The document provides information about admission standards and scholarship opportunities at MSU Law. It discusses the key components of the application, important dates, factors considered in the review process, and types of admission decisions. It also outlines the school's scholarship and financial aid programs, including full-tuition academic scholarships, need-based grants, and loan options. Recommendations are provided for strengthening applications and preparing for the LSAT. Upcoming information sessions are also announced.

1. Admission Standards and
Scholarship Opportunities
at MSU Law
[The webinar will begin at 12:00, EST]
Presenter: Charles Roboski, Assistant
Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid
If you do not have internet audio capability,
please use our telephone audio connection:
1-866-642-1665 and when prompted, enter
the Passcode: 334512

2.  Components of the application
 Key dates
 Factors considered in the application-
review process
 Admission decisions
 Recommendations and Advice
 Cost information
 Scholarship and grant assistance
 Questions
What I’ll Cover…
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3. Application Components
 Completed online application
 LSAT score and LSAC Credential Assembly Service
(CAS) Report
 Personal Statement
 Resume
 Two LoRs or Evaluations
 $60 application fee or fee waiver
Your file also might include:
• Two add’l LoRs or Evaluations
• Supplemental statement (LSAT or undergrad performance)
• Description of affirmative responses to C + F Questions
• Diversity statement
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4. Key Dates
August 1: Online application becomes available
November 1: Admission Committee begins review process
November 20: First round of acceptance decisions mailed
February 1: Admission application deadline to ensure full
consideration of scholarship aid; file FAFSA
February 20: Need-based, grant aid deadline
March: Visit Programs for Admitted Candidates
April 1: Enrollment confirmation deadline for
candidates admitted through March 1
April 30: Application deadline
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5. 1. Does this candidate have the
ability to be academically
successful?
2. What qualities, skills, or
experiences does this applicant
possess that we consider to be
important to the study/practice
of law?
1. How does this candidate
compare to others?
Questions Asked by Admissions Committee
Members in the Application Review Process
LSAT and academic
record are primary
Personal statement and
resume are primary
Competitiveness of the
National Applicant Pool
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6. Assessing
Academic Potential
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
• The LSAT has predictive value
•The LSAT is a common measure
•The Admission Committee relies on the
highest of multiple scores
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7. Assessing
Academic Potential
College Performance
The Committee has no preference in terms of
undergraduate major, but instead gives
consideration to:
•Overall performance
•Rigor of courses and college attended
•Grade trends
•Extenuating Circumstances/activities
•Length of time since graduating
•Graduate work, if applicable
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8. The Personal Statement
 Up to three pages in length
 Think of the PS as a substitute for an in-
person interview
 It’s your opportunity to communicate
insights about you beyond academic
performance – skills, interests, goals,
experiences
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9. • Ask what 3 or 4 “points” you would
like to communicate to the reviewer
• Consider how your personal statement will complement your
resume (but not re-state it)
• Identify abilities and traits you possess that will serve you well as a
law student and as a lawyer
• Describe your reasons for applying to Michigan State
• No need for creativity, but ensure that your PS has authenticity
• Make it a quality piece of writing….your PS will be viewed as an
indicator of your writing skills and motivation
Recommendations as you Prepare
your Personal Statement
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10. MSU Law Admissions Decisions
• Offer of admission
• Re-review in February
• Waitlist (review in April/May/June/July)
• Invitation to apply to Legal Education
Opportunity Program
• Denial
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11. Your Resume and
Letters of Recommendation and Evaluations
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• Your law school resume should be different that a resume
you’ve developed for employment purposes
• Your law school resume may be up to two pages in lenth
• Faculty LORs are generally preferred for applicants who are
(or who recently were) enrolled in college
• The most insightful LORs are written by individuals who know
you well and who wish to support your candidacy
• Provide the letter writer with a copy of your resume and PS,
and allow the letter writer as much time as possible to write
the LOR

12. Supplemental Statements
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• Provide context for undergraduate performance
(rigor, extenuating circumstances) and/or LSAT
performance
• Required if you respond in the affirmative to a
“Character and Fitness” question
• MSU Law does not require, but accepts, diversity
statements

13. MSU Law Cost of Attendance: 2013/14 Academic Year
Direct Costs (29 credits – FT)
• Tuition: $35,844
• Fees: $434
Indirect Costs – Thrifty Budget
• Books: $1458
• Medical insurance: $1042
• Transportation: $200
• Room and board: $5091
• Other: $970
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE
TOTAL: $7,919
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14. MSU Law
Scholarships
 Admissions and Scholarship Committee
considers all admitted candidates for MSU
Law scholarship funds
 Awards are communicated in the
acceptance letter
 Preference is give to candidates who have
completed admission files by February 1
 As many as 150 scholarships and grants will
be awarded to members of the 2014
incoming class
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15. Full-Tuition
Academic Scholarships
– Covers 100% of tuition ($105,000) for all 3 years (88 credit
hours)
– Awarded to as many as 50 incoming students
– Criteria for consideration
• Faculty Scholarship:
– UGPA = 3.65
– LSAT = 158
• King Scholarship:
– UGPA = 3.75
– LSAT = 162
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16. Academic Scholarships
Academic Excellence Awards
– Awarded to as many as 35 incoming
students
– Awards of $18,500 and $30,000 per year
– Criteria for consideration: UGPA = 3.50;
LSAT = 157
Alumni Academic Awards
– Awarded to as many as 35 incoming
students
– Renewable awards up to $18,500 per year
– Criteria for consideration: UGPA = 3.00;
LSAT = 157
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17. Trustee Scholarships
Trustee Scholarships
– Awarded to as many as 25 incoming
students
– Awards include both
partial and full tuition
– Awards are renewable
– Criteria includes assessment of academic potential and diversity
of student’s personal and professional background
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18. Need-Based Grants
Career Transition Grant - $9,000 to $18,000
Part-Time Program Grant - $9,000 to $18,000
Public Interest Grant and Stipend - $7,500
Note: FAFSA results and essay due February 20
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19. Scholarships for Upper-level Students
• Provided to students who excel in the 1L year
(after 24 credit hours) – approx. top 15% of the
class
• Award Criteria and amounts
• 1L GPA of 3.50 to 3.69 = 50% tuition
• 1L GPA of 3.70 to 3.79 = 75% tuition
• 1L GPA of 3.80 and higher = 100% of tuition
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20. Loan Programs
• Stafford Loan*
• GradPLUS Loan*
• Private Loan
Notes:
• Students may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (after
deducting other forms of aid)
• Create a financial plan for law school; research salary data;
understand the impact of significant educational debt
*federal loan
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21. Concluding Comments
 Fully prepare for the LSAT; re-take, if appropriate
 Apply early (pre-January 1), if possible
 Contact Admissions with any questions you may
have (personal statement, unique circumstances,
character and fitness issues)…phone consultations
may be scheduled
 Continue to connect with attorneys in order to
continue to learn about career options and to
develop a network
 Join us at future webinars and/or in-person events
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22. 22
Michigan State Law Preview Webinar
August 7, 12:00
August 15, 4:00
Crafting Your Law School Personal Statement
August 8, 3:00
Note: we are on Eastern Standard Time
Upcoming Events

23. Questions
Admission and Scholarships:
Courtney Gabbara: courtney.gabbara@law.msu.edu
Charles Roboski: roboski@law.msu.edu
Loans and General Financial Aid Questions:
John Garcia: finaid@law.msu.edu
Phone: (517) 432-0222
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