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The Ivey Guide To Law School Admissions: Straight Advice On Essays, Resumes, Interviews, And More
As dean of admissions at the University of Chicago Law School, Anna Ivey decided the fate of thousands of law school applicants. In this book-the first of its kind by a former law school admissions officer-she draws on her expertise to cover topics from the application and the essay to the interview and the recommendations, touching on hot-button issues like how much the LSAT, ethnicity, and age really matter. Offering an insider's advice on how to produce the very best application, this guide gives straight answers to questions such
• What kind of essay should I write to set me apart from the rest of the pack?
• Should I explain my low LSAT score, my D in chemistry, my attention deficit disorder, my time in rehab?
• Is law school worth the debt I'll face when I graduate?
Full of invaluable examples and anecdotes about real admissions decisions, The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions is certain to become the new bible for would-be law students everywhere.
• What kind of essay should I write to set me apart from the rest of the pack?
• Should I explain my low LSAT score, my D in chemistry, my attention deficit disorder, my time in rehab?
• Is law school worth the debt I'll face when I graduate?
Full of invaluable examples and anecdotes about real admissions decisions, The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions is certain to become the new bible for would-be law students everywhere.
- GenresLawNonfiction
314 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 13, 2020
Very insightful. Full of practical advice. Plentiful exmples.
September 14, 2015
While some aspects of this book are outdated given the current state of law school admissions, many sections are still quite useful. The personal statement, resume and addendum sections in particular are very helpful. Be sure to take her dictatorial tone with a grain of salt though; hers is not the only advice on law school admissions and some of what she says conflicts with what I've read from current law school admissions deans. While this is a good resource, be sure to think deeply about the intricacies of your own situation before applying all of her advice to your own application.
All in all, I am grateful to Ms. Ivey for writing this book, which provides some much needed insight into the minds of admissions officers.
All in all, I am grateful to Ms. Ivey for writing this book, which provides some much needed insight into the minds of admissions officers.
June 26, 2008
A MUST-read if you're thinking about going to law school. I first read Susan Estrich's "How to get into Law School" and it was great! Then I read this book and it is much more comprehensive and goes into more detail. It is a wealth of information! I recommend both books.
May 22, 2019
Caveat: This review was originally written when the book was first published. Undoubtedly there have been some changes to law school admissions since then.
Former Dean of Admissions at The University of Chicago Law School Anna Ivey knows that of which she writes. She has taken her years of experience and compiled them into an incredibly useful, user-friendly guide to getting into law school. If you or someone you know is even considering law school in the future, The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions is an invaluable resource with advice that should be read and taken to heart extremely early in the process.
On a personal note, I have no interest in law school, but my husband is considering a later-in-life career change. We both found Ivey’s book to be immensely helpful. She starts off by discussing the “wow” factor and what admissions officers are really looking for. She discusses grades, college majors and LSAT scores in depth, providing hints and words of wisdom that students should take to heart. Other chapters cover the application essay, recommendations, resumes, and interviews. Both good and bad examples are given of everything so that readers can have something to measure their own efforts against.
The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions is like having a law school admissions consultant in your home. Every possible scenario and every potential question is answered by the author. Her insights come from her experience—she truly knows what works, what doesn’t, and she’s heard it all. Her advice about things to steer clear of is entertaining but very to the point.
I would recommend that parents of undergraduates and the students themselves should purchase this book and read it as soon as they consider law a potential career direction. The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions will be a book to refer back to many times, especially when the all-important application process begins. This is a very highly recommended resource.
Former Dean of Admissions at The University of Chicago Law School Anna Ivey knows that of which she writes. She has taken her years of experience and compiled them into an incredibly useful, user-friendly guide to getting into law school. If you or someone you know is even considering law school in the future, The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions is an invaluable resource with advice that should be read and taken to heart extremely early in the process.
On a personal note, I have no interest in law school, but my husband is considering a later-in-life career change. We both found Ivey’s book to be immensely helpful. She starts off by discussing the “wow” factor and what admissions officers are really looking for. She discusses grades, college majors and LSAT scores in depth, providing hints and words of wisdom that students should take to heart. Other chapters cover the application essay, recommendations, resumes, and interviews. Both good and bad examples are given of everything so that readers can have something to measure their own efforts against.
The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions is like having a law school admissions consultant in your home. Every possible scenario and every potential question is answered by the author. Her insights come from her experience—she truly knows what works, what doesn’t, and she’s heard it all. Her advice about things to steer clear of is entertaining but very to the point.
