Here are my notes from today’s webinar hosted by the head of LSAC in conversation with four law school admissions officers. [Anything brackets is me adding my two cents.] I wanted to get this out as quickly as possible, so forgive the shorthand and inevitable typos.
1. LSAC had previously said they would offer the Flex in the second half of May. Now they have dates.
Primary test dates: May 18 & May 19
Accommodated test dates might be a bit later but they'll work to get the scores released at the same time.
Score release date will be June 5.
First priority was for people who had registered for March and April, but they expect to have a test on June 8 and beyond.
2. How should you prepare for Flex? How will they count the various sections, Logical Reasoning in particular?
Despite rumors to the contrary, they will not be double counting LR. There will be three sections that will have roughly the same number of questions for each: Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension. [And the writing section, more on that below.]
One section is not weighted more heavily than the other. LSAC advise is to put more time in for the section that's hardest for you. [I disagree with that one. Unlike other standardized tests, the LSAT has no subscores. So the LSAT doesn’t care where you pick up your points. Make sure you nail the sections that are easier for you and don’t lose points there. Then focus on the hardest section. They all have the same weight, so pick up the low hanging fruit first.]
The sections will not be more difficult than in prior tests, including LR. It will be composed of LSAT questions that have already been tested and analyzed as in the past. It’s not designed to be harder or easier than a typical LSAT.
How will schools use the writing portion of the LSAT? It’s more meaningful now because it's done in a different fashion. Now they can actually read what you write, because they don't have to decipher your handwriting. It’s another tool to assess readiness. Writing is an important skill for law school. Faculty committees have found it useful. It’s another substantive product to assess your potential for law school.
3. COVID has had a differential impact on different communities. Online education was arranged quickly and has raised questions around equity and access.
If any of you feel that you don't have the equipment or space you need to take the Flex, contact LSAC because they want to help you with that.
4. Tech problems are always inevitable.
If something happens during your test (power outage, computer trouble, etc.) LSAC will work with you. Don't let that impede you. They’ve designed is so this system will work with a variety of devices (Mac, Windows, etc). Many law school exams have already moved to digital even before the crisis, so you’ll have to get used to it in any event.
5. Will law schools accept the Flex? Yes.
They'll continue to weight the LSAT score as they see fit, so that's not changing.
They are all trying to support their students in unprecedented times. They want to be supportive and accommodating to students who want to go to law school this year and beyond. They’re doing their best to be available and flexible. LSAT Flex is the alternative they've been waiting for so that students have the option to take an LSAT for enrollment in 2020 or 2021. It’s the only test that is accepted at all [US] law schools.
Most law schools use a holistic approach to admissions, so the LSAT score is only one component that they assess among others, as with the previous LSAT. "There's nothing to lose." It’s one piece of evidence in the complete file; that's not changing.
If you are ready to take the May test, take it. The score will be treated like previous tests and it will still be valid for several years after that.
The LSAT is a valid and useful tool for law schools. It's not the only one that they consider. They are confident in LSAC and their psychometricians. Psychometricians are very careful people. They make sure everything is in good order.
This test won't be any less valid or less safe. They're grateful it's available to applicants so that you can move forward. Change is scary, but there should be no concern about how law schools will use the test compared to previous years.
LSAC had already moved into digital, and and writing had also gone remote earlier this year. Khan Academy prep is great free resource.
Schools trust LSAC to create a product that is nothing less than the gold standard. [Note: That’s according to one of the admissions officers. If it's the gold standard, then that implies the GRE isn't. Good to know.] This is all in the best interests of the students. This additional opportunity is in your interest so you can continue to pursue your legal education to do the important work that needs to be done in our legal communities.
They acknowledge that applicants will be taking this test in different spaces and circumstances. Law schools had to deal with this too went they moved to remote learning and remote exams. Not everyone has a computer at home. They are comforted to know that LSAC will work with students who are in less fortunate situations.
6. If this crisis continues over the summer and into fall, how should students be thinking about that?
Most institutions are monitoring the situation daily and making contingency plans. They are optimistic that they can be back in the classroom in the fall. [I am not. At all.] They've learned a lot from the abrupt move to online. Summer classes: not all law schools have summer classes. If the current situation extends into fall, that will affect recruitment efforts and how they traditionally recruit students. There are three stages for admissions officers in an admissions cycle: recruitment, evaluation/admission, yield/enrollment. In the fall they'd go to law fairs and undergrad institutions to meet candidates. That will change. There will be more virtual events. The least disrupted will be the evaluation/admission phase. They had already been reviewing files online, so that's not a concern. These last couple of weeks have been tricky because Admitted Students Weekends went online, but hopefully that won't extend beyond the fall.
University of Miami Law School: You can even make an appointment on Calendly to talk to an admissions officer. They are even more available than usual. They have to answer more questions in a virtual setting or on the phone. Students should be proactive; schools don't care which medium you want to talk to them with, they want to help you. If you're facing a really tough situation, they have no way of knowing that unless you tell them, and they'll help you navigate it. They'll try to find spaces where you can take the exam. If you have a question, ask. If you need something, ask.
7. Recommendations and transcripts
Everything is taking longer. Students need to be patient. You also have to be proactive with recommenders, because they're also working remotely. Help gather documentation that they might need. Everyone is trying to put their best foot forward.
8. Should people go to law school now? Why is this a good time?
They all know there's no crystal ball, and it's not possible to predict with any confidence what the trajectory of this pandemic will be or what the future is going to look like. They're doing a lot of contingency planning. Their focus has been on getting through this semester, which was the most immediate issue. That was a major transition in the middle of the semester. Now, it's about moving to the summer and planning for the summer and looking out to the fall. Many of them are optimistic that there will be reevaluation of shelter in place in May/June. [I’m not optimistic about that. At all.] They might continue remote/virtual instruction, but there might be options in between. They might be able to gather in person but limit the size.
Their commitment to their mission will not change. They are making sure that students have the same opportunity to pursue their dreams with a legal education. That will also require more effort from the students to connect with each other and with institutions. Carry on in your journey. We need lawyers now more than ever. Faculty and students are working closely with health care provides around ethical decision making and access to resources; law plays an important role. All important things in society have a legal dimension. Coming out of this crisis, there will be a range of substantial legal needs: Insurance, housing, employment, you name it. The mission is to serve our communities and advance justice. We need you now, and we'll need you in the future.
This crisis may usher in more creativity and might even improve the learning experience.
It's about perseverance in a time of challenge. They want people to persevere in their journey to legal education. They’re creating all kinds of tools to help students. Holistic admissions is about looking to invite students into their law school but also ultimately also into the profession to do really important work.
If you want to start in fall of 2020, don't give up. Forge ahead. The Flex is there to help you not miss a beat. It won't put you at a disadvantage to be a May test taker [assuming deadlines haven't already passed].
Talk to alumni and current students to get to know the school better, since you can't visit.
Students can see how schools are reacting to the circumstances, and how they are serving their students throughout. Did they push initiatives forward? Did they adapt the grading policy? Has the dean gone to bat with the bar examiner? You can evaluate the schools' ways they've supported students and think about whether a given school is a good fit for you.
First generation students are less likely to reach out to admissions officers and ask for help. Please do. Let them help you make that dream happen. It might all seem very alien but the legal profession wants and needs you.
9. In closing:
Don't lose sight of the end goal. At the end of the day, all of them are encouraging you to enter this wonderful profession. They aren't looking to create barriers; they're looking to ease them. Schools want you. They want to fill their classes with the best and the most talented students. There are a lot of law schools out there, and there's more than one right fit. Everyone wants to make this profession strong, and they want you to be a part of it.
Check out the list of Top 10 questions on LSAC’s website. [I think they mean the FAQs here?] If your question is not covered, contact them to ask.
A recording of the webinar will be available within 5 business days on their website at LSAC.org.