Frequently Asked Questions How should I prepare for the LSAT? Can you recommend a preparation course? The method of preparation (commonly self-study or commercial preparation course) often varies depending upon the applicant’s learning style, finances, and schedule. You should review the test instructions and become familiar with the types of questions asked. The LSAT is a test of aptitude rather than knowledge, and it is taken under timed conditions, so preparation and familiarity are essential. One rule of thumb is to plan to spend time equivalent to at least a two-month, part-time job studying and taking practice tests. The 160+ hours can be spent studying LSAT preparation books, taking an online or in-person course which range in length, getting individual help from a tutor, or a combination of the above. Different methods of study work for different types of learners; we do not endorse a particular method of preparation. When should I take the LSAT? We strongly recommend that you take the LSAT no later than February of the year in which you hope to enroll, but we will accept a score from the June administration of that same year. Also, you must have taken the LSAT within five years of entering William Mitchell. For students hoping to enroll in fall 2015, the oldest valid LSAT score would be from October 2010. Is a minimum LSAT score required for admission? No. Though predictors of academic success are an important part of the application review process, we do not use LSAT or GPA cut-offs in our application review process. We read and consider every application we receive. Our current student profile has information about the median LSAT score and GPA of the most recent incoming class to help you gauge where you might stand in relation to other applicants with respect to these two academic indicators.
Does William Mitchell average multiple LSAT scores? No. The highest LSAT score among multiple scores will be considered for admission and scholarship-awarding purposes.
fellow volunteers who know you in a professional capacity and can attest to the characteristics described above. You should avoid asking family members and friends because they are understandably biased. In addition, you should avoid the “token” lawyer or judge (essentially, family friends who work in the legal profession who do not know you in a professional capacity).
How long will it take the Admissions Committee to make a decision on my application? The Admissions Committee will typically render a decision on your application four to six weeks from when it becomes complete. You should note that the date on which an application becomes complete is not necessarily the date on which you submit it electronically. The Office of Admissions will inform you via e-mail when your application has been received. You can check the status online after the application has been received.
What things are most important to the Admissions Committee when it is reviewing an application? The threshold question the Admissions Committee is trying to answer when reviewing an application is always, “Will this applicant be successful in studying the law at William Mitchell?” Thus, the Admissions Committee will look carefully at your LSAT score, undergraduate GPA, the nature and rigor of your undergraduate course of study, trends in academic achievement at the undergraduate level, and the quality of the writing through an application. The Committee will also consider an applicant’s predicted first-year average (PFYA). The PFYA is calculated using both your LSAT score and GPA and represents what we believe the you will receive as a GPA in your first year of law school. The Admissions Committee is also interested in applicants who will contribute to the “Mitchell Mix.” To that end, it will look for evidence of factors in an application that include, but are not limited to, diversity of background and experience, work experience, leadership abilities, international experience, emotional maturity, commitment to public service, overcoming hardship or obstacles, and evidence of passion.
Who should write my letters of recommendation or complete my evaluations? Recommenders should know you well and be able to assess your personal qualities and potential for success in law school. They should describe at least some of these characteristics: academic ability, including analytical aptitude, critical reading abilities, oral and written communication skills, and creative problem-solving abilities; leadership and interpersonal skills; motivation and self-discipline; and demonstrated ethics. If you are currently in school, or graduated less than three years ago, you should ask your professors. If you graduated more than three years ago and a past professor isn’t an option, you should ask work colleagues, preferably those in supervisory positions, or
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