Columbia Law School Quick Link: http://www.law.columbia.edu
The Degree:
The Juris Doctor (J.D.) is a graduate degree. Law schools typically require entering students to have a bachelor's degree, but there are no specific pre-law requirements for admission. Generally, law schools seek applicants who possess the ability to read, research, and write effectively, because these attributes are essential to the study and practice of law. Successful applicants have usually taken a number of undergraduate courses which demonstrate, develop, and engage these abilities. Normally J.D. candidates complete the law school curriculum in three years.
A legal education is designed to develop your analytical, creative, and logical reasoning abilities. Most law schools rely on the “case method” approach to teaching. The case method involves the detailed examination of a number of related judicial opinions that describe an area of law. By focusing on the underlying principles that shape the law’s approach to different situations, you will learn to distinguish among subtly different legal results and to identify the critical factors that determine a particular outcome. Once these distinctions are mastered, you should be able to apply this knowledge to new situations. First-year curricula usually include courses in civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and criminal procedure, legal method, legal writing and research, property law, and torts.
Many highly-specialized career paths exist within the practice of law, but the J.D. itself provides generalist training. Although certain law schools may be known for their particular programmatic strengths (for example, corporate law, tax law, or public interest law) and range of courses and electives, J.D. candidates are trained as generalists and become specialists by practice. Specialized training typically takes place once a law school graduate accepts employment with a firm, agency, company, or judge.
If you're interested in law school, contact:
Veronica Mitchell, Assistant Dean of Students and Prelaw Advisor (vm2219@columbia.edu). To make an appointment, please call Reception: 212.854.2881.
You can also pick up a handy 2007-2008 Prelaw Handbook at the Dean of Students Office, 403 Lewisohn Hall.
Upcoming LSAT Test Dates:
Online Services Registration (www.LSAC.org) closes midnight ET on deadline date.
Test Dates:
Saturday, 2/2/08 & Monday, 2/4/08 (Regular registration online/mail/telephone 1/2/08; Late registration by mail 1/3/08--1/8/08; Late registration online & by telephone 1/3/08--1/11/08)
Companies in NYC area that offer a LSAT preparation course:
Binary Solutions--www.binarysolution.com (gives discount to Columbia students and alums)
Kaplan--www.kaplan.com
Princeton Review--www.princetonreview.com
Powerscore--www.powerscore.com
TestMasters--www.testmasters.net
Before you enroll in any law school, you must take the LSAT.
From Powerscore.com:
What is the LSAT? The Law School Admission Test. This standardized test is required for admission to any American Bar Association approved law school. According to Law Services, the producers of the test, the LSAT is designed "to measure skills that are considered essential for success in law school: the reading and comprehension of complete texts with accuracy and insight; the organization and management of information and the ability to draw reasonable inferences from it; the ability to reason critically; and the analysis and evaluation of the reasoning and argument of others." The LSAT consists of the following five sections:
* 2 Sections of Logical Reasoning (short arguments, 24-26 total questions)
* 1 Section of Reading Comprehension (4 long reading passages, 26-28 total questions)
* 1 Section of Analytical Reasoning (4 logic games, 22-24 total questions)
* 1 Experimental Section of one of the above three section types
You are given 35 minutes to complete each section. The experimental section is unscored and is not returned to the test taker. A break of 10 to 15 minutes is given between the 3rd and 4th sections.
The five-section test is followed by a 35 minute writing sample. The writing sample is not scored, but a copy is sent to all the law schools to which a student applies.
How is the LSAT scored? On a scale of 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest score and 180 the highest score. The median score is approximately 151. Only about 2% of all test takers receive a score in the 170’s, and almost 70% of all test takers fall into the 140 to 160 score range.
What does it cost to take the LSAT and what is the registration deadline? The current fee to register for the LSAT is $123. Typically, mailed registration forms must be postmarked about one month prior to a given LSAT test date. The same deadline is given for telephone and on-line registration. Late registration usually closes about three weeks prior to the LSAT. The late registration fee is an additional $62.
