Module 4 - Strengths & Weakeness (Admissions)/ Financing a Legal Education and AccessLex/ Debt Flashcards
How does Ann K Levine define SOFT FACTORS?
- anything outside of the cumulative LSAC GPA and LSAT score
Problems with soft factors in admissions
overestimating the value of soft factors
Soft factors that show
leadership, growth, and dedication in involvements > having several memberships
Do not overstate experiences
must have gone above and beyond (ex. all frats have volunteerism so don’t take credit unless you lead some philanthropic effort)
Athletics as a soft factors can be used to
demonstrate time management and dedication (if you have good grades)
International experience as a soft factor
study abroad is common so only a strength if volunteering in an impoverished country, new language/fluency, or lived their during a formative period (non-tourist destinations are more attractive to law schools)
Diversity factors
- socioeconomic disadvantage
- experiences as a the child of immigrants
- overcoming abuse, poverty, tragedy
- growing up in subsidized housing/using food stamps
- growing up in single-parent household
- attending schools with majority non-english speaking
- times spent in the foster care system
- a disability
Work experience as a soft factor must
show business and people skills (ex. for non-traditional students show professional work + why law school makes sense for you now/know what it entails –> paralegal - willingness to put in hours; actors - discipline; dancers - fine tune their craft)
Internship as a soft factor
- paid internships have to be disclosed
- better to do something different, off the beaten path
- or come back to the same job multiple times (shows increased responsibility and permanence)
- internships in quasi-related fields (show you are exploring a potential career)
- internships in unrelated fields (show lack of direction)
What counts as diversity?
overcoming significant disadvantage
Two types of weaknesses
- mandatory; character and fitness questions (infractions, criminal record, education gaps)
- contextual; provides context/explanation/background to achievements (LSAT, GPA, disability explanation) –> addendum
General addendum rules for writing
- brief factual statements
- state facts, provide argument for why this issue will not plague you in law school/legal career, PERIOD
Common addenda topics
- lackluster grades/poor GPA
- academic probation
- time off from school
- check “Yes” on a character and fitness
- Disciplinary incident
Best excuses for lackluster grades/ poor GPA
- working through school
- changing from science-based major (ex.pre-med to pre-law)
- personal/family trauma
- participation in intercollegiate athletics
- undiagnosed/untreated disability or medical condition
Best way to show your poor grades should not be used to judge your potential to compete in law school is to
provide evidence –> (ex. “For my first two years of college, I worked 35 hours a week to support myself and my daughter”
Academic probation and time taken off from school are
NOT discretionary on the application
Academic probation
for most schools, means GPA fell at/below 2.0; this addendum can be combined with other GPA-related addendum
Time taken off from school
schools ask on the application if you took time off from school; have to explain if you withdrew, took a leave of absence, or decided not to attend + provide a reason and include dates and what you did during that time (usually combined with academic probation explanation and/or lack of maturity explanation)
Key to a “Yes” answer for a character and fitness question is
recency and severity
Recency and severity
have to demonstrate that you’ve had time to grow up/turn things around and it is not a pattern of behavior (reflects bigger issue/lack of judgement)
Law schools will inquire about incidents involving
academic dishonesty (important to show turning point + provide paperwork)
Disclosing discipline incidents
report candidly, include relevant details, and get out
Traffic violations
most schools do not require them but some do –>approximate date/fine to the best of your knowledge if you don’t remember, if you do include date, time, pertinent details, that you paid the fine, and that it was removed from you record
LSAT is the only ______ piece of your application
objective
No explanation needed for LSAT scores if you took it twice and they are
- within 3 points of each other
- you have one cancellation and one score you’re sticking with
Explain LSAT score if
- pattern looks weird (took it three times and scores are the same/close) –> explain why you kept trying and what you expected to be different the other times
- significant score increase (explain if you had more prep, were sick the first time, etc.)
Taking responsibility is essential to
retaining credibility
According to the National Association for Law Placement, the National median salary for class of 2020 reached all-time high of
$75,000 (up 3.4% from 2019)
The National median law firm salary for class of 2020 was
$130,000
Nearly half of the reported salaries for full-time jobs of more than a year peaked at
$45,000 to $75,000
The other peak in salaries for full time job distribution was at $_______ for ____% of reported salaries
- $190,000
- 21.3%
Salary numbers were collected before many BigLaw firms raised starting salaries to
$200,000
Employment rate decreased for the class of 2020, both for jobs in which
- bar passage is required/ anticipated (74.6% –> decrease of 1.6%)
- all jobs for which employment status was known (88.4% –> decrease of nearly 2%)
Among class of 2020 graduates who were employed, 56.8%, obtained a job in private practice which is a 1.6% ______ over the previous year and the _____ since 2003
- increase
- highest
Graduating class size are
are growing bigger than the job market
Young lawyers often make
personal/professional sacrifices because of student debt (ABA Young Lawyers Division and ABA Media Relations and Strategic Communications Division surveyed 1,084 attorneys [median age 32])
Cost of legal education rose
from $82,400 (2000) to $145,000 (2016)
Young Lawyers Division/ AccessLex
Institute survey found that
a majority (over 95%) of respondents had taken out loans to attend law school
Debt affects men and women
almost equally
Hispanic, Black, Asian, and multi-racial graduates take on higher loans than
their white counterparts
____% respondents chose to postpone/not have kids because of debt
48%
Today, more millennials live
with their parents; report from Zillow, 21.9% of millennials live with their parents (10.2% higher than those in the same age group in 2001)
What kind of students are law schools looking for?
- intellectual capacity
- commitment
- work ethic
- overcome adversity/ tackle obstacles
- leadership
- collaboration with others
Personal statement, resume, and addenda should
illustrate who you are beyond your grades/LSAT score
Highlighting your strengths requires self-assessment/figuring out what things about you would impress an admissions officers:
- ask yourself why you have a high GPA/LSAT
- What are your soft factors?
- show commitment to the things that matter to you
(resume) - strengths do not have to be law related, but you should show you were committed to a cause (leadership roles, athletics)
- showing inclusivity/diversity in relation to others will show you can work with a diverse community/collaborate for the greater good
- show that you step outside of yourself to engage with and help others
- working while going to college shows self-reliance
- working in general shows experience to the real world
Explaining weaknesses requires self-assessment and is done through
addenda –> additional information
Certain weaknesses must be explained
character and fitness issues (require disclosures about criminal/disciplinary history)
Certain weaknesses SHOULD be explained
GPA issues, disability, LSAT
Character and fitness issues require disclosure
- explain why the incident does not define who you are now but own the responsibility of the act
- there will be ongoing duty to disclose throughout law school and FL Bar will NOT admit you to practice until your background is approved even if you pass the Bar
Ethics are
the foundation of the legal profession
Weaknesses you SHOULD disclose
- provide explanation for inconsistent academic performance (poor GPA)
- specific obstacles that affected your performance (work/school balance, illness during a semester, personal/family struggles, additional responsibilities, difficulties adjusting to college, COVID-related)
- notable differences among LSAT scores
Focus on
overall change and progression from adverse situations
Speaker:
Teria Thornton, from AccessLex Institute
- J.D. University of Cincinnati College of Law
- M.A. Public Policy and Management, The Ohio State University
- B.A. Political Science, Fisk University
Teria Thornton from AccessLex Institute will be here to give us an overview of the Financial Aid process and answer your questions. Teria has nearly a decade of experience working in the higher education field. Her experience includes financial aid, training, and enrollment services.
ACCESSLEX CENTER FOR LEGAL EDUCATION EXCELLENCE®
Based in Washington, D.C., the AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence is committed to understanding the barriers that impede access to law school for historically underrepresented groups and improving access to law school for all; identifying actionable strategies and public policies to increase law school affordability; and strengthening the value of legal education.
AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence
(NON-PROFIT ORG )Based in Washington, D.C., is committed to understanding the barriers that impede access to law school for historically underrepresented groups and improving access to law school for all
Teria: Legal profession is
the least diverse in the U.S.
Teria: Pre-law school costs
- LSAT/GRE registration fee ($200-$205)
- Related costs of prep courses ($1,500), exam travel costs, application expenses (up to $90/ea.; CAS/CAS reports)
- School deposits ($500 - $1,500 ea.)
Teria: Be a responsible borrower (below average for borrowing) take into account
- vast majority of costs come from law school
- loans come with interest (unsubsidized)
- cost of attendance (directs costs like tuition and fees + costs of living)
Teria: Types of Financial Aid
- Scholarships/grants –> free $$ (need based/ merit based)
- Employment (Federal work study)
- Student loans (Federal and private loans)
Teria: Financial Aid application process
- you are considered financially independent post-graduation
- must meet all deadlines and reapply each year (apply for grants/scholarships, FAFSA, and review financial aid offers from schools)
Teria: Compare and Calculate
Compare:
- different types of aids
- amount of aid offered
- total cost of attendance
- scholarship renewal criteria
Calculate:
- living expenses
- out-of-pocket $$
Teria: What is Scholarship Reconsideration and how to approach it?
- hoping to change some term on the scholarship being offered like matching another school’s offer
- some schools offer last and FINAL
- have to review everything you are using to base your need for reconsideration on (COA, COL, terms, etc.)
- consider whether you have a plausible ask
- compile evidence and
TACTFULLY ask - remember it is not a negotiation; schools can revoke offers altogether
Teria: Student Loan options
- there is a borrowing limit
- you have repayment options
- you have loan forgiveness options
Teria: Types of Loans
- Federal direct
- Direct grad
- Private loan
Teria: Federal Direct Loan
- apply through FAFSA
- borrowing limit of $25,500 -$138,500
- Interest rate of 4.3%
- Many repayment options
- Has forgiveness option
Teria: Direct Grad Loan
- apply through FAFSA/ Your Credit
- borrowing limit up to cost
- Interest rate of 5.3%
- Many repayment options
- Has forgiveness option
Teria: Private Loan
- repayment options vary
- Does NOT have forgiveness option
Teria: Stop obligation to pay
- Forbearance (unsubsidized = accrue interest)
- Deferment (will not accrue interest)
Teria: Law school and loans pay off
- pell grants do not extend to law school
- Bucket analogy –> cannot go over a certain limit with aid or loan
- you have a six month grace period after graduating law school