I would recommend that parents of undergraduates and the students themselves should purchase this book and read it as soon as they consider law a potential career direction. The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions will be a book to refer back to many times, especially when the all-important application process begins. This is a very highly recommended resource.
May 22, 2019
I’ve been the prelaw advisor at a medium-sized religious college for more than forty years, and my advice about law school application runs largely along the lines outlined in Anna Ivey’s nicely written book. If a student wants to write me off as a curmudgeon, I can cite chapter and verse here, from an author who’s a good quarter-century younger and has a far better claim to speak with authority about such matters than I. So, undergraduates, read and heed.
Nevertheless, I have a few quibbles. One inference of the Ivey Guide is that a great many admission decisions are made on the basis of personal essays, interviews, and recommendations. Actually, as Ivey would probably agree, most decisions are based flatly and unimaginatively on GPA, LSAT, and (if applicable) minority status. My feeling is that the other materials often serve largely as conscience salve for the typical admissions officer (of which Ms. Ivey was certainly not one). In my experience, essays, recommendations, and the like prove most significant for those at the top and bottom of the food chain: to students applying at the twenty "top-ten" law schools (the probable target market for this book) and students who will gladly take anything above the California unaccredited schools.
I also hold reservations about the sample essays and sample recommendations given in the appendix. The good ones are better than the bad ones for sure, but I found myself disliking all the authors. To me the best of the essays sound like they were written by slick showoffs. (At least the authors either have great writing skills or good ghostwriters.) As for faculty recommendations, I’ve had numerous students admitted to the best law schools without ever having written anything longer than this review. I wonder if there are admissions officers out there permanent wincing because of the longish rambling essays and recommendations written because of advice given in this book.
Nevertheless, I have a few quibbles. One inference of the Ivey Guide is that a great many admission decisions are made on the basis of personal essays, interviews, and recommendations. Actually, as Ivey would probably agree, most decisions are based flatly and unimaginatively on GPA, LSAT, and (if applicable) minority status. My feeling is that the other materials often serve largely as conscience salve for the typical admissions officer (of which Ms. Ivey was certainly not one). In my experience, essays, recommendations, and the like prove most significant for those at the top and bottom of the food chain: to students applying at the twenty "top-ten" law schools (the probable target market for this book) and students who will gladly take anything above the California unaccredited schools.
I also hold reservations about the sample essays and sample recommendations given in the appendix. The good ones are better than the bad ones for sure, but I found myself disliking all the authors. To me the best of the essays sound like they were written by slick showoffs. (At least the authors either have great writing skills or good ghostwriters.) As for faculty recommendations, I’ve had numerous students admitted to the best law schools without ever having written anything longer than this review. I wonder if there are admissions officers out there permanent wincing because of the longish rambling essays and recommendations written because of advice given in this book.
June 2, 2020
Given how full of sentimental tosh most admissions offices are, Ms. Ivey's book is a breath of fresh air. This book generally did not read like a dry manual; her refreshingly biting commentary on the law school admissions process is not only enjoyable to read but useful as well.
August 28, 2008
This is the most useful publication I have read relating to the law school admissions process. Written by a former Dean of Admissions, this book provides honest advice from an insider. I found the sections on Letters of Recommendation, Personal Essays, and Resumes invaluable.
If you only choose one book to help you through the law school admissions process, I recommend reading this one.
If you only choose one book to help you through the law school admissions process, I recommend reading this one.
January 8, 2011
Another law school how to guide jam packed with information that's useful to any and everyone applying for law school. I found this one very detailed and tailored to current (or soon to be current) law school applicants. Pick this one up! Read it. Take notes in it. Inhale the rhetoric. You'll need this one.
September 25, 2012
This was a detailed guide to how the law school admissions process works. Ivey does an excellent job of systematically expounding on each piece of the application components. By the time she was done it sounded like a true inside view of the process.
March 25, 2007
quite helpful
May 20, 2007
useful. very useful.
June 26, 2007
If you are applying to law school, read this book.
November 20, 2008
very helpful, no-nonsense book
Read
October 27, 2009this book has successfully convinced me that I will not get into law school.
June 1, 2010
A dear friend and former colleague. This is an excellent guide to the law school process.
January 30, 2011
Best law-school admission book there is. Very detailed. Great advice for top schools.
May 12, 2015
Short, sweet, and to the point. Unlike some books that tell you what you should do, she provides detailed examples of what to do and how to do it.
January 17, 2010
A helpful read for anyone looking to pursue law school. Candid and truthful.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews