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

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

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

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

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)

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. Guests: 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 Debbie Chizewer, Senior Assistant Dean for Admissions and Director, Chicago Careers in Law, University of Chicago Richard Montauk, Admissions Consultant & Author, How to Get Into the Top Law Schools

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. Guests: Noah Teitelbaum, Manhattan LSAT, Managing Director Glen Stohr, Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions, Senior Product Developer Matt Riley, Blueprint Test Prep, Founder & Instructor Ranika Morales, LSAT test-taker and student

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.  Guests: Noah Teitelbaum, Manhattan LSAT, Managing Director Glen Stohr,  Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions, Senior Product Developer Matt Riley,  Blueprint Test Prep, Founder & Instructor  Ranika Morales, LSAT test-taker and student

You’ve walked out of the LSAT feeling it was a particularly bad day for you, or you’ve just learned that your score is lower than you had hoped. Your initial instinct might be to just take the test again, but before you register for the next administration of the test, listen to our experts tell you what you need to know to plan your next steps. When should you cancel your score? When should you retake the exam? Should you explain a low score in an addendum? Also find out how law school admissions committees view multiple LSAT scores and how to make your application shine despite a low score. Guests: Noah Teitelbaum, Managing Director, Manhattan LSAT Brad McIlquham, Director of Academics, Knewton LSAT Glen Stohr, Sr , Manager of Content Development for Grad Programs, Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions Richard Geiger, Dean of Admissions, Cornell Law School Sarah Streit, LSAT student

It’s a well-known fact.  First–year grades are really important to law students. And second-semester grades are your best chance to distinguish yourself.  These are what law firm interviewers and prospective employers will look to when you’re hunting for summer work next year and beyond. Plus, master these basic skills now and they will serve you well for two more years.  Hear from law students and professors. What study techniques worked? What didn’t? What to do if first semester grades disappoint?  What do your professors want to see? Listen to what our guests have to say to help you earn top grades. Guests: Ursula Furi-Perry, Massachusetts School of Law at Andover, Director of Academic Support, Director of the Bar Essay Writing Program Barbara Lasoff, Senior Series Editor for Wolters Kluwer Law and Business (Emanuel Outlines) Nicolle Kownacki,  UCLA School of Law, 3L Student Epiphanie Marquez, The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, 3L Student

You’ve heard it before.  It’s not just what you know, it’s who you  know.  If you’re a law student, or if you’re just starting to think about law school, you’ll want to start building your network now.  Networking can not only help you find that coveted first job, but can also help you hone the skills you’ll need after you’re hired and throughout your legal career.  Our guests explain how to identify networking sources, initiate contacts, socialize with confidence, develop and nurture networking relationships, and continuously broaden your contacts so that you’ll develop relationships and make connections with people who will help you launch and enhance your career. Guests: Jessie Kornberg, Executive Director, Ms. JD Frank Kimball, Owner, Kimball Professional Management Kimberly Encinas, Associate, Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP Los Angeles Katherine Hayes, 3L Student, Northwestern University Law School

Wouldn’t it be great if you could submit a perfect law school application?  There’s no such thing, say the experts, but one of the most significant challenges law school applicants face is the need to mitigate weaknesses or perceived weaknesses in an application.  In this show, we help you take a step back to critically evaluate your application for true weak spots, we delve into the problems that most frequently trip up candidates, and walk you through the steps that allow you to correct weaknesses and mitigate problems through other parts of your application. Listen as we help you present your weaknesses in the best light possible. Guests include: Ann Richard, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, George Washington University Law School Rita Jones, Assistant Dean, Admissions and Financial Aid, Boston College Law School Graham Richmond, Co-Founder and CEO of Clear Admit Anna Ivey, Admissions Consultant and author of The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions

You’re starting law school, and in case you haven’t heard, the first (or 1L) year, is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a long haul and it’s full of challenges, but there are strategies that will help you make it through successfully. We speak with professors who teach first year law students and with authors of some helpful guides to tackling your first year of law school – and beyond. We also check in with a student to hear what you should know before you go. They have some insider tips to help you with specific strategies for success and to manage your time, so you can hit the ground running in law school. Guests include: James D. Gordon III, Marion B. and Rulon A. Earl Professor of Law, Brigham Young University Law School and author of Law School: A Survivor’s Guide Henry Noyes, Professor of Law at Chapman University School of Law, author of Acing Your First Year of Law School: The Ten Steps to Success You Won’t Learn in Class Don Macaulay, Founder of AdmissionsDean.com and Law Preview Nancy B. Rapoport, Gordon Silver Professor of Law, William S. Boyd School of Law, UNLV and author of Law School Survival Manual: From LSAT to Bar Exam Gary Young, Adjunct Professor of Law at University of Nebraska College of Law, Lincoln and author of Law School Ninja Ashley Brian, 2L Law Student, Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis