A special thanks to Dean Charles Roboski, Assistant Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid at Michigan State University College of Law, for participating in our Admissions Spotlight Series.

Before joining the MSU Law team in 2008, Dean Roboski served on the law school admissions councils at the University of Notre Dame, Ohio State University, and many more. coque huawei p30 He has experience reviewing over 40,000 law school applications.

As the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?

MSU Law enrolls approximately 300 new students each fall, with these students coming from as many as 35 states and seven nations. coque autres galaxy samsung Much of my time and may staff’s time in the late summer and fall months focuses on the development of a robust applicant pool that will allow our Admissions Committee maximum choice in terms of selectivity. In the late fall and winter months, much of my time is devoted to the review of applications and working with our Admissions and Scholarship Committee.

I’m fortunate that we have a great staff in our office, and we do our very best to provide a high level of service to potential applicants and prospective students.

What do you consider the most significant parts of an application, the parts which applicants should prepare the most carefully?

Our Admissions Committee has three primary questions in mind when we review an application: Can the candidate be successful as a law student at MSU Law? What qualities/skills/insights does the applicant possess that we value in our students and future graduates? And, how does this applicant (who is academically able and who has qualities/skills/insights that we value) compare to other applicants? With these questions in mind, and assuming that the undergraduate record is pretty well established by the time someone applies for admission, a prospective applicant should strive to achieve the highest score possible on the LSAT and s/he also should focus on crafting an insightful personal statement.

Is there anything you frequently see on an application that you hope to never see again?

When I open an application file folder to begin the review process, I hope to read a personal statement that allows me to get to know the applicant, especially with regard to the applicant’s desire to earn a law degree. In terms of mistakes or shortcomings, I believe applicants all too often rely on a “one-size-fits-all” personal statement that fails to articulate the applicant’s interest in our program at MSU Law.

Are there any myths about the application process which you would like to dispel?

Having served as a dean or director of admissions at six law schools since 1988, I’ve had the opportunity to review more than 40,000 applications for admission. I sometimes hear from applicants that the “numbers” are the sole basis for an admission decision, and I think this is the most common myth. I believe most law schools give significant attention to a variety of factors, thought it’s clear that some law schools place a premium on the LSAT.

What advice would you give to an applicant with below-average test scores but significant work experience?

Prospective students who have several years or more of work experience can bring to the classroom valuable skills and insights that enhance learning and classroom discussions. coque huawei p10 For the “non-traditional” applicant who has been in the workforce, s/he should craft a personal statement and resume that highlights these experiences and skills. The Admissions Committee then must decide if the candidate has the potential to succeed based on the LSAT score.

Do you frequently have to turn away applicants whom you wish you could admit? If so, what could those applicants do to be admitted?

Our selectivity rate in recent years has been about 33 percent. We certainly have a number of candidates who we deny because of space limitations. These denied candidates don’t lack ability or motivation, and we welcome them to apply in a future year as a transfer candidate or with additional qualifications that might put them in a more competitive position.

How much faith do you have in the ability of the LSAT to predict success at Michigan State College of Law?

We know from correlations studies performed by the Law School Admissions Council that the LSAT is a good, but imperfect predictor of first-year performance. We always assess a candidate’s LSAT in light of the undergraduate record and qualitative factors that also may relate to academic ability. Finally, we keep in mind what the LSAT doesn’t tell us (e.g., the candidate’s motivation, work ethic, etc.). Overall, I think we do a pretty good job of looking at all facets of the application when we arrive at the admission decision.

What do you look for in a recommendation letter?

At a general level, we prefer letters written by individuals who are in a position to comment on the candidate’s academic potential. coque huawei p10 Therefore, we encourage applicants to obtain letters written by faculty who know them well. In those instances when an applicant cannot obtain an insightful letter written by a faculty member, the applicant should strive to obtain a letter that is written by someone who can comment on the applicant’s abilities, potential, or personal qualities that relate to the legal profession.

Suppose an applicant has little or no experience relevant to your program, but has significant experience in other fields. coque huawei p8 What can that applicant do to distinguish himself or herself in your eyes as a good candidate for your program?

The legal profession needs and welcomes candidates from many backgrounds, academically and otherwise.