Book Description
Richard Montauk, a savvy admissions insider who is also a lawyer, demystifies the entire law school application process and provides targeted tools to ace every step. Incorporating advice and insights from dozens of admissions directors, this significantly revised edition of How to Get into the Top Law Schools offers an in-depth and candid view of what leading law schools look for in an applicant-and gives solid, information on how to assess and upgrade credentials to better match that ideal profile.
Customer Reviews:
The Most Honest Book on the Market.......2007-05-22
As other reviewers mentioned, Montauk's book is the most complete tome on the subject of law school admissions to date. It's also very honest. It is hard to get into a top 20 law school and he makes sure the reader understands this fact. He also lets the reader know that for many people, law is the wrong choice and will only lead to lots of debt and unhappieness in the future.
The negative reviews on Amazon seem to come from people who were taken aback that Montauk might suggest that law isn't right for everyone, but he is really doing potential applicants a favor. If a brief diatribe on the pitfalls of law scares you away, you probably weren't that committed to it anyway. The dark secrets that law schools/law firms don't want you to know:
1. If you don't go to a top law school (at least top 25), you will not have a good chance of getting a Biglaw job, i.e. the highest paying most coveted jobs in the industry. If you pay full price at a school outside of the top 25 and expect to make big bucks upon graduation, you might find out, as so many other students have, that you cannot find a job that pays well enough to justify the $150k in loans you just took out for law school.
Note--If you have alternative career plans or receive substantial scholarship money, then this changes the equation.
2. Most lawyers are unhappy with their jobs (regardless of salary). A recent survey showed that 75% of lawyers would not go to law school if they could do it all over again.
Moral of the story: Forget the "you can do whatever you put your mind to!" crowds and take a realistic look at your talents, situation, and the legal profession. Some people aren't well-suited for law and many people will hate the profession--even those who are good at it. Just realize this before spending 3 years of your life and $150k-$180k to go to law school.
If you decide that law is for you, Montauk's book is the best for increasing your chances of admission.
kla.......2007-05-05
Richard Mountauk's guide on "How to Get Into the Top Law Schools" is a thorough, comprehensive, candid, and convenient must have for anyone considering law school. It takes you from the very initial process of thinking about law school to dealing with acceptances, waitlists, denials, transferring options, and to first-year law school experience. It gives you the tools you need on how to market yourself effectively and strategize your application packet to put you in the best light possible, and thus possibly improving your chances to your top choices. With cited quotes and excerpts on various subjects and topics from admissions officers themselves, that are heavily inserted throughout the entire book, one knows they are getting first-hand knowledge. This is an organized, effective, and excellent resource for one to have for a behind the scenes look at a process that few are privy too. Definitely a must read!
Incredibly helpful.......2007-03-18
Applying to law school can be a stressful process no matter who you are. I bought this book in the midst of the application process, after already writing a few drafts of my personal statement, meeting with teachers for recommendation and hundreds of hours of research into schools and a couple meetings with my school's law advisor. It far exceeded my expectations. Not only was it helpful, but it took some of the mystery out of the process and taught me to how "sell" myself to the schools.
To take it a step further, under the direction of the small passage at the beginning of the book, I met with Mr. Montauk for more specific advice. Under his direction I put together a very strong personal statement (completely different than my original), teacher recommendations (he advised the recommenders), resume and additional essays. He also gave me insight on how to succeed in law school and once I am out. After my first 2 hour meeting with him I walked away knowing it was the best money I ever spent.
After looking at almost ever law school entrance book, this was by far the most informative and well-rounded (spanning beyond law school into a career). I would also highly recommend meeting with Mr. Montauk in person if your LSAT and GPA scores don't fully reflect your potential to practice law.
There is no doubt in my mind that if I hadn't met with Mr. Montauk I wouldn't have been accepted to some of the schools I got into.
Essential Guidance.......2006-10-23
This book has served as a valuable guide through my undergraduate years. I purchased the first book before my sophomore year of college, and I believe the knowledge I gained has helped me to make the right choices in my endeavor toward law school. If you are an undergraduate student, and you aspire to law school, buy this book now. The longer you have it, the more helpful it will be during your preparation. If you are ready to apply, you will learn how avoid mistakes and put forth the best possible application you have to offer. The quotes from admissions people helped me to understand which schools I was best suited for and which ones to avoid. The path of law is a very important choice, and I appreciate that Mr. Montauk takes a prospective student from that decision process all the way through to tips for study success after the acceptance letter. As a side note, I had an urgent question about my law school application, and Mr. Montauk was kind enough to return my call (his phone number is in this book) on a Sunday. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
Very Helpful.......2005-11-28
Oh thanksgiving day, I am thankful for this book and the great help it was for me during the past year.
If you are applying to law school or even thinking about it, get this book, it is very helpful. It has examples of essays to help you figure out how to write your personal essays, it also has a time line, so you can schedule the year accordingly until the time you are planning to get into that law school of your choice.well that is just couple of examples, but it is great.
Good Luck
Book Description
Whether one is a college junior facing the LSATs, a senior sitting with disappointing test scores, or someone who has always dreamed of a career in the law, there is too much at stake not to ask the hard questions about what lies ahead.
€ How to choose the right school
€ How to get in
€ How to succeed as a student
€ How to find career fulfillment
In How to Get Into Law School, Susan Estrich lends her unique point of view and far-ranging experience-as ace law student, tenured professor, renowned legal scholar and analyst-to the life and career questions applicants will face, and answers them in the frank, no-nonsense manner that is her trademark. Featuring anecdotes from admissions directors, professors, veteran attorneys, and adventurous students alike, How to Get Into Law School lays out the facts on:
€ Applications
€ Essays
€ Getting Scholarships
€ Community service
€ The Rigors of Studying
€ Surviving Interviews
€ Finding Employment
Customer Reviews:
BUY this! READ this, now!.......2007-09-10
How to Get Into Law School, by Prof. Estrich, has been abundantly helpful to me as I make my way through the admissions process. Her advice is frankly honest and substantially more insightful than the resources I have come across to date. It cannot do anything but help any law school applicant in their odyessy through admissions. Check out her specific advice on getting the right recommendations letters, how to write your personal statment and how to choose the right school for you. Reading this gift of insider info, left me feeling like I had just been let in on the biggest secrets of how to gain admission. Prof. Susan Estrich KNOWS and delivers more pertinent info than a multitude of the commerical LSAT and Law Admissions volumes put together. Best of luck to you on your journey! Send your prayers above for mine, I. Tanvishut, New Orleans, LA.
Better than most Law Admission Books, but far from perfect.......2007-07-05
I am a law school admission consultant. When I was acting as director of Admissions at California Western School of Law, I attended a conference of law school admission professionals in Phoenix. Professor Estrich spoke at this convention and she mentions that speech in the book as her "introduction" to law school admission issues. I admire the author considerably and, as a result, read this book. (I previously read "The Case for Hillary Clinton")
There's a common theme in both; Prof. Estrich likes to mention all the fabulously brilliant and famous people who are among her best friends. Most of the book is name-dropping. She quotes other people (the same people that write the book jacket comments in some cases) and while this makes for an entertaining read and provides some "wow" factor, it's not all that informative for the person looking for advice about law school applications.
While I think the author is right on the mark about looking outside the rankings and picking geography over U.S. News, her actual admission experience seems limited to writing a few letters of rec for her friends' children. (A practice that makes me grimmace - for reasons you can read about on my blog at http://lawschoolexpert.blogspot.com)
The first half of this book is about getting into law school and the 2nd half is about what to do once you're there. I didn't read the second half of the book.
I'd rather law school applicants take advice from Prof. Estrich than from the commercial books out there by big companies and people without a lot of credibility. But this isn't a fantastic book if you're looking for advice about applying. (Anna Ivey's book is better - just don't read the sample personal statements she includes). Prof. Estrich's book might be worth reading if you're trying to decide where to attend law school because her points in this regard are noteworthy.
