleged kickbacks, including exotic vacation packages, given to school officials that guided students to particular lenders. This investigation unearthed numerous agreements profiting schools, financial aid officers and lenders at the expense of uninformed students. As a result, six schools: the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Syracuse University, Fordham University, Long Island University and St. John’s University, agreed to reimburse students nearly $4 million for inflated loan prices as a result of these corrupt partnerships.
College Basketball Coach Resigns After Partying with Players
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In 2003, photos surfaced of Iowa State University’s basketball coach Larry Eustachy drinking and kissing undergraduate student’s at a late night ISU frat party. After proof of incident was published in the Des Moines Register, Iowa’s highest paid public employee was fired from his $1.1 million a year job. Following, Eustachy held a press conference where the New York Times quoted him saying, “I don’t think I will be able to apologize enough, I have no excuse for my behavior.” Eustachy is now the basketball coach at Southern Mississippi University.
Yale Sex Tape Scandal
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Yale sophomore and Denmark native, Casper Desfeux was arrested for filming himself committing sexual acts with a girl without her permission in 2007. Desfeux declined to speak about the incident publicly, while his lawyer proclaimed it was a misunderstanding that should have been handled outside of court. Desfeux was eventually charged and found guilty of two type-D felonies: voyeurism; and the dissemination of voyeurism. As of April 2008, Desfeux applied for and was declined an accelerated probation, which is typically granted to first-time offenders found guilty of minor crimes.
Duke Lacrosse Team Rape Allegations
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The Duke Lacrosse rape case was media sensationalism at its best. In March 2006 members of Duke’s lacrosse team held an of-campus party and hired two exotic dancers to perform. One of the dancers later accused three players of raping her at the party. After the media got wind of the accusations, the story was covered on every major news network in the country. District Attorney Mike Nifong overstepped his jurisdiction in an effort to pin the rape charges on the alleged assailants. Due to lack of evidence, the case fell apart and the students were exonerated. Eventually Nifong was disbarred for his actions, and the three accused students have pursued a lawsuit against Duke University, claiming emotional distress caused by the school during the scandal.
Sex and Cash at Diablo Valley
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Diablo Valley College is one of California’s top transfer community colleges, but in 2007 it became better know for a grade changing scandal. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that 84 students and 400 grades were suspect to the felony-level grade changing charges. After investigations, and according to the school’s officials, it was determined that a number of students had regularly paid the schools records office employees up to $600 per grade changed. After initial allegations, a student worker came forward and confessed that sexual favors were sometimes also exchanged in lieu of cash. Two records office employees were eventually sentenced to a year in jail for their involvement in the scandal.
Published Racism at Tufts University
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Tufts University magazine published a Christmas carol parody "O Come, All Ye Black Folk," in December 2006. The racist parody went on to recite: “O Sing, gospel choirs, We will accept your children, No matter what your grades are, F’s, D’s or G’s.” The lyrics soon spread via local media, causing an outrage throughout New England. The University’s administration publicly apologized for the magazines actions, however, no disciplinary actions have been made public regarding the person responsible for writing and/or publishing this parody.
Famous Black University Forged Grades
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In 2004, an internal audit of Louisiana’s Southern University found that 541 students since 1995 had been involved in an elaborate grade-changing scheme. The school’s chancellor initiated the investigation when a student enrolled in one of Southern’s graduate programs presented undergraduate credentials from the same school, to which the
academic department had no previous record of her as a student. This led to Southern University uncovering that 2400 grades had been changed since the mid 1990’s. Eventually Louisiana prosecutors filed criminal charges in the case, and school officials reacted by revoking the degrees of any student who graduated with tampered grades.
Christian University President Indicted
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Oral Roberts University President, Richard Roberts has recently been made the subject of a faculty-initiated lawsuit, citing financial, political and personal irregularities as head of the school. Roberts has taken an indefinite leave of absence since the release of detailed accusations filled by three former professors of the school’s history and government departments. The lawsuit alleges these professors lost their jobs due to their objections of Roberts’ efforts to enlist students for partisan politics. His actions were later scrutinized by the IRS in an attempt to disclose Roberts’ extravagant personal use the schools finances. The verdict and IRS investigations remain pending, whereas Roberts continues to maintain his innocence.
UCLA Faculty Profited from Selling Human Remains
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From 1999 to 2003, Henry Reid, Director of UCLA’s willed body program was found to have resold donated cadavers for personal profit. Reid’s attorney explained to a grand jury that he was poorly paid and as a result, was tempted to access the lucrative world of selling cadavers and body parts. Reid’s partner, Ernest Nelson, acted as a middle-man and reportedly made over one million dollars reselling the body parts to more than twenty private medical, pharmaceutical and hospital research companies. In October 2008 Reid was sentenced to four years and four months in a plea agreement; Nelson is still awaiting trial for eight felony charges including conspiracy, grand theft and tax evasion.
Air Force Academy Sex Scandal
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The US Air Force has removed the leadership of its elite academy following allegations that a number of female cadets, who reported sexual assault, were either ignored or reprimanded. As reported on CBS’s The Early Show in June 2005, more than sixty female cadets from the Colorado Springs Academy have come forward claiming they had either been sexually assaulted or rapped over a ten year span. Cadet Jessica Brakey, claimed she was afraid for two years to report what happened to her at an outdoor training exercise, in fear of further retaliation by her peers and superior officers. As for the dozens of accusations, not one resulted in a conviction. Brakey’s fellow cadet Beth Davis was reported saying on The Early Show that, “It’s indicative of a horrible culture (at the academy) as far as women are concerned. They really don’t want us there. The surveys prove that. It’s a shame. But it definitely is not sending the right messages."
Racist College Republican
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Adam LaDuca, 21, the leader of a statewide group of college Republicans was forced to resign after posting racially insensitive comments about then Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on the Internet. LaDuca wrote on his Facebook page in late July that Obama has “a pair of lips so large he could float half of Cuba to the shores of Miami (and probably would.)” Two years prior to this incident, LaDuca also made headlines when his Kutztown’s College Republicans chapter was heavily criticized for holding a “bake sale” to protest affirmative action – whites were charged more for cookies than blacks. LaDuca, then the group’s spokesman, made a public apology on the group’s behalf. LaDuca has since been forced to resigned his position from the college Republicans in August 2008.
Colorado Rape Scandal
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In 2004 a seventh woman came forward alleging that she was raped by players or recruits of the University of Colorado football team. The national headlining scandal had been brewing for sometime before this after a female kicker on the team alleged that she was often groped during team huddles, and was also raped by a teammate. Other female students that came forward alleged that they were raped at a 2001 party held to attract new recruits to the team. When news of this broke, it uncovered that fact that members of Colorado’s football team often used sex, drugs, and alcohol to recruit promising young players. Following these allegations, Colorado’s football coach Gary Barnett was eventually fired. No convictions were ever prosecuted on the alleged sexual misconduct by players and recruits of the football team.
