The Woman's Guide to Law School

Which law schools help their students succeed? What makes someone a successful law student? What determines a law school graduate's future success? A Woman's Guide to Law School provides the answers, while addressing, specifically, the needs and interests of the female student. Linda Hirshman's fresh approach gives women the advice they need--information the law schools often won't tell them. Why do admissions tests seem so scary? Which law schools are good for women--and which are not? How do successful students study in the all-important first year? How do successful students make law review? How do they prepare for their first professional job interviews? In addition to these fundamentals, women will learn about the culture of their law schools, including which law faculties make women squirm and which have politics and policies women can embrace. A Woman's Guide to Law School identifies the schools at which women can do their best at every level of status or selectivity, so no matter where you get in, you can pick the best place for you. With statistics and data--as well as stories of successful women law students--A Woman's Guide to Law School will empower women so they can make wise choices and seize control over their own education and careers.

 (7 customer reviews)

This book's value far exceeds its cost. Hirshman leads the reader from the "considering law school" stages, through the application process, up to post-law school interviews meanwhile focusing her advice specifically to the interests of women. Based on her own research, Hirshman gives women their own Law School Rankings that compares the schools in terms of their female-friendly learning environments. While searching for schools to apply to, I never would have considered the % of writers who are women in the school's Law Review as a factor, but Hirschman explains why that factor and several others are so important for a productive and successful learning environment for women in Law Schools. By introducing women to ways in which their learning style typically differs from men, Hirshman's book brings a truly valuable awareness to any woman who intends to pursue the competitive study of law. I think every woman considering law school should read this. It is...Read more

I got this book as a gift from a friend after I had started at a top law school that, according to this author, is not particularly female-friendly. I would never have bought this book on my own because I've never really thought I needed "special" advice as a woman, and I did fine in school. But I am very, very glad my friend gave it to me, and I wish I had read it before starting school.I found that the book offered a lot of interesting insights. You may agree or disagree with Hirshman's ideas and arguments, but the fact remains that the law school experience for many women (NOT all women) is different because they are women. And Hirshman does give some good, down-to-earth advice about the true nature of the competitive dynamics in law schools, and frankly, a lot of women have more difficulty understanding and thriving in that context. (But don't worry, I realize it's not all women!)As for those people who rated this book poorly because they disagree with...Read more

This book offered me the insight and advice that I bought it for. Hirshman essentially breaks down the psychology behind a first year's law school experience and how, as a woman, you can win at this. She doesn't get too hung up on feminist garble (which I was afraid of) but instead makes you realize what to look for, what to take advantage of and how to empower yourself. I admit that I was a hard-sell on the "femscore" ratings for various law schools, but in the text she makes great points about how much that atmosphere of a law school can affect your success as a female student. I've even already began looking at the faculty makeup of my prospective law schools and how many women teach the first year courses.I didn't give this book 5 stars because the sometimes heavy attention she gives to those "femi" ratings and the reliance she places on questions to ask your law school. Just because they may have more men than women as tenured faculty does NOT mean...Read more