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.

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. : )

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.

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

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.

I ordered this book shortly after my acceptance into law school because I wanted to be more prepared before my first semester started and I believe this book really helped. A lot of the information seemed like common sense stuff to me, but it really helped. I'm not going to bore anyone with too many details, but I had read a few bad reviews on this book, but if you want to know more details about law school I would recommend reading this book

When I first read the reviews for this book about six months ago, before I entered law school or purchased the book, I noticed that there seemed to be countless reviews from pre-1Ls saying how prepared they "felt" about law school. This was obviously worthless support since they had not used any of the advice first-hand.

Although I have only completed one semester of law school so far, I believe that I can really testify that the book is a brilliant piece of writing for anybody preparing for law school. Its advice on book-briefing, using commercial outlines, and preparing for class are spot on and need to be followed by as many law students as are willing. Also, the advice it gives on securing a summer job, which I have used extensively so far during Christmas break for getting a 1L summer associateship, is terrifically helpful, especially since it provides an albeit somewhat outdated interview with hiring partners of both a small firm and a large firm.

Anyone preparing for law school needs to get this book; it spells out what you need to do not just for your first year but EACH YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL, including Law Review (and the process of getting on journals), moot court, and all things 2L- and 3L-related.

But if you are my classmate, don't buy the book... I want to stay on top of the curve as much as possible. :-)

When I first read the reviews for this book about six months ago, before I entered law school or purchased the book, I noticed that there seemed to be countless reviews from pre-1Ls saying how prepared they "felt" about law school. This was obviously worthless support since they had not used any of the advice first-hand.

Although I have only completed one semester of law school so far, I believe that I can really testify that the book is a brilliant piece of writing for anybody preparing for law school. Its advice on book-briefing, using commercial outlines, and preparing for class are spot on and need to be followed by as many law students as are willing. Also, the advice it gives on securing a summer job, which I have used extensively so far during Christmas break for getting a 1L summer associateship, is terrifically helpful, especially since it provides an albeit somewhat outdated interview with hiring partners of both a small firm and a large firm.

Anyone preparing for law school needs to get this book; it spells out what you need to do not just for your first year but EACH YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL, including Law Review (and the process of getting on journals), moot court, and all things 2L- and 3L-related.

But if you are my classmate, don't buy the book... I want to stay on top of the curve as much as possible. :-)

I got this book the summer before I started law school. I really had no idea what to expect with regards to law school at the time, and this book really helped me feel prepared. However this book does go slightly overboard with it's recomendations at times. For instance, it says to retake the lsat and wait to go to school if you don't get accepted to one of the highest ranked schools. This seems a bit impractical. Also, once I started my first semester as a 1l, I realized that it was not always helpful to do everything the book recomends. I started out doing the daily outlining, but I soon realized it was not useful. I was outlining 15 pages a week for each of my classes even though I had no idea what I should actually be putting in an outline or how it should be structured. It also was not helping me understand how all the cases fit together, and by the end of the semester I didn't remember anything about the outlining I did in the beginning of the semester. After the first few weeks I gave up on the daily outlining, and ended up making my outlines later in the semester after I actually some understanding of the subject manner and I learned a lot better that way. I did however find many of the books recomendations very helpful, such as briefing cases with different colored highlighters. I also found getting commercial outlines to be very helpful, especially towards the end of the semester. This book didn't mention them, but I purchased books from Emanuel's Crunchtime series for my first semester contracts and torts classes and they were extremely helpful. Overall, I would recomend Law School Confidential, just don't feel like you absolutely have to do everything it tells you to.

This book should be handed out to every prospective law student. It gave me a heads up of what to expect that crucial first year, and it opened my eyes to what life after law school would be like. I read this book before I started law school, then handed it to my fiance. Having him read it was the best thing I ever did. He became my partner in doing well in law school, knew what to expect as far as demands on my time, knew how tight money would be, etc. It also prepared us both for life after law school. I highly recommend this book.

This book is a work of genius by the main author Robert Miller and his co-authors (all law school grads), who bring to bear a wealth of experience, knowledge, and savvy. For the small price of a paperback book, you get much more than $12.89 worth of information. The book starts from scratch, how to prepare for LSATs and apply to law school, then moves into how to succeed in school (including preparing for class and doing well on exams), and rounds it out by massive amounts of advice on the job search. Spectactular resource. As a law student, it helped me gain confidence before beginning my first year. Go out and read this book if you're in law school, applying to law school, or even vaguely interested in law school.

