[blindlaw] Law School Prep

[Angie Matney]

Hi Joe,

>1. What preparatory materials did you find most accessible?  I have ordered 
>old exams from Catherine Thomas in New York, but I am curious to know if 
>people have found online exams that are less expensive than Kaplan or at the 
>very least study materials that will not completely break my bank.

You can order a book of 10 LSAT's for $30 from LSAC. These are actual tests, unlike many of the Kaplan materials. They scan pretty well.

>2. What accommodations will prove the most difficult to obtain for the exam? 
>I would like a Braille exam, access to a Braille writer and scribe.  I can 
>provide my own Perkins, but I would appreciate any feedback on any obstacles 
>you may have faced on obtaining any of the aforementioned.

The only problem that I had was accidentally leaving the Perkins off the list the first time I submitted the form. Despite the fact that Inoticed this error well before the deadline, LSAC would not allow me to modify the form. You might also want to ask 
for use of a computer with screen reader for the writing sample. I was able to use my own laptop for this.

>3. Can you explain how exactly LSAT scores are evaluated for people taking 
>exams under special circumstances?  I'm not sure I completely understand how 
>scores are flagged, and when they are flagged, how does the school 
>prioritize that component of your application?  Granted, this methodology 
>may differ from school to school, but if you have general ideas, I would be 
>most appreciative.

Honestly, I don't think it makes too much difference to the law schools. I could be wrong, though. I was accepted at the places where my LSAT score would have been a good indicator of acceptances. (I was waitlisted at one place where my 
score was significantly above their average, and they were the lowest-ranked school to which I applied, but generally, my LSAT score was a good indicator of where I was accepted.) Of course, this is only speculation on my part.

>4. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to citing your disability in 
>your application?  Obviously, the flagged LSAT score will be an indicator, 
>but should you attempt to explain any of it in your essays?  I ask this 
>question with the understanding again that the response will vary from 
>individual to individual.  Perhaps I am looking for your various 
>perspectives.

I had two personal statements and was accepted with both. One was autobiographical and did mention my blindness. It also mentioned that I grew up in a coal-mining town and that my dad was a miner, etc., etc., etc. I just mentioned that with 
braille and speech, I was able to be productive. I also mentioned blindness in teh context of some of my previous work experience. The other essay was a different style altogether and dealt with an incident of discrimination I experienced when a 
campus bus driver did not want to let me ride with my guide dog. 

>5. In the case of open essays, what topic would you deem most beneficial? 
>I've heard there is a split between those who would opt for legal issues and 
>those who would prefer a personal experience explaining the impetus for 
>wanting to attend law school.  Your thoughts?

Hmm. I'd site your reasons for attending law school before I'd delve into a particular legal issue. Law schools seem to want to be the ones to teach you how to analyze legal issues. On the other hand, I'd consider a totally alternate topic if you could 
come up with one. Just as an example, you could talk about a life-changing experience. As I said earlier, my "discrimination" essay didn't mention law school at all, and I got into Cornell with that one.

Good luck,

Angie