admision standards and scholarship opportunities at msu law 8 1 2013

Admission Standards and Scholarship Opportunities

at MSU Law[The webinar will begin at 12:00, EST]

Presenter: Charles Roboski, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid

If you do not have internet audio capability, please use our telephone audio connection:

1-866-642-1665 and when prompted, enter the Passcode: 334512

Components of the application Key dates Factors considered in the application-

review process Admission decisions Recommendations and Advice Cost information Scholarship and grant assistance Questions

What I’ll Cover…

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Application Components

Completed online application LSAT score and LSAC Credential Assembly Service

(CAS) Report Personal Statement Resume Two LoRs or Evaluations $60 application fee or fee waiverYour file also might include:• Two add’l LoRs or Evaluations• Supplemental statement (LSAT or undergrad performance)• Description of affirmative responses to C + F Questions• Diversity statement

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Key Dates

August 1: Online application becomes availableNovember 1: Admission Committee begins review processNovember 20: First round of acceptance decisions mailedFebruary 1: Admission application deadline to ensure full

consideration of scholarship aid; file FAFSAFebruary 20: Need-based, grant aid deadlineMarch: Visit Programs for Admitted CandidatesApril 1: Enrollment confirmation deadline for

candidates admitted through March 1April 30: Application deadline

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1. Does this candidate have the ability to be academically successful?

2. What qualities, skills, or experiences does this applicant possess that we consider to be important to the study/practice of law?

3. How does this candidate compare to others?

Questions Asked by Admissions Committee Members in the Application Review Process

LSAT and academic record are primary

Personal statement and resume are primary

Competitiveness of the National Applicant Pool

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Assessing Academic Potential

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT)• The LSAT has predictive value•The LSAT is a common measure •The Admission Committee relies on the highest of multiple scores

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Assessing Academic Potential

College PerformanceThe Committee has no preference in terms of undergraduate major, but instead gives consideration to:

•Overall performance•Rigor of courses and college attended•Grade trends•Extenuating Circumstances/activities•Length of time since graduating•Graduate work, if applicable

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The Personal Statement

Up to three pages in length Think of the PS as a substitute for an in-

person interview It’s your opportunity to communicate

insights about you beyond academic performance – skills, interests, goals, experiences

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• Ask what 3 or 4 “points” you would like to communicate to the reviewer

• Consider how your personal statement will complement your resume (but not re-state it)

• Identify abilities and traits you possess that will serve you well as a law student and as a lawyer

• Describe your reasons for applying to Michigan State• No need for creativity, but ensure that your PS has authenticity• Make it a quality piece of writing….your PS will be viewed as an

indicator of your writing skills and motivation

Recommendations as you Prepareyour Personal Statement

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MSU Law Admissions Decisions

• Offer of admission• Re-review in February• Waitlist (review in April/May/June/July)• Invitation to apply to Legal Education

Opportunity Program• Denial

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Your Resume and Letters of Recommendation and Evaluations

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• Your law school resume should be different that a resume you’ve developed for employment purposes

• Your law school resume may be up to two pages in lenth• Faculty LORs are generally preferred for applicants who are

(or who recently were) enrolled in college• The most insightful LORs are written by individuals who know

you well and who wish to support your candidacy• Provide the letter writer with a copy of your resume and PS,

and allow the letter writer as much time as possible to write the LOR

Supplemental Statements

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• Provide context for undergraduate performance (rigor, extenuating circumstances) and/or LSAT performance

• Required if you respond in the affirmative to a “Character and Fitness” question

• MSU Law does not require, but accepts, diversity statements

MSU Law Cost of Attendance: 2013/14 Academic Year

Direct Costs (29 credits – FT)

• Tuition: $35,844• Fees: $434

Indirect Costs – Thrifty Budget• Books: $1458• Medical insurance: $1042• Transportation: $200• Room and board: $5091• Other: $970

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLETOTAL: $7,919

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MSU Law Scholarships

Admissions and Scholarship Committee considers all admitted candidates for MSU Law scholarship funds

Awards are communicated in the acceptance letter

Preference is give to candidates who have completed admission files by February 1

As many as 150 scholarships and grants will be awarded to members of the 2014 incoming class

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Full-Tuition Academic Scholarships

– Covers 100% of tuition ($105,000) for all 3 years (88 credit hours)– Awarded to as many as 50 incoming students– Criteria for consideration

• Faculty Scholarship:– UGPA = 3.65– LSAT = 158

• King Scholarship: – UGPA = 3.75– LSAT = 162

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Academic Scholarships

Academic Excellence Awards – Awarded to as many as 35 incoming students– Awards of $18,500 and $30,000 per year– Criteria for consideration: UGPA = 3.50; LSAT =

157

Alumni Academic Awards– Awarded to as many as 35 incoming students– Renewable awards up to $18,500 per year – Criteria for consideration: UGPA = 3.00; LSAT =

157

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Trustee Scholarships

Trustee Scholarships– Awarded to as many as 25 incoming

students– Awards include both

partial and full tuition– Awards are renewable– Criteria includes assessment of academic potential and diversity

of student’s personal and professional background

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Need-Based Grants

Career Transition Grant - $9,000 to $18,000

Part-Time Program Grant - $9,000 to $18,000

Public Interest Grant and Stipend - $7,500

Note: FAFSA results and essay due February 20

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Scholarships for Upper-level Students

• Provided to students who excel in the 1L year (after 24 credit hours) – approx. top 15% of the class

• Award Criteria and amounts• 1L GPA of 3.50 to 3.69 = 50% tuition• 1L GPA of 3.70 to 3.79 = 75% tuition• 1L GPA of 3.80 and higher = 100% of tuition

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Loan Programs

• Stafford Loan*• GradPLUS Loan*• Private Loan

Notes:• Students may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (after

deducting other forms of aid)• Create a financial plan for law school; research salary data;

understand the impact of significant educational debt

*federal loan

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Concluding Comments

Fully prepare for the LSAT; re-take, if appropriate Apply early (pre-January 1), if possible Contact Admissions with any questions you may

have (personal statement, unique circumstances, character and fitness issues)…phone consultations may be scheduled

Continue to connect with attorneys in order to continue to learn about career options and to develop a network

Join us at future webinars and/or in-person events

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Michigan State Law Preview WebinarAugust 7, 12:00August 15, 4:00

Crafting Your Law School Personal StatementAugust 8, 3:00

Note: we are on Eastern Standard Time

Upcoming Events

Questions

Admission and Scholarships: Courtney Gabbara: courtney.gabbara@law.msu.eduCharles Roboski: roboski@law.msu.edu

Loans and General Financial Aid Questions: John Garcia: finaid@law.msu.edu

Phone: (517) 432-0222

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