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October 30, 2009
With just over a month to go before the LSAT’s December test dates on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Monday, Dec. 7, we here at the Law Blog want to remind all prospective law school applicants of the LSAC’s upcoming LSAT registration deadlines.
For approved test centers and regular registration online or by mail or telephone, the deadline is midnight Eastern Time on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Additionally, a late registration period runs from Wednesday, Nov. 4 to Friday, Nov. 13. For test date or test center change, various deadlines occur from Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 15.
As a reminder, the Monday, Dec. 7 LSAT test is for Saturday Sabbath observers only.
For full registration and deadline . . . → Continue Reading
October 30, 2009
Welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit’s little look-see into the lawfully lived lives of law students (and, perhaps one day, law school aspirants). This week, a number of students were finding themselves getting over the urge to complain about the law workload, and focusing on slightly happier topics, though this was not an entirely universal experience for bloggers.
3L ’10 Kel linked to figures exploring how many hours law students study each day and asked readers how their study habits stacked up. 3L ’10 (In)Sanity Gal was going to try to curb law school over-work complaints. Harvard ’11 Cat posted a rejection letter that she found particularly entertaining while Yale . . . → Continue Reading
October 29, 2009
A recent post on Yale Law School’s (YLS) Admissions Blog, ’203,’ detailed one of the university’s unique offerings: a three-year JD-MBA program.
According to the post, the Accelerated Integrated JD-MBA (AI JD-MBA), offered by YLS and the Yale School of Management, is the third such three-year joint degree in the country and the first to not require summer courses. Without mandatory summer sessions, Yale’s AI JD-MBA students are free to take internships or other summer positions.
Harold Koh, who unveiled the program in the spring before leaving the deanship for the Obama administration, indicated that, “The program will prepare students for the increasingly complex intersection of business and law.”
While . . . → Continue Reading
October 29, 2009
A recent article published by the Huffington Post highlighted the fact that, despite rising tuition costs at leading law schools, federal loan limits have essentially not increased.
As the article noted, law students in 1994 were eligible to take out $18,500 in low-interest loans from the federal government, which was typically enough to cover full tuition costs for in-state students at every public university law school in the country. Additionally, the $18,500 awarded in Stafford Loans was able to cover tuition costs for out-of-state students at 97% of the nation’s public law schools and 80% of private law institutions.
Although tuition and fees have tripled for in-state law students at public universities, law students today are permitted to receive $20,500 in . . . → Continue Reading
October 28, 2009
Building on a current trend – as we conveyed a similar new program at the University of Virginia Law School – recently Harvard Law School (HLS) outlined the creation of the Holmes Public Service Fellowships.
As detailed in a HLS press release, the program will fund one year of public service employment for approximately 12 prospective spring graduates. As of now, the fellowships will provide up to $35,000 to support non-profit or government work.
Said Law School Dean Martha Minow: “In this difficult economic time, we want to support students in every way that we can and we also . . . → Continue Reading
October 28, 2009
For all those applicants who have recently opened a calendar to plot out the next few months only to realize they can’t possibly fit in campus visits on top of jobs, school, and personal statements, never fear! It’s true that traveling to a school’s campus is an ideal way to learn about their law program, but visiting is often not a viable option for applicants who are located remotely or unsure of their level of interest in a given school. The good news is that law schools might very well come to them. Many law schools hit the road and embark on worldwide tours to dispense information and recruit qualified applicants. Such events offer a great opportunity for interested students to . . . → Continue Reading
October 27, 2009
In this edition of Trivia Tuesday, we’re taking a look at the University of Chicago Law School’s grading system. While many of its peer schools have made changes to their grading systems in the past year, such as altering the curve to increase the number of students who could be given A-range grades or effectively getting rid of grades entirely, Chicago has held steadfast to the unique numbers-based scheme it has used for decades without a hint that it intends to change its ways any time soon.
Chicago’s system is based on a 186-point scale, with the numbers roughly corresponding to letter grades (i.e. . . . → Continue Reading
October 27, 2009
With the nation’s current mortgage crisis resulting in unprecedented numbers of foreclosures, a weekend article in TIME suggested an affiliated “emergency” situation: a shortage of lawyers to counsel homeowners in such foreclosures.
And with the situation direst in Florida, the University of Miami School of Law has established eight fellowships so that recent graduates can address case backlogs built up at legal aid groups. Each of the foreclosure defense fellowships is worth $10,000.
According to the article, Florida currently has the country’s highest foreclosure rate, at 17%. Additionally, in South Florida alone, the number of 2009 foreclosures is expected to jump approximately 600%, in comparison to figures from 2006, to 150,000. Further, citing a recent study . . . → Continue Reading
October 26, 2009
Building on Michigan’s Pro Bono Pledge and continuing an unofficial “public service Monday” here on the Law School Blog, the University of Virginia Law School announced it will launch a new public service program for first- and second-year students, beginning next semester.
Detailed in The Cavalier Daily, accepted students must take the Law and Public Service course, partake in a colloquium in their 3L, complete an independent study project and spend at least one summer working in public service.
In part to assist with the independent study and counsel on various work options, faculty mentors will assist students to identify a concentration within the public . . . → Continue Reading
October 26, 2009
Something that recently caught our eye is Michigan Law School’s revamped commitment to public service. The school has revealed its plans to increase its community service through the Pro Bono Pledge for students. Under this voluntary Pledge, students are asked to dedicate a minimum of 50 hours of their time to pro bono services while enrolled at Michigan Law. Assistant Dean of Public Service MaryAnn Sarosi says that this new program is a natural extension of Michigan Law’s history of public service, and is a perfect way to celebrate the public university’s 150th anniversary this year.
Current student pro bono efforts are coordinated by Michigan Law’s Office of Public Service. Working in conjunction . . . → Continue Reading
October 23, 2009
Hello and welcome to Clear Admit’s inaugural Fridays From The (law school) Frontline! In this weekly feature we take a look at the goings on in the law school blogosphere, checking in with current students and aspirants as well.
3L ’10 Kel did her own ‘Women in Law Wednesday’ round up, and had a very important piece of advice about what to do if you, or someone you know, is having a heart attack. 2L Hugo, having finally moved past his own first year status, had a few thoughts to share with the new kids on campus. Harvard ’11 Ivy Lea was partially happy with the snow that started falling outside her . . . → Continue Reading
October 22, 2009
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) has designed a uniform bar exam that is expected to be given by approximately ten states in 2011. The aim of the uniform exam is to standardize attorney credentials nationally, and would allow those who pass to carry their bar scores from state-to-state without having to retake the exam.
As explained in a recent article posted on Law.com, not only would a uniform exam grant lawyers more freedom in terms of choosing a career location, but, supporters argue, it would also improve the quality of bar exams, especially in states that currently do not have large test-development budgets.
Erica Moeser, President of the NCBE, has announced that ten states are positioned to give the . . . → Continue Reading
October 21, 2009
On Monday, Above the Law provided two viewpoints on a new calendar system set to be incorporated at Stanford Law School (SLS), as the program moves from a semester schedule to a quarters-based system.
Opened one SLS student: “Stanford Law School changed to the quarter system, leaving their students in [a] very precarious position vis-à-vis the bar exam. Classes do not end until several weeks after the California bar review courses start.”
The student additionally cited logistical concerns with regard to potential timing and living situation conflicts.
In response, a SLS official indicated that the program has negotiated special bar review classes in the four states – California, New York, Illinois and Texas – where . . . → Continue Reading
October 21, 2009
Earlier this week we discussed the merits of applying early in the law school rolling admissions process. However, today we’d like to take the time to discuss the advantages of applying closer to the deadline.
Submitting application materials later in the process can be beneficial for some law school candidates, as doing so gives them time to build credentials that will positively transform their applications. For example, some applicants need the fall and early winter months to complete a major project at work that will have impressive results: stating that you are “in the process” of a major deal or project is not as effective as being . . . → Continue Reading
October 20, 2009
Due to the rolling admissions process, law schools applicants have a substantial time period in which to submit their materials. With approximately three months or more ahead of them before regular decision deadlines, some candidates may be wondering at this point if there is a “best” time to send in their applications.
In general, it’s best to submit your application materials as early as possible. Applicants who can complete and submit quality applications early on in the process demonstrate their organizational skills, a characteristic valued by law school admissions committees. In addition, candidates who apply early demonstrate their serious commitment to law school, as opposed to those who apply at the last minute and therefore may . . . → Continue Reading
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Clear Admit’s Recent Posts
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If you'd like us to add your blog to the feed, simply send us an email. School News BlogsStraight from the source. The latest press releases and news items streaming from the leading schools.
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Above the Law
The popular self-described "legal tabloid."
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Wall Street Journal on the cases, trends and personalities of interest to the business community.
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