Some folks have asked about an online LSAT timer. Here's one we put online:
www.strategyprep.com/timer
It's free.
It's a proctor, really. You click "play" to start the 35-minute proctor, which tells you when to start, when you have five minutes, and when your time is up. We recommend using an analog watch with this online proctor to simulate the actual exam.
Let us know if you have any comments or suggestions!
Official LSAT PrepTests
Bye from DC!
Tips for Minorities Good for Everyone
The LSAC has published a booklet for minorities on how to apply to law school. The tips, however, are good for everyone. Here are a few, quoted verbatim:
We must comment on their advice to "take timed practice tests" since we proctor more timed tests in our 100-Hour Course than any other national preparation company. It's nice to read that LSAC agrees that this practice is key.
In the end, however, we go further: Our students actually end up taking over 20 timed, full-length tests when you consider the homework they do in addition to the proctored, in-class exams. And that doesn't include the over 3,000 untimed but official practice questions that students work on in class and at home. Yeah, it's intense, but fun -- and rewarding!
If you're a minority, check out the advice on addressing your ethnicity in your personal statement on page 4:
Pursue a Career in Law: Change the Odds
The other pages also have good advice for anyone considering law school. Enjoy!
- Apply early.
- Contact each law school you’re interested in for specific information and requirements.
- Prepare well for the LSAT; take timed practice tests.
- Research the right school for you.
- Talk to lawyers and find out what they do.
- Have realistic expectations.
- Know what you are getting into.
- Prepare a well-thought-out and intriguing personal statement.
- Do your best academic work as an undergraduate.
- Round out your portfolio with activities and leadership positions.
- Attend a Law School Forum.
- Reach out to and consult with prelaw advisors.
We must comment on their advice to "take timed practice tests" since we proctor more timed tests in our 100-Hour Course than any other national preparation company. It's nice to read that LSAC agrees that this practice is key.
In the end, however, we go further: Our students actually end up taking over 20 timed, full-length tests when you consider the homework they do in addition to the proctored, in-class exams. And that doesn't include the over 3,000 untimed but official practice questions that students work on in class and at home. Yeah, it's intense, but fun -- and rewarding!
If you're a minority, check out the advice on addressing your ethnicity in your personal statement on page 4:
Pursue a Career in Law: Change the Odds
The other pages also have good advice for anyone considering law school. Enjoy!
Students Must Leave DC for LSAT
This GW article is old news, but it seems to happen every year. So register early.
You can always change your test date -- even after the test. If you're signed up for the February 7, 2009 LSAT, for example, you can switch to the June exam as late as February 9, as long as you do it online and pay LSAC $33.00.
Although this article is talking about the September LSAT, which attracts the most test takers, it still makes sense to register early if you want to take the test in DC.
Also, the article mentions that the LSAT is "four hours." That's true, somewhat. The test itself is only 3 hours and 45 minutes. But when you take the actual test, set aside 7 hours. With so many people taking the test in DC, it usually takes 2 hours or so to check everyone in at the testing center.
Some students forced to leave D.C. for LSAT:
"Many law-school hopefuls in Washington are leaving the District Saturday to take the Law School Admission Test because all test centers in D.C. were filled nearly three months before the registration deadline. ..."
You can always change your test date -- even after the test. If you're signed up for the February 7, 2009 LSAT, for example, you can switch to the June exam as late as February 9, as long as you do it online and pay LSAC $33.00.
Although this article is talking about the September LSAT, which attracts the most test takers, it still makes sense to register early if you want to take the test in DC.
Also, the article mentions that the LSAT is "four hours." That's true, somewhat. The test itself is only 3 hours and 45 minutes. But when you take the actual test, set aside 7 hours. With so many people taking the test in DC, it usually takes 2 hours or so to check everyone in at the testing center.
Some students forced to leave D.C. for LSAT:
"Many law-school hopefuls in Washington are leaving the District Saturday to take the Law School Admission Test because all test centers in D.C. were filled nearly three months before the registration deadline. ..."
How many law schools should I apply to?
Most applicants apply to 4 or fewer schools.
Over the last ten years, however, the number of applicants applying to over 11 schools has more than doubled from 8% to 18%. I suspect more people are getting more competitive by applying to more schools (factor number one listed below).
A whopping 27% of applicants in 2007 applied to only one law school. I guess they had the scores to pick and choose their destination or, more likely, they settled for a safe school.
How many applications you send out depends on
Here's the application data, provided by LSAC:
Number of Applications per Applicant 1993-2007
Over the last ten years, however, the number of applicants applying to over 11 schools has more than doubled from 8% to 18%. I suspect more people are getting more competitive by applying to more schools (factor number one listed below).
A whopping 27% of applicants in 2007 applied to only one law school. I guess they had the scores to pick and choose their destination or, more likely, they settled for a safe school.
How many applications you send out depends on
Given the cost of law school, I'd err on the side of applying to too many. Granted, it may cost you a few hundred dollars, but you're about to dish out thousands. Make sure you give that money to the right school for you. Besides, consider your post-graudation salary, which is positively correlated with law-school rank. The higher the rank, the higher your likely salary. No joke.
- How much you want to go a top school. More want, more schools.
- How high your LSAT and GPA are relative to other applicants. Higher scores, fewer schools.
- How much money you have to spend on applications.
- How picky you are. More picky, fewer schools.
Here's the application data, provided by LSAC:
Number of Applications per Applicant 1993-2007
DC Law School Forum - June 27, 2009
The DC Law School Forum, hosted by LSAC, will be held:
Saturday, June 27, 2009
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Marriott Wardman Park
2660 Woodley Road, NW
Washington, DC
Admission is free.
You can register at the event or online (to avoid waiting in line):
DC Law School Forum
Saturday, June 27, 2009
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Marriott Wardman Park
2660 Woodley Road, NW
Washington, DC
Admission is free.
You can register at the event or online (to avoid waiting in line):
- Meet representatives from over 170 law schools
- Attend workshops on:
Financing a legal education (10:30 AM and 4:00 PM)
Applying to law school (11:15 AM and 12:15 PM)
Being a lawyer (2:30 PM)
Taking the LSAT (11:30 AM)
- Get admission materials and catalogs
- Review LSAC’s LSAT preparation materials
- Visit the prelaw advisors’ table for general advice on applying to law school
DC Law School Forum
