by Elizabeth Cavallari

Students at the Organization Fair During Admitted Student Weekend

Today’s the day- it’s May 1 and an important day for the William & Mary Law School Admission Office. Deposits are due today (or at least postmarked) to see who will officially be a member of the Class of 2015!

We had many events for admitted students this spring, from Admitted Student Weekend, receptions for admitted students and alumni on the west coast, and, of course, student-led tours and sitting in on classes when admitted students visited the law school. So if you are an admitted student, remember to put that deposit in the mail to join the William & Mary Law School community!

by Elizabeth Cavallari

“What makes an application stand out?”  We hear this question a lot from prospective law students, and there are a lot of components to the answer.  At William & Mary there is no magic formula or benchmark that we expect all applicants to reach: we do a full-file review of all elements of your application (GPA, LSAT, work experience and extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal statement) so we can fully evaluate you as a candidate for admission.  Having said that, there are some traits that really mark potential applicants as people who will become successful law students and lawyers, and the way that these traits show up in applications can really vary!

Oral Communication

The ability to articulate yourself well and persuasively make your case will be important to your success as a student and as a practitioner after graduation.  How can you showcase your oral communication abilities in your application?  A number of activities, including participation in Mock Trial, leadership roles in campus organizations or Greek Life, employment projects, collegiate or recreational sports, and countless others can demonstrate your ability to be a persuasive speaker.  Additionally, oral communication is as much about speaking as it is listening.  Working with clients and co-workers requires listening critically, taking key information from conversations, and utilizing what you have learned.  Think about the experiences that have developed and honed those skills, and make sure that we see evidence of that in your application

Written Communication

It shouldn’t be a surprise that lawyers and law students have to write often and write well, so we expect a high level of writing proficency from our candidates:even though legal writing may seem a bit like a foreign language during your first weeks of law school, you still should have a strong foundation from which to build.  Prospective students still in school should take courses that develop your objective and persuasive writing.  Utilize your school’s writing center and other resources at your disposal.  For those in the work force, embrace opportunities to write in your job (beyond writing another quick email); volunteer for projects that require heavy writing and will stretch and challenge you.

Research

Knowing how to utilize case law, statutes, administrative regulations, and other sources of binding and persuasive authority is instrumental in the legal profession.  What research experience do you have?  Your research background does not necessarily have to include research with a faculty member (particularly if you’re not passionate about the topic or subject).  Did a class spark an interest that led to an independent study or thesis?  Have you been driven to learn more about a topic than you learned in a lecture?  Have you started a new project at work that required you to critically examine previous efforts?  Make sure your application reflects the research you have done and indicates your ability to successfully transition those skills into the arena of legal research.

While we try to discern these three skills, this doesn’t mean that we ONLY look at those abilities while reviewing your application.  Make sure to highlight your abilities in oral communication, written communication, and research, but remember that these skills constitute just one piece of the puzzle.  William & Mary Law School would be boring if all of our students were cookie cutter!  We take shaping a diverse and interesting class seriously, and we want to get to know you through your application and see how you can help make it even better!

by Brian Wall

As I meet with prospective students, one questions comes up again and again.  The precursor to the question is often different, but the question itself is the same: “Should I apply?”  We want anyone who wants to be part of the William & Mary Law School community to apply to join our ranks.  In case there is someone out there who has not been able to personally ask me this question, I want to address some of the circumstances that other prospective students have invoked as they have asked whether or not they should apply.

1) “My GPA/LSAT is lower than your median score.  Should I apply?”  We are grateful for the high caliber of students who make William & Mary Law school such an outstanding institution, but this does mean that getting into William & Mary is challenging.  For the Class of 2014, the median LSAT score was 165 (with a 75th/25th percentile range of 167-161) and the median GPA was 3.73 (with a 75th/25th percentile range of 3.82-3.46).  However, those numbers are not minimum numbers.  Additionally, it is important to know that our application process is not only about the numbers: we consider your entire application, and in many cases applicants with scores below our medians have been accepted based on their strong potential as evidenced by other aspects of the application.  Answer: YES, you should apply!

2) “My major doesn’t have anything to do with law or politics.  Should I apply?”  The stereotype of a pre-law student is usually a political science major with a minor in history.  While we’ve had our fair share of those here at William & Mary, we take students from every academic background.  Current William & Mary students studied economics, engineering, English literature, business, communications, finance, foreign languages, hard sciences, sociology, psychology… you get the point.  No matter what your undergraduate major was, the answer is: YES, you should apply!

