2008 Woodie Awards
Law school fair brings real legal experience
Students interested in law learned about being a lawyer at fair.
By Eileen Pace Fitzsimmons
Issue date: 11/3/06 Section: News
Originally published: 11/2/06 at 7:56 PM CSTLast update: 11/2/06 at 8:38 PM CST
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Hundreds of San Antonio students took advantage of a unique opportunity Oct. 27 to find out everything they ever wanted to know about becoming a lawyer. Representatives from 85 law schools from New York to California brought their information to the Law School Fair at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Monique McCarthy, assistant director of admissions at St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, Minn., said, "Generally, certain types are attracted to law school - a lot of Type A students."
Representatives interviewed agreed that the undergraduate major choice isn't as important as the grade-point average.
Daphne James, assistant director of admissions at Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, said, "Grades do count. Pick something that you love and that you do well in. If you decide not to go to law school, pick something you'd enjoy doing as a job."
Skills that help a student succeed in law school include analytical reasoning, reading comprehension and time management, as well as being able to write well. "Journalism students, English and business majors do well in law school," James said.
Brian Miller, assistant director of admissions at Willamette College of Law in Salem, Ore., said classes like symbolic logic and economics are important in preparing for the Law School Admission Test. "Those classes require you to organize your thoughts and to consider matters from an analytical and logical formation. That kind of thinking serves one well on the LSAT," he said.
The law school representatives agreed that students shouldn't worry about deciding on a law specialty.
"You don't have to select that," McCarthy said. "We offer over 100 courses each year. Take what you're interested in." James said LSU teaches both civil law, which is based on the Napoleonic Code and is the basis for Louisiana's legal system, as well as common law, which is practiced in the other 49 states. Students who graduate earn both degrees, so they can practice anywhere.
Monique McCarthy, assistant director of admissions at St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, Minn., said, "Generally, certain types are attracted to law school - a lot of Type A students."
Representatives interviewed agreed that the undergraduate major choice isn't as important as the grade-point average.
Daphne James, assistant director of admissions at Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, said, "Grades do count. Pick something that you love and that you do well in. If you decide not to go to law school, pick something you'd enjoy doing as a job."
Skills that help a student succeed in law school include analytical reasoning, reading comprehension and time management, as well as being able to write well. "Journalism students, English and business majors do well in law school," James said.
Brian Miller, assistant director of admissions at Willamette College of Law in Salem, Ore., said classes like symbolic logic and economics are important in preparing for the Law School Admission Test. "Those classes require you to organize your thoughts and to consider matters from an analytical and logical formation. That kind of thinking serves one well on the LSAT," he said.
The law school representatives agreed that students shouldn't worry about deciding on a law specialty.
"You don't have to select that," McCarthy said. "We offer over 100 courses each year. Take what you're interested in." James said LSU teaches both civil law, which is based on the Napoleonic Code and is the basis for Louisiana's legal system, as well as common law, which is practiced in the other 49 states. Students who graduate earn both degrees, so they can practice anywhere.
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