Episodes
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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 -
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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 -
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 -
What exactly is an “optional” essay and is it really optional? Separate and apart from the personal statement, many law schools offer applicants the opportunity to submit “optional essays,” on a range of topics and to explain certain aspects of their application through an addendum. When should you write these essays and what should you say? We asked deans of admission, an admissions consultant and a prelaw advisor when an applicant should choose to answer these supplementary questions, how these essays are used by schools to evalute your application, how to choose among topics, and how optional essays and addenda can be used to round out your application.
Guests:
Faye Shealy, Associate Dean for Admissions, William & Mary Law School Bill Hoye, Associate Dean, Admissions & Student Affairs, Duke University School of Law Jamie Thomas-Ward, Director of Pre-Law Advising Services, University of Illinois Paul Bodine, Admissions Consultant, www.paulsbodine.com -
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 -
Planning and getting through the law school application process can be a daunting task. Where should you start? How should you map out the next year so that everything gets done and gets done well? When should you take the LSAT? When should you make your list of schools? When should you actually fill out the application. Prelaw advisors, a top admissions consultant and a student give you solid advice on when to start your law school application process, addressing issues like research, how and when to tackle the application, the LSAT, managing recommenders and school visits. And they will help you plan your candidacy before you apply and throughout the process.
Guests:
Sunitha Ramaiah, Co-founder and Executive Vice President, jdMission Hilary Mantis, Prelaw Advisor & Career Consultant, Fordham University Rebecca Gill, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Prelaw Advisor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas Aminta Kilawan, 2L, Fordham University School of Law -
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 -
The legal specialty of sports and entertainment law sounds pretty glamorous. If you’re thinking about a career in this field, you may be drawn by the prospect of representing celebrities, athletes, authors, entertainers and their employers. But what exactly is this practice area? What do sports and entertainment lawyers actually do? How can law students pursue a career in this specialty? We explore this topic and speak with lawyers who serve as outside and in-house counsel in some of the leading sports and entertainment organizations and firms and also with the director a program at a top law school with a special curriculum devoted to this exciting area. Listen in to learn more.
Guests:
Shelley Reid, Fox Television Studios, Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs Rupen Fofaria, Loeb & Loeb, Associate John Schulman, University of Southern California Law School, Executive Director of Entertainment Program; Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, Partner David Cohen, New York Mets, General Counsel Rajiv Dalal, Motion Picture Association of America, Managing Director, India -
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 -
What’s the toughest part of the LSAT? While each test-taker has his or her own strengths and weaknesses, there’s a general concensus that most people find the Logic Games section the most intimidating part of the test. The good news? It’s also the section where, with preparation, test-takers also see the biggest score increase. We’ve gathered our test prep experts to offer you their strategies to helping you beat this challenging section and achieve your highest score possible.
Guests:
Noah Teitelbaum, Managing Director, Manhattan LSAT Test Prep Brad McIlquham, Director of Academics, Knewton LSAT Prep Glen Stohr, Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions Sarah Streit, LSAT-test taker -
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 -
Law school is expensive and the choice of where to go is likely the biggest invesment decision that you have yet to face. Should you opt for a school near where you want to live and work or the school with a high ranking or big national name? How do you calculate the return on your investment? Will the regional schools get you where you want to go, or do you need a national law school to meet your career goals? In this show, representatives from different schools talk about the challenges – and the benefits – of getting your law degree locally or at a more national school, a consultant tells you what recruiters are thinking, and our guests give you tips for whichever path you choose to guide you to success.
Guests:
Sari Zimmerman, Assistant Dean, Career & Professional Development, UC Hastings College of Law Fran V. Bouchoux, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Services, Rutgers School of Law, Newark Susan L. Krinsky, Associate Dean, Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid & Career Development, Tulane University Law School Andy Cornblatt, Dean of Admissions, Georgetown University Law Center Brian Dalton, Director, Research & Consulting, Vault.com - Show more
