Questions of the Week - June

June 28, 2007

Q: I am considering applying to your evening program because I would like to keep working while getting my law degree. I am also married with two children. How doable is taking on law school while also working and having a family?

A: Juggling full-time work, part-time law school and a family can be overwhelming, but it is also manageable. We have held evening courses for almost 100 years and have had time to establish a very well-run, flexible program for students who have other work & life commitments. One testament to that is our low attrition rate – few students leave the law school regardless of whether they are day or evening students.

Even so, some students are able to handle the load better than others. Time management and prioritizing skills come in very handy! The best advice is to get everything (and everyone) on a schedule. That way you allot time to all that you have to do. Also, your family and your employer will all know what to expect and when you will be available. We encourage you to work with your employer to allow some flexibility into your schedule if possible. For example, maybe you could work less, or even take time off, when it is time to study for final exams.

In addition, having the support of your family and friends is key. Because working law students are stretched for time, your loved ones may end up with much of the burden of running a household and taking care of children, if applicable. You are all going to be in this together so if they are not on board with your goal, or have unrealistic expectations, then things will be more difficult for everyone. Lewis & Clark has a session during Orientation specifically for spouses and significant others of law students. The session helps prepare them for what to expect and allows them to meet others in the same situation.

It is very important for you to think about your goals, your current situation, the type of work you are doing, and whether you might need to make some changes to make it all work with law school too. In the end, if going to law school is a goal of yours, we think our evening option makes that goal a reality for many people. We have hundreds of alumni who went through the evening program, either all four years or for part of law school, who can attest to the reality of doing it!

Request more info about the evening program.

June 20, 2007

Q: I have a graduate degree. How will the admissions committee consider that when making a decision on my application?

A: Many law schools use an index (a combination of your LSAT score and overall undergraduate GPA) as a tool when reviewing application files. Your graduate degree grades will not be included in this index. Lewis & Clark does not use an index, but all law schools will consider your graduate degree whether or not an index is used.

A graduate degree can often strengthen an applicant's file depending on the type of degree, grades earned, quality of school attended, etc. The skills one hones in graduate school can be very helpful in law school, especially if one has done a lot of research and writing. Strong graduate grades can especially help offset lower grades in undergrad. A graduate degree can also show academic motivation and maturity. Those are the positives.

On the other hand, a graduate degree will not erase an undergraduate degree and it may not make as much of a difference to one's application as one would like (again, relevance and type of program are going to be a factor). Also, graduate degree gpa's are less varied (because a C- or lower is often considered failing). Therefore, a 3.50 in an undergraduate program is a good gpa, while it is just average in most graduate programs. So, a graduate degree is usually a plus, but the main emphasis may still be placed on the undergraduate degree.

I have found that admissions committees usually look at each applicant's credentials as a piece of the bigger picture and that applicants are given very individual reviews. In other words, a graduate degree for one applicant may be a very influential factor and for another it may make no difference in a decision whether to admit. In any case, it almost never hurts.

June 13, 2007

Q: Does Lewis & Clark provide any family support services for students with children?

A: There are many students at Lewis & Clark Law School with families; some are even starting or growing their families while enrolled in law school. While we do not have any formal day care programs at the school, there is a list of nearby daycare centers on our human resources webpage: http://www.lclark. edu/dept/hr/childcare. html. The list was created for L&C employees, but students can inquire at the various centers as well.

The community at the law school is very welcoming and understanding of the needs of students who are also parents. If you have any family concerns or issues that arise while at Lewis & Clark, we encourage you to discuss them with Martha Spence, associate dean of academic affairs. Dean Spence will refer you to various resources and will discuss potential options with you.

Also, during Orientation we have a session for the spouses and partners of incoming law students so that they can get to know one another and to learn more about what to expect while their significant other is in school. This is a great opportunity to meet and develop a support network with others who also have families or significant others while in law school.

June 6, 2007

Q: I struggled for the first few years of part-time college that I enrolled in. Since then I have re-dedicated myself to my education. Would an excellent upper division GPA help my chances for acceptance, when coupled with a good LSAT score?

A: Yes. Academic performance and potential are very important considerations when making admissions decisions. Along with your overall grade point average, the admissions committee will consider the rigor of your courses, the school(s) you attended, when you attended college, and your grade trend. An upward grade trend can help make up for a poor performance earlier in college. A strong LSAT will also help. If you your grades improve significantly and you show additional aptitude for law school through a good LSAT score, then you can make a strong case for your academic abilities despite having struggled earlier on. Your overall GPA will not go away, but a great finish to your college education and a high LSAT score will do the most to offset your earlier grades. Presenting as strong an application as possible in all other aspects (personal statement, letters of recommendation, resume) will also make a difference.