The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert [Paperback]

Ann K. Levine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0615271839 | ISBN-13: 978-0615271835 | Edition: 1st

Please note this book has been updated. For the most current advice on the law school admission process, see The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert, Second Edition (2013). A new audio version will also be available shortly. 

Law School Admission Expert Ann Levine, former director of admission for two ABA law schools and popular pre-law blogger of the Law School Expert blog offers concrete tips and professional insights into the law school admission process and how to maximize each piece of the law school application process. The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert answers questions for today's law school applicants including: - How will law schools view my credentials, activities, and work experience?
- What is the rolling admission process and how can it impact whether I am accepted?
- Will the fact that I am a non-traditional applicant help me or hurt me?
- Why is the personal statement important and how do I select a topic?
- What should I do if someone tells me to write my own letter of recommendation for their signature?
- How do I explain a low LSAT score, inconsistent GPA, academic probation, or arrest record?
- Should I write one of the optional essays? Which one?
- Why was I placed on a waiting list and what can I do to increase my chances of acceptance?
- How can I use scholarship offers to negotiate between law schools?
- How do I decide where to attend?
The tips and insights provided within The Law School Admission Game: How to Play Like an Expert is the second best thing to having your own law school admission consultant. Ms. Levine offers candid and tangible advice in a conversational tone with an open and encouraging (but brutally honest) approach. This book will change how you look at the law school admission process and help you create your strongest possible application package. This book offers strategies for all law school applicants, including specific advice for people:
-Determined to attend a Top Law School
-Hoping for the chance to attend any law school
-Seeking an affordable legal education
-Returning to school after being in the work force
-Still in college with limited work and life experience
-Considering how to build their experiences and resumes to strengthen their applications
-Concerned about writing a compelling personal statement because they haven't experienced poverty or overcome paralysis
Know the story they want to tell about overcoming obstacles in life but are not sure what to emphasize. No matter your life story or potential weaknesses in your law school application, The Law School Admission Game: How to Play Like an Expert will guide you through every piece of the application process. From filling in the blanks on applications to deciding whether to submit an optional essay to what to do when waitlisted, this little book will assure you and arm you with insider knowledge every step of the way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ann Levine has written a fantastic book for law school applicants. There are so many of these on the market and it can be hard to separate them and find any that would be helpful to a large segment of the applicant population. I think Ms. Levine has done just that. It is clear, concise, and easy to read. If I could take the hundreds of hours I spend advising each year and turn it into a manuscript, it would pretty much look just like this. --Greg Shaffer, Esq., Coordinator of Pre-Law Advising, University of Maryland

In the game of getting admitted into law school Ann Levine IS the expert and she generously shares the lesser known rules of the game in this book. In a shrinking world of expanding competition for the best options, Ms. Levine's book provides timely, valuable insight and good practical advice for law school applicants. --Linda C. Ashar, Esq., Author of "101 Ways to Score Higher on Your LSAT"

Applicants to law school will benefit from the insightful advice written by Ms. Levine. Her frank and candid remarks will be particularly helpful to prelaw students who don t have the benefit of an engaged prelaw advisor. Ms. Levine has authored a book chock full of insights and suggestions based on her own experience as a law school chief admissions officer. Much of what she has to say parallels my own experience of having reviewed more than 35,000 application admissions to law school. -- --Charles Roboski, Asst. Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Michigan State University College of Law (previously at five other law schools including Notre Dame)

In the game of getting admitted into law school Ann Levine IS the expert and she generously shares the lesser known rules of the game in this book. In a shrinking world of expanding competition for the best options, Ms. Levine's book provides timely, valuable insight and good practical advice for law school applicants. --Linda C. Ashar, Esq., Author of "101 Ways to Score Higher on Your LSAT"

Applicants to law school will benefit from the insightful advice written by Ms. Levine. Her frank and candid remarks will be particularly helpful to prelaw students who don t have the benefit of an engaged prelaw advisor. Ms. Levine has authored a book chock full of insights and suggestions based on her own experience as a law school chief admissions officer. Much of what she has to say parallels my own experience of having reviewed more than 35,000 application admissions to law school. ----Charles Roboski, Asst. Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Michigan State University College of Law (previously at five other law schools including Notre Dame)