What is LSDAS? The Law School Data Assembly Service. LSDAS prepares and provides a standardized report that is given to each law school to which you apply. The report contains some of the information law schools will need to make a decision on your application, such as the school you attended for your undergraduate degree, your transcript, your LSAT scores, and copies of letters of recommendation processed by Law Services. To apply to an ABA-approved law school you must sign up for LSDAS, which costs $113. Each LSDAS subscription lasts for 12 months. There is a $10 fee for each law school report you request with your initial subscription, and a $12 fee for each law school report you request at a later date.
How do I sign up for the LSAT and LSDAS? All registration must be done through Law Services. It is recommend that you order the "LSAT and LSDAS Registration and Information Book," which is provided free of charge. The handbook can be ordered by phone at (215) 968-1001 or on the web at www.lsac.org. The handbook contains general information on both the LSAT and LSDAS, lists all available test centers, and outlines relevant Law Services testing policies and fees. The handbook also contains a complete copy of the October 1996 LSAT.
WHEN TO TAKE THE LSAT
The LSAT is offered four times per year - February, June, October (or late September), and December. Assuming you are entering law school in the fall of next year, you should consider the following factors when choosing a test administration date:
The June LSAT: Many prelaw advisors recommend taking the June LSAT because it will allow you to submit your applications at the beginning of the admission period. Most law schools use a "rolling admissions" process and applying early gives you a slight advantage. In the rolling admission system, applicants are considered as they "roll in," and thus by applying early you have the least amount of competition for the greatest number of spaces. Applying late can be a disadvantage because you have a greater amount of competition for a smaller number of remaining spaces. However, that is only a generalization-if you apply late with outstanding credentials, you will still get into many law schools. All things being equal, though, applying early is better.
Taking the June LSAT also gives you more time to work on your résumé, your personal statement, and your law school applications. By completing these items early and then reviewing them over the ensuing months, you can create the very best application possible.
Also, if you do not feel prepared for the June test, or if you do poorly on the June test, you can re-take the exam in October.
The October LSAT: October is the most popular test date of the year, in part because the test falls at the start of the application cycle. October is also popular because the test comes at the end of summer, convenient for many college students who can use part of the summer to do their test preparation. An important consideration for all test takers is to take an LSAT that allows a plentiful amount of preparation time, because more preparation time usually translates into a higher score.
Many students also like the October test because they have the December LSAT to fall back on if October does not go well. Just make sure you sign up early-the October test tends to fill up early!
The December LSAT: Every single law school accepts the results of the December LSAT. Equally important, December is the last exam that you can take to meet the deadlines of the top law schools. However, the downside of the December LSAT is that your results come in later than other applicants, pushing you back in the rolling admissions cycle. The December LSAT can also be tough on college students since the test date often coincides with final exams.
Students sometimes ask if it is better to take the October LSAT over the December LSAT simply because the October LSAT returns earlier results. Despite the earlier results, we feel your final score is a more important consideration. Given the choice of taking the October LSAT or taking the December LSAT and scoring three points higher, we would opt for the December exam.
The February LSAT: Although many schools accept the results of the February LSAT, not every school does, and so you must check application deadlines before deciding on this exam. The February test can be a lifesaver for applicants applying to schools that accept the results of this test, and this exam is also a great option for students planning ahead and preparing to apply for the following year admission.
Here is a helpful blog that is written by two people who scored in the 99th percentile on the the LSAT in order to help others do the same!
THE ANSWER CHOICES AND ANSWER TRANSFERRING THEORIES
Three in a row?
Unlike the SAT, the LSAT often has three identical answer choices consecutively (such as three "D’s"), and on several occasions, four identical answer choices in a row have appeared. On the June 1996 LSAT, it even occurred that six of seven answer choices in one section were "C." The use of multiple answer choices in a row is one of the psychological weapons employed by the LSAT to unnerve test takers. Any test taker seeing four "D’s" in a row on their answer sheet understandably thinks they have made some type of error, primarily because most tests avoid repetition in their answer choices. If you see three or four answer choices in a row, do not become alarmed, especially if you feel you have been performing well on the section. We’re still waiting for the day that the LSAT has five identical correct answers in a row, but we won’t be too surprised when it happens.