I got this book following a 3L friend's suggestion, and feel like it's given me a good strategy for studying and approaching exams my first year, as well as an important "insider" information on how to approach future job possibilities. For those also in the thinking about law school or application phase, Miller incorporates real, beneficial advice from both students and Admissions deans. If you are looking for some perspective on what to expect (either before or after you start), pick up a copy.

INTRO
I have read many and varied law school preparation books. To be forward, of all the books I have read, I found this one to be the most overrated. It is indeed useful, particularly if this is your first book on law school and you are interested in a very general overview.


PERSONAL SUGGESTION (*warining* personal opinion)
My strongest suggestion for those interested in law school is this: take one or two years off prior to entering law school to 1) adequately prepare and 2) make a determination whether or not you *really* want to do it. Whether you enroll into a graduate program, work, relax, explore, or engage in charitable activities - give yourself some time to pursue your varied interests. If you ever wanted to start a company, see a particular part of the world, or just take some time to think .. I highly suggest you do that prior to entering law school. If you just completed or are about to complete an undergraduate or graduate program, you might not have this opportunity again. Purge those urges and pursue those interests now while you have a chance.


HIGHLIGHTS
The book provides useful information regarding law school from financing your education to law school etiquette (share your class notes; do not boast about anything; avoid gossip; and never discuss grades). Furthermore, the author provides useful insights on applying for jobs to obtaining internships. Many topics are addressed in the book, and I appreciated the perspectives of former law students to hiring partners at variously sized firms. I do not necessarily agree with the author's suggestion on case briefing, however. I think it would be tedious and time-consuming to read cases using variously colored highlighters. It is better to use simply a pen and underline relevant material.


SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
The information in the book lacks depth but makes up for it for its vast breadth concerning prior to law school, while in law school (year 1, 2, and 3) and after law school. I am confident that most people who have an interest in possibly attending law school will find the book useful.

This book is a must-have before starting law school. It is easy to read and full of useful tips and information. It is a realistic and well-informed guide to law school. It is especially vital for conquering the first year. I highly recommend this book!

I just ended my first year of law school, so I've got a pretty good idea of how useful these kinds of books are. I think this book is useful to keep around. If not for the detailed explanation of much of the law school processes, he keeps a pretty upbeat attitude toward law school, and he uses his real name, unlike the author of another 1L advice book. If you have that upbeat attitude, it is probably gonna keep you chugging along when you are staring into the abyss during your first year.

His dreamboat technicolor highlighting mumbo jumbo is not some voodoo magic that you can only get from his book. It's just one more interesting way to study in an organized manner. I've found that since law school studying is different than undergraduate school, I began to really experiment with different styles of learning, and along the way, you're bound to find a sweet spot if you keep working at it.

Despite what people say about law school being a professional school and how important the work is, making some good friends there will really really help. Just stay cool. Don't try too hard to make friends, and don't try too little either. Work with the professors instead of seeing them as obstacles, which in many ways they can be. That's just part of the gauntlet of law school.

So take this book's advice with a grain of salt, and start to figure it out for yourself as you go along. The only real secret is putting in the hours necessary and then some.

As a future 1L (first year law student) I found Robert H. Miller's Law School Confidential to be an invaluable resource full of insight and encouragement. In Law School Confidential, Robert H. Miller takes the reader from the infancy of their aspirations for a legal education through the rigors of law school and ultimately, for those who complete their education, the search for employment.

With sound advice and practical strategies, Robert Miller helps allay some of the fears that plague those about to begin law school. But this book is not only for those of us who've been accepted to our law school of choice. This book reaches out to everyone considering or finishing up his or her legal education. It takes those contemplating law school step by step through the daunting and lengthy application process. If you find yourself in the midst of your 1L or 2L year, and are looking for a useful guide to studying, test taking, or even the search for meaningful summer work, it covers this as well. And finally, just when you think it's over, when you've donned your cap and gown and crossed over from law student to lawyer, Law School Confidential guides you in your preparation for the bar.

The tenor of the book can be intimidating and there is a certain underlying motivation to set the student "straight" regarding what they're walking into. Though I don't believe the intent is to frighten people away from law school. Instead, Mr. Miller merely hopes to honestly convey the academic challenge that waits, which can often filter into ones personal life. That being said it is important to note that his experience is exactly that, his, which he recognizes and further agrees that each students experience is unique.