I always caution applicants against "one size fits all" law school application advice. As the proprietor of www.lawschoolexpert.com, I have helped more than 500 law school applicants reach their dreams in the last 3 years and my full time job is helping people apply to law school. I do recommend this book on my blog, mostly for the rankings analysis.
Valuable advice seasoned with snob........2007-07-03
Overall, its pretty good compared to several I've read. Estrich has some downsides...she assumes you are applying to a "top" law school. For the thousands of us each year desiring to attend law school who aren't in the elite in terms of LSAT, gpa, etc., or perhaps just dont want to attend Yale, Harvard, Berkeley, etc., this may not be the best choice of book to fit your needs. The advice is really universal, just slanted toward the ivy league as if its the only way to go.
Also, paralegals beware: Estrich will offend you. I believe she writes "why be a lesser version of what you really want to be." Did she say "lesser"? Yes, she did. Ouch. As a paralegal of 10 years, I didn't at all care for her biased attitude. She basically portrays paralegals as people who run a xerox all day and have no place in law school.
Highly recommended.......2007-05-13
Unless you know people who've gone to law school, you really need some advice, and this book helped me a lot. It'll take you through all the steps, like taking the LSAT, getting letters of recommendation, writing your personal statement, picking the school for you and beyond. It's written very clearly and she keeps it interesting as well. I'm going to law school this fall, and this book just didn't help me get in, it helped me get into the right school, one to which I'm excited about going. Remember, it's competitive, you need every edge you can get--read this book!
you wont find a better book out there.......2007-01-14
I came across this book by chance at a bookstore and I was instantly attracted to its no nonsense and completely straightforward attitude. Susan Estrich gives you tips that other books dont even mention, and doesnt attempt to rate schools but instead, shows you how to find the right school for YOU and not only that, how to get IN (really). tips such as how to get an interview, and simple things, as how to get an admissions director on the phone.
furthermore, when i was in law school again confused after a crazy first semester, it gave me even more (and better) advice about everything from jobs to grades to reassurances to EVERYTHING. this is the advice you need from your loved ones but cant get because they REALLY dont understand what you are going through.
this book is amazing...simply put.
Book Description
Offers surefire advice as well as 50 successful application essays from current students and recent graduates.
Customer Reviews:
CORRECTION.......2006-06-23
The author, Willie J. Epps Jr., is of no relation to the previous Dean, as stated in Kevin Meyer's review. The author was a student at Harvard Law who wanted to help college students achieve their goals of getting into law school by uncovering the mystery of how others did just that. The author's insight into the types of candidates and applications accepted into Harvard Law is invaluable for college students considering law school and the essays provided by accepted students give those applying a view of what types of essays made the cut. The book is helpful for students trying to develop a strong candidacy to any law school -- not just Harvard. While some reviewers find the student comments 'egotistical' , one should be reminded that it is the nature of 'personal' essays. (Yes, one's own pride needs to be in check when reading the applications and essays of these exemplary individuals.)
This book can prove to be very helpful when the application process seems nothing but daunting! Thanks Willie.
Lame.......2004-09-20
I picked this book up in a "bricks and mortar" bookstore, and it only took me about two seconds to realize it was totally worthless. Epps's father was a Dean at Harvard College, which, I assume, is how he got the authority to pass such a book off as an expert "How To" guide. As other reviewers have noted, it's little more than a compilation of survey responses from people who have gotten in.
If you really want to get into Harvard Law, focus hard on rocking the LSAT and then buy Montauk's book instead.
you don't have to spend money on this book.......2003-07-12
i will tell you precisely how to get into harvard law school:
a) buy your admission or
b) be related to a dean of admissions or
c) earn excellent grades and a high lsat score from a reputable college, and don't come off as a jerk in your essay.
beyond that there is no other tactic at your disposal. no book will ever get you into an ivy league law school, and if you are looking for essay advice then you can find it online for free. there is a copy of this book in the career services office of my college. there is basically a copy of this book available on harvard's website (all the info is there).
you can only exemplify your worth to harvard through the choices that you have made in your academic career. that means if the extent of your extracurricular involvement was setting up the keg for that frat party frosh year, or you find yourself as a senior with a 3.2 GPA, your salvation will not be contained in this book. allay the desperation, and get some work experience.
good luck with your search, and discriminate against anyone who is trying to sell you something.
Disregard Previous Poster.......2002-10-12
I just wanted to point out to the review who claimed "This book is filled with people who got 4.5 and above GPAs and LSAT scores of 170 and better." It is IMPOSSIBLE to get a GPA of 4.5 in college. The highest GPA one can achieve in college is 4.33 and thats *if* the school awards an A+ for a grade of 100%. Most schools just award ordinary A's which caps the maximum GPA at 4.0.
not a guidebook.......2002-08-05
This book quite simply should not be titled "How to get into Harvard Law School." Rather, it should make reference to profiles of applicants who actually got into Harvard Law School. Epps's advice is fairly generic, telling the reader what HLS is like from a social and academic standpoint. He spends more time concentrating on details that the reader probably already knows by just visiting HLS's official website. Other than share some basic information concerning the university, he lacks in any comprehensive detail regarding increasing one's chances of getting admitted.
On the other hand, the profiles were useful and the applicants' essays were, if nothing more than remarkable, quite inspirational. The profiles were indeed intimidating, but I would assume that people who have considered buying this particular book are not necessarily the types to be easily scared off by soaring GPA's and perfect LSAT's. I would assume that they themselves know where they stand academically on whether they should even consider applying to Harvard in the first place. If I were you, consider borrowing this book from a local library or buying a used copy. The full price is not worth it. The year the book was made is also quite outdated and does not accurately reflect Harvard's statistics today.
Book Description
This helpful guide targets courses and extracurricular activities that prepare applicants for law school as well as tells how to choose a law school that matches applicants' interests and aspirations.
Customer Reviews:
Borrow This Book At the Library!.......2003-04-03
I went to the library and went through pretty much the whole book. There really isn't anything unique this book has to offer, as most of its tips are rather practical and known.
The longest section of the book deals with the LSAT. The advice in this section mirrors what you would read when you register with the Law School Admission Council -- when the LSAT is administered, when you should take it, how to prepare, etc.
The most helpful section in this book discusses the value of volunteering during college, or doing internships with the local attorney's office. However, you can read this section at the library in less than 15 minutes.
I do not recommend buying this book. If you are really curious about its contents, just go to your library and check it out.
Book Description
Now updated and revised.
Now with new and expanded information on Executive MBA programs, the most up-to-date school rankings, new interviews with admissions officers, and more detailed advice for younger applicants, Montauk offers an up-close and candid view of what leading MBA programs look for in an applicant.
Customer Reviews:
advices w/ practical examples.......2007-10-15
Insightful information and good examples of essays and recommendations. I also liked the directors of admission's quotes. It is pretty much the same advices you hear when you go to the School's info sessions but on the book the advices are clearly linked to how you write each part of your application.
Great book, but nothing new from previous editions.......2007-08-31
Needless to say, this book is now the Bible of MBA applications.
What works:
1. Lots of advice, starting from the basics.
2. Tons of feedback from Admissions Committee Members
3. Essay samples
What doesnt:
1. Essay samples are limited to people who were leaders, consultants, etc etc. I dont believe these form the majority, Instead, I think the majority applicants are engineers, investment bankers and people from Asia. So the examples should have been chosen to fit that demographic too. I am more interested to see how an engineer represented himself well to get into a B-school, rather than read an essay of someone who was in the Army asa Lieutenant. It doesnt help much by publishing essays of people who're inherently different because of a very rare background.
2. Nothing much has really changed over the 2002 edition of the book. So, if you have the old one, I dont think this is worth buying. You could just use the library.
Fantastic Guide, we call it the MBA admissions bible.......2007-08-15
This is a fantastic book. I used it while in the Peace Corps to write my application to a top 5 MBA program. It has great advice on how to organize your application and your thoughts. It is not a 'shortcut' to getting in, but helps you put yourself together and show all of your background and your ambitions in the best light possible. If you're looking at even a top 10 program, this book is required reading. I can safely say probably 80% of us here used it to help us write our apps.
Wrong Title.......2007-08-10
I just think this book's title is misleading to someone who has already decided to get an MBA, researched schools, and selected the top schools to which apply. I was looking for something that was going to help me AFTER all these events have taken place as the title suggests. If you're saying: "I already know exactly what I want to do, now give me some tips to make it happen;" then this book is not for you. I found SOME tips, while skimming this tomb, and I think they're all common sense, widely available on the web, or easily obtainable simply by looking at the MBA schools' websites.
A complete guide to readying yourself for an MBA.......2007-07-07
Immediately upon receiving this book, I was shocked at it's sheer size. When I ordered it, I had neglected to notice how many pages it includes, and I assumed it was going to be relatively short since it is not expensive.
Then, I wondered how much there could be to say about the MBA admissions process, and if the book would become too repetitive. Well, as it turns out, the book doesn't repeat itself and Montauk takes advantage of every page to guide you through what it takes to get into a good MBA program.
I am still in the process of applying, but what I have found is that this book has given me a great outline of what I should be doing to prepare myself, and provided detailed steps of how to navigate each step. Studying for the GMAT, getting letters of recommedation, writing the schools' essays, interviewing, it's all covered in great detail.
I continue to use this book as a reference guide as I am going through the application process, and I find that whatever I am confused about, the answer is provided in the book.
Average customer rating:
|
How to Get into the Right Law School, 1993, L
Manufacturer: NTC Publishing Group,U.S.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
 Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| AIDS
| Abuse
| Adults
| Aging
| Children
| Class
| Communities
| Culture
| Death
| General
| History
| Leisure
| Marriage & Family
| Medicine
| Men
| Occupational
| Race Relations
| Religion
| Research & Measurement
| Rural
| Social Groups
| Social Situations
| Social Theory
| Suburban
| Urban
| Women
ASIN: 0844247707 |
Book Description
Excellent reproduction in one volume of 2-volume facsimile edition teems with accurate, full-page images of garden flowers from all four seasons. Information on each plant describes leaves, flowers, seed pods, roots, and size and color of each blossom. A delightful reference for botanists, gardeners, and lovers of fine art. 104 black-and-white illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Holds all 104 engravings from the 1614 Hortus Floridus.......2003-07-16
This holds all 104 engravings from the 1614 Hortus Floridus, widely regarded among botanists as a horticultural masterpiece. Here the full-page black and white plates accompany an engaging text in calligraphic style to describe flower names, attributes, and blossom month. No color; but a fine historic reproduction of an early masterwork.
Books:
- How to Make Money Online with eBay, Yahoo!, and Google
- Hungarian-English/English-Hungarian Dictionary and Phrasebook (Hippocrene Dictionary & Phrasebooks)
- Hungarian Verbs And Essentials of Grammar
- Interpretation: Techniques And Exercises (Professional Interpreting in the Real World)
- Introduction to the Practice of Statistics
- Italian Verb Workbook
- Jacques Pepin Fast Food My Way
- Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You
- Lonely Planet Australian Phrasebook
- Longman Advanced American Dictionary (hardcover) with CD-ROM
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Psychology of Sales Call Reluctance: Earning What You're Worth in Sales
- Romantic Home Sewing: Cottage-Style Projects to Stitch for the Home
- Golden Boy: The Untold Story of William Holden
- Keys to the Kingdom: The Rise of Michael Eisner and the Fall of Everybody Else
- Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 Hands-On Training
- Smitten
- Quilling Western Australian Wildflowers Ss Int
- Marketing Scales Handbook, Volume IV: Consumer Behavior
- Learning from the Future: Competitive Foresight Scenarios
- ALL KNEELING
The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions: Straight Advice on Essays, Resumes, Interviews, and More
The PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible
Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT Preptests
The Ultimate Guide to Law School Admission: Insider Secrets for Getting a "Big Envelope" with Your Acceptance to Law School!
The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible: A Comprehensive System for Attacking the Logical Reasoning Section of the LSAT