Answer Transferring
Transferring your answers from the test booklet to your answer sheet is one of the most important tasks that you will perform on the LSAT. Our research indicates that approximately 10% of all test takers make some type of transcription error during a typical five section test. Since one question can mean a difference of several percentile points, we strongly advise you to follow one of the two approaches discussed below. The method you choose is entirely dependent upon your personal preferences.
1. Logical Grouping. This method involves transferring several answer choices at once, at logical break points throughout the test. For the Reading Comprehension and Logic Games sections, transfer answer choices after you complete the questions for each passage or game. For the Logical Reasoning section, transfer answer choices after you complete each two-page question group. This method generally allows for faster transferring of answers, but some students find they are more likely to make errors in their transcription.
2. Question By Question. As the name implies, this method involves filling in the answer ovals on your answer sheet after you complete each individual question. This method generally consumes more time than the Logical Grouping method, but it usually produces a higher transfer accuracy rate. If you use the Logical Grouping method and find yourself making a number of errors, use this method instead.
Filling in the Ovals
Although Law Services prints dire warnings against making stray marks on the answer sheet or incompletely filling in the ovals, these errors are not fatal to your LSAT score. If you believe that Law Services has incorrectly scored your test due to an answer sheet problem, you can have your answer sheet hand scored for an additional fee. Although rarely an issue (except in Presidential elections), machine scoring errors can occur from stray marks, incompletely or improperly filled-in ovals, partially erased answers, or creases in your answer sheet. Remember, answers in your test booklet will not be scored, and two fully blackened answer choices to the same question will not be reviewed by hand scoring.
LSAT VOCABULARY?
Although the LSAT is not a direct test of your vocabulary, many LSAT questions hinge on your knowledge of certain words or phrases. In some cases, terms are defined in a way that differs from the way we normally define those terms in the real world. In other cases, a word may appear that we see infrequently, or perhaps have never seen at all. Because a single missed question can drop your scaled LSAT score by one point, LSAT students must know the exact definitions of the logical terms they encounter.
PowerScore LSAT Terminology Quiz:
Each question below consists of a word or phrase printed in capital letters, followed by five lettered answer choices containing words or phrases. Select the lettered word or phrase that is most nearly identical in meaning to the word or words in capital letters. Because some of the questions require you to distinguish fine shades of meaning, be sure to consider all the choices before deciding which one is best.
1. INFERENCE:
(A) Probably true
(B) To come between
(C) Most likely
(D) Must be true
(E) Could be true
2. CORRELATION:
(A) Comparative
(B) To be related in some way
(C) Contingent
(D) A simultaneous event
(E) Proof of something
3. MOST:
(A) An amount greater than none
(B) An amount greater than one
(C) A large quantity
(D) A majority
(E) A majority, but not all
4. ANTECEDENT:
(A) A small animal
(B) A thing that goes before
(C) A preconceived notion
(D) In the process of dying
(E) The process of growing in
5. EITHER…OR
(A) One and only one
(B) Both
(C) One or the other, but not both
(D) At least one of the two
(E) One of each
6. UNWARRANTED:
(A) Never arrested
(B) Reasonable
(C) Unjustified
(D) At peace
(E) A short argument
7. MUST BE FALSE:
(A) Could be true
(B) Not necessarily possible
(C) Cannot be true
(D) Cannot be false
(E) Must be true
8. PARADOX:
(A) A slowing down
(B) An examination
(C) Encompassing
(D) A contradictory situation
(E) Two identical situations
9. NOT ALL:
(A) Some are not
(B) Some
(C) Less than the majority
(D) None
(E) A minority
10. ASSUMPTION:
(A) Unstated premise
(B) Inference
(C) An opinion
(D) An unwarranted conclusion
(E) Could be true
11. REFUTE:
(A) Differ
(B) Undermine
(C) Reply
(D) Incontestable
(E) Irrelevant
12. UNEQUIVOCAL:
(A) Unequal
(B) Mute
(C) In disagreement
(D) Clear
(E) Poorly supported
13. EXTANT:
(A) Lengthen
(B) A navigational device
(C) Existing
(D) Ecstatic
(E) Outward
14. NONE BUT:
(A) Only
(B) Never
(C) All
(D) If
(E) Most
15. CONSISTENT:
(A) Agreement
(B) Identical
(C) Cannot be
(D) Could be
(E) To promote
PowerScore LSAT Terminology Quiz Answers
Question 1 - INFERENCE
Correct Answer (D) Must be true.
