Happy September!  Soon the weather will cool down and it will feel like study time.  The law school applications are starting to roll out.  We should see all of them by October 1.  Typically our two local schools here in Seattle release their applications on that date.  While you want to keep studying and focusing on the LSAT, there is a task that you can take on right now that will take some time to complete but not on your end.  You are going to want to request your transcripts and get them sent to LSAC.  You need to send transcripts from every school where you have received college credits, community college, Running Start, a summer quarter fulfilling a math or foreign language requirement, etc.  Even if a school's grades show up on another school's transcript, you still need to send the transcripts in.  If you are still in school, you need to send transcripts right now.  The grades from fall quarter or semester won't be in in time for you to send off your applications.   When you get the grades at the end of this next term, send an updated transcript to LSAC and they will automatically forward it on to any school that has already requested your information.

If you went to a school that used evaluations instead of grades, you will need to have your evaluations sent to LSAC.  They have a special process for that so be sure to follow the website's instructions.

There is a transcript request form available on LSAC's website.  However, it makes the most sense to contact your school/schools first and ask them what their procedure is.  Some use that form and others do not.  It will take about 3 weeks from when you request the transcripts before they show up in your account under the academic summary report.

Letters of Recommendation

I hope you are enjoying what is probably the most unusual summer we have had here in Seattle in years.  Between bouts in the sun (wear your sunscreen!), you should start thinking about letters of recommendation.  No matter where you are at in the testing process, now is a good time to get them going.  Make sure you have paid your CAS fee through LSAC.  You are going to need two letters of recommendation and, if you are applying to the University of Washington, two evaluations from two different people.  I recommend that you ask for 3 letters in case something goes wrong along the way.  LSAC will walk you through the steps of how to get your recommenders to submit them.  Because people can procrastinate, getting this going now will save you loads of headaches later.

Ideally, if you are within 4 years of graduating, law schools are going to want to hear from professors.  They don't have to be law related or from your major.  What is most important, they want to hear about you, so pick someone that knows you, even if they don't have a fancy title.  They would rather read something written by a TA that you have had for several classes than the dean of a department but they couldn't pick you out of a line up.  Once you have exhausted the professor option, then employers or volunteer supervisors are great choices.  Same rules apply, knowledge of you trumps titles here.

You won't get to see the letters once the arrive in your account so pick wisely.  Make sure this is someone that will be excited about doing this for you.  Also, most likely it will get done in a timely manner.

Once they are in your account, you will be able to select which letters will go to which law schools.  You can have the same two letters go to all of the law schools that you apply to but you have to assign them.  Fortunately, the system has become pretty idiot proof and won't let you submit an application without the required number of letters attached to it.

You can do school specific letters.  However, the beauty of this system is that the letter writer has to write only one letter for you.  Basically, what we have heard from the law schools is that unless the letter writer is in some way connect to the LAW school or they are talking about how you are good fit for a specific program located at that law school, they are not interested in reading the name of their law school in your letter of recommendation.

This can be a complicated process so be sure to contact me with questions.

June LSAT Scores - What next?

As the June LSAT scores have come out today, some of you are now very happy, happy enough and some need a drink.  Whatever your status, you need a what next plan.  Everyone should be starting to think about your personal statement.  It is a 2 - 3 page, double-spaced essay that you will attach to each application.  The good news is that you are pretty much going to be able to do one and tweak it for each law school.  Almost all law schools ask for a generic personal statement, while they may make suggestions as to what you can write about, they are pretty open ended.  Start thinking about why you are going to law school.  While most people do not write their whole essay on why they want to go to law school (way too boring), it will help with the framework.  The law school essay will be about something you were an active participant in; a job, a volunteer activity, hobby, sport, something that happened to you growing up, travel, etc.  It is not about someone else, either famous or family, nor is it a book report or a laundry list of all of your accomplishments.  When you are ready to start brainstorming with me, contact me and we will set up a time.

If your score has you thinking about taking this test again, you have several questions to ask yourself.  Take a look at your results in your LSAC account and see what you missed.  If you have enough "what was I thinking" and "I am so close to getting that" questions, then it is worth further consideration.  Then ask if you have it in you to put the work in again.  You want to make sure if that if you are going to go through the expense and the bother that you will improve.  If your answers indicate giving this another go, get in contact with us to draft a repeat plan.  There are several options, including taking the class again for $200, just taking mock test on the weekends, etc.  As you gear up for starting this again, start by reading.  Read for pleasure (books or magazines, not the Internet - a different reading skill set entirely).  Then start setting a time for 35 minutes and push your reading skills with some fairly difficult non-fiction.  Work on increasing your stamina and ability to stay focused.

Sandy

Congratulations to all of you June LSAT test takers.  Give yourself a big pat on the back for just having gone through the process.  That is a huge risk that you took and you should give yourself credit for it.  One of the things that you may be asking is whether you should cancel the test or not.  This is the biggest benefit of taking the test in June is that you have two more chances to take the test again.  The first question to ask yourself is there anyway I can do worse?  If no, then do you have the time to put into preparing again for the October test.  If you went into June feeling pretty ready, it was just a last minute debacle that threw you off, then you will not have to do quite as much studying.  If you weren't as prepared as you could have been, then look at your August and September and make sure that you will have the time to focus on this.  If you are sure you could not do worse and have the time to prepare for the October test, the next question is do I want to see how I did on the June test.  If you cancel, you will never know how you did.  The test will be available for purchase sometime about the end of July so you can approximate how you would have done.  If you think there is learning potential from being able to see how you did and most of the schools you are applying to take the higher score (they will, about 95% of schools take the higher score at this point , as they should), then keep it.  You will be able to assess what went well and what you need to work on.  If there is nothing to learn from keeping the score, i.e., I don't do well when I have the flu or I have just been dumped or have a major panic attack that causes me to do one whole less logic game, then cancel and let's prepare for this again in October.

Whatever you are thinking, be sure to contact us if you have any questions.

Sandy

Thanks to a spectacular pollen season, I managed to completely lose my voice last week.  While my kids thought it was the greatest thing ever, it was beyond frustrating for me.  I was apprehensive that it would even make sense for me to come into work.  However, it turned into a great reminder of one of the best ways to study for the LSAT.  Because I couldn't talk, I was having students teach me.  They would tell me what kind of question it was, what they do with that kind of question and then why the wrong answers were wrong.  They were able to get clarification about which kind of questions they weren't really getting and, more importantly, why.  However, the real learning was taking place as they tried to figure out what was wrong with the wrong answers.  One student even learned that a much better strategy for her would be to look for the wrong answers rather than try to make one of the 5 options be right.  I had a flashback to when I was studying for the LSAT and I can remember sitting at my desk talking to the wall.  That wall in the U-District is now an expert on how the LSAT writes wrong answers.  Try this - you will find that you are repeating yourself.  That is because there are very few reasons as to why an answer can be wrong so they are using the same methods over and over again.

Happy studying!

Sandy

The sun is out!  It must be spring then.  There is a Ray Bradbury story that takes place on a planet where there is only one hour of sunshine every one hundred years.  I think about that story on days like today.  Be careful, it is easy to let something like the sun be an excuse not to study.  Make sure you are keeping to your schedule.  The sun will come back.

I am learning about this new technology tool called the internet.  We are hoping to roll out a small Google Ads campaign in the next month or so.  I just learned about Snapchat today.  There is something to make every lawyer shiver.  As much as it promises that the pictures will disappear, I would still use it like your grandma will be seeing those pictures.  You never know what level of access law schools will have.

Speaking of law schools, the University of Washington is having a meet and greet with their fabulous director of admissions, Mathiew Le.  It is Tuesday, April 23 at 5:30pm in Smith 107 on the University of Washington campus. It is an excellent opportunity to ask some questions if you are thinking about applying for the fall of 2014.  I understand food will be provided.

Sandy

I was at a legislative town hall meeting this weekend where one of the state legislators said something was "necessary but not sufficient."  And that was not the lawyer.  For those of you who have not taken our class yet, this won't be as humorous as it for those who have.  For me, it was a good reminder of how the skill sets of law school are needed everywhere.  Especially in Olympia.  Understanding the importance of words and the impacts they can have in everyday life is key to the LSAT, law school and the practice of law.  If you enjoy the power of a good vocabulary and love the use of a well-built phrase, come join us this week.  Our classes for the June LSAT start April 6 and 10, we will help you build on that appreciation and turn it into a marketable skill.

Sandy

So, I fell off the wagon a bit on the weekly blogging concept.  I will keep trying.  A good analogy opportunity for LSAT studying.  It is hard to maintain the intensity to prepare for this test when it is still months away.  Take the time now to schedule LSAT study time.  It doesn't have to be a lot, just an hour or two a day but make it every day.  Schedule it like you would an appointment and treat it as such so that other obligations won't get in the way until you find yourself two weeks out from the test wondering where the time went.  If you miss a day or two, don't compound things by telling yourself that you will make up for lost time until you are staring at a day with 8 hours of LSAT studying in it.  Just get back on that wagon, so to speak, and spend an hour or two studying.  Not unlike blog writing.  :)

Our next class starts in the next couple of weeks.  If you are thinking you might want to go to law school but are scared by the stories in the news, come talk to us.  We promise, we have never forced anyone to go to law school that didn't want to.

Sandy

So, I made this New Year's resolution to write in this blog every week.  As you can tell, I fell off the wagon a bit.  It has been a couple of weeks.  It turns out, I don't really like writing blogs because I don't feel like I am very good at them.  That makes them feel hard.  I don't know what to say or how to write it in an way that connects with others.  Hear comes the LSAT connection (you knew it was out there), just like reading comprehension or any part of the test you don't like, shying away from it won't make it any easier.  It is tempting to give it up altogether or just cross your fingers and hope it won't matter that much but the reality is, that working at it a little bit every day is what makes it easier.  Practice will make you more comfortable and where the insights will come from.  So, I will get back at doing this every week and you will get back to reading every day, whether pre or post-LSAT.  Even if you are post-LSAT, law school is going to make great demands on your reading skills so keep them sharp.