From the Author

This book was written in 2009 -- times have changed and so has the advice. For guidance on the current trend in law school applications, please see the new, updated, and expanded version of The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert, Second Edition (2013). A new audio version will be available shortly.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 167 pages
• Publisher: Abraham Publishing; 1st edition (May 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615271839
• ISBN-13: 978-0615271835
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Education & Reference > Graduate School > Law School Guides
  • #40 in Books > Law > Legal Education

More About the Author

Ann K. Levine is the founder and chief consultant at Law School Expert. Before founding Law School Expert, Ann was Director of Admissions for Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and served as Director of Admissions for California Western School of Law in San Diego. As the director of admissions for two ABA approved law schools, Ann reviewed thousands of applications each year and was primarily responsible for making all admission decisions including awarding scholarships.

Each year pre-law students rely on Law School Expert's blog for advice on personal statements, letters of recommendation, LSAT scores and more, to help them get into "reach" law schools.

Ann holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law where she graduated magna cum laude. Ann distinguished herself with service to the Inter-American Law Review and membership in Order of the Coif. Ann also holds a BSC in Communication from the University of Miami.

Ms. Levine now resides in Santa Barbara, California with her husband (an attorney) and two daughters.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Take it from an LSAT teacher December 16, 2011

By Nathan Fox

Format:Paperback

I teach LSAT in San Francisco, and my classes are heavily question-driven. (Students can ask whatever they want, and I do my best to answer.) I've always gotten a ton of questions that range away from the LSAT and toward the broader law school application process. So I realized early on that my job wasn't just LSAT preparation. It's also to help people make good decisions about where to apply, when to apply, what to include in the application, and what offers to accept.

To that end, I just added The Law School Admission Game to my course curriculum. I blew through it over the past two days--it's a great read--and I decided immediately to give it to all my students from this point forward. It fills a huge hole in what's offered by most LSAT prep programs, and I'm proud to offer it as part of my classes. Below, I'll give my thoughts (overwhelmingly positive, with a few quibbles) about the book. But if you're applying to law school you really should just buy yourself a copy. I promise you'll be very happy you did.

Levine is a law school admission consultant and owner of the LawSchoolExpert website. Why is she the law school expert? Well, she was Director of Student Services at the University of Denver College of Law, Director of Admissions for California Western School of Law, and Director of Admissions for Loyola Law School. That's a good start. She's also a lawyer, of course (University of Miami School of Law). But despite all that, I didn't believe she was an expert until I started reading. Inside the first 10 pages, I was a believer. It's written like an expert would write. No bull, no filler. This isn't a 500-page encyclopedia that you're never going to read.... Instead, it's 168 pages of facts, real-world anecdotes to illustrate those facts, a ton of inside perspective from the world of law school applications committees, and a lot of common sense.

I'm really excited about this thing--I wish I would have discovered it sooner. To avoid writing a book myself, in this review, I'm going to bulletize my thoughts. Here we go:

PROS:

***Levine's perspective matches mine. Unlike a lot of the big test prep companies (Blueprint, I'm looking at you) she doesn't insult the reader with promises of BMWs and mansions. Instead, she talks about how the law profession is serious, demanding, and very unlikely to immediately pay you six figures. She doesn't try to talk you out of law school, exactly, but she's very honest that law isn't something to jump into without serious consideration. And it's definitely not the thing to do if you simply want to get rich.

***If you have some time off before starting law school, she advises you to "explore your passion" (skydiving instructor? viola teacher?) instead of working as a legal assistant or file clerk, where you'll slave away without really learning anything about legal practice or making any meaningful connections. I couldn't agree more.

***If you're still an undergrad, she advises you to "find meaning in what you are doing. Don't pick a major because it 'looks good'... you'll do better with a subject that interests and inspires you." I suppose I must have heard that when I was an undergrad, but I never really believed it until I was well out of college. Trust me, as someone who did three graduate degrees and held a succession of jobs I hated before finding nirvana teaching LSAT: Just do what you love, and you'll find happiness eventually.

***She says that working at The Gap, if it was necessary to pay your bills, is just as good or better on a law school application than an internship where you answered phones for some politician who probably didn't know your name. This absolutely matches my own perspective from the law school classroom. The kids who had obviously never worked a day in their lives always seemed to have their hands up in class, but never said anything worth listening to. (Listen kid, I don't care what YOU think the law should be. Don't you realize the professor is an international expert? Why are we listening to you instead of her?) If you've been paying your own bills since you were in your teens, say so in your application.

