(Part 2) Top products from r/lawschooladmissions

Sure! I think I would like to practice in the Boston area, but I'm not positive. I don't really have any desire to go elsewhere right now, but I'm sure that may change. My understanding is that it's relatively easy to get into NY, as there are more firms there, and therefore more openings available. I know that DC is an extremely competitive market, even for students at GULC and GW, so I'm sure it is pretty difficult to break in there.

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Everyone says to relax before 1L and try not to prepare, and they're right.Though, I read this book: https://www.amazon.com/Students-Guide-Law-School-Academic/dp/022606705X

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I thought it was pretty helpful, as it told me what to expect on law school exams, which nobody in school has explicitly explained so far. So I'm kind of tailoring my learning to keeping the endgame in sight. Other than that, maybe familiarize yourself with the structure of the court systems, but you can do that in 10 minutes.

During law school-get a better idea of what type of law I want to practice, what types of law I would be good at, and what there is demand for in the areas that I am most interested in living. I've read the Abrams book of legal specialties a few times (link is to the book on Amazon). From that book, and other research, so far I am most interested in soft IP (trademarks, copyrights, branding, etc), estate planning, veterans advocacy (specifically with regards to disability claims and the VA-I've read around a dozen VA appeals cases pertaining to the issues that I have), and general contract law (ties in with my past where I performed in theatre pits and as a hired gun for pop acts). I'm also fascinated by 1st and 2nd Amendment law (check out the book Gun Fight). I took a class on 1st Amendment/Mass Media law during undergrad after getting my interest sparked at a law school experience day mini-class. I'm not sure how the last two would translate into careers. I know just enough about different types of law and what lawyers do to know that whatever I think I want to do at this point will probably change once I'm in school.

Graduate with minimal additional debt.

I don't have big law dreams. Financially, I'd like to get a job that pays at or above the 25th percentile for attorneys in the area that I'm most interested ($62k per Pay Scale.com). Between that salary and VA disability (I'm anticipating 30-80% service connected, so $750-$2k/month), I could pay off all of my undergrad debt in a timely manner while living comfortably (if I hit 50% disability, I get free medical for life). My dream/unicorn type of jobs would be working for a music equipment company as a lawyer in a soft IP capacity or working for a theatre company/union on contracts and/or labor negotiations. For those two, I feel like my experience with music gear and playing in theatre pits/freelance work could be beneficial. I'd rather be happy than rich, but I want to reach the level of financial stability where I'm not living paycheck to paycheck.

I'm open to government work, if it is a GS job. I'll have just under 8 years of active duty time on the books when I separate. Getting a GS job would allow me to be closer to getting a government pension.

Hi! Would you like to join the 0L book club? In December we are reading One L and Anonymous Lawyer and discussing them in January :) We have a lot of awesome books on the calendar. If you want to join, just let me know. You can always just lurk and read when you feel like you like book!

You've already accomplished some amazing things so it's not going to be hard for you to learn to live on your own. If you can give yourself some time on your own before law school that would be helpful. For my kids, I've found that a meal service such a Green Chef (organic) really helps in learning to cook because they send you all the ingredients and instructions. That way you don't have to grocery shop or figure out what to cook--it might be a good in-between. If you want to really learn to cook, consider reading Alice Waters: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Simple-Food-Delicious-Revolution/dp/0307336794/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=alice+waters&qid=1550337049&s=gateway&sr=8-1 It can be hard to find time to exercise while in law school; consider walking on a treadmill or biking while studying (some people hate this, but I like it). Good luck!

You might want to consider reading Levine's The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert and The Law School Decision Game: A Playbook for Prospective Lawyers first. I found them very helpful, and then I just reached out to friends who were lawyers and/or detail oriented/strong writers and had them proof things for me.

- Amy Cuddy's book and TED Talk (tl;dr: your body language shapes how you feel; pose like Wonder Woman and fake it until you become it)
- Shawn Achor's book and TED Talk

- pretty much everything by Brené Brown, but The Gifts of Imperfection is a good place to start

- find a therapist trained in CBT who can help you identify and reframe negative thoughts. If working with a therapist IRL isn't possible right now, try an app like Joyable

- law school specific book recommendations: How to be Sort of Happy in Law School and The Anxious Lawyer. I've also heard good things about this podcast.

Completely agree, though it does depend a bit on the type of URM OP is.

And for a more renowned reference on the URM LSAT boost, Anna Ivey (previously of the University of Chicago admissions) gives a 10 point boost to URM candidates in her book.

This may be relevant. It's a third option: http://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Anywhere-Expanded-Updated/dp/0307465357/

It describes how to make a time and location independent business. It works, if you find the right niche. I ended up making http://lsathacks.com as a result of reading it.

Right now I'm in Brazil. I'm still working on it here, but also free to explore as I choose. And I don't have any of the crippling financial restraints that can make long term travel a grind.

The catch? You're not assured of success, and it will probably take more work than he lets on. You can expect 2-3 years of struggle. But if you get through that and it works, your life will be permanently better.

Note: If you're going through 2-3 years of struggle, you need some kind of objective indicator to tell you that things are improving. Nothing worse than struggling at something that will never work.

Ok congrats on the numbers! Just look at it from the perspective of an admissions officer. They have the task of evaluating candidates and there are many outstanding candidates, they are tasked with risk assessment. I bought a book with lots of essays with your numbers. Maybe if you don't feel like you have the legitimacy (this a question you need to honestly evaluate yourself) to make the case as a policy lawyer (yet) maybe go a different route.

There are lots of examples in the book of how an internship or work experience inspired them for law school, these people obviously got in, the book I mentioned has each candidates resume as well.

It's not my place to tell what your personal statement should or shouldn't be about, but take a look at the book or if you want it I can mail you my old copy. My guess would be to run with some small experience or moment that stuck with you while interning or working.

Priorities, in order:

• Relax,
  
  
• enjoy the summer, and
  
  
• read Getting to Maybe.
  
  And maybe peruse the /r/lawschool FAQ, which leads with a section on 0L prep.

Regarding your introversion, I highly recommend Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Power-Introverts-World-Talking/dp/0307352153

Susan Cain, the author, is an HLS grad and gives her story of what it was like being an introvert as a corporate attorney.

Great American Trials - I had fun reading this one!

this will teach you really important skills for law school

>https://www.amazon.com/Sexy-Book-Sex/dp/0811871266/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26LKULS8MM7N4&keywords=sexy+book+of+sexy+sex&qid=1557107395&s=gateway&sprefix=sexy+book+of+se%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-1

I got this one few weeks ago: https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Finance-Discovering-Humanity-Return/dp/054491113X/ref=nodl_

This book https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-Classic-Guide-Nonfiction/dp/0060891548/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485916478&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+write+well

when you have time

Just show up again with a fake mustache or something

I searched the name of the book you recommended but couldn't find it. Do you know the authors name?

Wait are those 3 different books?

Edit: Yea I am dumb they are different books. Here they are on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Justice-Education-Americas-Struggle/dp/1400030617

https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-Lawyer-Mentoring-Paperback/dp/0465016332

https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Action-Jonathan-Harr/dp/0679772677

https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Inside-Secret-World-Supreme/dp/1400096790