Academic Dismissal

[Jacinto]

Dear Sally,

I completed my first year of law school at a lower first year school and did fairly well, allowing me to transfer to a top twenty law school.  At the time of my transfer I began to suffer what would be a prolonged bout of severe depression.  Having never experienced any mental illness before, i did not seek treatment immediately. Instead I tried to muddle through, barely completing my second year, and was then academically dismissed during the first semester of my third year, basically because I never attended.  I have since been treated and seem to have recovered, and am considering attempting to complete my degree.  I would prefer to attend a different school.  Any advice on applying?  What level of law school might be realistic?

Thanks,

-jeff

[Bernhold]

Jeff,

Sorry to hear about your depression. Admission to a new law school will be largely based on your LSAT and undergraduate GPA.  If these were not high enough to get into a top twenty school initially, they may not be now, especially since your law school grades faltered. You can explain your mental health issues but it is difficult to say how much this would sway an admissions committee. Your best bet may be to return to the same school for a semester or two, raise your grades and then transfer to another law school.  Otherwise, you should probably aim for the level of law school you were initially accepted into.

Good luck!

Sally A. Kane, J.D.

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