Admittedly, I have yet to begin my legal studies and thus putting Robert Miller's advice into action has not been possible. But his book has used the experiences of literally dozens of mentors who've navigated these waters and made it to the other side. While the nuances of my education will surely be different, I feel confident that Law School Confidential has provided me with a strong framework and foundation for success.

This book is by students, for students. So take advantage of it.

For anyone interested in going or currently planning on attending law school, this book is a must read. Written with the help of recent graduates of top law schools, the book gives great insider tips on everything to briefing cases to preparing for exams and interviewing for summer internships. This book will give a leg up to whomever reads its.

Let me first say that I am entering law school this fall. So, I cannot validate whether the info in the book is right. What I can tell you is that it gave me a sense of what to expect. I liked the short overviews of first year classes and the outlining guide. It's well organized and an easy read. The back half of the book will come in handy once I'm in school so I'll be keeping it to use as a reference manual. Worth the read for type A thinkers who don't like surprises.

I found this book to be very helpful into giving me some insight into what to expect in law school. If you make it past the first chapter, which tells you what to consider before going to law school, I think it provides some very useful tips on how to get organized, briefing cases, outlining and law school etiquette.

In my opinion, not worh buying unless you're too lazy to read basic information off the internet. Most of what this book says is common sense for every prelaw student, written in a glossy and sometimes smart alec manner. Yes, if you want to know basic facts like the whole proccess of getting into law school, LNATs, types of law studied, law firms and clerkships etc. get the book, but you can really get these information from about anywhere else.

If you want something more useful try The Complete Law School Companion by Jeff Deaver instead (the other pre law book I picked up). It's not as nicely packaged as Law School Confidential of course but really, you don't need flowery words and grandiose themes. The Jeff Deaver book is less pretentious and much more practical.

Lots of great information and useful advice, to be sure. However, reading this book one gets the impression that the only road to success is going to a top 20 school and working for a large firm. Written for overachievers who've been gunning for the Ivy League since kindergarten.

The book was in excellent condition and came in a timely manner. Thank you!

This is the key to succeeding in law school. I didn't get the chance to read this book until I got to law school, but it helped me get the job of my dreams. I didn't go to a top tier law school, but I'm working in the field I want in the firm I wanted in the city I wanted. Get this book!

The other book to read on this is:
Ivy Briefs: True Tales of a Neurotic Law Student

For several months I was mulling over the idea of taking the LSAT and applying to law school. I asked people who had been through law school or were currently attending what it was like, but I still felt unsure whether or not it was a good choice for me.

I ordered a few books to read what the law school experience would be like. The mistake I made was not reading this one first, because it's the only one you really need to get a great overview of law school, beginning to end.

Using the opinions of former law school students, the book demonstrates from the beginning that the purpose of the book is not simply to sell people on the idea of law school. Some students say they loved the experience, some say they're not sure if they'd do it again, and others say they made a mistake by attending and now feel trapped in their law careers.

Miller then leads the reader through what to expect throughout the years of law school. In the first part he discusses the application process, taking the LSAT, how to decide which schools are for you, and the reality of law school - good and bad.

Then he dedicates the next parts to what to expect in each specific year of law school. All the while he inserts testimony from former students about what they felt they did right, and what they would have done differently. By the end, all the questions I had about whether or not law school is something I should consider seriously were answered.

I was reading this book from the point of view of someone new to the idea of law school, and from that point of view I found it very helpful. I also believe this book could be helpful for people in other stages of law school. The parts on each individual year seem like they would be helpful, if I were in that position.

The only potential drawback I can see is that this is not a lengthy book. The first roughly 100 pages had answered most all my questions, addressing what the law school environment is like and what you should expect potential careers to be like. If you are looking for a longer and more detailed read about law school, you may want to opt for a lengthier book. However, from my perspective, this is exactly the kind of book I needed to read to settle my questions.

This book is a must if you are considering or even if you are in law school.Lots of tips for success.

I am starting law school in less than 6 months and am very glad to have read this book. It is helpful in deciding what school to choose and I plan to use the study methods as well. I don't have much to compare it to, but this served me very well.

As someone entering law school in the fall (yikes!), I'm reading everything I can about the experience I'm headed for. This was a very good introduction, though I still feel, even though this is a revised edition, that there are parts of that experience that never get addressed.

I am starting law school in less than 6 months and am very glad to have read this book. It is helpful in deciding what school to choose and I plan to use the study methods as well. I don't have much to compare it to, but this served me very well.

