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Law School Confidential is written for students about to embark on this three-year odyssey by students who have successfully survived. It demystifies the life-altering thrill ride that defines an American legal education by providing a comprehensive, blow-by-blow, chronological account of what to expect. It arms students with a thorough overview of the contemporary law school experience. This isn't the advice of graying professors or battle-scarred practitioners decades removed from law school. Miller has assembled a panel of recent graduates to act as "mentors", all of whom are perfectly positioned to shed light on what law school is like today. From taking the LSAT, to securing financial aid, to navigating the notorious first semester, to taking exams, to applying for summer internships, to getting on the law review, to tackling the bar and beyond...this book explains it all.

Customer Reviews:

• A must read for any future law student
  This book is a must read for anyone considering going to law school. It gives you the ins and outs of law school from applications to orientation all the way through the bar exam. It includes everything from study tips to information about your resume and interviewing at law firms. I would definitely recommend reading it before even applying to law school because it will really challenge you to think about your reasons for wanting to go to study the law. ...more info
• Practical prep
  As an adult student changing careers the prospect of going to law school has been a lot overwhelming; however this book has helped to realistically prepare me for what to expect in the coming months. Although it seems to be written primarily for younger, recent college grads (there seems to be a heavy emphasis on the extremely competitive cut-throat environment of law school) the authors provide very honest and useful information to consider in every aspect of the law school experience from "beginning to end." Again, my only reservations about the book is the on-going descriptions of the uber competitive nature of the experience - if you dont get A's in the first term you can forget about getting invited to participate in law review and/or top-rated internships? - seemed to be harsh and unnecessarily discouraging. Still this book is an easy read with a very real point of view for any student at any stage of law school....more info
• Useful but flawed
  I'm a senior in undergrad who has nearly completed the prelaw process. I read this book to get a further understanding of the law school environment and to pick up pointers about the process.
  
  First let me say that this book is not despite its claims a comprehensive guide to the law school experience what it is; is an overview. It is very straightforward easy to read, and somewhat brief. It is broken up in to four parts 1. Prelaw: the LSAT, picking the right school, financial aid, evaluating whether the law school is the right path for you. 2. 1l concerns: Studying tips, summer 1l employment, and law review placement. 3. 2l concerns: primarily firm internships but also a brief overview of 'academic focuses' and law review duties 4. 3l concerns clerkships, the bar review, and going back into the job market as a 3l.
  
  Section 1
  This was the section I was most familiar with and while I found it to be the most complete source I've come across. I also have read more in depth about every topic it covered else where.
  
  The two thing of note in this section were
  1. The 'controversial' statements about placement and geography that I found to be rather timid. I would say don't go to law school anywhere outside of Yale, Harvard, and maybe Penn you couldn't imagine yourself living at least temporarily. Furthermore, unless you have strong connections elsewhere(I.E a father who's a partner) don't go to school anywhere outside the top fifty if you would never stay there permanently.
  
  2. The financial aid info was blatantly wrong, stafford loans you either qualify for or don't, you don't need your parents info, and FAFSA doesn't begin reviewing applications until February so there's no reason to fill out the FAFSA in December except maybe to have it done before you go back to school. In the author's defense this was written a number of years ago and maybe the situation has changed since then.
  
  Section 2
  This section was the most boring and possibly most useful section of the book. It goes into great detail about study strategies and little else. As an aside a peculiar feature of this section was its emphasis on the 1l hiring process. The author insists that 1l employment is necessary but then they also talk about how they needed to send out fifty applications to get only a handful of acceptances some of which were for non-paying positions, all while taking on the rigors of being a 1l and this was someone who went to Penn mind you. Also, The section ends with a brief discussion of law review placement practices.
  