The word “inference,” as it is used in logic and on the LSAT, means “must be true.” In daily life, most people use “inference” to mean “probably true,” “most likely,” or “could be true,” but those definitions will lead to missed LSAT questions.
Question 2 - CORRELATION
Correct Answer (B) To be related in some way.
A correlation is a relationship between two entities, especially when the movements of the two entities match closely. For example, a correlation may exist between handgun sales and murder rates, or between speeding and car crashes. A positive correlation is where the two values move together, as in a positive correlation between education and income. A negative correlation is where the two values move in opposite directions, as in a negative correlation between age and eyesight.
Question 3 - MOST
Correct Answer (D) A majority.
This is a tricky question, and most students select answer choice E. Although answer choice E reflects how the term “most” is used in the real world, on the LSAT the logical definition of “most” is used, and “most” can include “all.”
Question 4 - ANTECEDENT
Correct Answer (B) A thing that goes before.
Antecedents typically play a role in causal reasoning, where understanding that one event must happen before another is important. Identifying the correct definition is made easier if you recognize the prefix ante-, which means “prior to” or “before.”
Question 5 - EITHER…OR
Correct Answer (D) At least one of the two.
This is another difficult question, primarily because most people use the phrase “either…or” in the real world to mean “one or the other, but not both” or “one and only one.” Yet, on the LSAT, the proper logical definition is used, and that definition states that “either…or” means “at least one, possibly both.” Hence, if an LSAT speaker states that, “Either Kim or Kwame will attend law school,” it is still possible that both will attend law school.
Question 6 - UNWARRANTED
Correct Answer (C) Unjustified.
“Unwarranted” means unjustified or groundless. For example, an unwarranted assumption is an assumption made for no reason or without any supporting facts.
Question 7 - MUST BE FALSE
Correct Answer (C) Cannot be true.
"Must be false” is identical in meaning to “cannot be true.” When faced with a question posed in terms of falsity, you should always convert that statement into terms of truth.
Question 8 - PARADOX
Correct Answer (D) A contradictory situation.
A “paradox” is a seemingly contradictory situation that is still possibly true. For example, “Although car anti-theft devices have been proven effective, cars outfitted with such devices are still stolen at a higher rate than cars not outfitted with such devices.” In this case, a possible explanation would be that the cars with anti-theft devices happened to be nicer cars that were more prized by car thieves.
Question 9 - NOT ALL
Correct Answer (A) Some are not.
“Not all” and “some are not” are identical in meaning. In formal logic terms, “not all” means “at least one is not, possibly all are not.” So, if an LSAT speaker says, “Not all of the shirts are green,” it is possible that none of the shirts are green.
Question 10 - ASSUMPTION
Correct Answer (A) Unstated premise.
An “assumption” is a statement that is presupposed by the author to support the conclusion; a premise is also a statement that supports the conclusion, and thus an “assumption” is an “unstated premise.” In addition, in the logical parlance used by PowerScore, a valid assumption is also a necessary condition for a valid argument.
Question 11 - REFUTE
Correct Answer (B) Undermine.
To “refute” an argument is to attack or undermine that argument. The test makers use a variety of synonyms—such as “refute, “undermine,” and “weaken”—to confuse test takers and trick them into thinking that they are seeing many different questions types when in fact they are just seeing variations on standard question categories.