Top Florida Republican Resigns Over College Job
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Newly elected House Speaker, Ray Sansom was forced to step down from his position in January 2009. Insisting he did nothing wrong, Sansom was found to have accepted an unadvertised $110,000 salary from Northwest Florida State College, while previously holding the position of House Budget Chairman. He maintained his innocence, even after investigations found that his office had funneled approximately $35 million to the school for new building projects. This scandal first made headlines in November 2008, when local news outlets reported on the college’s expansion at a time when the state’s education budget was dramatically being downsized. As of February 2009, a Florida grand jury has agreed to look into accusations that Sansom had traded the college appropriations for the job.
FEU
Law School Admissions
FEU offers two law programs, the Bachelor of Laws and the Juris Doctor-MBA program with De La Salle University. The Bachelor of Laws is offered at FEU Manila while the Juris Doctor-MBA is currently offered at the De La Salle University at RCBC Plaza. Law School Qualifying Test (LSQT) Schedules for the 2nd Semester of SY 2012-2013
Application Procedures for Bachelor of Laws Step 1 • Proceed to Registrar’s Office, Window C. FEU Manila Arts Building, G/F, next to the Chapel Office Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8am to 5 pm with noon break • Look for Ms. Tess Valencia • Present photocopies of the following: a. Certified college TOR or certificate of candidacy for graduation b. Original copy of Scholastic Record/updated Report of Ratings if graduating in March or April c. Secure and accomplish an application form for the Law School Qualifying Test (LSQT). Click HERE to download the Application Form for the LSQT. • If qualified, an OK slip to take the LSQT will be issued Step 2 • Proceed to cashier. (frontage of Education Building, G/F, next to UCCO) Office Hours: Mon. – Sat. 8am – 5pm with noon break • Pay the LSQT fee of P450. Step 3 • Proceed to Law Dean’s Office. Law Building, 3/F, Room 313 Office Hours: Mon. – Fri. 1pm – 7pm • Present OK slip to take the LSQT, filled-out application form and all other requirements. • Exam permit will be issued with the date, time and venue of exam indicated therein. Important The LSQT is administered on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. on specified testing schedules. Cut-off day for the filing of applications for LSQT is every Thursday, 5:00 p.m. All applications filed after the cut-off hour will be scheduled on the next available LSQT schedule. Law School Qualifying Test Requirements Requirements 1. Two (2) copies of certified Transcript of Records (for evaluation purposes) 2. Three (3) copies of 2×2 colored photo 3. FEU receipt for the payment of testing fee Addendum to requirement # 1 If an applicant is a graduating student at the time of his/ her application to take the LSQT, he/she must present the following: a. Certificate of candidacy for graduation and b. Original copy of the Scholastic Record or updated Report of Ratings c. The applicant must have completed the following at the time of application:
- 18 units of English - 6 units of Mathematics - 18 units of Social Sciences As per DECS Order No. 46, series of 1996, “The applicant/ student must be a graduate of a bachelor’s degree and must have earned eighteen (18) units of English, six (6) units of Mathematics and eighteen (18) units of Social Sciences.”
100 Best Law School Admission Tips of All Time
While the real work of law school starts with your first class, students will tell you that getting accepted isn’t always a walk in the park either, especially when applying to highly competitive programs. If you’re planning on applying or are already in the process of applying to law school, here are some helpful tips that can guide you through the process and make sure you’ve left nothing to chance. Basics Make sure you’re doing all you can to make the application process easier by paying attention to these tips.
1. Have realistic expectations. Whether it’s hoping to get all your application stuff done in a week or expecting to study yourself to a top score on the LSAT the night before the test, being unrealistic about your application process isn’t going to do you any favors. Know your personal limits and work within them to achieve your goals. 2. Ensure that you’re applying for the right reasons. Applying to law school because your parents want you to or because you simply want an impressive job is usually the wrong reason to do so. Make sure you’re applying because you want to be a lawyer. 3. Cater the process to your individual needs. Not every prospective student will have the same needs and goals in their application process. Take a look at your personal situation and decide where to go from there. 4. Know why you want to pursue a law degree. This is an issue that will come up in your admission essay and interviews, but should be forefront in your mind anyway, so spend some time thinking about just why you want to put in all the work and expense it takes to become a lawyer. 5. Be prepared to do the work. Applying to law school is the easy part–and it certainly isn’t easy. Make sure you’re ready to commit three or more years of your life to earning the degree before you apply. 6. Have a goal in mind. Most people applying to law school have a decent idea of where or how they want to use their degrees. If you don’t, take some time to think about it so you can reflect those desires in your admissions materials and in your choices of schools. 7. Don’t wait until the last minute. There are few things that will trip up your admissions process faster than waiting until the last minute to apply. If you’ve only got a few weeks to pull things together you may be better off waiting to apply for the next semester instead. 8. Consider your choices carefully. Law school is a lengthy and expensive commitment, so make sure you spend some serious time considering where you want to go and what you want to study before making any firm decisions. 9. Create a plan of attack. Since there is so much to do for law school applications, it can be helpful to lay out a timeline for accomplishing certain tasks so you can stay on track and get everything in on time. 10. Ask for advice. While each person will have their own needs when it comes to applying it can be a big help to get advice from someone who has been there and applied to law school before. If you don’t know anyone personally check out online message boards and forums for help.
Application Process These tips will help guide you through the larger application process.
11. Start early. If there is one big tip to helping you through the admissions process, it is to start early. The more time you have, the better you’ll be able to prepare without feeling stressed doing things down to the wire.
12. Don’t apply to just one program. While you might have your heart set on going to a particular school, it’s always good to have a backup just in case. That way you’ll have options and won’t be stuck if something goes wrong with your first choice. 13. Make a list of requirements. One of the first things you need to do when applying is to go to the school’s website and find out just what you need to submit to apply. Create a checklist and go through it before you mail in your final application to make sure you’ve covered everything. 14. Stay organized. No matter what kind of system you use it’s important to keep organized. Have a calendar, checklists and folders where you keep important papers. 15. Have a schedule. Make sure you’re staying on track when it comes to time by creating a schedule with deadlines and dates to finish important parts of your application. 16. Aim to get materials in before the deadline. While the deadline is the absolute last day you can submit things, many schools offer early admissions which can be a big weight off your shoulders if you’re anxious to hear back about your status. 17. Look at your application as a whole. Try to achieve a good balance when you’re submitting your application. Highlight both your professional and academic skills. 18. Tailor your application to each school. Some schools may be looking for very specific qualities in their applicants, and you can do yourself a big favor by tailoring your apps slightly to fit the needs and likes of each school. 19. Realize that it’s not just a numbers game. Just because you got a so-so score on the LSAT doesn’t mean you won’t get into a good law school. Schools look at other materials as well, and if you show strong promise in other areas you just might get in. 20. Take your time and do it right. It’s unwise to rush your applications if you’re not ready. Take your time and make sure you’re submitting high quality essays and letters of recommendation, even if it means starting school a semester later.