Book was shipped out quickly & in excellent condition.

Thanks

I found this book easy to read and digest and organized well, with lots of helpful information. It's definitely a worthwhile buy for anyone considering or planning to go to law school.

Miller makes the "real" law school experience very clear and it was enough to send me on another career path. Attorneys are often revered in our culture (just as much as they are made the butt of jokes) and it is easy to think of the paycheck and prestige when considering the career. Miller makes it clear that there is suffering on the path to that perceived greatness and that the ends may not justify the means.

A guality review of law school realities by a law school alumni. Easy to read, sometimes extremely witty descriptions. I would recommend this book to everyone who doesn't have any other access to first-hand info on law schools.

I bought this book as a last minute purchase when I was purchasing LSAT books. After reading it, it is an absolute must for anyone that is thinking about going to law school. It breaks down everything from the LSAT to admission to your time in law school. I just applied to law school and I find myself going back to the book as a reference. I also recommend it for your friends and loved ones. My boyfriend is much more prepared for what I am about to go through than he was before and now he knows what to expect.

This was well worth the money to me, since I have been a little indecisive about applying... but really, I wonder what Miller is up to when he recommends a 1-week, $1000 prep course on law topics that was "just created by some law students..."

Myself, trying to go to school on the cheap and maybe not jump straight into big firm practice, I felt he rarely considered the possibility of a student like me.

But hey, for the money I still recommend the book. Very practical.

This book came out after my own law-school years, and I read it in search of books to recommend to undergrad friends who were headed to law school.

I can say this: Everything Miller recommends, and that I DID, worked. everything he recommends, and that I DIDN'T do, I WISH I'd done!

I read this book from cover to cover. It does a really good job of hyping people up for law school, but some of the advice given seems a bit off. I've spoken with numerous law students who have read this book before starting law school, and the common consensus is that following Robert Miller's prescription to the dot is unrealistic.

Moreover, as a U Penn Law grad, Miller's perspective is very uni-polar. Though he has quotes from various "law school confidential mentors," 99.9% of the book is his voice and his voice alone. A lot of the advice on how to befriend people, how to study, etc. is very U Penn specific.

But the book, I'll admit is well worth your money.

I was not very impressed with this book. This is even more true as I continue my legal education. The advice for those thinking of going to law school seemed like common sense. Some of the 1L information was good but a lot does not really apply unless you are going to a school similar to those the 'mentors' attended. Other items that they say will help you get ahead just seem like shortcuts that will probably burn you in the long run.

Most people applying to law school need a reality check. This book is good for that element. Law school is a lot of work, a lot of debt, and a lot of pressure. It is not a golden ticket to a six-figure income.

If you really feel unprepared or just want to know what you are getting yourself into then talk to current law students, young lawyers (the experience has chance from even 10 years ago) and the admissions people at diffferent schools. I would not buy this book again, I'd get it from the library and save the money for other things.

Law School Confidential is a must read for anyone considering law school. It's very helpful when you get there, too. The book is a beacon in the darkness of the first days of class. I consult it on a regular basis.

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.

If you need such sage advice as 'buy your books before classes start', or 'buy a comfortable bed,' then this book is for you! (Although it sounds like you probably are smart enough for law school. If you already are smart enough for law school, this book has nothing to offer you. Buy "Introduction to the Study & Practice of Law in a Nutshell (in a Nutshell)". That is a worthwhile book!

I bought a ton of books before I started law school and this was definitely the most thorough in terms of how to study, what to expect and what not to do. Very helpful

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.

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.

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.

If you're going to law school, you need to own this book. It was great, and I used it throughout my law school years.

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.

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.

One law school preparation book stands out above all others: Law School Confidential.

It covers a wide range of important subjects, including how to brief a case, study strategies, job hunting, and much, much more. One of the aspects I liked most about the book is how each section is for a different period in law school. At each point during a student's law school career, the author provides practical advice needed for that period.

Some students may hesitate to spend any more money on law school-You've already spent enough. But if this books helps raise your grades, reduce your stress, and get a better paying job, its worth to you will far exceed its cost.

For more tips and advice for law students, visit http://www.toplawstudent.com.

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!

Provides an excellent overview of what law school will realistically be for an incoming student. Also provides great study tips and suggestions. I'll be carrying this book around all summer. Highly recommended to anyone planning on going to law school in the fall.