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Law School Q&A: LSAT, GRE Application Strategies

By U.S. News & World Report

Welcome to the latest installment of Law Admissions Q&A, a monthly feature that provides law school admissions advice to readers who send in questions and admissions profiles.

If you have a question, email us for a chance to be featured next month.

This week, I will discuss the shifting landscape of LSAT policies and how to craft an LSAT addendum in light of receiving testing accommodations.

I am registered for the September LSAT and plan to submit my law school applications this fall. I just heard that several schools are now accepting the GRE instead of the LSAT. My practice LSAT test results have not been as strong as I hoped, and I’m worried I won’t be competitive at the schools on my list. Should I ditch my LSAT plans and sign up for the GRE instead? -Multiple Test Options

Dear Multiple Test Options:

The plot thickens on the GRE vs. LSAT debate. Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law and Georgetown University’s law school recently announced that they will follow the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and Harvard Law School in accepting GRE scores in lieu of the LSAT.

[Read more about the GRE vs. LSAT and what prospective law students need to know.]

Diversity in applicants is one frequently cited reason for this shift to allowing prospective graduate students apply to law school without having to sit for a second entrance exam on top of the GRE.

More law schools may jump on the bandwagon. In June, the deans of several law schools — including the University of Southern California, the University of California–Irvine and George Washington University — sent a statement to the American Bar Association asserting that the GRE serves as a valid and reliable alternative assessment to the LSAT. The statement advocates for law schools to retain more autonomy to innovate their admissions policies.

In spite of the GRE trend, you shouldn’t yet discount the LSAT. First, the majority of law schools require an LSAT score. Unless you are only planning to only apply to one of the four law schools currently accepting the GRE, continue your LSAT preparation.

Second, the Law School Admission Council is innovating to compete with the GRE. In May, LSAC appointed Kellye Testy, former dean of the University of Washington, as its new president and CEO.

Among the changes Testy has implemented are increasing the LSAT’s frequency and piloting a digital format. These policy changes demonstrates LSAC’s commitment to making the LSAT accessible to a diverse group.

Third, there is uncertainty as to what the GRE means to admissions chances. The LSAT has been the longstanding admissions test. Applicants have extensive information on the median range of scores among enrolling students, and LSAC offers guidance, including an LSAT Score Search, to help applicants assess their chances of admission.

There is not enough data available to determine what qualifies as a competitive GRE score in terms of law school admissions results.

Finally, understand that you must report your LSAT score as long as it is valid. Even the University of Arizona states on its website that applicants cannot replace an LSAT score on record with a GRE score.

If you believe you can significantly improve your LSAT score, then you should take the September exam. Include an addendum to explain why your first score is unrepresentative.

[Know when and how to write a law school addendum.]

However, if you do not believe you will improve, do not retake the exam and avoid the risk that your score may decrease.

You can prepare for the GRE and submit that score to a law school that accepts it, but your time may be better spent strengthening the rest of your application materials.

Remember, you are more than your LSAT score. The fact that law schools are expanding their admissions criteria suggests they think so too.

I am currently trying to work on law school application materials while I wait for my June test results. I wanted to know if I should be worried about the weight of different scores.

I have two scores, one of a 148 and a second of 149 after taking some time off with work experience and being granted accommodations. I was practice testing in the low 160s right before June. I was getting worried about what to write in my addendum because it’s a paradox, right? But do you think I should include in the addendum that I received extra time? I think this would defeat the purpose of the accommodation score not being flagged, though, if I were to deliberately state that I received extra time. Any suggestions are welcomed. -LSAT Paradox

Dear LSAT Paradox:

Assuming that your June score is within your practice test range, then you should include an LSAT addendum to account for the improvement. You are correct that disclosing your accommodation is not required.

[Discover four things to know about accommodated LSAT testing.]

While admissions committees cannot discriminate against applicants who have received accommodations, alerting them to your extended time could undermine some of the gains you’ve made.

Instead, focus on the time between test dates. Discuss your intervening work experience and any changes you made to your study preparation. Emphasize that your most recent LSAT score is a stronger indication for where you are now and a predictor of how you will perform your 1L year.

Keep your addendum short. You want the admissions committees to focus on your essays, letters of recommendation and resume. Don’t bog them down with a long-winded explanation.

More from U.S. News

Avoid These 4 Common Law School Application Cliches

3 Steps to Take if LSAT Accommodations Are Denied

3 Ways the LSAT Prepares Students for Law School

Law School Q&A: LSAT, GRE Application Strategies originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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