Admissions Essays Make sure your essay represents the best you have to offer. These tips can help.
21. Proofread, and repeat. While a small error in the writing of your essay probably won’t do you in, having several or a major error just might, especially if competition is tough. Proofread your essay and have a friend look at it to make sure it’s in top shape. 22. Make sure you have a main thesis. Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes made in college admissions essays is failing to have a central thesis. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking but it does need to tie your essay together. 23. Draw on your own experience. Often your own experience in school and in the real world can be a great place to start on your admissions essay, giving it a more personal and often more interesting feel that can set you apart and make you memorable. 24. Find a way to stand out. You don’t have to be the next Hemingway to make your writing stand out. Include interesting information, have a lofty goal or just find a way to make your essay solid and well-thought out. 25. Go through several drafts. If you’re unsure of how or where to begin writing then create several drafts of your work to ensure the final work is what you had in mind. 26. Solicit help. If you know you’re not a strong writer or you just want some helpful feedback, find friends, family members and even former professors to help you read through and brainstorm your essay. 27. Be truthful. While admissions officers may not check every fact and detail in your essay, lying isn’t going to do you any favors. If you’re discovered later, it could mean the end of your academic and professional career as a lawyer, so keep it honest. 28. Keep it easy to read. Using big words in your essay doesn’t necessarily equate your essay with sounding more intelligent. Make sure it’s easy to read, flows well and makes sense and you’ll be off to a great start–no dictionary needed. 29. Stay away from cliches. There are numerous cliches out there when it comes to admissions essays. As tempting as it may be, stay away from these and try to go your own route when writing. 30. Make sure it’s actually an essay. You admissions essay should be an essay not a resume, nor a biography. keep that in mind when you’re proofreading and revising.
Letters of Recommendation These tips can help you get the letters of recommendation you need to get accepted to the program you want.
31. Give your recommender time. Asking for a letter of recommendation the week before you need it isn’t just rude, it’s likely to have you ending up without the letters you need. Make sure you give your recommender a month or so notice in advance so they can work around their schedule. 32. Provide them with additional information. Many recommenders will want to see your resume or samples of your work so they can get a good idea of what you’ve done or refresh their memories about your performance in their course, so make sure to have them on hand. 33. Choose people who know you well. The better your recommender knows you and your work, the better he or she will be able to write about you. 34. Choose people who like you. It might seem obvious, but sometimes applicants choose recommenders because they are high profile–not because they actually like or know them. 35. Be willing to make the letters confidential. Very often, students will have the choice of whether or not to make their letters confidential. This can make some recommenders more comfortable writing, so always offer. 36. Make it easy for the recommender. Writing you a letter of recommendation is already a favor, so make sure you make it easy for your recommender by giving them all the necessary materials, postage and addresses so their job will be easy. 37. Send only the requested number. Schools get hundreds, if not thousands of applications each semester. Acceptance committees don’t want to read more letters of recommendation than they asked for, so just take the best of the letters you have and send only those. 38. Make sure they’re credible. Make sure you’re getting letters from someone who will be see as a credible source of information–that means no relatives, spouses or others who have a vested interest in only saying nice things about you. 39. Follow up. It’s always a good idea to check up on the status of your letters to make sure that they’re getting in on time and as a helpful reminder to your recommender to turn them in. There is a fine line, however, between following up and hounding, so walk it carefully. 40. Always say thank you. Always remember to send a thank you note or to say thank you in person to anyone willing to write you a letter. It’s just good manners and it will make them more wiling to help you out in the future if you ever need other recommendations.
Resume Tweak and refine your resume with a little help from these tips.
41. Stick with your most relevant accomplishments and activities. Your resume doesn’t need to include everything you’ve ever done. Stick to the things that will matter most to the admissions committee. 42. Look at contemporary resume examples. Make sure your resume is up-to-date by checking out examples online. 43. Don’t exaggerate or lie. Lying on your resume can come back to bite you big time, so keep your resume honest. 44. Mention any volunteer or social work. Having these kinds of activities on your resume can help you to look wellrounded and community-oriented. If you’ve never volunteered, start. 45. Keep adding to your experience. Take every opportunity available to get more experience for your resume. 46. Organize it. Make sure your resume is easy to follow and maintains some kind of general organizing principle. 47. Keep it short. Your resume generally shouldn’t be more than a couple of pages long, so keep it short and sweet. 48. Create an image. If there is a particular quality your school is looking for, then use language and emphasize your experience in a way that creates the image you want to project. 49. Tweak it. Your first draft of your resume shouldn’t be your last. Tweak it until you get it right. 50. Ask for advice. Not sure if your resume looks good? Ask a friend, family member or even an online source for advice on how to fix it.
The LSAT Taking the LSAT can be stressful but this advice can help you pull through with flying colors.
51. Give yourself months to prepare. The LSAT isn’t easy for most students, so make sure you have several months beforehand to start studying and preparing for the test. 52. Take a class. While it’s not required, many feel that taking an LSAT preparation test can be a big asset in getting a better score. Check out what’s offered in your area to see if the cost is worth the benefit.
53. Do all the practice exams you can. Get books, use online resources and practice, practice, practice. The work will pay off in the long run. 54. Plan on taking it only once. Scores for multiple attempts at the LSAT are averaged, so even if you hit it out of the park the second time around your score will be brought down if you bombed it the first time, so plan on getting it right on the first go. 55. Create a study plan. In the months before your test day, sit down and figure out how much and how often you want to study for the exam. Having a schedule will help you make sure you get done what you need to. 56. Find your weaknesses. In taking the practice exams you should be able to figure out what some of your weaker areas are. Find these and focus your studies there first. 57. Test under timed conditions. Don’t just take the tests in your own sweet time–make sure you’re taking them as you would in the actual situation. 58. Don’t leave blanks. In most cases, taking a guess at a question is a better strategy than leaving a question blank, so always fill in every answer. 59. Stay positive. Taking a big test can seem overwhelming, but try to stay positive and feel good about how you will do on it. It can do wonders for your performance, confidence and ability. 60. Have a plan of attack. There are many places on the web and books you can purchase that offer LSAT test taking strategies. Read up on these before you go in so you’ll know how to get a higher score.
Interviews If your school requires an interview, read over these tips before going in to the meeting.
