Law School Admission Guidebooks?

[DlarehAtsok]

Hey guys! Straight to the point: Would you suggest to buy a guidebook(s) to help oneself with the admission process? Any books in particular? I have heard that A. Levine books are really helpful.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi D,

Thanks for the question! Like a lot of things, it depends on the specifics of your situation as to how helpful a book will be. I know Anne Levine personally, and aside from being a really nice person, she's extremely knowledgeable. Her book is solid, but like most books, it's more about giving you a general picture of how admissions works. That can be really helpful, especially if there are aspects to the process that you don't know much about or that you aren't comfortable with. So, on that front, her book is really good. However, if you are trying to get information on a really specific or rare situation, there's no book out there that covers them all, and that's when you would be better off working directly with a consultant.

So, it depends on what you are looking to get out of it. If you can tell me more about that, I can be more specific. Thanks!

[DlarehAtsok]

Well, for the moment a general overview of the process would be fine too. However, I am mostly interested in getting ideas to start working with my personal statement. Maybe "50 Real Law School Personal Statements: And Everything You Need to Know to Write Yours (Manhattan Prep LSAT Strategy Guides)", or something similar?

[Dave Killoran]

That helps, thanks! Yes, if a general overview will help, go for Anne's book. It will definitely make you more comfortable and give you a much better feel for the process.

Reading other great essays can help, but it can also be frustrating since so many of them revolve around a really unique part of a person's life, one that it isn't easily matched by others. A good place to start is with: The PowerScore Ultimate Law School Personal Statement Resource List. If you have time, watch the first seminar on that list—it's one I did a while back, and it covers what the adcomm wants from your statement, how to open the story, and things to avoid. I think it will get you up to speed pretty quickly, and definitely change the way you look at your statement.

Thanks!