***She advises you, when picking an LSAT class, to talk to people who had the same instructor as you'll have. As an LSAT teacher, I absolutely agree on this point. Ask how long your teacher has been teaching, ask what they got on the LSAT, and ask to talk to other students in your area who had that same teacher.

***I love this point: She advises you to practice the LSAT in distracting conditions. This is a terrific idea. Go to Starbucks and do a 35-minute section amidst all the hustle and bustle. I've heard horror story after horror story about bad conditions on test day. You've gotta learn to ignore whatever the test might throw at you. I've heard everything from proctors with very loud shoes to jackhammering directly outside the testing room. Get over it by practicing in tough conditions.

***She offers terrific advice on letters of recommendation. One gem: "A teaching assistant may be better able to write you a detailed letter of recommendation. This is completely appropriate and the professor may even be willing to sign the letter in addition to the T.A." I never would have thought of that, but that's a great move.

***Another gem: "The only time a LOR makes or breaks a file is when it breaks a file." What she means here is that the LOR is not a sufficient condition--it's a necessary condition. A terrific one won't get you in, but a terrible one will keep you out. Plan accordingly.

***I'm raving here, but it's just so good that I have to share it: She offers tips for how to write your OWN letter of recommendation, in the very likely circumstance that one of your proposed recommenders asks YOU to write the first draft of the letter. This is incredibly hard (I'm speaking from experience here) and Ann does a terrific job of laying out a formula for drafting this letter. Wow.
The book includes brief but solid advice for transcripts and resumes. You'll have to read the book to find out.

***It's got terrific personal statement advice. One tip: Do "be likeable and impressive." Don't display "arrogance and elitism." I've read many personal statements over the years. (Not as many as Ann, but still a lot.) Arrogance is the number one failing I have seen.

***And again I'm raving here, but Levine says the personal statement is "not there to show how many big words you know." This runs a close second to arrogance on my own list of common personal statement failures. If you're looking in a dictionary or thesaurus to find a fancy word to use, use the simpler word instead. Big words show insecurity. Be conversational.

There's a LOT more than that in the book. I'm censoring myself here.

A FEW POINTS OF MILD DISAGREEMENT:

***Levine says the best times to take the LSAT "are either in June after your junior year or in the fall of your senior year, and start preparing approximately three months before the exam." I think this is a good schedule if you're really good at standardized tests, or if you are planning on taking a year off before law school. This schedule will work for some, but many, many students will end up retaking the exam, which will force delaying law school for a year if you get caught on the wrong end of the LSAT cycle. Most students should take a class, and take the test, much earlier than they probably think.

***Levine says "plan to take the test once and only once." While I agree that this is optimal, I think it's a tad unrealistic. You definitely shouldn't take the test unprepared--that's just a waste of time and money. So make sure you plan ahead, and are prepared on test day. But everybody has some natural variation in their practice test scores, and this variation occurs on test day as well. So a huge chunk of students, necessarily, are going to score less than their practice-test average on test day. These students should retake the test. Because this is the reality, I think everyone should PLAN on retaking the test, just in case they need to. One reason she advises to take the test only once is that it is expensive to prepare and to take. It's true that the test costs $100-whatever dollars every time you take it, but retaking the test does not require re-taking an LSAT class. A bad day on the test is like a bike crash--it's painful, and requires that you dust yourself off and try again, but it does not require that you relearn how to ride a bike. I have a feeling this is a point that Ann will revise in subsequent editions of the book, as more and more schools now say they only consider an applicant's highest LSAT score.

***She says "the February LSAT is not a good idea"--if you read her explanation, I agree with her. But the headline is misleading if that's all you read. The February LSAT is perfect for people who don't want to start law school until the following year. As a matter of fact, I think it's a perfect first test date for those who want to go to law school in year +1, because it allows for a backup test date in June of year 0, which will still allow time to take full advantage of rolling admissions. She's right that "taking the February LSAT for fall admission reeks of desperation." But the February LSAT one year in advance smells sweetly of good planning.

