How to Get Into the Top Law Schools, 4th edition | 
 enlarge | Author: J.d., Richard Montauk
Publisher: Prentice Hall Press
Category: Book
List Price: $27.50
Buy New: $16.12
You Save: $11.38 (41%)
New (34) Used (7) from $16.12
Avg. Customer Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 26036
Media: Paperback
Edition: 4
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 608
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 7.3 x 1.6
ISBN: 0735204292
Dewey Decimal Number: 340.0711
EAN: 9780735204294
ASIN: 0735204292
Publication Date: August 5, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Richard Montauk, a savvy admissions insider, demystifies the application process and provides the tools to ace every step. Based on interviews with dozens of admissions officers, Montauk delivers a candid view of what leading law schools look for in an applicant. He also gives applicants solid advice on developing marketing strategies, writing winning essays, maximizing financial aid, and assessing and upgrading credentials to better match that ideal profile.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
 The Most Honest Book on the Market May 21, 2007
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
As other reviewers mentioned, Montauk's book is the most complete tome on the subject of law school admissions to date. It's also very honest. It is hard to get into a top 20 law school and he makes sure the reader understands this fact. He also lets the reader know that for many people, law is the wrong choice and will only lead to lots of debt and unhappieness in the future.
The negative reviews on Amazon seem to come from people who were taken aback that Montauk might suggest that law isn't right for everyone, but he is really doing potential applicants a favor. If a brief diatribe on the pitfalls of law scares you away, you probably weren't that committed to it anyway. The dark secrets that law schools/law firms don't want you to know:
1. If you don't go to a top law school (at least top 25), you will not have a good chance of getting a Biglaw job, i.e. the highest paying most coveted jobs in the industry. If you pay full price at a school outside of the top 25 and expect to make big bucks upon graduation, you might find out, as so many other students have, that you cannot find a job that pays well enough to justify the $150k in loans you just took out for law school.
Note--If you have alternative career plans or receive substantial scholarship money, then this changes the equation.
2. Most lawyers are unhappy with their jobs (regardless of salary). A recent survey showed that 75% of lawyers would not go to law school if they could do it all over again.
Moral of the story: Forget the "you can do whatever you put your mind to!" crowds and take a realistic look at your talents, situation, and the legal profession. Some people aren't well-suited for law and many people will hate the profession--even those who are good at it. Just realize this before spending 3 years of your life and $150k-$180k to go to law school.
If you decide that law is for you, Montauk's book is the best for increasing your chances of admission.
kla May 5, 2007
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Richard Mountauk's guide on "How to Get Into the Top Law Schools" is a thorough, comprehensive, candid, and convenient must have for anyone considering law school. It takes you from the very initial process of thinking about law school to dealing with acceptances, waitlists, denials, transferring options, and to first-year law school experience. It gives you the tools you need on how to market yourself effectively and strategize your application packet to put you in the best light possible, and thus possibly improving your chances to your top choices. With cited quotes and excerpts on various subjects and topics from admissions officers themselves, that are heavily inserted throughout the entire book, one knows they are getting first-hand knowledge. This is an organized, effective, and excellent resource for one to have for a behind the scenes look at a process that few are privy too. Definitely a must read!
Essential Guidance October 23, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book has served as a valuable guide through my undergraduate years. I purchased the first book before my sophomore year of college, and I believe the knowledge I gained has helped me to make the right choices in my endeavor toward law school. If you are an undergraduate student, and you aspire to law school, buy this book now. The longer you have it, the more helpful it will be during your preparation. If you are ready to apply, you will learn how avoid mistakes and put forth the best possible application you have to offer. The quotes from admissions people helped me to understand which schools I was best suited for and which ones to avoid. The path of law is a very important choice, and I appreciate that Mr. Montauk takes a prospective student from that decision process all the way through to tips for study success after the acceptance letter. As a side note, I had an urgent question about my law school application, and Mr. Montauk was kind enough to return my call (his phone number is in this book) on a Sunday. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
Very Helpful November 28, 2005
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Oh thanksgiving day, I am thankful for this book and the great help it was for me during the past year.
If you are applying to law school or even thinking about it, get this book, it is very helpful. It has examples of essays to help you figure out how to write your personal essays, it also has a time line, so you can schedule the year accordingly until the time you are planning to get into that law school of your choice.well that is just couple of examples, but it is great.
Good Luck
The Best Book on the Subject October 12, 2005
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is the only book you will need to help you apply to law school. The author covers everything from personal statements to Loan repayment programs at top schools. The author focus on top twenty schools but the information should be helpful to anyone. The best part is hundreds of quotes on all subjects directly from the deans of admissions at top schools. It includes quotes from the deans at every school in the top 15 in the U.S. News and world report rankings and a number of other institutions including Boston College, George Washington, USC, UCLA, and Boston University. This is particularly helpful if you are targeting one of these top schools. There are executive summaries at the end of the chapters if you don't have time to read the entire book. This work will help anyone taking the application process seriously to maximize their chances of getting into the best school they can.
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