【问答汇总PDF已上】[寄托在线谈]Welcome Admission Director（W&M第二期）

xiaomayihaodeyiUID: 3572589

无限小电视 发表于 2014-11-5 22:44
Good evening Jen!
I am still writing PS and CV. Now I want to konw which one or two material（s）is ...

GPA, Quality of your undergrad school and TOEFL are most important.  Your CV is also important, to show you have internship/work experience.  The personal statement is next -- you should really write honestly about why law school and what you want to do in the future.  It is very apparent to the committee when people tell us what they think we want to hear, rather than their real interests.  I hope this is helpful.  Best, Prof. Jen

xiaofashix86UID: 3359753

A question about PS: what you must include in your PS?

Another question about application: some people say applying law school is just a number game, is all about your LSAT score and GPA , is that correct? And how much does the LSAT score roughly weight on an undergraduate international student's application? 70% or nearly 90%?  And for international students,which weights more, GPA or PS with resume? Thanks a lot.

无限小电视UID: 3574802

xiaomayihaodeyi 发表于 2014-11-5 22:59
GPA, Quality of your undergrad school and TOEFL are most important.  Your CV is also important, to ...

Thank you very much!!

xiaomayihaodeyiUID: 3572589

Lexus 发表于 2014-11-5 22:52
Hi Jennifer! I know a higher GPA and TOEFL score are very important, but if a student apply to W&M ...

No, if the student has a good record and indicates that he or she will re-take the TOEFL, we will hold consideration of the application and wait for the new TOEFL.  You're right that we want well-rounded people, so we look at the entire application.  However, the English language ability is so important that we really emphasize it.  For those on the "borderline" I will also do a Skype interview.  Sometimes people are better in this interview, because it is just talking.  Take care, Prof. Jen

xiaomayihaodeyiUID: 3572589

bananayuxiao 发表于 2014-11-5 13:29
Proud of You~

Say hi to Eddie and Grace~

Thanks for your support!  I will definitely give your regards to Eddie and Grace!

wqlanteckUID: 3130138

Hi, Jennifer, my question is quite general. What would the admission officers think about the letters of recommendation of the applicants, will that be an important concern?

阿泰UID: 209473

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Hi Jennifer, I have a JSD degree from Singapore and publications at leading academic journals. I also spoke at academic conferences in
Stanford Law School and Penn Law School. However, I have no pratice experiences as atterney in law firms. So am I still a competitive applicant in the LLM application and can be considered for admission scholarship?

LexusUID: 3530515

xiaomayihaodeyi 发表于 2014-11-5 23:03
No, if the student has a good record and indicates that he or she will re-take the TOEFL, we will  ...

Skype interview is just like talking, and maybe everyone will feel easy and comfortable. But you know sometimes an interviewee are more easy to feel nervous before the interview. I want to know which kind of questions would you like to ask? And if interviewees should prepare some academic topics? Thanks a lot for your patience!

xiaomayihaodeyiUID: 3572589

xiaofashix86 发表于 2014-11-5 23:00
A question about PS: what you must include in your PS?
Another question about application: some pe ...

For the JD application, the LSAT score is the most important, then GPA.  The admissions people in the US must rely on LSAC more because the grading scale is different and some of the schools are less well-known.  So, I think you're right that the numbers are very, very important.  For the LLM program, we're a bit more focused on the entire student -- it's a different type of program.  Most of our students are really, really smart, but the question is whether they can adapt to the pace of the LLM and the English language demands.  For the PS, I would really make sure that "your" voice comes through.  It is obvious to the admissions officers when the person isn't expressing a genuine belief in why they want to be a lawyer and what they want to do in the future.  Not everyone is cut out for legal aid (or corporate law for that matter).  Take care!  Best, Prof. Jen

xiaomayihaodeyiUID: 3572589

wqlanteck 发表于 2014-11-5 23:09
Hi, Jennifer, my question is quite general. What would the admission officers think about the letter ...

Yes, we do read the letters of recommendation carefully.  It's good if they are on letterhead from the school, so we know exactly where they came from.  The better the professor knows you, the better the recommendation.  Recommendations from employers or internship supervisors also carry weight because it's a professional program.  If you've had professors from the US or UK, they can be good recommenders since they can judge your English language ability. Best, Prof. Jen

wqlanteckUID: 3130138

xiaomayihaodeyi 发表于 2014-11-5 23:16
Yes, we do read the letters of recommendation carefully.  It's good if they are on letterhead from ...

Thanks for that insider's view. That will be helpful for many new applicants.

xiaomayihaodeyiUID: 3572589

Lexus 发表于 2014-11-5 23:11
Skype interview is just like talking, and maybe everyone will feel easy and comfortable. But you k ...

I like to have a very spontaneous conversation on Skype.  Nothing prepared, so I can really tell if the person can understand me (with my accent) and communicate fluently.  I know when people prepare things.  It's not as much of a test about content, but if you can hold a conversation with an American.  The reason I feel strongly about this is that you must be able to listen, understand and respond to questions in the classroom.  We still use a very active "Socratic" type teaching method here, so you must be able to speak up and well!  Best, Prof. Jen

LexusUID: 3530515

xiaomayihaodeyi 发表于 2014-11-5 23:25
I like to have a very spontaneous conversation on Skype.  Nothing prepared, so I can really tell i ...

Thank you very much for your kind reply! I've got lots of useful information from you, thanks again and best wishes!

xiaomayihaodeyiUID: 3572589

阿泰 发表于 2014-11-5 23:09
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Hi Jennifer, I have a JSD degree from Singapore and publications at leading academic j ...

Definitely!  You sound like you have great experience.  Also, the LLM might be really good experience because it is focused on more practical topics -- about practicing law -- and can get you ready for the NY Bar Exam, if that's what you're after.  All the best, Prof. Jen