Hope’s Promise Publishing
P.O. Box 631234
Houston, Texas 77263-1234
www.hopespromisepublishing.com
info@hopespromisepublishing.com
713-867-5923


February 10, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE . . .

IF YOU ARE BLACK AND LAW SCHOOL BOUND, HELP HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!: NEW BOOK SHOWCASES 75 MODELS OF EXCELLENCE FOR ASPIRING AFRICAN AMERICAN LAW STUDENTS
Profiles & Essays of Successful African American Law School Applicants

HOUSTON, Texas – In 1993 a young African American woman aspiring to go to law school received some invaluable information. A friend, with the same educational goals, shared copies of resumes, profiles and personal statements she received from Black law students at a prestigious Ivy League law school she visited. This young woman reviewed the coveted materials with amazement. She now had an “inside” and more educated perspective of what admissions officers were truly looking for. “This young woman,” author Evangeline M. Mitchell, went from becoming the first college graduate in her immediate and extended family and on to successfully gaining entry into a top-ranked law school. Reflecting on her experience and how early exposure to this information could have positively impacted her, she was inspired to inform and educate other minority law school hopefuls with models of “real life” successful African American law school applicants. The idea for her new book was born.

Here’s more . . .

“During the application process, I mistakenly thought it was primarily about good grades and strong Law School Admission Test scores. But reviewing actual application materials from Black law students gave me a better and more accurate picture of the very high level of competition out there,” states author Mitchell.

“It was defining and eye-opening. I had no clue about what I was up against. At the same time, I was proud to see that these accomplished individuals were African American. It was stimulating to learn about all of the impressive internships they completed, the awards they received and community service they accomplished. It was affirming to read their personal essays and relate to our common experiences and their unique, diverse and complex perspectives as Black Americans. Even more compelling was the adversity some of those applicants had to conquer to achieve their dreams.”

To assist prospective Black lawyers, Mitchell has compiled and edited Profiles & Essays of Successful African American Law School Applicants. This dynamic resource book includes:

§ 75 profiles and over 60 essays from a diversity of outstanding African Americans who were successfully admitted to over 100 different law schools from every tier-level across the nation
§ Advice from African American law students and graduates specifically for future applicants
§ Checklists to assist applicants in essay preparation
§ Expert insight on the admissions process and the importance of the personal statement, resume and profile from experienced law school admissions directors
§ An advice book/workbook including numerous detailed tips on writing the personal statement, the resume, profile, addendum and recommendations
§ A listing of useful writing resources, pre-law organizations and websites
§ The text of the landmark Grutter v. Bollinger University of Michigan Law School Supreme Court affirmative action admissions decision
§ Self-assessment, strategic planning and law school admissions committee exercises
§ Affirmations for law school admissions success, and
§ Personal statement/essay instructions from the majority of ABA-approved law schools.

“If I would have had this book as a high school or college student it would have meant the world to me. It would have helped me strategize, plan and step up my game a few more levels in every area,” shares the author.

“Although I was a focused “straight A” college student with the desire to break the cycle and “make it,” there is so much more I could have achieved. I would have been more proactive and willing to create opportunities that weren’t readily available to me. Unfortunately, I navigated the law school admissions process alone. I had no role models to emulate or mentors to explain the high level of expectation to be considered a truly competitive candidate.”

“Knowing what I learned too late in the game, I would have made a concerted effort to really stand out from the literally thousands of other smart prospective law students I was competing against by highlighting my unique background, personal characteristics, leadership qualities and accomplishments, especially in light of the obstacles I overcame. In addition, I would have emphasized the unusual and interesting perspectives I could bring to the diversity of the law school classroom and community. I can’t change the past. However, I can impact the future by assisting others through this groundbreaking and practical publication. This book will help people with law school aspirations, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds like myself who need guidance to create a strategic plan or blueprint for their law school admissions success.”

If you or someone you know is interested in attending law school, this book is a worthy investment. Hope’s Promise Publishing will have a special release of Profiles & Essays of Successful African American Law School Applicants (ISBN: 0-9679303-1-6) this month in honor and recognition of Black History Month and the Law School Admission Council’s Minority Recruitment Month. For a limited time, the book will only be available direct from the publisher. In the fall, the book will be officially re-released on a larger scale and become widely available through on-line bookstores and selected bookstores nationwide. For more information, please contact Hope’s Promise Publishing at P.O. Box 631234, Houston, Texas 77263-1234, call at 713-867-5923, or visit their website at http://www.hopespromisepublishing.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Evangeline M. Mitchell, J.D., Ed.M. is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, the University of Iowa College of Law and the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She is the founder and CEO of Hope’s Promise Publishing. She is also the founder of the highly acclaimed website For Future Black Law Students: Information and Support Network (www.forfutureblacklawstudents.com) and the founding advisor of the National Association of Future Black Law Students (NAFBLS), the first national Black pre-law empowerment, support and networking organization. In addition, she is the author of The African American Pre-Law School Advice Guide: Things You Really Need to Know Before Applying to Law School (Hope’s Promise Publishing, 2002), the first law school admissions reference book written especially for African Americans.

Visit the Official Hope's Promise Publishing Website at http://www.hopespromisepublishing.com