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The Best Law Schools' Admissions Secrets: The Essential Guide from Harvard’s Former Admissions Dean
The ULTIMATE Insider Information on How to STAND OUT and GET ADMITTED ! When trying to beat the tough law school competition, how do you know what will get you fast-tracked to the "yes" pile (or the dreaded "no" pile)? No insider is better suited to set you on the right track than Joyce Putnam Curll, former Dean of Admissions for Harvard Law School. The Best Law Schools' Admissions Secrets is the ultimate collection of insider advice, direct from one of the country's toughest admissions boardrooms. Joyce Putnam Curll gives you all the tips and techniques you need to stay ahead, No other law school admissions advice guide can claim this level of authority. The Best Law Schools' Admissions Secrets is sure to give you the edge you need to shine in the eyes of admissions boards everywhere.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 30, 2025
(Since I know she reads these)
Wow, Mom! What a great book! Positively ROBBED of the Goodreads reader pick award!
Wow, Mom! What a great book! Positively ROBBED of the Goodreads reader pick award!
June 7, 2012
Excellent primer and how to build a set of work / study / volunteer experiences so that you will have the quality references and background needed to do your very best in the application process for law school.
I received very similar advice during my freshman year in high school. I followed the advice very diligently, and I got in easily at Harvard, MIT, Yale, and Rice. So if you want to get into elite schools, YES, read books like this, and YES, follow this advice. But please seek advice a few years in advance, when you have time to do all the work that needs to be done to build up your resume and credentials, and to prepare an awesome application.
If you want to get into an elite law school (or simply, the very best school that you can possibly qualify for), you need to start in advance and do the kind of work that impresses people. Your work needs to be of a quality and stature that will impress people both in person and when described on paper, later on. By doing this, you will build the kind of connections needed to generate glowing letters of recommendation. And, by taking challenging classes and doing challenging work, you will sharpen your mind and strengthen your discipline. All of this is needed to succeed, whether you end up actually going to law school or not.
I received very similar advice during my freshman year in high school. I followed the advice very diligently, and I got in easily at Harvard, MIT, Yale, and Rice. So if you want to get into elite schools, YES, read books like this, and YES, follow this advice. But please seek advice a few years in advance, when you have time to do all the work that needs to be done to build up your resume and credentials, and to prepare an awesome application.
If you want to get into an elite law school (or simply, the very best school that you can possibly qualify for), you need to start in advance and do the kind of work that impresses people. Your work needs to be of a quality and stature that will impress people both in person and when described on paper, later on. By doing this, you will build the kind of connections needed to generate glowing letters of recommendation. And, by taking challenging classes and doing challenging work, you will sharpen your mind and strengthen your discipline. All of this is needed to succeed, whether you end up actually going to law school or not.
September 25, 2012
I really expected Curll's book to be much more detailed and coming from a former Harvard Admission's Dean, this was actually a disappointment. The only really good chapter was on the financial aid picture. Other than that, it was too general. That being said, it's a good starting point for those who have absolutely no idea about how the law school admissions process works. For those looking for more detail, Anna Ivey's The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions: Straight Advice on Essays, Resumes, Interviews, and More is so much better and filled with nuggets of wisdom. Ivey does a far better job of breaking the whole process down.
July 30, 2011
I think it had a few good tips and tricks for applying. Certainly doesn't take the place of an advisor, but I think it is a good idea for people just starting to look into law school.
June 28, 2014
It was extremely general. More of a book for the student still in their undergraduate career. There were no secrets shared.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews