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Weigh Benefits of Law School Visits at Each Stage of Admissions

By U.S. News & World Report

Visiting a law school has its advantages, whether you’re considering applying, hoping to get off of the waitlist or already admitted. Let’s break down strategies to maximize your visit at each of these stages.

— Applicants: Visiting law schools will help you identify why you want to apply. Arrange a formal visit with the admissions office to establish relationships with the staff and faculty. Do your research ahead of time on programs that appeal to you, and be prepared to ask questions.

Also, explore the possibility of meeting with career services. You will learn helpful information about internships and postgraduate work. Schedule a tour and take advantage of opportunities to sit in on classes. Talk to current students to gain insight on campus culture and what made them choose this particular J.D. program. These students were in your shoes not long ago.

[Look for these things during a law school visit.]

Aim to leave a positive impression on those you meet: be polite, professional and gracious. You can even reference your visit in your personal statement to establish your enthusiasm for the school.

Getting to know the personnel in the admissions office creates the potential for someone on the inside to advocate for you. These are connections that you can build over time.

One of my clients at Stratus Prep had her heart set on the Pepperdine University School of Law, but struggled with the LSAT. She visited the campus and over the next two years fostered positive relationships that distinguished her from other applicants. When she was wait-listed, she continued to connect with her advocates in admissions and was ultimately admitted in August. Those initial visits carried her across the finish line.

— Wait-listed candidates: Being wait-listed or deferred means you are still in consideration. Although admissions committees may not make a decision until the spring, you can take the initiative to distinguish yourself from other wait-listed applicants by visiting the campus.

Like the proactive applicant, your goal is to establish relationships in the admissions office. Whether through a formal meeting or an informal conversation, treat these communications seriously. Emphasize why the school appeals to you by referencing specializations, courses, clinics and journals.

Also be prepared to share any meaningful updates since you submitted your application. While you can ask what additional information you could provide, avoid demanding questions about when you will receive a definitive answer.

[Know how to interact with professors and students to strengthen law school applications.]

Do follow up any visit with a letter of continuing interest to document your experience and reiterate your interest in the school. I’ve worked with several candidates who were not only admitted off the waitlist after visiting campuses, but were also offered scholarships to enroll.

— Admitted students: There are several advantages to visiting the law schools where you have been admitted. If you’ve been admitted to more than one school, firsthand exploration of your top contenders will help you narrow your choices. Even if you are only considering one program, take the time to be sure you are ready for this commitment before investing in law school.

Speaking of investing, one notable advantage of visiting is the chance for an in-person negotiation of available financial support. Ask to set up a meeting to discuss merit-based scholarships. Make sure to be your own advocate without resorting to an adversarial tone: emphasize your enthusiasm for the program, explain how financing your legal education affects your decision to enroll and share any other admissions offers you are considering.

[Ask these questions when meeting law school staff or alumni.]

Last cycle, a client received several generous scholarships, but his top program offered a small, nonnegotiable stipend. Financially, it would not have been feasible for him to attend without more aid. However, after meeting with the dean of admissions and explaining why the school was an ideal fit and what it would take for him to be able to enroll, he received three times as much as his original stipend, on top of need-based aid. The positive relationship he formed with the dean made all the difference.

Have other questions about how to form relationships with law school staff and faculty? You can reach me at lawadmissionslowdown@usnews.com.

More from U.S. News

Frequently Asked Questions About Law School Waitlists

Navigate 5 Types of Law School Admissions Interviews

3 Ways to Balance Law School Applications, College Responsibilities

Weigh Benefits of Law School Visits at Each Stage of Admissions originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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