61. Dress appropriately. This should go without saying but there are stories aplenty about students who shocked admissions people with their state of dress (or undress as it may be) so make sure you come to the interview dressed in business attire. 62. Consider asking for an interview. If there are elements of your application you feel are weak or you think you may not get into a school you really want to go to, consider asking for an interview even if it’s not required. If you perform well, you may increase your chances of acceptance. 63. Be prepared to speak about your strengths and weaknesses. You need to know where you excel and where you could be better as these will form the basis for some of the questions that will be asked of you in the interview. 64. Research beforehand. It never hurts to know a little bit about the people who will be interviewing you and the school where you’re applying. You don’t want to look unprepared in the interview, after all. 65. Send out copies of your resume. It’s important and polite to make sure that your interviewers will have a copy of your resume and other pertinent materials so they can prepare to speak with you. Confirm they have what they need before your interview date. 66. Know your application. In order to prepare for your interview, go over all the materials you submitted for an application and make sure they’re fresh in your memory so you’ll be able to answer any questions interviewers can pose to you about what you included. 67. Look at commonly asked questions. There are many places on the web where you can find lists of questions that are likely to show up on law school interviews. Study these and figure out what your responses would be ahead of time. 68. Keep answers short but informative. Being long winded in your interview probably isn’t going to do you any favors, so keep your answers short and to the point and make sure they address the question you were asked. 69. Be prepared to ask your own questions. There are likely some things that you’ll want to know about the school to which you’re applying as well, so bring these questions with you to the interview. 70. Thank them for their time. Just like if you were interviewing for a job, it’s important to thank interviewers when you’re through to let them know you appreciate being considered as an applicant.
Tips for Fresh College Grads Those who are just coming out of college may not have the experience that some schools covet in applicants, but these tips can help guide new grads through the process.
71. Make the most of your work experience. Even if you don’t have a lot of work experience, use your resume to highlight what you do and play up what you’ve learned on the job. If you’ve worked in a law or community service job, all the better.
72. Highlight extracurricular activities. What you lack in job experience, you may be able to make up for in your extracurricular activities at school and in your personal life. Highlight your biggest achievements in these. 73. Pursue community service. Because law is often a community-based profession, volunteer work and community service can be a great addition to a resume. 74. Ensure you don’t need a break. Many students reach senior year ready to get out of school and get a job. Make sure you’re ready to commit to another 3 years of school before jumping into a law program. 75. Tap into relationships with former professors. You have a big advantage in heading to law school from undergrad in that you still have close relationships with your professors. Seek out your letters of recommendations from them. 76. Consider taking on an internship over the summer. Internships in a law-related field can add a lot of weight to your resume, so see if you can get accepted to one for the summer. 77. Use what you’ve learned. Since you’re coming straight from undergrad studies, all the lessons you’ve learned are fresh in your mind. Make the most of them when you’re writing and getting your application materials together. 78. Project maturity. Some admissions committees might be worried about your maturity levels as a younger student, so make sure you look and act like a respectable, mature adult when talking to school staff. 79. Be able to articulate your reasons for applying. Ensure that you have firm reasons for wanting to go to law school and be able to clearly state these both in writing and in interviews. 80. Make sure law school is right for you. Law school might sound great when you’re in undergrad, but spend some time thinking about the type of career you’d really like to have. If you’re unsure you may want to wait a year to apply.
Tips for Older Applicants If you’ve been out of school for awhile but are planning on heading back to law school, give these tips a read before applying.
81. Address why you want to change or supplement your career. If you’re making a mid-career change of direction make sure you address this in your essay. It can be a powerful talking point and something that shows your commitment to the degree program. 82. Emphasize your business and community connections. Your experience in the working world can be a real asset so make sure you play up all the work you’ve done and your performance levels. 83. Have clearly defined goals. Having an idea of where you want to end up after law school looks good in your essay and in your interviews, no matter your current career. 84. Understand the sacrifices.Going to law school is going to take up a lot of time and may mean less time for family or giving up a steady income. Make sure you’re prepared for these changes ahead of time. 85. Ask about evening courses. If you do plan on keeping your current job, make sure your school offers evening courses so you can study and work at the same time. 86. Articulate your desire to go to law school. One thing that you’ll need to be able to do, and do well, is explain to others why you want to go to law school. Spend some time thinking about this before writing an essay or going into an interview. 87. Focus on employer recommendations. For most people going back to school later in life, employers are the people who will know your skills best, so look to them for recommendations. 88. Show off skills in your resume. Your resume can be a great place to show what you know and what you’ve learned in your years in the workforce. Emphasize those skills that could help you in your law career. 89. Use your network. Sometimes it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Since you’ve spent time working, you may have better connections that can recommend you and help you along your path than students fresh out of undergrad. 90. Find programs that match your needs. Because you might want to keep working, need time for your family or want a program that has something to offer older students, spend some time researching law schools to find one that will truly support and meet your needs.
Choosing a School Don’t just apply to any old school–make sure the program is right for you with these tips.
91. Do your research. Before sending in a single application find out some information about the law schools you’ll think you’ll apply to. You may want to seek out information about others as well, as you never know when you might find the perfect fit.
92. Talk to current students. There are few people more qualified to tell you about a law school than students who are already enrolled, so seek out advice from current students on programs, professors and life on campus. 93. Find out about individual programs. Just because a law school is well rated doesn’t mean the programs it offers will be a match for you. If you’re interested in a certain branch of law, make sure the schools you’re applying to offer good courses and teachers in those fields. 94. Think about the costs. While law school is hardly ever what could be called cheap, some schools are more than others, especially if you choose to go out of state. Weigh the pros and cons of going to each school from a financial standpoint before making any firm commitments. 95. Decide where you want to be. If you live in a city where there are good schools nearby, you may want to stay in the area to attend school. If you don’t, then spend some time figuring out where you’d be willing to move to go to school and the costs associated with that move as well. 96. Visit the schools. There’s no real way to know whether or not you’ll click with a school unless you go there yourself and visit. You can start doing this even before you apply. 97. Get to know professors and advisors. These are the staff members that you’re going to be working with, so if you’re offered the chance, get to know them and what they have to offer you. 98. Go with your gut, not others’ impressions. There are many schools out there that impress with their name alone or that have been important to others you may know. While these can be useful things to know, you are the only one who can decide what school is the right one for you. 99. Look at a variety of schools. It’s always a good idea to look at more than just a couple of schools so you know what is out there and what you can get for the money you’ll be spending. 100. Know what you want. While wants can change, having a pretty good idea of what you want from a school– whether it’s proximity to your hometown or lower than average costs–can be a big help in picking out one that works for your needs.
From selling human remains to trading sex for grades, there have been a number of university scandals that have rocked headlines. Perhaps most interestingly, is that most of these acts were either committed or facilitated by members of faculty and administration. The following is a list of the most headline-worthy scandals that have affected our universities during the past decade:
Baylor Basketball Murder
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On June 8, 2005 Carlton Dotson pleaded guilty to the murder of his college basketball teammate, Patrick Dennehy. Both played for Baylor University, a NCAA Division 1 basketball school. Dennehy disappeared from the Waco campus in June of 2003. A month and a half later, his remains were found in a field near the University. On September 3, 2003, Dotson was indicted for the murder. After his arrest, Dotson was declared incompetent to stand trial and was sent the state mental hospital for evaluation. Eventually Dotson was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Sadly, the motive behind this killing is still unknown.
