Evangeline M. Mitchell

Evangeline M. Mitchell

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Evangeline M. Mitchell, Esq.

"I have not seen any law school admissions books written especially for African Americans interested in pursuing a law degree. The book I've written serves to fill that void," says Evangeline M. Mitchell, a June graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education with a Master of Education (Ed.M.) in Administration, Planning and Social Policy. She also holds a Doctorate of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from the University of Iowa College of Law, which in recent years has consistently ranked among the top 20 law schools in the nation (U.S. News & World Report). She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) magna cum laude in English with a minor in Integrated Social Sciences, from Prairie View A&M University, a predominantly and historically Black university (HBCU) located about 40 miles outside of Houston, Texas - Evangeline's hometown. She believes that the Black college experience helped instill in her the importance of one's 'giving back' and contributing something positive to the community.

Her new book The African American Pre-Law School Advice Guide: Things You Really Need to Know Before Applying to Law School is her way of doing what she's always hoped to - giving back. Mitchell is adamant that taking the time to write such a book was a requirement, a social responsibility, not an option.

"Mitchell says her contribution is more than just a typical law school admissions book in Afrocentric packaging."

"I truly believe that people are blessed with opportunities in order to somehow share the fruits of their blessings with others. For me to have had the opportunity to have gotten into a top law school and successfully completed it and to know firsthand how tough it is to not have access to the same types of information that my more advantaged counterparts did, I believe it would be simply wrong for me not to take the time to pass on this valuable information. We all know that anyone who "makes it" does so because someone somewhere along the way helped him or her out. Nobody makes it completely alone."

Mitchell says her contribution is more than just a typical law school admissions book in Afrocentric packaging. Recognizing that this book is one that will certainly benefit any person interested in going to law school, she says "this book was especially intended for African Americans, particularly those from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who don't have the privilege of well-educated family members and friends. This book is written for so many of us who have high aspirations, but simply don't actually know what is required in the highly competitive application process."

"Other books fail to discuss these types of things in addition to the other critical information. These are things that Mitchell says "are not a part of everyone's reality, but are things that we as African Americans really need to be aware of and think about."

Mitchell also talks about the challenges of the LSAT, the Law School Admission Test, a standardized test which determines the admissions fates of law school prospects at most law schools and has historically had a detrimental impact on the admissions chances of many African Americans. She tackles common misperceptions about affirmative action, mentions the importance of appreciating and understanding the legacy of those Black lawyers that have come before them, among other things. She even touches on the unfortunate reality that even with a law degree Blacks will still be faced with daily racial discrimination and people's refusal to acknowledge their educational status.

"Through the book, I want future law school applicants to know that preparing admissions applications was not as easy and straightforward as I would have hoped, but I make sure to tell them in the beginning and in the end that despite bumps in the road and obstacles that will certainly come and try to stand in the way, if they really want it they can have it."

The African American Pre-Law School Advice Guide: Things You Really Need to Know Before Applying to Law School
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Format: Paperback, 400pp.
ISBN: 0967930308
Publisher: Hope's Promise Publishing
Pub. Date: February 2002

The first and only law school admissions book written especially for African Americans is here!

If you know anyone interested in going to law school - one of the most comprehensive admissions resources will soon be available. . . Take advantage of the opportunity to reserve or order an advance copy of this important book - today !

Why I Selected an African American Woman of Justice for the Book Cover:
The Lady of Justice is originated from the Greek goddess of mythology called Themis. European and American representations of Lady Justice is usually a woman of European descent who is holding up a balanced scales of justice, a long, sharp sword in the other hand with a blind fold over eyes. But with the African American Woman of Justice, her eyes are wide open with no blindfold over her eyes, she is holding the scales of justice which are unbalanced and she is not holding a sword. That says that she sees that things are not equal and just. It brings to question whether justice is indeed blind. The tilting scales of justice show that things are not balanced. She is not holding any sword in her hand. As a Black woman in a White male-dominated society, she does not have that kind of power. She still intends to fight for justice but not with a physical weapon - her weapon is her mind. Through legal battles which are mental and intellectual, Blacks in this country have fought to create societal changes.

The African American Pre-Law School Advice Guide: Things You Really Need to Know Before Applying to Law School provides comprehensive and detailed information on the admissions application, grade point average, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), personal statements and essays, interviews, supplemental materials, recommendations, financial aid and money matters, and choosing a law school.

In addition, this book features special sections including:

Do You Really Want to Go to Law School?
Affirmative Action
About Law School and Beyond
Things You Can Do to Enhance Your Application and Make Yourself an Attractive Admissions Candidate
Your Admissions Decision
Special Admissions Programs
Alternative Legal Education Options
Networking
Recommended Readings and Viewing, and
Truths and Motivational Notes.
A useful "straight out" outline is provided in the beginning of the book which gives you all of the basic advice given throughout the book in a limited number of pages.

PLUS an extensive appendix with pre-law resources, the ABCs to Law School Acceptance, law school listing and Strategize! Pre-Law School Strategy Planner! (which includes: "create your 'ideal' resume", a "create a strategic plan for law school admission" chart, LSAT Strategy study plan sheets, the LSAT practice test-score tracker, and an essay/personal statement planner). In addition, there are sample letters, a steps to admission checklist, an admissions timetable, a law school admissions budget, guidelines for recommenders, an essay/personal statement checklist, an application process organizer/checklist, special profiles of historically Black law schools, a choosing a law school checklist and a listing of Black law firsts. No other law school admissions guide provides all of this!!!!

This reader-friendly guide is filled with numbered and easy-to-read facts, insights, advice, observations, antidotes and anecdotes regarding the competitive law school admissions process. If you are serious about getting into law school, you will want to read this book cover to cover!

"Excellent resource for anyone considering applying to law school. . . a 'must have' resource for career counselors, universities and law schools."
-John H. Jackson, J.D., Ed.D., National Director of Education, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

"An 'outstanding' piece of work . . . the best I have seen in regard to law admissions help for students of color."
Isaac Black, Founder & CEO of Black Excel: The College Help Network and Author of the Black Excel African American Student's College Guide

Related Links

Evangeline M. Mitchell, J.D., Founder & CEO, hope's promise publishing
http://www.hopespromisepublishing.com

Founder, For Future Black Law Students: Information and Support Network
www.forfutureblacklawstudents.com

Contact Information

hope's promise publishing
P.O. Box 631234
Houston, Texas 77263-1234

E-Mail: info@hopespromisepublishing.com