National Jurist - January 2009 - (Page 12)

NEWS Evaluating applicants A new survey compiled by Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions sheds new light on how admissions officers are taking notice of what’s posted on social networking sites of potential students. This past summer, Kaplan surveyed admissions officers at 152 schools from the nation’s 200 ABA-approved law schools about a variety of important admissionsrelated topics. Given the rise of social media such as Facebook and MySpace, Kaplan administrators wanted to get a sense whether material posted on such websites factored into the admissions decision-making process. They asked the question: “Have you personally visited a student’s social networking website to help you evaluate an applicant?” Glen Stohr, director of pre-law programs at Kaplan, said 15 percent of all surveyed law school admissions officers revealed that they had visited an applicants’ social networking website. That’s more than business schools (9 per cent), colleges (10 per cent) and medical schools (14 per cent). Stohr said he believes there are two reasons law school officers visit these sites more than any other group. “The first reason is medical schools and business schools routinely have a faceto-face interview process,” he said. “Law schools are so aware that character and fitness is going to correlate with everything. I think that puts a double edge on it with law school admissions officers because they don’t have the opportunity for the face-toface meeting.” The survey didn’t allow the admissions officers to elaborate further than that, though Stohr said that’s probably because of information that the applicants failed to disclose. “It’s less likely to be that embarrassing picture from college that is the application killer,” he said. “The things that would really strike a note for an admissions officer is not disclosing. If you have been on academic probation, among other things, please disclose this.” It’s the first year Kaplan has asked this question. But it’s certainly not the first time it’s been heard about. There have been numerous stories published about businesses that check Facebook and MySpace profiles of potential employees. — Michelle Weyenberg The Bridge Between Educating for Justice Since 1912 LEGAL THEORY AND PRACTICE is in San Francisco this Summer May 25 - June 7, 2009 Develop Trial Advocacy Skills in San Francisco ■ USF offers an intensive two-week course on litigation and trial techniques and strategies. ■ Learn to take and defend depositions, argue pre-trial motions, examine eye witnesses and experts, select juries and make opening and closing statements and arguments. ■ Earn 3 units of academic credit in two weeks. ■ Work with over 100 distinguished judges and trial lawyers from around the country who will lecture, demonstrate skills and lead you in practice workshops. ■ Conduct a mock trial in front of a judge and jury and receive a videotape of your performance. ■ Learn to think on your feet and develop the confidence to advocate for your clients! The reason you went to law school! For more information see www.usfca.edu/law. Click on Centers & Programs, then on Intensive Advocacy Program. Email advocacyprograms@usfca.edu, or call 415-422-5780 x1. 12 THE NATIONAL JURIST January 2009 http://www.usfca.edu/law http://www.usfca.edu/law

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of National Jurist - January 2009

National Jurist - January 2009 Contents Hot Button: Affirmative Action Entertainment: A Road Trip Through Law School News: American Justice, Kaplan Survey, Part-time Ranking The Firm Report: Diversity Law School Online No label No label Fordham Student Honored for Public Interest Work Former Law Student's Life Lives on After Her Death Most Influential People in Legal Education Most Innovative Law Schools Your Guide to Studying Abroad Career Hotline Texas Tech Law Grads Explore Dispute Resolution Evaluating First-Year Exams Disturbing the Peace

National Jurist - January 2009

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