Japan’s ‘Rape Club’
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Tomoyuki Takayama was arrested in 2003, confirming rumors that students from Japan’s top private universities were involved in what the press labeled “The Rape Club.” Grim details of multiple gang rapes emerged after the arrest of Takayama from Shin Wada’s Super Free Club (The Rape Club). Takayama was convicted of joining seven other men in gang-raping a female student in a nightclub stairwell after one of the Super Free parties. The leader of this “club”, and orchestrator of the rape parties, Wada, was arrested shortly thereafter as well. Thirteen other male students were also arrested for plotting and videotaping the gang rapes of women at the Super Free Club.
College Loan Scandal of 2007
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In spring of 2007, the $85 billion student loan industry came under heavy fire by New York’s Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo. Loan industry giants such as Student Loan Xpress were investigated for revenue sharing schemes with America’s top Universities. Cuomo investigated alleged kickbacks, including exotic vacation packages, given to school officials that guided students to particular lenders. This investigation unearthed numerous agreements profiting schools, financial aid officers and lenders at the expense of uninformed students. As a result, six schools: the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Syracuse University, Fordham University, Long Island University and St. John’s University, agreed to reimburse students nearly $4 million for inflated loan prices as a result of these corrupt partnerships.
College Basketball Coach Resigns After Partying with Players
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In 2003, photos surfaced of Iowa State University’s basketball coach Larry Eustachy drinking and kissing undergraduate student’s at a late night ISU frat party. After proof of incident was published in the Des Moines Register, Iowa’s highest paid public employee was fired from his $1.1 million a year job. Following, Eustachy held a press conference where the New York Times quoted him saying, “I don’t think I will be able to apologize enough, I have no excuse for my behavior.” Eustachy is now the basketball coach at Southern Mississippi University.
Yale Sex Tape Scandal
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Yale sophomore and Denmark native, Casper Desfeux was arrested for filming himself committing sexual acts with a girl without her permission in 2007. Desfeux declined to speak about the incident publicly, while his lawyer proclaimed it was a misunderstanding that should have been handled outside of court. Desfeux was eventually charged and found guilty of two type-D felonies: voyeurism; and the dissemination of voyeurism. As of April 2008, Desfeux applied for and was declined an accelerated probation, which is typically granted to first-time offenders found guilty of minor crimes.
Duke Lacrosse Team Rape Allegations
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The Duke Lacrosse rape case was media sensationalism at its best. In March 2006 members of Duke’s lacrosse team held an of-campus party and hired two exotic dancers to perform. One of the dancers later accused three players of raping her at the party. After the media got wind of the accusations, the story was covered on every major news network in the country. District Attorney Mike Nifong overstepped his jurisdiction in an effort to pin the rape charges on the alleged assailants. Due to lack of evidence, the case fell apart and the students were exonerated. Eventually Nifong was disbarred for his actions, and the three accused students have pursued a lawsuit against Duke University, claiming emotional distress caused by the school during the scandal.
Sex and Cash at Diablo Valley
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Diablo Valley College is one of California’s top transfer community colleges, but in 2007 it became better know for a grade changing scandal. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that 84 students and 400 grades were suspect to the felony-level grade changing charges. After investigations, and according to the school’s officials, it was determined that a number of students had regularly paid the schools records office employees up to $600 per grade changed. After initial allegations, a student worker came forward and confessed that sexual favors were sometimes also exchanged in lieu of cash. Two records office employees were eventually sentenced to a year in jail for their involvement in the scandal.
Published Racism at Tufts University
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Tufts University magazine published a Christmas carol parody "O Come, All Ye Black Folk," in December 2006. The racist parody went on to recite: “O Sing, gospel choirs, We will accept your children, No matter what your grades are, F’s, D’s or G’s.” The lyrics soon spread via local media, causing an outrage throughout New England. The University’s administration publicly apologized for the magazines actions, however, no disciplinary actions have been made public regarding the person responsible for writing and/or publishing this parody.
Famous Black University Forged Grades
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In 2004, an internal audit of Louisiana’s Southern University found that 541 students since 1995 had been involved in an elaborate grade-changing scheme. The school’s chancellor initiated the investigation when a student enrolled in one of Southern’s graduate programs presented undergraduate credentials from the same school, to which the
academic department had no previous record of her as a student. This led to Southern University uncovering that 2400 grades had been changed since the mid 1990’s. Eventually Louisiana prosecutors filed criminal charges in the case, and school officials reacted by revoking the degrees of any student who graduated with tampered grades.
Christian University President Indicted
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Oral Roberts University President, Richard Roberts has recently been made the subject of a faculty-initiated lawsuit, citing financial, political and personal irregularities as head of the school. Roberts has taken an indefinite leave of absence since the release of detailed accusations filled by three former professors of the school’s history and government departments. The lawsuit alleges these professors lost their jobs due to their objections of Roberts’ efforts to enlist students for partisan politics. His actions were later scrutinized by the IRS in an attempt to disclose Roberts’ extravagant personal use the schools finances. The verdict and IRS investigations remain pending, whereas Roberts continues to maintain his innocence.
UCLA Faculty Profited from Selling Human Remains
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From 1999 to 2003, Henry Reid, Director of UCLA’s willed body program was found to have resold donated cadavers for personal profit. Reid’s attorney explained to a grand jury that he was poorly paid and as a result, was tempted to access the lucrative world of selling cadavers and body parts. Reid’s partner, Ernest Nelson, acted as a middle-man and reportedly made over one million dollars reselling the body parts to more than twenty private medical, pharmaceutical and hospital research companies. In October 2008 Reid was sentenced to four years and four months in a plea agreement; Nelson is still awaiting trial for eight felony charges including conspiracy, grand theft and tax evasion.
Air Force Academy Sex Scandal
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The US Air Force has removed the leadership of its elite academy following allegations that a number of female cadets, who reported sexual assault, were either ignored or reprimanded. As reported on CBS’s The Early Show in June 2005, more than sixty female cadets from the Colorado Springs Academy have come forward claiming they had either been sexually assaulted or rapped over a ten year span. Cadet Jessica Brakey, claimed she was afraid for two years to report what happened to her at an outdoor training exercise, in fear of further retaliation by her peers and superior officers. As for the dozens of accusations, not one resulted in a conviction. Brakey’s fellow cadet Beth Davis was reported saying on The Early Show that, “It’s indicative of a horrible culture (at the academy) as far as women are concerned. They really don’t want us there. The surveys prove that. It’s a shame. But it definitely is not sending the right messages."
Racist College Republican
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Adam LaDuca, 21, the leader of a statewide group of college Republicans was forced to resign after posting racially insensitive comments about then Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on the Internet. LaDuca wrote on his Facebook page in late July that Obama has “a pair of lips so large he could float half of Cuba to the shores of Miami (and probably would.)” Two years prior to this incident, LaDuca also made headlines when his Kutztown’s College Republicans chapter was heavily criticized for holding a “bake sale” to protest affirmative action – whites were charged more for cookies than blacks. LaDuca, then the group’s spokesman, made a public apology on the group’s behalf. LaDuca has since been forced to resigned his position from the college Republicans in August 2008.
Colorado Rape Scandal
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In 2004 a seventh woman came forward alleging that she was raped by players or recruits of the University of Colorado football team. The national headlining scandal had been brewing for sometime before this after a female kicker on the team alleged that she was often groped during team huddles, and was also raped by a teammate. Other female students that came forward alleged that they were raped at a 2001 party held to attract new recruits to the team. When news of this broke, it uncovered that fact that members of Colorado’s football team often used sex, drugs, and alcohol to recruit promising young players. Following these allegations, Colorado’s football coach Gary Barnett was eventually fired. No convictions were ever prosecuted on the alleged sexual misconduct by players and recruits of the football team.
Top Florida Republican Resigns Over College Job
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Newly elected House Speaker, Ray Sansom was forced to step down from his position in January 2009. Insisting he did nothing wrong, Sansom was found to have accepted an unadvertised $110,000 salary from Northwest Florida State College, while previously holding the position of House Budget Chairman. He maintained his innocence, even after investigations found that his office had funneled approximately $35 million to the school for new building projects. This scandal first made headlines in November 2008, when local news outlets reported on the college’s expansion at a time when the state’s education budget was dramatically being downsized. As of February 2009, a Florida grand jury has agreed to look into accusations that Sansom had traded the college appropriations for the job.
FEU
Law School Admissions
FEU offers two law programs, the Bachelor of Laws and the Juris Doctor-MBA program with De La Salle University. The Bachelor of Laws is offered at FEU Manila while the Juris Doctor-MBA is currently offered at the De La Salle University at RCBC Plaza. Law School Qualifying Test (LSQT) Schedules for the 2nd Semester of SY 2012-2013
Application Procedures for Bachelor of Laws Step 1 • Proceed to Registrar’s Office, Window C. FEU Manila Arts Building, G/F, next to the Chapel Office Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8am to 5 pm with noon break • Look for Ms. Tess Valencia • Present photocopies of the following: a. Certified college TOR or certificate of candidacy for graduation b. Original copy of Scholastic Record/updated Report of Ratings if graduating in March or April c. Secure and accomplish an application form for the Law School Qualifying Test (LSQT). Click HERE to download the Application Form for the LSQT. • If qualified, an OK slip to take the LSQT will be issued Step 2 • Proceed to cashier. (frontage of Education Building, G/F, next to UCCO) Office Hours: Mon. – Sat. 8am – 5pm with noon break • Pay the LSQT fee of P450. Step 3 • Proceed to Law Dean’s Office. Law Building, 3/F, Room 313 Office Hours: Mon. – Fri. 1pm – 7pm • Present OK slip to take the LSQT, filled-out application form and all other requirements. • Exam permit will be issued with the date, time and venue of exam indicated therein. Important The LSQT is administered on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. on specified testing schedules. Cut-off day for the filing of applications for LSQT is every Thursday, 5:00 p.m. All applications filed after the cut-off hour will be scheduled on the next available LSQT schedule. Law School Qualifying Test Requirements Requirements 1. Two (2) copies of certified Transcript of Records (for evaluation purposes) 2. Three (3) copies of 2×2 colored photo 3. FEU receipt for the payment of testing fee Addendum to requirement # 1 If an applicant is a graduating student at the time of his/ her application to take the LSQT, he/she must present the following: a. Certificate of candidacy for graduation and b. Original copy of the Scholastic Record or updated Report of Ratings c. The applicant must have completed the following at the time of application:
- 18 units of English - 6 units of Mathematics - 18 units of Social Sciences As per DECS Order No. 46, series of 1996, “The applicant/ student must be a graduate of a bachelor’s degree and must have earned eighteen (18) units of English, six (6) units of Mathematics and eighteen (18) units of Social Sciences.”
100 Best Law School Admission Tips of All Time
While the real work of law school starts with your first class, students will tell you that getting accepted isn’t always a walk in the park either, especially when applying to highly competitive programs. If you’re planning on applying or are already in the process of applying to law school, here are some helpful tips that can guide you through the process and make sure you’ve left nothing to chance. Basics Make sure you’re doing all you can to make the application process easier by paying attention to these tips.
1. Have realistic expectations. Whether it’s hoping to get all your application stuff done in a week or expecting to study yourself to a top score on the LSAT the night before the test, being unrealistic about your application process isn’t going to do you any favors. Know your personal limits and work within them to achieve your goals. 2. Ensure that you’re applying for the right reasons. Applying to law school because your parents want you to or because you simply want an impressive job is usually the wrong reason to do so. Make sure you’re applying because you want to be a lawyer. 3. Cater the process to your individual needs. Not every prospective student will have the same needs and goals in their application process. Take a look at your personal situation and decide where to go from there. 4. Know why you want to pursue a law degree. This is an issue that will come up in your admission essay and interviews, but should be forefront in your mind anyway, so spend some time thinking about just why you want to put in all the work and expense it takes to become a lawyer. 5. Be prepared to do the work. Applying to law school is the easy part–and it certainly isn’t easy. Make sure you’re ready to commit three or more years of your life to earning the degree before you apply. 6. Have a goal in mind. Most people applying to law school have a decent idea of where or how they want to use their degrees. If you don’t, take some time to think about it so you can reflect those desires in your admissions materials and in your choices of schools. 7. Don’t wait until the last minute. There are few things that will trip up your admissions process faster than waiting until the last minute to apply. If you’ve only got a few weeks to pull things together you may be better off waiting to apply for the next semester instead. 8. Consider your choices carefully. Law school is a lengthy and expensive commitment, so make sure you spend some serious time considering where you want to go and what you want to study before making any firm decisions. 9. Create a plan of attack. Since there is so much to do for law school applications, it can be helpful to lay out a timeline for accomplishing certain tasks so you can stay on track and get everything in on time. 10. Ask for advice. While each person will have their own needs when it comes to applying it can be a big help to get advice from someone who has been there and applied to law school before. If you don’t know anyone personally check out online message boards and forums for help.
Application Process These tips will help guide you through the larger application process.
11. Start early. If there is one big tip to helping you through the admissions process, it is to start early. The more time you have, the better you’ll be able to prepare without feeling stressed doing things down to the wire.