Sandy

Congratulations to all of you who took the February 2013 LSAT.  We should see the scores come out about the 4th of March.  Because this is an unreleased test, you will only get an email with your score in it, not a copy of the test.

If you are thinking about taking the test in June or later of this year, you have plenty of time to get prepared.  One of the best things you can be doing while you wait for the class to start is to be reading.  If you are not a reader at all or only read things on the internet, go find a book that has sounded interesting to you and start reading every day.  Reading is a skill set that has to be practiced just like any other skill set.  The more you practice it, the better you will become. Students always ask how they can get faster at reading comprehension.  This is one of the best ways to do this.  It isn't so much that your eyes will move faster but you will be more effective with your time.  You will read more smoothly, understand the concepts more quickly and get less fatigued.  It doesn't matter what kind of reading - fiction or non, law-related or not, just as long as it does not have pictures.

Sandy

We want to wish everyone of our students who are taking the LSAT this Saturday, the very best of luck.  Know that you have prepared well for this and you are ready to take this.  Just a little review for the next couple of days and mostly resting and building your mental strength.  While important, the LSAT isn't going to define your life so go in knowing that if Saturday doesn't go well, you can always take it again.  I am not saying that you aren't going to do well but by removing that extra pressure on yourself you are much more likely to perform at peak efficiency.

If you are wondering what you are going to do with your time when you are no longer spending it studying, there is a West Coast Law Fair being held at Seattle University School of Law on Saturday, February 23.  It will take place from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.  There are a number of law schools from the west coast that will be in attendance.  You can find out more by going to www.law.seattleu.edu/x10572.xml.

Sandy

We are in countdown mode to the February 9 LSAT.  It is hard to believe that it is almost February.  For the next 11 days, be sure to do 30 to 60 minutes every day of logic games.  No matter how easy they have become for you.  It is like learning to ride a bike.  You may never forget but you can be wobbly when you start back up again.  You don't want to be wobbly next Saturday.  Be very purposeful with your practicing.  Focus on the 4 question types of logic games, think through why the answer is right and the 4 others are wrong.  Think about why you have chosen to set up the game the way you did, review the 3 main types of games.  Work on building your stamina - do everything in 35 minute increments.  Every time you sit down to study, set a time for that long and don't let anything distract you.  Go through all of the logical reasoning question types and make sure you have a game plan for each type.  If you are unclear on anything, bring that with you to class on Wednesday.

Congratulations to last year's group.  We are already seeing students get into a number of law schools, including quite a few into our favorites, Seattle U and the UW.  We like keeping you around!

Between the February LSAT rapidly approaching and law school application deadlines looming, there is much anxiety in the air.  It is easy to feel defeated and to create a negative feedback cycle.  Remember that you have worked hard and still have time to make this happen for you.  The key, in either situation, is not to quit because of lack of work in the past.  Make a commitment to yourself to work a hour or two every day on it.  You don't need to put in 8 hours in on sitting.  Just some every day.  Law school applications are way down which is good news for both fall of 2013 and fall of 2014.  Just keep focusing on what you are bring to the table, pick a couple of focused areas that you can work on this week, whether it is logic game types, necessary and sufficient logical reasoning questions or finalizing your resume and filling out applications.

Sandy

I had the opportunity to meet with some high school seniors lately and they demonstrated that they were ready to graduate by asking the unanswerable life questions.  How do we establish connections with other human beings without labeling them?  How do we measure progress without creating limits?  And, how do we deal with the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day?  Meaning, how do we do all the things we want and have to do?

I think a career with a law degree gives you the opportunity to look for answers to those questions. It certainly forces you to address the last one.  There is so much bad press right now about law school, some of it right, that it is important to take the change of the calendar to think about if this is the right next step for you.  Go visit law schools in your area.  All law schools will set up times for you to come in and sit in on classes.  They will connect you with current students so you can ask questions.  Also, think of anyone you know who has a law degree and take them to lunch.  Find out what they do, do they like it, what don't they like and would they get a law degree today, especially with the price of tuition?  If you can't think of anyone, contact the state bar, they have groups that lawyers can join based on areas of practice.  Ask to talk to someone who practices in an area or areas that might be of interest to you.

On a more practical note, the date to sign up for the February test without paying extra money has passed.  You can sign up by paying extra through January 15.

Welcome to 2013!  A new year and time for goals.  A recent study has found that big resolutions rarely work.  Shockingly enough.  However, little goals or small changes can stick and make an impact.  So, I resolve to post to this blog once a week and thereby enter the 21st century.  Whether you are pondering the LSAT or starting law school this fall, your reading skills are going to be hugely important.  Make a goal to increase your reading from wherever it is at today.  If your reading is only on the internet or intermittent, go find a book, any book that you find intriguing and starting reading everyday. Even if it is for only 20 minutes a day.  It doesn't matter what kind of book, as long as it has words, no comic books.  As with everything else, the more you read, the better you get at it.  It does need to be paper format.  It turns out the way our eyes track on the computer screen is different from how they track on a paper page.