  Section 3
  This section talked primarily about firm internships, beginning with a look into the recruiting process, and culminating with a quick review of firm etiquette. The best part of this section was an interview in the middle of the section with the hiring partners at the author, Mr. Miller's firm. The interview was very insightful and thoroughly depressing. I had heard the interviewees views on the prestige of a school before but still hearing them from an actual hiring partner seemed to have an extra kick to it that was very unpleasant especially considering the firm was in a somewhat rural area; you'd think they'd at least give the local guys a shot :( .
  Section 4
  The most interesting part of this section was the discussion of clerkships. The book gives what is in my opinion very detailed, concise, overview of the clerkship process. One thing it didn't discuss was how future employers might view a clerkship; whether this is because they don't care or because they view it as universally positive I'm not sure. Finally, the books wraps up with an overview of the bar and bar review courses. The end section is something anyone looking to be an attorney will want to read but at the same time it kind of felt like the author was in overdrive in this part and simply trying to fulfill his duty to cover 'every' aspect of the law school experience.
  
  Comments and critique
  This book is useful if not also only a 'starters guide' it seeks to cover everything about law school very briefly. I would recommend it to anyone thinking about law school. My only two major points of critique are that:
  
  1. It is very sometimes laughably so 'dated'. This isn't the authors fault really technology changes fast and they shouldn't be expected to keep up with every nuance. Still I couldn't help but laugh a bit when I read about the importance of having laser printing, IBM's versus MACs, getting your grades off of a phone system and my personal favorite how to become rich "become an investment banker".
  
  2. The author quite frequently high-lights his point by using quotes from a panel of students. As a student who will be going to a tier 3 law school, I really wish the author would have included more students who didn't go to top law schools on this panel. Between him and his panel of twelve there only two students who didn't go to top 30 schools one of whom was a URM. Whether this was merely the result of a myopic perspective or a designed statement about the law profession I'm not entirely sure but needless to say I found the makeup of his panel to be unsatisfactory. ...more info
• Must Read!
  Wonderful book! Take the time to read it prior to going to law school, or the during your first term... you will be grateful for the many helpful tips. ...more info
• The Guide of What to Do Before Even Thinking About Law School
  Any guide to law school should start with the pointed questions of "why do you want to be a lawyer?" and "what do you think lawyers do?" Getting into law school (especially the "best" ones), making it through academically, getting a summer associate position and then a post graduation job can all be nerve wracking enough, but what then? Right, you are a lawyer and, unless your dad paid for school, your first loan payment is coming in 6 months and will be coming for the next 10 or 15 years minimum. In short, you had better like your job because you will be living it for a while.
  
  I am a lawyer. I have obviously gone to law school, which I enjoyed and did not find stressful in the least. Being a lawyer is very different from law school. You law school students out there, you will learn more in your first 2 months of being a lawyer then you did all through law school. That stress you felt first year--thinking "how can I cram all this stuff into my brain and then spew it out again for a decent grade?" is nothing compared to the stress of answering to a client whose livelihood may depend on whether you got the answer right and who likely only gave you half the relevant facts. Those nights that you spent studying late into the night and thinking that all this hard work will pay off, embrace that life style because it will not get better and you will be required to account for every 6 minutes of your day. Being a lawyer is exactly that--a life style. It is not a job, not for anyone who is successful as a lawyer. It is not all court room drama and big paychecks and traveling to fun places. There may be some of that but it is also long hours reviewing tens of thousands of documents in a windowless room in a strip mall warehouse in Tulsa. And anyone who thinks things get easier when you make partner, think again. It gets harder because you don't just have to do the legal work, but you have to get clients and manage the firm too. The government attorneys may have it a bit easier on average, but I have certainly called one at 10 pm before and they have picked up the phone, so I wouldn't bet on it.
  
  Also those of you who think that getting a law degree is a "gateway" degree to a broad array of job possibilities--wrong. Getting a law degree qualifies you, sometimes, to be a lawyer. There may be a number of people out there who have law degrees, and have a non legal job, but the high likelihood is that they had other qualifications that got them that job.
  
  So all of that is a way of saying...understand what you are getting into because it can be a very expensive and unhappy mistake if you do not. Before you pay a dime to a law school, get a job in a law firm for the summer or a few months. See if it is something that you can enjoy. If you are 23 or 25, do something else for a year or two and see if you are thinking law just because you don't have a different idea. Law school will always be there. I went to law school when I was 31 and the timing was good because it was actually a nice break from work. I am generally happy in my law firm job and have been at the same place for 8 years. If you decide that law is your path, go for it, but try to avoid having the realization that it is not your path and that you are stuck with 250k in loans after your first year as a lawyer, which a very large number of people do....more info
• The best rescourse out there
  This book was my best resource for my first year of law school. There was so much great information and tips on how to organize and orient your self. Not everyone knows a lawyer or has one in the family to ask these questions to or get advice from. And law school has changed over the last 20 years, what worked in the 70s (1L) is not what works now. This book helped with my general anxiety and gave me tools I needed to get a good start.
  ...more info
• Great book...depending on what you are looking for...
  Depending on the situation you are in will determine if this book is right for you. In my particular situation (already been accepted to law school and preparing for 1st year)I enjoyed "Getting to Maybe" more because it focused more on specifically what I wanted to read about: doing well in my first year. This book however runs the entire gammet from deciding if law school is for you, taking the LSAT, applications, all years of school, getting internships, getting a job, etc.. Don't get me wrong...it is a good read, just make sure you know what information you are looking for. If you are specifically looking for how to do well in your first year then really only 3 chapters of this book are for you. One other thing about the book was it touted being written "by law students for law students" but when you are introduced to the students they are all from Ivy League or top 15 schools. Obviously they are smart and their advice is great but I think I would have been more interested if I felt that I could relate to the students a bit more. Overall a good read, depending on who you are and what you want....more info
• Big Book of LIES
  This book is a fraudulent attempt to make law school seem like a good economic investment for your future. In fact- it's not. Approximately 90% of practicing lawyers hate their jobs and regret ever going to law school. Most people go to law school because they think they will make a lot of money. WRONG. The majority of lawyers only make an accountant's salary. If you enjoy tedious and pointless work with no potential for growth then become a lawyer. Otherwise, go to business school and get your M.B.A.. ...more info
• Perfect Book for Any Step: Pre-LSAT through 3L
  I am starting law school this fall and purchased this book along with many others in order to prepare myself. I've read the relevant sections of Law School Confidential and it has been BY FAR more helpful than any other book I've read. I've found that most prep books written by one author turn into either a bragging soap-box or an over-exaggerated horror story. This book on the other hand has multiple authors with different experiences to share and who keep each other in check. Therefore you get a realistic and straightforward view of the law school process. My favorite aspect of this book is the way it is organized. There are 4 sections to the book. The first covers preparation i.e. considering law school, LSAT, Applications, etc. The next three sections are devoted to the next 3 years of law school. This breakdown makes it easy to identify what part of the book is right for you and which parts you can skip or save for later. I've already been accepted so I've been reading the chapters dedicated to the summer before starting and 1L. The advice so far has been extremely helpful and I feel more confident about starting school. I'm sure the advice found in the 2L and 3L sections will be equally helpful when that time comes....more info
• Perfect Resource to Prep for Law School
  I am returning to school after four years of working so needless to say I'm a bit daunted by what lies ahead for my first year. Robert Miller's book is an excellent, no nonsense guide to getting prepared, from selecting the right school to tips on how to structure your daily schedule. I highly recommend the book to anyone considering, let alone applying to, law school. ...more info
• Half of Law School is Getting a Job
  I think that if you take the advice this book gives you on how to manage your time and study throughout school, you'll be set up for success. The authors do an excellent job at painting the climate you're about to enter, as well as giving you pointers on things they wish they would have known when they were in your shoes. It gives both cynical and positive views on the law school experience and provides questions to ask yourself to see whether or not the legal profession is for you. The first year is going to be hell, so you should probably do some homework to make sure this is something you want to get yourself into. About half of the book focuses on how to get an internship/job during and after law school. I'm somewhat of a nontraditional law student in the sense that I already have a job lined up afterward, which is why the book wasn't as helpful as it might have been to most students. That said, I'd still recommend it to anyone who is going to law school. ...more info