***A quibble about how to prepare for the LSAT: I disagree with Levine's tip that you should review EVERY answer, even those that you got right. The reason for my disagreement is I want you to do a LOT of practice questions. If you haven't done at least 10 full tests (that's 1000 questions) then you're not prepared to get your best score. I think it takes way too long to review all the ones that you knew you got right while you were taking the test. Instead, you should review all the questions you got wrong, and all the questions you GUESSED RIGHT. (Say you narrowed it down to a 50-50 and then blindly picked one... if you get it right, you definitely need to figure out WHY the correct answer is correct and the other answer is wrong.) I advise you to circle the questions you guess on while taking practice tests, so that you'll be able to review your areas of uncertainty in addition to reviewing the ones you missed.

***Levine quotes Steve Schwartz of LSAT Blog as advising students not to "let more than a couple of days go by without using your LSAT books." I basically agree, but I'd actually amend this to say don't let ANY days go by without using your LSAT books. It's like exercise. If you miss one day, you risk missing two, then three, then a week. Even if you just do one logic game, or a couple LR questions, I think you should do something every single day to get a tiny bit better at the LSAT.

Yeah... just go ahead and buy it. I'm probably the most critical person in the world, and I absolutely loved the book. Worth every penny. Read more ›

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Considering law school? Buy. This. Book. May 6, 2010

By Christopher J. Klugewicz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a non-traditional law school hopeful, I was feeling lost in the sea of information (and misinformation) available online and in print about the law school application process. I came across Ann's book here on Amazon and ordered it because of the uniformly excellent reviews. Having read it cover to cover in one sitting last night, I recommend it without hesitation to anyone -- whether you are still an undergraduate or whether you're almost 20 years out of graduate school like me -- considering embarking on a quest to study law. Ann's book is filled to the brim with no-nonsense advice on every decision you're likely to face in the admissions process. Her viewpoint is unique among the books I've encountered because it is written by someone who oversaw the admissions process at two ABA law schools and who has since helped thousands of applicants be successful over the past 5+ years through her consulting business and web site. Ann's writing style is clear and concise, and she pulls no punches in debunking some common myths or misconceptions about law school admissions. The book's organization follows beautifully the natural sequence of decisions & events that arise during what can be a long and grueling process, and it should serve as an excellent reference, motivator, and reality check in the months prior to receiving that longed-for phone call, email, or acceptance letter. My review's title summarizes it quite well: if you are considering law school, buy this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Navigate the Law School Admission Process Successfully! June 19, 2009

By CSP

Format:Paperback

I have read Ann Levine's book The Law School Admission Game: Play Like An Expert 3 times now and each time I read it, I am more impressed, I feel more informed and more empowered. Ann takes the mystery out of the law school admission process and makes it clear how one can put their best foot forward in this extraordinarily competitive arena.

In a very succinct and lucid manner, Ann Levine clearly shows students how to identify whether or not law school is the right choice for them. She then helps them navigate the process by identifying strengths, addressing weaknesses and overcoming obstacles. As someone who has very clear strengths and weaknesses, Ann's advice has helped me highlight the peaks of my academic and professional careers while forthrightly and effectively addressing my weaknesses for maximum success in the law school admission process.

Ann's book goes into great detail on everything from recommendations to the personal statement to LSAT scores. And, she does this in an easy to read, friendly manner. At no point will the reader feel that Ann is passing judgment or that she is discouraging one from applying to law school. Ann Levine gives every student the confidence they will need to face the challenging process of law school admissions and to find the school that is right for them.

Whether you are applying to Georgetown or Golden Gate, Minnesota or Miami or any school in between, I emphatically endorse Ann Levine's book. Any person even considering law school must read this - there is no substitute.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best money I've ever spent.. February 7, 2012

By ljthet

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Before picking up this book, I was overwhelmed with negative thoughts about my chances when applying to law school. I have a horrid Undergraduate GPA (2.7) and I did very mediocre on the LSAT (152). I have been out of school since 2005 and finally maintained a good job history when I began working for the state three years ago. This book gave me the confidence to continue pursuing a law degree. It helped me generate an honest and captivating Personal Statement based on real experience versus the fluff that I might have written about, thinking that is what admissions "wants" to hear. It emphasized the importance that a lot of schools put on personal statements and references instead of just numbers, which helped me keep a positive attituded. She tells you how to stay on the radar so that your applications stands out amongst thousands of others, which is very important if you are a non-traditional applicant like myself.

I would highly recommend this book, even just to help maintain your sanity during the testing and application process.

I am happy to announce that I have been admitted into a reputable law school in Texas for the Fall 2012 entering class, and my applications are still under review for four other schools in Texas that I applied for.