3) “I will be graduating this spring and don’t have any work experience.  Should I apply, or should I take time off to work?”  This one is really up to you.  A lot of our students have come straight through college and enter law school immediately after graduating from their undergraduate experience, while others take time off to work, volunteer, travel, or pursue other opportunities.  Your application will not be adversely affected if you come straight through or if you take some time off, so the answer is: once you’re ready, YES, you should apply!  Conversely…

4) “I have been out of school for a long time and am significantly older than most of your students.  Should I apply, or is it unrealistic to think that I can compete with much younger students?”  We have had a number of “non-traditional” students not only be admitted to William & Mary Law, but do significantly well while they have been here.  One of my classmates, for example, was a nurse with thirty years of experience who decided to change course and become a lawyer.  She was very successful in her time here.  Answer: YES, you should apply!

5) “I don’t know exactly what I want to do with my law degree.  Should I apply?”  Hopefully if you are applying to law school you at least know that you want to practice law in some capacity; if you aren’t sure of this yet, you might want to take some time to consider if this is really right for you, as law school is a major time and money investment.  However, if you know you want to be a lawyer but are not sure exactly how, that is a different matter altogether.  While some first-year students come in with a laser-sharp focus on a particular career path, most law students have not yet been exposed to every area of legal work, and that’s entirely normal.  You will have a number of opportunities to meet practitioners in a variety of fields and, though clinics, internships, externships, and courses, will have practical experience in the areas of your choosing.  The answer is: YES, you should apply!

If you are still wondering whether you should apply to William & Mary and your question was not addressed here, please feel free to email or call me.  I would love to speak with you, and chances are good that my answer to you will also be “YES, you should apply!”

by Faye Shealy

By age 25, Mary Siegrist Hinz had distinguished herself in her academic, professional and personal life as a person of high intelligence, outstanding athletic ability, and sincere concern for the welfare of others.  At the time of her tragic death in 1984, Mary had completed her second year at William & Mary Law School and was ranked near the top of her class.  She was training for a marathon and bicycling nearly eighty miles a day.  The Mary Siegrist Hinz Leadership Fellows Program was created to recognize outstanding students who share Mary’s exemplary qualities of:

• Academic distinction during their undergraduate and/or graduate careers;
• Characteristics of citizenship which reflect a concern for the welfare of others and involvement in the larger community;
• Athletic excellence in intercollegiate sports.

The Hinz Leadership Fellows Program was created by Mary’s family with the assistance of the Norfolk, Virginia law firm Vandeventer Black LLP, and their combined generosity provides a significant financial award to support the legal education of the Hinz Fellows at William & Mary.  Former and current Hinz Fellows gathered with the Leadership Selection Committee this year to mark the 25th year of the award.  We are proud of our Hinz Fellows for keeping Mary’s spirit alive through their work and service at William & Mary Law School, and the search is on for the newest Hinz Fellow to join the Class of 2015! 

by Faye Shealy

William & Mary admission deans will be representing the nation’s oldest – and, we believe, best – law school at various locations throughout the coming year.  In addition to campus visits, one of us will be at each of the Law School Forums sponsored by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).  These events are wonderful opportunities to speak directly with a school representative and attend workshops on topics such as financing a legal education, the law school application process, and taking the LSAT.

The kick-off for 2011 LSAC Forums is this Saturday, June 18, at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington D.C.  Brian Wall and I will be at Table #757 behind the William & Mary banner starting at 10:00.  We want to meet you, so please stop by!

by Jennifer Thurston

Where should you go to law school? It is a question that
you might be pondering right now. It is a daunting choice; one with many
different factors and considerations. Hopefully you will have the chance to
visit all, if not most, of the law schools that you are thinking of attending.
We, of course, believe that William & Mary is a fantastic choice for law
school and would like to present our list (à la David Letterman) of the top ten
reasons to choose William & Mary.

10. Williamsburg. It seems like there are a lot of
misconceptions out there about our lovely city. No, it’s not a metropolis, but
it’s not a sleepy, boring town either. It is a vibrant city with
many shopping, dining, and recreation options. Additionally, it has a charm
that you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere, an amazing blend of historic
and modern with a twist of Southern hospitality. This is not just your fourth
grade field trip – this is a wonderful place to live.

9. History. We talk a lot about history at W&M – and
with good reason. We are the oldest law school in the United States. Think
about that. We represent the foundation of legal education in America. Whether
you are a history buff or not, that is a pretty profound statement. Our
students are inspired by the amazing roots of this institution.

8. Faculty. Our
professors are not only renowned legal scholars, but they are fantastic
teachers. They devote
their lives to civil rights, tackle
the tricky issues in health care reform, and are frequently asked for their opinions on
timely legal issues. They also act
(for the students’ amusement) and win dancing
competitions.

7. Bar Passage. Our July 2010 Virginia bar passage rate (for
first time test takers) was 92.6%, the highest
passage rate of the Virginia law schools. The state average was 79.8%. William
& Mary also enjoys high bar passage rates in other states as well, such as
California and New York.