12. Don’t apply to just one program. While you might have your heart set on going to a particular school, it’s always good to have a backup just in case. That way you’ll have options and won’t be stuck if something goes wrong with your first choice. 13. Make a list of requirements. One of the first things you need to do when applying is to go to the school’s website and find out just what you need to submit to apply. Create a checklist and go through it before you mail in your final application to make sure you’ve covered everything. 14. Stay organized. No matter what kind of system you use it’s important to keep organized. Have a calendar, checklists and folders where you keep important papers. 15. Have a schedule. Make sure you’re staying on track when it comes to time by creating a schedule with deadlines and dates to finish important parts of your application. 16. Aim to get materials in before the deadline. While the deadline is the absolute last day you can submit things, many schools offer early admissions which can be a big weight off your shoulders if you’re anxious to hear back about your status. 17. Look at your application as a whole. Try to achieve a good balance when you’re submitting your application. Highlight both your professional and academic skills. 18. Tailor your application to each school. Some schools may be looking for very specific qualities in their applicants, and you can do yourself a big favor by tailoring your apps slightly to fit the needs and likes of each school. 19. Realize that it’s not just a numbers game. Just because you got a so-so score on the LSAT doesn’t mean you won’t get into a good law school. Schools look at other materials as well, and if you show strong promise in other areas you just might get in. 20. Take your time and do it right. It’s unwise to rush your applications if you’re not ready. Take your time and make sure you’re submitting high quality essays and letters of recommendation, even if it means starting school a semester later.
Admissions Essays Make sure your essay represents the best you have to offer. These tips can help.
21. Proofread, and repeat. While a small error in the writing of your essay probably won’t do you in, having several or a major error just might, especially if competition is tough. Proofread your essay and have a friend look at it to make sure it’s in top shape. 22. Make sure you have a main thesis. Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes made in college admissions essays is failing to have a central thesis. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking but it does need to tie your essay together. 23. Draw on your own experience. Often your own experience in school and in the real world can be a great place to start on your admissions essay, giving it a more personal and often more interesting feel that can set you apart and make you memorable. 24. Find a way to stand out. You don’t have to be the next Hemingway to make your writing stand out. Include interesting information, have a lofty goal or just find a way to make your essay solid and well-thought out. 25. Go through several drafts. If you’re unsure of how or where to begin writing then create several drafts of your work to ensure the final work is what you had in mind. 26. Solicit help. If you know you’re not a strong writer or you just want some helpful feedback, find friends, family members and even former professors to help you read through and brainstorm your essay. 27. Be truthful. While admissions officers may not check every fact and detail in your essay, lying isn’t going to do you any favors. If you’re discovered later, it could mean the end of your academic and professional career as a lawyer, so keep it honest. 28. Keep it easy to read. Using big words in your essay doesn’t necessarily equate your essay with sounding more intelligent. Make sure it’s easy to read, flows well and makes sense and you’ll be off to a great start–no dictionary needed. 29. Stay away from cliches. There are numerous cliches out there when it comes to admissions essays. As tempting as it may be, stay away from these and try to go your own route when writing. 30. Make sure it’s actually an essay. You admissions essay should be an essay not a resume, nor a biography. keep that in mind when you’re proofreading and revising.
Letters of Recommendation These tips can help you get the letters of recommendation you need to get accepted to the program you want.
31. Give your recommender time. Asking for a letter of recommendation the week before you need it isn’t just rude, it’s likely to have you ending up without the letters you need. Make sure you give your recommender a month or so notice in advance so they can work around their schedule. 32. Provide them with additional information. Many recommenders will want to see your resume or samples of your work so they can get a good idea of what you’ve done or refresh their memories about your performance in their course, so make sure to have them on hand. 33. Choose people who know you well. The better your recommender knows you and your work, the better he or she will be able to write about you. 34. Choose people who like you. It might seem obvious, but sometimes applicants choose recommenders because they are high profile–not because they actually like or know them. 35. Be willing to make the letters confidential. Very often, students will have the choice of whether or not to make their letters confidential. This can make some recommenders more comfortable writing, so always offer. 36. Make it easy for the recommender. Writing you a letter of recommendation is already a favor, so make sure you make it easy for your recommender by giving them all the necessary materials, postage and addresses so their job will be easy. 37. Send only the requested number. Schools get hundreds, if not thousands of applications each semester. Acceptance committees don’t want to read more letters of recommendation than they asked for, so just take the best of the letters you have and send only those. 38. Make sure they’re credible. Make sure you’re getting letters from someone who will be see as a credible source of information–that means no relatives, spouses or others who have a vested interest in only saying nice things about you. 39. Follow up. It’s always a good idea to check up on the status of your letters to make sure that they’re getting in on time and as a helpful reminder to your recommender to turn them in. There is a fine line, however, between following up and hounding, so walk it carefully. 40. Always say thank you. Always remember to send a thank you note or to say thank you in person to anyone willing to write you a letter. It’s just good manners and it will make them more wiling to help you out in the future if you ever need other recommendations.
Resume Tweak and refine your resume with a little help from these tips.
41. Stick with your most relevant accomplishments and activities. Your resume doesn’t need to include everything you’ve ever done. Stick to the things that will matter most to the admissions committee. 42. Look at contemporary resume examples. Make sure your resume is up-to-date by checking out examples online. 43. Don’t exaggerate or lie. Lying on your resume can come back to bite you big time, so keep your resume honest. 44. Mention any volunteer or social work. Having these kinds of activities on your resume can help you to look wellrounded and community-oriented. If you’ve never volunteered, start. 45. Keep adding to your experience. Take every opportunity available to get more experience for your resume. 46. Organize it. Make sure your resume is easy to follow and maintains some kind of general organizing principle. 47. Keep it short. Your resume generally shouldn’t be more than a couple of pages long, so keep it short and sweet. 48. Create an image. If there is a particular quality your school is looking for, then use language and emphasize your experience in a way that creates the image you want to project. 49. Tweak it. Your first draft of your resume shouldn’t be your last. Tweak it until you get it right. 50. Ask for advice. Not sure if your resume looks good? Ask a friend, family member or even an online source for advice on how to fix it.
The LSAT Taking the LSAT can be stressful but this advice can help you pull through with flying colors.
51. Give yourself months to prepare. The LSAT isn’t easy for most students, so make sure you have several months beforehand to start studying and preparing for the test. 52. Take a class. While it’s not required, many feel that taking an LSAT preparation test can be a big asset in getting a better score. Check out what’s offered in your area to see if the cost is worth the benefit.
53. Do all the practice exams you can. Get books, use online resources and practice, practice, practice. The work will pay off in the long run. 54. Plan on taking it only once. Scores for multiple attempts at the LSAT are averaged, so even if you hit it out of the park the second time around your score will be brought down if you bombed it the first time, so plan on getting it right on the first go. 55. Create a study plan. In the months before your test day, sit down and figure out how much and how often you want to study for the exam. Having a schedule will help you make sure you get done what you need to. 56. Find your weaknesses. In taking the practice exams you should be able to figure out what some of your weaker areas are. Find these and focus your studies there first. 57. Test under timed conditions. Don’t just take the tests in your own sweet time–make sure you’re taking them as you would in the actual situation. 58. Don’t leave blanks. In most cases, taking a guess at a question is a better strategy than leaving a question blank, so always fill in every answer. 59. Stay positive. Taking a big test can seem overwhelming, but try to stay positive and feel good about how you will do on it. It can do wonders for your performance, confidence and ability. 60. Have a plan of attack. There are many places on the web and books you can purchase that offer LSAT test taking strategies. Read up on these before you go in so you’ll know how to get a higher score.
Interviews If your school requires an interview, read over these tips before going in to the meeting.
61. Dress appropriately. This should go without saying but there are stories aplenty about students who shocked admissions people with their state of dress (or undress as it may be) so make sure you come to the interview dressed in business attire. 62. Consider asking for an interview. If there are elements of your application you feel are weak or you think you may not get into a school you really want to go to, consider asking for an interview even if it’s not required. If you perform well, you may increase your chances of acceptance. 63. Be prepared to speak about your strengths and weaknesses. You need to know where you excel and where you could be better as these will form the basis for some of the questions that will be asked of you in the interview. 64. Research beforehand. It never hurts to know a little bit about the people who will be interviewing you and the school where you’re applying. You don’t want to look unprepared in the interview, after all. 65. Send out copies of your resume. It’s important and polite to make sure that your interviewers will have a copy of your resume and other pertinent materials so they can prepare to speak with you. Confirm they have what they need before your interview date. 66. Know your application. In order to prepare for your interview, go over all the materials you submitted for an application and make sure they’re fresh in your memory so you’ll be able to answer any questions interviewers can pose to you about what you included. 67. Look at commonly asked questions. There are many places on the web where you can find lists of questions that are likely to show up on law school interviews. Study these and figure out what your responses would be ahead of time. 68. Keep answers short but informative. Being long winded in your interview probably isn’t going to do you any favors, so keep your answers short and to the point and make sure they address the question you were asked. 69. Be prepared to ask your own questions. There are likely some things that you’ll want to know about the school to which you’re applying as well, so bring these questions with you to the interview. 70. Thank them for their time. Just like if you were interviewing for a job, it’s important to thank interviewers when you’re through to let them know you appreciate being considered as an applicant.
Tips for Fresh College Grads Those who are just coming out of college may not have the experience that some schools covet in applicants, but these tips can help guide new grads through the process.
71. Make the most of your work experience. Even if you don’t have a lot of work experience, use your resume to highlight what you do and play up what you’ve learned on the job. If you’ve worked in a law or community service job, all the better.
72. Highlight extracurricular activities. What you lack in job experience, you may be able to make up for in your extracurricular activities at school and in your personal life. Highlight your biggest achievements in these. 73. Pursue community service. Because law is often a community-based profession, volunteer work and community service can be a great addition to a resume. 74. Ensure you don’t need a break. Many students reach senior year ready to get out of school and get a job. Make sure you’re ready to commit to another 3 years of school before jumping into a law program. 75. Tap into relationships with former professors. You have a big advantage in heading to law school from undergrad in that you still have close relationships with your professors. Seek out your letters of recommendations from them. 76. Consider taking on an internship over the summer. Internships in a law-related field can add a lot of weight to your resume, so see if you can get accepted to one for the summer. 77. Use what you’ve learned. Since you’re coming straight from undergrad studies, all the lessons you’ve learned are fresh in your mind. Make the most of them when you’re writing and getting your application materials together. 78. Project maturity. Some admissions committees might be worried about your maturity levels as a younger student, so make sure you look and act like a respectable, mature adult when talking to school staff. 79. Be able to articulate your reasons for applying. Ensure that you have firm reasons for wanting to go to law school and be able to clearly state these both in writing and in interviews. 80. Make sure law school is right for you. Law school might sound great when you’re in undergrad, but spend some time thinking about the type of career you’d really like to have. If you’re unsure you may want to wait a year to apply.
Tips for Older Applicants If you’ve been out of school for awhile but are planning on heading back to law school, give these tips a read before applying.
81. Address why you want to change or supplement your career. If you’re making a mid-career change of direction make sure you address this in your essay. It can be a powerful talking point and something that shows your commitment to the degree program. 82. Emphasize your business and community connections. Your experience in the working world can be a real asset so make sure you play up all the work you’ve done and your performance levels. 83. Have clearly defined goals. Having an idea of where you want to end up after law school looks good in your essay and in your interviews, no matter your current career. 84. Understand the sacrifices.Going to law school is going to take up a lot of time and may mean less time for family or giving up a steady income. Make sure you’re prepared for these changes ahead of time. 85. Ask about evening courses. If you do plan on keeping your current job, make sure your school offers evening courses so you can study and work at the same time. 86. Articulate your desire to go to law school. One thing that you’ll need to be able to do, and do well, is explain to others why you want to go to law school. Spend some time thinking about this before writing an essay or going into an interview. 87. Focus on employer recommendations. For most people going back to school later in life, employers are the people who will know your skills best, so look to them for recommendations. 88. Show off skills in your resume. Your resume can be a great place to show what you know and what you’ve learned in your years in the workforce. Emphasize those skills that could help you in your law career. 89. Use your network. Sometimes it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Since you’ve spent time working, you may have better connections that can recommend you and help you along your path than students fresh out of undergrad. 90. Find programs that match your needs. Because you might want to keep working, need time for your family or want a program that has something to offer older students, spend some time researching law schools to find one that will truly support and meet your needs.
Choosing a School Don’t just apply to any old school–make sure the program is right for you with these tips.
91. Do your research. Before sending in a single application find out some information about the law schools you’ll think you’ll apply to. You may want to seek out information about others as well, as you never know when you might find the perfect fit.
92. Talk to current students. There are few people more qualified to tell you about a law school than students who are already enrolled, so seek out advice from current students on programs, professors and life on campus. 93. Find out about individual programs. Just because a law school is well rated doesn’t mean the programs it offers will be a match for you. If you’re interested in a certain branch of law, make sure the schools you’re applying to offer good courses and teachers in those fields. 94. Think about the costs. While law school is hardly ever what could be called cheap, some schools are more than others, especially if you choose to go out of state. Weigh the pros and cons of going to each school from a financial standpoint before making any firm commitments. 95. Decide where you want to be. If you live in a city where there are good schools nearby, you may want to stay in the area to attend school. If you don’t, then spend some time figuring out where you’d be willing to move to go to school and the costs associated with that move as well. 96. Visit the schools. There’s no real way to know whether or not you’ll click with a school unless you go there yourself and visit. You can start doing this even before you apply. 97. Get to know professors and advisors. These are the staff members that you’re going to be working with, so if you’re offered the chance, get to know them and what they have to offer you. 98. Go with your gut, not others’ impressions. There are many schools out there that impress with their name alone or that have been important to others you may know. While these can be useful things to know, you are the only one who can decide what school is the right one for you. 99. Look at a variety of schools. It’s always a good idea to look at more than just a couple of schools so you know what is out there and what you can get for the money you’ll be spending. 100. Know what you want. While wants can change, having a pretty good idea of what you want from a school– whether it’s proximity to your hometown or lower than average costs–can be a big help in picking out one that works for your needs.
