Great information regarding the CG Law Program and how to be competitive for this post graduate education. If you are or if you know of anyone who is interested in becoming a CG Lawyer, please forward them the information below.
Thanks for reaching out to us regarding this terrific program. I am often amazed at how few applicants we get for such a great opportunity. The legal program has received on average six to seven tabs a year. On average, our applicant pool has ranged around 40, however, in recent years there has been a steady drop down below 30. Law school is a three year program and the payback is 5 years. Regarding applications, the following tips are what I recommend:
The selection panel will look at three primary things: CG Performance/Experience (OERs), Academic Performance (LSAT and GPA), and DA Information (Personal Essay and Command Endorsement).
1. Plan on taking the LSAT once. Don't take it to see what its like. There is no consistent trend among law schools regarding whether they average the scores, take the highest score, or take the first score. So, it's best to prep as much as possible and do the best you can the first time around.
2. If you have a 3.0 or higher GPA, then you're in good shape with your undergrad grades, however, if you have a GPA lower than a 3.0, you may want to take some graduate courses, even some law school courses, to show you can do the work. Not necessary, just something to make you more competitive when applying to law schools.
3. Performance is very important in the selection process, however, we have to be confident that the applicant will get accepted into a good program. Therefore, the LSAT score and GPA are also very important in selection to the CG program. I suggest applying to a couple schools where you are pretty confident you'd be accepted - especially if your LSAT is on the border of the top 25% and/or your GPA is below a 3.0. Although the application process is done completely through DA, in your essay portion, you should mention that you were accepted to such and such law school. The school(s) should be one that the CG would want to send you to - so don't just apply to any old school - that is, apply to one close to either a district office or HQ, and that is as competitive as you could get in to.
4. Call and talk with the Legal Program Manager, right now that's me. It's important to learn as much as possible about how the process works and what makes a strong applicant.
5. Officers should either be due to rotate the following year or within a year of rotating. Waivers may be requested regarding short tours in addition to deferments. So, if someone believes they have to choose between Command Afloat or law, they don't have to - if they are selected for both, they can request that the law program allow them to defer the start of law school in order to fulfill this other opportunity.
6. I view experience in the CG as a positive. I think applicants that have been in the CG, whether always as an officer or a combination of enlisted/officer time, for five to ten years, make better applicants. For the program, I prefer to see qualified applicants with those years because it means we'll probably be able to keep them around after their payback - not necessarily, but probably.
7. Don't be disappointed if you're not selected on your first try. Call the Program Manager and ask for any recommendations.
Finally, your question about how diverse our applicant pool is - I can't tell you exactly because I don't know. However, I will say that the legal program, like many of the CG's graduate programs is not as diverse as I would like. Like I said earlier, I am amazed at how few applicants we get overall for such a great opportunity. The Legal Program is making a concerted effort to ensure our internal recruiting efforts are maximized so that our applicant pool for the funded program is not only highly qualified, but diverse.
Hope this answers your questions. A msg soliciting applications usually comes out in April. Selections are made in September/October time frame for the following FY. My contact info is below if you meet someone interested in being a lawyer for the CG and who would like to discuss opportunities. Thanks.
/r
Katherine Weathers
CDR, USCG
Office of Legal Policy & Program Development
Force Manager, Legal Program
2100 2nd Street, SW, Room 1100
Washington, DC 20593
(202)372-3817(w)
(202)355-8528(c)