Application Tips and Advice
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HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR NEW YORK LAW SCHOOL J.D. APPLICATION
Tips and advice on applying---in real English---from Associate Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, Adam W. Barrett

Far too much attention is given to strategies in the law school admisson process. Everyone seems to have an opinion; from anonymous bloggers to test-prep companies to pre law advisors to bosses, teachers, family members and lawyers. The admissions committee at a law school, though, isn't interested in the strategic ploys - they merely want to get to know the candidate better. Most law schools, like New York Law School, have too many applications to be able to conduct a personal interview as part of the evaluation process (although New York Law School does offer applicants an online video interview option - something no other law school offers!).

I think its quite useful for an applicant to understand how the admissions committee utilizes the information it receives in response to the various questions we ask. Rather than guessing at our intent, it's far easier to be forthcoming if you understand the role the information you provide plays in our decision-making process.

Your job is to put together a winning application - one that addresses all of the points we seek to know and that puts light on your strengths. I'm happy to walk you through the New York Law School application for J.D. admission, section-by-section and question-by-question, with my explanation of why we're seeking that information and give you advice and cautionary tips.

Beginning with fall 2012, the LSAC Electronic Application Service is using what they call a "Flex Application." Similar to the undergraduate "Common Application", the Flex Application permits you to enter common information once for all of your law school applications. You then answer only law-school specific questions when you indicate the specific school for which you are completing an application. It's new for all of us but promises to make it just that much easier for you to apply by reducing redundancy of data entry. If you encounter any problems completing the online process or have technical issues, you must contact LSAC. If it's a matter of our requirement or a question you have about the information that we are seeking, then you contact the law school

