Strategy Memorandum

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Date: February 27, 2006

To: Dr. Charles Etheridge

From: Ofilia Garza

Subject: Strategy Memorandum

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OPENING

For Portfolio Two, I will be applying to St. Mary’s University School of Law. When applying to St. Mary’s University School of Law, “evidence of academic ability is the most important but not the only criterion for admission decisions.” The requirements for admission into St. Mary’s University School of Law that I will complete include an application, resume, personal statement and recommendation letters. I will also write an introduction memorandum and strategy memorandum to complete Portfolio Two.

AUDIENCE ANALYSIS

The Faculty Admissions Committee of St. Mary’s University School of Law provides a thorough review of each applicant that seeks admission to their program. They look for student who “not only benefit the legal profession and society, but also create an intellectually stimulating student body at St Mary’s composed of persons from diverse backgrounds who share a desire for academic excellence and accomplishment in the practice of law”. The application process is competitive and knowing the audience for each component of my application is a vital facto. The Admissions Committee will be considering the following when reviewing a students’ application:

• Academic ability
  • Undergraduate Degree
  • Undergraduate Grade Point Average
• LSAT Scores
  • ( gives insight about students academic potential and how prepared the student is for law school)
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Recommendation letters
• Additional factors that can be portrayed through the personal statement and resume
  • Leadership ability
  • Maturity
  • Ethical integrity
  • Organizational skills
  • Knowledge of other languages and cultures
  • History of overcoming disadvantage
  • Public interest accomplishments
  • Success in previous career
  • Realistic understanding of the study and practice of law

The Admissions Committee looks at the whole person not just the students’ grade point average; therefore it is important that my application, resume and personal statement emphasize the factors that they are looking for in a qualified candidate.

RESUME

There are several types of resumes that can be written for different objectives such as an intern position or graduate school admission. When compiling my resume for admission into law school, I must take into account the best way to draw attention to my accomplishments and qualifications to prove that I am a qualified candidate for their law school program. I searched several different resume websites that provided resume tips and formats. My resume will include different information and should not exceed two pages unless there is extensive experience (more than ten years) to include in it. The information that my resume should include is education, employment history, scholastic and academic honors, extra-curricular activities, volunteer experience, language proficiency, interests and skills.

Since my objective for this resume is admission into St. Mary’s University School of Law, I have chosen to use the chronological format to meet the needs of the Admissions Committee. The resume should be conservative in format since the Committee is more interested in the content of the resume not appearance.

Under education, I will list Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Del Mar College along with the dates I attended. I will include the degree and certificate I have received and the ones that I am expected to obtain.

Under employment, I will list the various jobs that I have held. My past employment consists of jobs that may not be looked upon as professional, therefore I will highlight my achievements that came out from my employment. They will be in reverse chronological order with responsibilities listed first followed by my achievements. The name of the company will also be listed along with the dates that I held that job.

After reviewing sample resumes that were aimed at admissions into law school, I have decided to add an interest section that will include things that I enjoy doing outside of my education and work. The interest section is designed to show the Admissions Committee that I, the applicant, am a regular person that enjoys several activities.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

A personal statement is required as part of the application process into St. Mary’s University School of Law. There are no guidelines to follow on St. Mary’s University School of Law, but after researching personal statement samples, I have compiled a few. When taking into consideration the number of applications the Admissions Committee has to review, a personal statement should not exceed two –typed, double - spaced pages.

The personal statement is an important part of the application since it provides insight into the candidate that a resume, transcript or application may not provide. It gives “a means of informing the members of the Admissions Committee about the intangible qualities that he or she possesses, but that no test can measure-and that may be of paramount interest to St. Mary’s”.

Since my life has included so many obstacles and accomplishments, I have chosen to do a brief history of a few. I will include my life as a migrant worker when I was a child and I will also include an obstacle that I overcame. The last thing I will include is why I chose law school as my education and career goal. I will take this opportunity to illustrate to the Admissions Committee a part of me that can only be known by meeting me and getting to know me.

LAW SCHOOL

The Law School at St. Mary’s University “is dedicated to assist law students in the enhancement of the necessary skills and tools to ensure academic and professional success”. The School of Law at St. Mary’s University teaches their students “practical skills and habits of mind” that help the students become professional leader. They are ranked in the top ten schools with the highest number of students passing the bar exam during the summer of 2005.

Students that attend St. Mary’s University School of Law are expected to be goal orientated and motivated to accomplish many achievements. The school agenda is demanding, which makes for challenging yet rewarding years at St. Mary’s University. The admission process is competitive, but I am positive that my abilities will help guide the way through the admissions process.

CLOSING

When applying to any law school, you must present every aspect of your application with detail and precision. The contents of your application set you apart from the thousands of applicants acquiring the same spot in the classroom as you are. I will be accurate in all my factual documents such as my resume and application. I will use the personal statement as my opportunity to establish myself as a worthy candidate.

Ofilia, I think it is good that you have identified your audience and have taken the initiative to start preparing potfolio two. So far it seems as though you know where to start and how to go about it. I hope this portfolio will benefit you in the future when you plan to submit your application. Good luck on portfolio two! -Savannah Ramos

This looks really good. Towards the end under resume there are some sentences that i think can be worded a little better. read over it and try to make some adjustments, other than that it looks and sounds good. JENNY BEATTIE