Table of Contents



 Prologue 5
mp3 audio -- click and listen Introduction 5
1. Should I Attend Law School? The Nuts and Bolts of a Big Decision 7
Overview   7
Cost in Time and Money 7
      The Money Part   7
The Time Part  
 7
The 14 Point "Law School Quotient" Quiz 11
mp3 audio -- click and listen The 12 Major Myths about Law School 15
Job Outlook Information 18
Talk to Lawyers 18
Talk to Law Students 19
Sit in on Some Law School Classes 19
Conclusion 19
2. Preparing to Attend: The Maze Unraveled 21
Introduction 21
LSAC and the LSDAS Report 21
LSAT 22
Personal Statement and Writing Sample 22
Recommendations 23
Pre-Law School Courses 24
ABA Requirements/Non-ABA Schools 25
Applications for Admission 25
  3-Tiered Application Process   25
  Financial Aid   26
  Top Law Schools   26
Timing 27
3. The 1L Year (first year of law school): What You're Up Against and How to Succeed 28
Introduction 28
Orientation 28
First Year Curriculum 29
Support Materials: This is Where the Rubber Meets the Road 30
  Products   31
Case Briefing: The Four Step Process 34
  Overview   35
  Step 1   35
  Step 2   36
  Step 3   40
  Step 4   40
  Conclusion   41
The Socratic Method 42
Study Groups 42
Treating Law School Like a Job 43
Social Life 43
Typical Day During the Week 44
Typical Weekend 44
Attendance 45
Your Health 46
Your Fellow Students 46
Weeks Leading Up to the Exams 46
The Exams 47
Anonymous Grading 47
IRAC 47
Exam Aids 50
Exam Day 51
  Every Law Students Greatest Fear   51
Talking About the Exams 52
Post Exam Drainage 52
Grades 53
    Grade Unease   53
4. Post 1L Considerations: Acutally it's Not All Down Hill from Here 55
Introduction 55
Summer Work/Play 55
Paying Jobs 55
Externships and Internships 56
Summer School 56
Play 56
Thinking of Quitting? 56
    Secret of the Century Divulged   59
5. 2nd and 3rd Years: How to Get the Rest of the Way Home 60
Introduction 60
Curriculum 60
MPRE 60
Final Exam Schedules 61
Clinical Programs 61
6. The Bar Exam: Why it Can't Be Underestimated 62
Introduction 62
Bar Preparation Companies 63
Appendix
Law School Costs Worksheet (.pdf) A
Law School Quotient Quiz (.pdf) B
Farwell v. Keaton (.pdf) C
CBFS (.pdf) D
Filled in CBFS (.pdf) E
FAQ's F