Ivey Files

How to Make the Most of Your Summer Internship

Alison Cooper Chisolm — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:42:55 -0500

Summer is coming and many of you have lined up summer internships.

Can the LSAT Make You Smarter?

Anna Ivey — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:04:10 -0500

LSAT guru Steve Schwartz over at LSAT Blog drew my attention to some evidence that studying for the LSAT makes you smarter. Really!

Here's the technical language from the study:

[W]e examined the effects on cognitive performance and brain structure and function of 3 months of intensive preparation for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).

Picking a Law School: On Merit Scholarships and Transfer Plans

Anna Ivey — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:27:14 -0500

The NYT published an exposé last year about conditional merit scholarships ("Law Students Lose the Grant Game as Schools Win").

In case you missed the article, it profiled the plight of law students who had accepted scholarships that would be renewed after their first year only if they maintained a certain minimum GPA.

Is It OK to Put Down Multiple Deposits?

Anna Ivey — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:13:07 -0500

I've received a few follow-up questions in response to my recent blog post on managing multiple waitlist offers: Is it really not OK to put down multiple deposits? Is there a rule about that? And how would anyone know, anyway?

Those aren't bad questions, not least because LSAC has danced around the subject for years, and tends to bury its official (and vague) position out of plain sight.

How to Handle Academic Weaknesses in Your MBA Applications

Clear Admit — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:47:49 -0500

To follow up on last month’s advice about GMAT preparation and timing, we wanted to offer some general comments about the role of academics in the admissions process.

How to Tactfully Turn Down an Offer of Admission

Anna Ivey — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:33:24 -0500

What's the protocol and etiquette for turning down an offer from a school?

First check the language of that school's offer letter.

How to Manage Multiple Offers From Law School Waitlists

Anna Ivey — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:06:42 -0500

I'm planning on putting a deposit down at School A in the next few weeks, but want to stay on the waitlists at some other schools.

From past applicants, I've heard that schools often instruct you to get back to them with a reply quickly (e.

Explaining Your Master's Degree

Anna Ivey — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:34:17 -0500

I recently passed my master's examination which is equivalent to defending a thesis. Should I notify law schools of this?

Passing your master's exam is a big step towards completing your master's degree, so congratulations on that.

When to Reply to Emails from the Admissions Office

Anna Ivey — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:45:53 -0500

I've been reading your blog a lot as I have been going through the admissions process.

What's Your GMAT Game Plan?

Clear Admit — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:06:44 -0600

For all you “early birds” who are planning to apply to business school this fall, we wanted to offer a few tips on managing your time as it relates to the GMAT exam.