• Great Overview for Prospective Students, but don't get too absorbed in his ideas and panic..
  I just finished this book about a month ago and am a week away from taking my LSATs. So, I have no experience going to law school.
  My warning for readers is that this is a great book to get a good overview of what to expect and really ground yourself in what it takes to finish law school and do well. It reminds people that this is REAL money you are spending and real time you are studying, it isnt law and order. Law school =/= glamour!
  But.... I can tell you already that reading this entire book and trying to put all of it's processes to heart will fill you with anxiety and overpreparation! You will finish and already have your heart pumping about recruiting in the second year and how you're going to deal with law review and even what to wear on your first day of real work. Read the book and get the overview, but accept that real life comes a day at a time, and cross each bridge when you come to it. We don't NEED any more freakily obsessive and anxious attorneys!! Good luck. : ) ...more info
• Excellent book to read before starting 1L
  This book provides a general perspective of the law school experience and gives advice from recent law school graduates. Although I still have a few months to go before starting 1L, I can tell that this book's material will come in handy during my time in law school. "Law School Confidential" is definitely a worthy read the summer before your first semester!...more info
• DON'T GO TO LAW SCHOOL TURN BACK WHILE YOU STILL CAN.
  The first line of this book is: "CONGRATULATIONS! By picking up and opening this book, you have just taken the first significant step toward building a productive, successful, and perhaps an even pleasant law school experience." THIS IS FALSE. If you are smart enough to go to law school then you are smart enough to be successful at a cool job that you enjoy NOT MINDLESS TEDIOUS STRESSFUL LAW WORK. PAY YOUR DUES FOR A FEW YEARS IN A FIELD YOU ENJOY AND DONT BE RISK AVERSE AND GO FOR WHAT LOOKS LIKE EASY MONEY, THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH. Do you think they would be paying that much at top law jobs if it was a cool job? How much do they pay people starting out in fashion or music business jobs? NOTHING. BECAUSE THOSE ARE DESIRABLE JOBS. If someone is going to pay a kid with no experience or noticeable skills 6 figures right out of the gate, wouldn't that raise a red flag in your head? Law school is for risk averse pretentious status-hungry arrogant pompous failures. Get out in the real world and hustle and make success for yourself that you can be proud of. When you are a lawyer you will be embarrassed to admit to it in public. When people ask what you do you will get a sinking feeling and want to make something up because it is too boring to describe. Still not convinced? See you in 20 years when you're bald, fat, have high blood pressure, crappy relationships, kids you barely know, still paying off debt and wondering where your life and youth went....more info
• good prep book for law school
  This book is good at letting you know what to expect. It may not calm the nerves, but it's realistic. It tells you what to look foward to and what not to look foward to. I recomend buying this if your looking into going to law school....more info
• Waste of money.
  If you need such sage advice as 'buy your books before classes start' or 'buy a comfortable bed' then this book is for you. For a better introduction to the study of law I recommend "Introduction to the Study & Practice of Law in a Nutshell"....more info
• Excellent Insight
  I will be a future 1L in August 2006. I have read a few different pre-law school books and I believe this is the best one by far. It talks about everything from beginning the process of applying to interviewing and getting a job. It really gets you in the right mindset that you need to be in and makes you ask yourself if this profession is for you. It gives study guidelines, test guidelines, information on summer associates and even more. I definitely reccommend this to anyone about start law school or contemplating law school. I also reccommend giving it to any close loved ones so that they will understand the what you're going through....more info
• Great Resource
  I enjoyed reading this book. I am in the beginning stage of pursing my career in law and this book answered a lot of questions I had and gave me some great advice for the future....more info
• one of the best law school prep books out there
  just finished law school confidential. i really enjoyed the book. it had some very helpful points. it's not revealing any huge secrets to success, but the suggestions and tips are definitely worth the read. this book is much much better than a lot of the other law school prep books out there....more info
• 5 stars for the study tips + 2 stars for career advice / 2 = 3.5 stars overall
  Overall experience: This book has a lot of good advice and reads quickly. The studying tips are great, but the career advice will scare you half to death. I skipped over the "getting into law school" portion because I'm already admitted; the LSAT and admissions process are a thing of the past for me.
  