SECTION	QUESTION	EXPLANATION & ADVICE
Program	Applicant Type	First Year J.D.: The overwhelming majority of applications fall into this category because they've never been to law school. If you were enrolled in a law school not approved by the ABA, or you were academically disqualified from an ABA-approved* law school, this your type. Also, if you started law study more than four years ago it is likely that you will have to start over, so this is the proper type.
	Program	J.D. is the first-degree in law. J.D./M.B.A. is the join-degree program we offer with Baruch College of CUNY. The J.D./M.A. in Forensic Psychology with John Jay College of Criminal Justice of CUNY is expected to begin in 2012.
	Division	You must pick one. The decision process and standards are the same for both full time and part time, so pick the one that you actually want. At New York Law School it's a myth that it's "easier" to be admitted as a part time student. We have offered the part time eveing program since 1904 as a way for working persons to complete law study while maintaining their jobs. Thus any statistical differences reported with respect to LSAT or GPA are due to a strong resume, extensive work experience and graduate study; attributes a college student would likely not have. Forget the strategy of "my LSAT or GPA is low, so I'll apply part time." You'll get the same decision. There are many more applications for the full time program, but there are many more seats in that division; it's not an issue of seat availability. You can't indicate both, so you must pick one. If you pick none, we'll automatically make it full time (yes, I know you left it blank to show us that you're willing to accept an offer to either division.). Full Time Day: the traditional three-year program. Classes meet Monday through Friday and are spread throughout the day. Part Time Evening: a four-year program that entails the same requirements and credit total as full time, but with a lower credit load each semester. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Biological		Much of this is rather straight-forward.
	Date of Birth	We don't care about your age, this helps us identify records and work with your educational and resume timelines.
	Social Security Number	We need this to access your FAFSA information and put together your financial aid award. It also helps us match records. If you're Canadian, use your Social Insurance number.
Contact Information		Please provide us with an expiration date for addresses, if applicable, so that we don't lose contact with you. Please keep us updated with any changes to your email address or phone number so that we may maintain contact with you.
Language		You are not at a disadvantage if you are not fluent in another language. You don't have to stretch the truth and claim fluency to look "better". Despite my last name of Perez, my Spanish is rather weak. You are who you are. This can help us put grades or test scores in perspective.
Demographics	Citizenship	Citizenship helps us in determining financial aid eligibility and in identifying students with whom we must work on obtaining a visa or remaining in good immigration status.
	Ethnicity	Various agencies, including the ABA, request information on the racial and ethnic identities of our students. Asking this question assists us in providing that data. New York Law School has one of the most inclusive human rights policies of any school and there is no discrimination in our processes, decisions, or programs because of how you answered this question, or opted not to answer this question.
Family	Next of Kin	I know, you're an adult, so why this question. It's rare, but sometimes we need to help you and you're not able to speak for yourself; we wish to know who you want us to contact if an emergency arises. We're not being nosy or judgmental with this. Sometimes a medical issue arises or there is some kind of emergency (our worst test was September 11, 2001 when being eight blocks from the World Trade Center created an emergency we hope never arises again.).
	Relative who attended	We love our alumni and the admissions committee wishes to know if you are related to one or more of our alumni. Indicate immediate or close family.
	Parent/Guardian	Every family is unique; indicate who you regard as your family growing up. This information is NOT used for financial aid or scholarship decisions. In other words, a wealthy parent does not mean we would not award you financial help. But, it helps us to know about your family and their educational background and work experience. We can gain insight into presures, support, obstacles, guidance or lack of guidance that influenced your educational development. Providing us with complete information will always be helpful to your application.
Education		Be thorough. List ALL schools attended, even if you withdrew, did not earn a degree, just took summer courses, or studied abroad. If you enrolled at a school, be sure to have them send a transcript to LSAC. If you attended law school elsewhere, even for just a day, indicate it and have them send us a letter explaining the circumstance of your attendance there.
Standardized Testing		Please indicate date test was taken or will be taken and your score, if published. We will wait for a pending score if you indicate it. If this information changes, please notify us immediately. For instance, if you indicate here that you plan to take the test in the future, but you do not, let us know. Similarly, if you do not indicate that you are planning a re-test, but later decide not to do so, let us know. The LSAT is required of all applicants.
Law School Interest		We'd like some insight into your decision to apply here. Answering these simple questions assists us with that.
Recommendation/Evaluations		We require at least one letter of recommendation. You may submit up to three letters of recommendations and evaluations as long as there is at least one letter of recommendation in the mix. We will not accept an LSAC Evaluation unless there is one letter of recommendation submitted on your behalf. This means you cannot only submit Evaluations.
Pre-Law Advisor		Pretty straight-forward.
Character and Fitness	1	List any incidence of academic trouble or discipline while in school and why. For instance, tell us that you were placed on probation following the fall semester of 2006 due to low grades that were caused because you were hospitalized for a long period of time following an automobile collision but did not withdraw from classes. Too many write something that is technically accurate but provides no insight - why bother? For instance, "I was placed on academic probation following fall semester 2006 because my GPA fell below a 2.00 which is automatic probation at my school. I brought up my grades and came off probation." While technically true, we have no clue what was going on in your life then and cannot put that troubling period into perspective.
	2	List any non-academic trouble or discipline while in school and why. This includes residence hall violations, fraternity/sorority hijinks, etc. As in number 1, give us some detail.
	3	Your legal past must be disclosed. We're basically requiring disclusure of non-civil legal matters that were not minor traffic violations. Traffic violations. by the way, involve a vehicle; we don't mean "like" or "similar to" a minor traffic violation. Ticket for public urination? Disclosure required. Alcohol or drugs involved in a traffic stop? Not minor, so disclose. Cited for turnstile jumping or being in the park after hours? Disclosure required. Shoplifting at age 14? Disclosure required. This question requires juvenile offenses to be disclosed. Dismissed charges must be disclosed. ACD, expungement, sealed records, pre-trial intervention? Disclosure required. Still not sure? Ask me!
	4	Straightforward request. Oh yeah, if you did not serve in the U.S. military the answer is "no", not blank.
	5	This refers to investigation or action by a professional licensure board. If you got laid off or fired, answer no unless this was a matter before a professional licensure board.
Certification		You are agreeing to electronic certification and signature. In short, submission of the application means that you certify that you have answered our application questions completely and accurately. Be sure this is a true statement.
Military		New York Law School is proud of our veterans and thank the men and women in the armed forces for their service and the sacrifices that they have made for our country. These questions help us learn about your service and aid us in providing you with information and guidance about various benefits available to veterans to pay for educational expenses.

* Office of the Consultant on Legal Education /
Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
American Bar Association
321 N. Clark Street, 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312.988.6738
Fax: 312.988.5681
legaled@americanbar.org