As of the time of writing this column, applications are up 10.6% over last year. This has been the trend in recent years. Applicants are up 9.7% over last year. This is according to the current volume summaries; data collected by the Law School Admissions Council (www.lsac.org).
While these numbers can fluctuate a lot throughout the application cycle, and it is too early to fully predict, they are up as of now. Applicants are also up a whopping 44.8% compared to the past 4-year average.
So, what can you do?
In a cycle in which both applications and applicants applying are significantly up, you may want to try the following.
Apply more broadly
In a cycle like this one, you may want to apply to more schools. Consider applying to both more “reach” schools as well as more “safety” schools. For most applicants I work with, they only want to participate in one application cycle. So to ensure you get acceptances and hopefully scholarships, it could make sense to apply more broadly.
Perfect your application
It is especially important to work, and rework and then really perfect every element of your application in a busy cycle. This includes your resume, your main personal statement, your optional statements, your resume and your letters of recommendation.
In a cycle like this one, it also potentially helps to apply early in the cycle. Rolling admissions can make late applications more competitive — with fewer spots left and less scholarship money available. Applying by Thanksgiving is a good idea for most applicants
Post-application strategies
Once you submit your applications, you can breathe a sigh of relief, right?
Yes, and no.
You can feel relieved, and at the same time keep working on your admissions strategies even after you have submitted your applications. This may mean connecting with admissions offices throughout the cycle by attending their online or in-person admissions events, touring the law school if you can, and keeping in touch with them, and continuing to show interest. You can also update them if there are any positive changes you wish them to know about, such as a promotion at work or new job or an award you are going to receive at graduation.
While you are awaiting acceptances you can also do more research. Looking at the ABA (American Bar Association) 509 Dislosure reports for each school you applied to can give you tremendous insights into their recent graduate employment statistics, their bar pass rate, percent of students who receive scholarships and if there are any conditions to retain them, and many other facts that may help you make your decision once you hear back from schools. These reports will be on the website for every law school.
You can also be researching additional scholarships on sites such as www.accesslex.org, which has a great law school scholarship database, in addition to counseling.
Hillary Mantis consults with applicants to law school She is the author of several books about law school admissions and legal careers. Admissions questions? You can reach Hillary at Hillary.mantis@yahoo.com.