Question 12 - UNEQUIVOCAL
Correct Answer (D) Clear.
“Unequivocal” means “clear” or “certain,” as in having only one meaning or interpretation.
Question 13 - EXTANT
Correct Answer (C) Existing.
“Extant” means “to still exist.” For example, “Dinosaurs are no longer extant.” Many students missed a well-known LSAT question because they were not familiar with this word.
Question 14 - NONE BUT
Correct Answer (A) Only.
The phrase “none but” is rarely seen on the LSAT, but very difficult to quickly analyze during the test. “None but” is equivalent to “only,” and “none but” introduces a necessary condition.
Question 15 - CONSISTENT
Correct Answer (D) Could be.
As with questions #1, #3, #5, and #9, this question contains a term that is often used differently in the real world than on the LSAT. Most people use the word “consistent” to mean “in agreement” or “compatible.” Yet, the LSAT definition of “consistent” has often been “could be.” Let’s consider why this makes sense. “Consistent” and “inconsistent” are opposites. “Inconsistent,” in a logical sense, means “cannot be true.” “Consistent,” therefore, means the opposite or “could be true.” This leads to a situation where statements that appear inconsistent are in fact consistent. For example, consider the following two statements: 1. All cars are blue. 2. My best friend is tall. Most people would say these two statements are inconsistent since they do not address the same topic and agree about that topic. However, on the LSAT, statements similar to these two have been viewed as consistent.
From a Kaplan LSAT email:
Acing the LSAT: Logic Games
Few things inspire more fear in the hearts of LSAT test takers than Analytical Reasoning, also known as Logic Games, partly because the skills tested on the section seem so unfamiliar. You need to turn a game's information to your advantage by organizing your thinking and spotting key deductions--and that's not easy to do.
What's the objective?
Logic games are designed to measure your ability to understand a structure of relationships and to draw conclusions from it. You will be asked to make deductions from a set of statements, rules, or conditions that describe relationships among entities such as persons, places, things or events. These questions simulate the kinds of detailed analyses of relationships that law students (and lawyers) must perform in solving legal problems.
The section accounts for almost 25% of your score. Common types of games include sequencing, grouping, and matching. The questions are designed to test how rules create systems of order and limit possible outcomes. The keys to success on logic games are attention to detail and maintaining awareness of multiple facts simultaneously.
So how would you do if today were Test Day?
Try this sample logic games question and find out!:
A high school principal must select five people to write commencement speeches. The five people will be selected from a group of five graduating seniors--H, I, J, K, and L--and a group of four teachers--Q, R, S, and T. The principal's selections must conform to the following conditions:
* At least two people from each group must be selected to write speeches.
* If R is selected to write a speech, neither H nor T can be selected.
* If either J or L is selected to write a speech, the other must also be selected.
* If either I or K is selected to write a speech, the other must also be selected.
Which one of the following could be the five people selected to write speeches?
A) H, I, K, Q, R
B) H, J, L, Q, T
C) I, J, K, L, S
D) I, L, Q, S, T
E) K, L, R, S, T
And the answer is...
B
Why?
This is an acceptability question--just grab each rule and see which choices violate that rule. Rule 1 is violated by (C) which tries to pick four seniors and only one teacher. Rule 2 knocks off (A) and (E). Rule 3 eliminates (D), and you're left with the answer, (B). Acceptability questions are wonderful tools for cementing your concept of a game's workings. They provide you with a first-hand example of how the entities and rules interact.
Weekly Meetings for Pre-Law Students
"The Legal System, Law School, and Me?" are weekly meetings held by pre-law students in Jerome Greene, room 304 (the Law School building at 116th/Amsterdam), Mondays at 9 pm. Everyone is welcome, you just have to have a valid Columbia ID. Different topics are discussed every week, so come check one out if you have an interest in law or just want to get in on a good debate! I will post the weekly topics as I receive them. The day, time and location are consistent, unless stated otherwise.
11/ 12: "The Creation of Judicial Fictions."
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact Leilani Adams, Law School Liaison for the GS Student Council.