6. Competitive teams. Do you like to play…and win? Our
competitive teams work hard and it has paid off this year. The Moot Court team brought
home many trophies this year, winning the International Criminal Court
Moot Court Competition at Pace Law School (and advancing to the Hague), the Charleston School of Law
National Moot Court Competition, the
Regent 2011 National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition, and the 21st Annual
National First Amendment Moot Court Competition at Vanderbilt University in one month. Yes, in one month. Also, the National Trial Team
has had wonderful success this year, securing a first place finish at the National
Pretrial Competition hosted by Stetson Law School and earning many other awards in 2010.

5. Legal Skills. It
is so important to develop practical skills while in law school. Many law
schools have developed similar programs (imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery), but we still think ours
is pretty special. It won the first national ABA Gambrell Award for Legal
Professionalism in 1992 and was recently featured in a US News and World Report
article as part of their “10
College Courses That Will Pay Off at Work.”

4. Citizen Lawyer. We have always believed that lawyers
should be actively engaged in their community. This ideal, first
articulated by Thomas Jefferson and George Wythe, is alive and well at the
school today. Here are just a few examples:

• Three William & Mary Law students have won
  the Oliver White Hill Law Student Pro Bono Award from the Virginia State Bar,
  more than any other law school.
• 74 members of the class of 2010 were recognized
  as W&M Community Servants, providing more than 3,400 hours of volunteer
  work (and no, we have no pro bono requirement. Our students do it because they
  want to).
• The Public Service Fund (PSF) raises money to
  provide stipends to students with unpaid, public sector summer work. One of
  PSF’s biggest fundraisers, the PSF Auction, was held a couple of days ago on
  February 19 and raised $27,000 for this wonderful cause.

3. Career Services. I
think it is fair to say that the legal market is not the same as it was 5-10
years ago. So, it is important to find a law school with a flexible and
adapting career services office. The Office of Career Services (OCS) at W&M is a fantastic resource for
students. With one-on-one counseling, creative uses of technology (like Skype
interviews), and an experienced staff, OCS works hard to find the best
opportunities for our students.

2. Community. There is really no way to convey the atmosphere of the
Law School. I can’t link to any news stories about it or show it to you in some
tangible way. But, it exists and it is a major reason why people choose to come
to W&M. Come visit us and see it for yourself.

1. The Experience. In a world of law school rankings and
scholarship awards, many applicants simply choose their law school based on the
aforementioned criteria. But, they are doing themselves a disservice. They may
end up at a law school that is a terrible fit for them; this will probably
affect their academic performance and, in turn, their career prospects after
graduation. However, for those who consider more than rankings and money, for
those who consider how well they “fit” into a law school and who are interested
in not only earning a JD, but also enjoying themselves along the way, they will
choose the right law school for them. For some, William & Mary may not be
the best fit. But, for many of our admitted applicants, W&M could be the
perfect place for them to learn, thrive, and succeed.

For more information about William & Mary Law School, check out our website and blog, follow us on Twitter, and “like” us
on Facebook.

by Faye Shealy

February 1 is an important day on the calendar – just one month until the March application deadline for William & Mary Law School!  Some aspiring applicants are preparing for the February LSAT.  Many are busily completing and polishing application materials.  We are gearing up for the intense review and evaluation season that follows.  April 1 is another important calendar date as our goal is to render decisions to applicants ahead of any April fooling.  We look forward to receiving an application from you!

by Jennifer Thurston

Who doesn’t love free stuff? We know that applicants spend a considerable amount of money on law school application fees and we would like to help. Become a follower of the W&M Law Admission Twitter feed between August 13, 2010 and October 3, 2010 and you could win a fee waiver to be used during the 2010-2011 admission cycle!

Here are the rules:

PRIZE: One fee waiver to apply to William & Mary Law School for the 2010-2011 admission cycle (no cash value).

TO ENTER: Become a follower of the William & Mary Law School Admission Twitter feed between August 13, 2010 and October 3, 2010.

CONTEST CLOSES: Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 10pm EST.

DETAILS: The winner will be selected by a random drawing and announced on Monday, October 4, 2010. Fee waiver must be used during the 2010-2011 admission cycle. Winner will be notified via Twitter direct message.

Good luck everyone!

by Faye Shealy

William & Mary Law School has set another record for the number of applications!  We have received over 6,200 applications, up 25 percent over last year. However, the numbers are just the tip of the iceberg.  The real story is the quality of our applicants.  There are many strong applicants presenting themselves with unique stories, personal experiences and strong records, all indicating a passion and commitment to serve.  This is the strongest pool of applicants that I have seen in all my years of reading and evaluating applications. Decisions are difficult and the challenge is daunting. We are in our final phase of review, evaluation and comparison and we are on schedule to notify our applicants by the end of this month.

We appreciate the interest in legal education at William & Mary and continue to consider applications to enroll here as the sincerest form of flattery. On behalf of William & Mary Law School, we appreciate the compliment!