  DO NOT let the career advice section of this book scare you to death. This part of the book, particularly the interview with two hiring partners, might lead you to believe that you are completely SCREWED if you aren't in the top 10% of your class at a top-tier school. Furthermore, this section might even lead you to believe that being a top 10% student in a top-tier school might not even be enough - that you're going to have a hard time finding employment if you aren't a top 10% student in one of the TOP 15 law schools.
  
  If you will go to a third or fourth tier school, there are still jobs available. You won't start off with a 6-figure salary in one of the most prestigious mega-firms, but you will find A JOB. Look to public interest - the $40,000/yr positions that top-tier students won't touch.
  
  The school I will begin attending in 4 months - which according to US News is a "3rd tier" school - has students working in all areas of law: Judicial Clerkships, Public Defenders, Corporations, Firms (albeit smaller firms), and many more areas that I have yet to discover (I havn't begun yet, after all).
  
  So overall, I do recommend this book. But take the career advice with a grain of salt and realize that you WILL BE OKAY if you don't end up being a top 10% student at a top-15 law school. You won't be driving a Ferrari to work, but personally, I'm quite happy with my Ford Taurus and will gladly drive it to work after graduation. ...more info
• Completely Worthless
  I am a law school graduate. This book is completely worthless and a waste of time and money. Planet Law School tells you the few things you need to know and do--- some of which are: class is irrelevant,
  first year is everything,
  ethics is not only irrelevant but detrimental to optimal legal functioning and should be quickly drowned in a sea of relativism,
  black-letter law isn't typically taught but is everything and you must learn it on your on ( hence, why law school?)
  and
  learn the basics BEFORE law school by reading commercial outlines for a couple hundred bucks, etc. ( hence, why law school? )
  Law School is a waste of time beyond the first year experience. Law should be taught like any other field of "knowledge"-- it isn't because law schools make a bundle with this three year swindle and law profs are lazy preening prima donnas typically.
  There is nothing mysterious about learning Law-- if you appoach it as if it were any other body of information to be learned.
  
  This book is worthless-- so many pages which say absolutely nothing.
  Planet Law School is the one to go with. It tells you the handful of things you need to know.
  Try thinking about NOT going to law school-- we have enough people who just cut up the pie in a different way versus people who increase the size of the pie.
  JD, University of Texas School of Law, 86-89 ...more info
• A Successful Preview of The Law School Experience and Beyond
  Law School Confidential provides a complete and insightful analysis of the law school experience; Robert Miller covers everything from admission advice to making smart career choices. I picked up this book during my junior year of college, hoping it would help determine if law school was a smart move for me. The book, by combining the author's experiences with those of several other recent law school grads, gave me a comfortable understanding of what exactly to expect from law school.
  
  By reading LSC I came to learn what a law school education would do for me, what it would require of me, and how to get the most out of the experience. Coming from a lawyer-free family, the knowledge and advice was priceless and significantly deeper than anything provided by my college's Pre-Law adviser.
  
  Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Miller's book is its honesty. LSC paints a realistic and sometimes critical picture of the law school experience. This honest depiction of law school is an absolute necessity for those that want to make a well informed decision on what often amounts to a huge commitment of time and resources. Law School Confidential allowed me to make this decision with confidence, and I look forward to enrolling this fall as a result....more info