How Hard Is It To Make Law Review

How Hard Is It to Make Law Review? A Comprehensive Guide

Getting onto your law school's Law Review is a significant achievement, signifying academic excellence and a commitment to legal scholarship. But just how difficult is it? The answer, unfortunately, isn't a simple yes or no. The difficulty varies significantly depending on several factors. This guide will break down the challenges and help you understand your chances.

Factors Affecting Law Review Acceptance Rates

Several factors influence how competitive the selection process is for your specific Law Review:

1. Prestige of the Law School:

• Top-tier law schools: These schools attract the brightest legal minds, resulting in extremely competitive selection processes. Acceptance rates can be as low as 10-20%, making it incredibly challenging to get in. The competition is fierce, with applicants often boasting impeccable academic records and impressive extracurricular involvement.
• Lower-ranked law schools: While still challenging, the competition is generally less intense at lower-ranked schools. Acceptance rates might be higher, perhaps in the 20-40% range, though this can still vary widely.

2. Your Academic Performance:

• GPA: Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is crucial. Law Reviews typically set a minimum GPA requirement, often quite high. Exceeding expectations significantly increases your chances.
• Class Rank: Many Law Reviews heavily weigh class rank, giving preference to students in the top percentiles of their class. A higher rank dramatically improves your chances.
• Writing Ability: Your writing sample is often a key factor. Law Review editors look for clear, concise, and persuasive writing, demonstrating mastery of legal analysis and argumentation. Strong writing skills can compensate for a slightly lower GPA or class rank.

3. The Write-on Competition:

• The "Write-on" Competition: This is typically a blind grading process where applicants submit a writing sample – often a detailed legal memo or essay on a specific legal topic – to be evaluated by current Law Review members. This is the most important hurdle for most applicants. The competition is intense and based entirely on merit. This is where the majority of students are weeded out.
• Interview: Some Law Reviews conduct interviews as part of the selection process, assessing your personality, interest in legal scholarship, and overall fit for the journal.

4. Your Extracurricular Activities:

• Moot Court, Mock Trial, etc.: Participation in these activities demonstrates your commitment to the legal field and your skills in legal argumentation and advocacy. This can give you a slight edge, though academic performance remains paramount.

Strategies to Increase Your Chances

While the process is undoubtedly challenging, you can improve your chances by:

• Maintaining a high GPA: This is the foundation of your application.
• Developing strong writing skills: Practice writing legal memos and essays.
• Actively participating in legal extracurricular activities: Demonstrate your commitment to the legal field.
• Seeking feedback on your writing: Get help from professors or writing tutors.
• Preparing thoroughly for the write-on competition: Treat it as a serious exam, devoting significant time and effort.

Conclusion: It's a Challenge, But Achievable

Making Law Review is undeniably difficult, particularly at prestigious institutions. However, with dedication, hard work, and a strategic approach, you can significantly increase your chances. Remember, focusing on academic excellence, developing strong writing skills, and preparing diligently for the write-on competition are essential steps toward achieving this highly sought-after accomplishment.