Visiting a law school has its advantages, whether you’re considering applying, hoping to get off of the waitlist or already admitted. Let’s break down strategies to maximize your visit at each of these stages.
— Applicants: Visiting law schools will help you identify why you want to apply. Arrange a formal visit with the admissions office to establish relationships with the staff and faculty. Do your research ahead of time on programs that appeal to you, and be prepared to ask questions.
Also, explore the possibility of meeting with career services. You will learn helpful information about internships and postgraduate work. Schedule a tour and take advantage of opportunities to sit in on classes. Talk to current students to gain insight on campus culture and what made them choose this particular J.D. program. These students were in your shoes not long ago.
[Look for these things during a law school visit.]
Aim to leave a positive impression on those you meet: be polite, professional and gracious. You can even reference your visit in your personal statement to establish your enthusiasm for the school.
Getting to know the personnel in the admissions office creates the potential for someone on the inside to advocate for you. These are connections that you can build over time.
One of my clients at Stratus Prep had her heart set on the Pepperdine University School of Law, but struggled with the LSAT. She visited the campus and over the next two years fostered positive relationships that distinguished her from other applicants. When she was wait-listed, she continued to connect with her advocates in admissions and was ultimately admitted in August. Those initial visits carried her across the finish line.
— Wait-listed candidates: Being wait-listed or deferred means you are still in consideration. Although admissions committees may not make a decision until the spring, you can take the initiative to distinguish yourself from other wait-listed applicants by visiting the campus.
Like the proactive applicant, your goal is to establish relationships in the admissions office. Whether through a formal meeting or an informal conversation, treat these communications seriously. Emphasize why the school appeals to you by referencing specializations, courses, clinics and journals.
Also be prepared to share any meaningful updates since you submitted your application. While you can ask what additional information you could provide, avoid demanding questions about when you will receive a definitive answer.
[Know how to interact with professors and students to strengthen law school applications.]
Do follow up any visit with a letter of continuing interest to document your experience and reiterate your interest in the school. I’ve worked with several candidates who were not only admitted off the waitlist after visiting campuses, but were also offered scholarships to enroll.
— Admitted students: There are several advantages to visiting the law schools where you have been admitted. If you’ve been admitted to more than one school, firsthand exploration of your top contenders will help you narrow your choices. Even if you are only considering one program, take the time to be sure you are ready for this commitment before investing in law school.
Speaking of investing, one notable advantage of visiting is the chance for an in-person negotiation of available financial support. Ask to set up a meeting to discuss merit-based scholarships. Make sure to be your own advocate without resorting to an adversarial tone: emphasize your enthusiasm for the program, explain how financing your legal education affects your decision to enroll and share any other admissions offers you are considering.
[Ask these questions when meeting law school staff or alumni.]
Last cycle, a client received several generous scholarships, but his top program offered a small, nonnegotiable stipend. Financially, it would not have been feasible for him to attend without more aid. However, after meeting with the dean of admissions and explaining why the school was an ideal fit and what it would take for him to be able to enroll, he received three times as much as his original stipend, on top of need-based aid. The positive relationship he formed with the dean made all the difference.
Have other questions about how to form relationships with law school staff and faculty? You can reach me at lawadmissionslowdown@usnews.com.
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Weigh Benefits of Law School Visits at Each Stage of Admissions originally appeared on usnews.com