How to Get Into the Top Law Schools, 4th edition

I read this book when applying to law school and found it to have much of the same information I found in other guides. The trouble with this and other books like it is that they put too great an emphasis on softs which give applicants an unrealistic picture of the admissions process. Most of the decision is made based upon two things: GPA and LSAT. Period. Essays and other softs are important at some schools. But the information this book contains on those points is better covered in other texts. I give it three stars because the information is useful, although also available elsewhere.

I bought this book for my son because he is considering applying to law school. Boy, am I glad I read it before passing it on to him! Not only does it explain the strategies for getting into law school, it really gets you to thinking about whether law school is what you want and if now is the time to go. Packed with lots of insights from actual admissions officers. The only downside to the book is that my son is bummed about law school now and may not even go!

Read it before I applied to law school. Dense and pretentious. I'm not saying there's nothing useful in this book; it's just not worth the read.

Get this one instead...

How to Get Into Law School by Susan Estrich.

Full disclosure: I did not get into a "T-14" law school. I am graduating magna from a top-40 law school.

And keep in mind, prospective 1Ls, "[t]here is no short cut to fame or comfort ... all there is is to bore into it as hard as you can."