University of Virginia Library

Craming Costs

The unfortunate fact is that
many people are spending
considerable sums of money on
materials and courses which
will do them little, if any,
good. Cram review courses in
particular are undesirable, and
they are especially suspect
because of their high cost.
Such courses cost from $75 to
$150 for a few hours of cram
reviewing under the tutoring of
a variety of individuals, in
many cases lawyers.

The Dean of Admissions of
Harvard Law School advises
undergraduates to ignore such
cram courses as virtually
worthless. Since the LSAT is
an aptitude rather than a
"knowledge" test, one is best
prepared for its rigors by
getting a good night's sleep the
night before and by bringing
along a candy bar for "instant
energy." Mr. Albert R.
Turnbull, Director of
Admissions at this University's
law school, also stresses that a
cram course is not helpful. As
he puts it, if one has the
aptitude one will do well
enough. If one does not have
the aptitude, no amount of
cramming will help. Cramming
will not make the difference.

In order to prepare for the
LSAT, a person ought to get a
copy of the free Law School
Admission Bulletin or a copy
of the $2.00 1972-73 Prelaw
Handbook, which is the official
law school guide published by
the Association of American
Law Schools and the Law
School Admission Council.