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Law School Admissions: How To Stand Out and Get In

Join us for a candid and insightful conversation about the law school admissions process. Led by Cornell Law School’s Dean of Admissions, this webinar equips prospective students with strategies to differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape. Whether you're a college student, professional considering a career shift, or a veteran exploring new pathways, you'll leave with valuable insights and a clearer sense of purpose. We'll cover various aspects of a standard law school application including personal statements, recommendation letters, resumes, addenda, and other application strategies.

Topics include:

What law school admission committees look for (beyond grades and test scores)
Crafting a compelling personal statement
Avoiding common mistakes in applications
How public service, military experience, or special interests can amplify your candidacy
Q&A: Your questions answered live

Topics covered include:

Professional Development Law Practice Law Students

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: August 28, 2025 10:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 Introduction

Shane D. Cooper, the speaker, is introduced as the Senior Associate Dean of Admissions at Cornell Law School. He clarifies that his advice is based on personal views and not representative of Cornell Law School. Shane discusses the importance of undergraduate grades and standardized test scores in law school admissions. He acknowledges the historical impact of ranking systems on admissions decisions, emphasizing the need for realism in choosing schools. Shane introduces three key areas for applicants to stand out: personal statements, live interactions, and resumes and letters of recommendation.

09:21 Crafting a Compelling Application

Shane emphasizes the importance of being compelling, authentic, and genuine in personal statements. He advises applicants to use their essays to demonstrate writing and analytical skills, self-awareness, and reasons for pursuing law school. Shane highlights the growing trend of live or prerecorded interactions with admissions teams, such as interviews and video essays. He advises treating these interactions with professionalism and intentionality, since they are opportunities to demonstrate employability and self-awareness. Shane emphasizes the importance of a well-crafted resume and strong letters of recommendation. He suggests including a section on interests and hobbies in the resume to humanize the applicant. Shane advises applicants to choose recommenders who know them well and can provide specific examples of their attributes and accomplishments.

18:40 Strategic Considerations in Applications

Shane advises applicants to use their personal statements to show rather than tell, using examples from their experiences to demonstrate character. He emphasizes the importance of connecting personal narratives to the applicant's interest in law school and future goals. Shane advises against common mistakes such as misspellings, not following application guidelines, and using inauthentic language. He emphasizes the importance of proofreading and getting feedback from trusted individuals to catch errors. Shane advises against using recommenders who cannot provide specific, positive examples of the applicant's attributes. He advises applicants to be strategic about optional essays, using them as opportunities to connect with the school if they have a strong interest or relevant experience. Shane advises applicants to be cautious when submitting GPA or LSAT addenda, since they can sometimes do more harm than good. However, he emphasizes the importance of full disclosure in character and fitness addenda.

32:44 Q&A Session Highlights

Shane advises applicants to be productive during gap years, engaging in work or volunteer experiences that can be highlighted in applications. He emphasizes the importance of reading each law school's directions for personal statements, recommending double spacing and a length of no more than two pages unless specified otherwise. Shane explains that there is no specific GPA or LSAT score required for top law schools, but applicants should consider the school's historical percentiles for these metrics. He encourages applicants not to be discouraged by scores below the median, since other factors are also considered in the holistic review process. Shane advises applicants to foster relationships with potential recommenders by seeking one-on-one interactions and being proactive.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speaker

Shane D. Cooper Senior Associate Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Services
Cornell Law School

Shane Cooper JD ‘03 is the Senior Associate Dean for Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Services. In this role, he leads JD recruitment efforts and efforts to retain and support the current student body. He also provides strategic direction to the Dean of Students staff on all aspects of counseling and student case management, serves as the primary point of contact for the faculty Administrative Committee, and is the officer of record for character and fitness certification to bar authorities. He previously served as Associate Dean for Administration and Enrollment at the University of New Hampshire School of Law, overseeing admissions, enrollment management, and administrative activities. Read More ›

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