Applying to Law School
Most ABA-approved law schools rely on the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) to simplify the admissions process. This will require you to create an LSAC account and submit your application materials online through their Credential Assembly Service (CAS). As part of your CAS file, you will be required to include your Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) score, undergraduate transcript(s), and contact information for letters of recommendation.
Application Process
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Begin preparing for the LSAT.
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Register for the LSAT and CAS.
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Have your official undergraduate (college-level) transcripts sent from the University's registrar's office to the LSAC.
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Request letters of recommendation.
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Begin researching potential law schools.
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Take the LSAT.
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Apply to your schools of choice as directed by each individual school (most schools now prefer that you apply electronically through the LSAC).
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Submit a personal statement or essay as directed by each school.
- Visit the LSAC website for more details.
A Few Tips
Letters of recommendation: Get letters from professors and employers who can speak to your talents. Letters that are personalized about you are more impactful than generic letters. Be sure to sign any necessary release forms.
Personal statement/essay: Check the application material for each specific law school
to which you are applying. Different law schools have different essay requirements,
and many require essays specific to that law school. You can start with a basic core
personal essay, but you should be prepared to adapt it to each law school as necessary.
You may need to write additional essays as well, depending on the law school. Law
school admissions offices are increasingly also accepting diversity statements, though
these might not be required.
Resumé: If the law school to which you are applying allows you to submit a resumé, consider submitting an expanded resumé that describes your job responsibilities in a way that illuminates your accomplishments and skills. If you have legal experience or have completed significant job or course projects in which you took the lead, these in particular should be highlighted.
Above all: Proofread everything you submit to law school! Law is about attention to detail and precision in your use of language. If you are sloppy in your law school application materials, it signals to law schools that you may not be a good candidate.