Law School and Beyond: What You Need to Know About The Law School Admissions Process The Law School Application Process David A. Reichard Professor of History and Legal Studies Division of Humanities and Communication (HCOM) dreichard@csumb.edu Tel: 831-582-3117 This series is co-sponsored by the Division of Humanities and Communication and the Center for Advising, Career & Student Success

Monday, September 12, 12-2 PM, Library 3145   Preparing for the LSAT Monday, September 12, 12-2 PM, Library 3145 The Law School Application Process Monday, September 19, 12-2 PM, Library, 3145 Choosing Where to Apply to Law School Monday, September 26, 12-2 PM, Library, 3145 What Makes a Good Personal Statement? Monday, October 3, 12-2 PM, Library, 3145 Lunch and Law Panel Monday, October 10, 12-2, University Center MUST RSVP

Today’s Agenda Overview of application data Application Process Today’s Agenda Overview of application data Overview of the application process Developing your timeline Admissions decisions—what law schools look for Final questions—check in

Applicants, Admissions and Enrollments 2006-2015 Application Process Note declining number of applicants 2011 to 2013, but shifting upward (still declining) since 2014 Source: LSAC

Applicants, Admissions and Enrollments 2006-2015 Application Process Note declining number of LSAT’s administered and CAS registrations 2011 to 2013, but increasing since 2014 Source: LSAC

Applicants By Race/Ethnicity and Gender, 2010-2015 Application Process Source: LSAC

Application Process Overview Create LSAC Account Register for LSAT Research Law Schools Sign up For Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Request Transcripts Request Letters of Recommendation Apply Check Bar Admission Requirements in state your want to practice National Conference of Bar Examiners State specific—eg. State Bar of California

LSAC Overview of the Application Process Admissions cycle Apply in fall for admission the following fall Rolling admissions Possible wait lists The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) LSAT score(s) CAS GPA Transcripts Letters of recommendation Law School Report Candidate Referral Service (to be recruited!) LSAC Overview of the Application Process Visit the LSAC portal for JD (Juris Doctor) candidates

Application Process Overview Admissions cycle Apply in fall for admission the following fall Rolling admissions Possible wait lists The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) LSAT score(s) CAS GPA Transcripts Letters of recommendation Law School Report Candidate Referral Service (to be recruited!) CAS fees for 2015-16 is $175.00 Fee waivers based on financial need available Valid for 5 year period from date of registration FAQ available for your common questions

Application Process Overview Admissions cycle Apply in fall for admission the following fall Rolling admissions Possible wait lists The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) LSAT score(s) CAS GPA Transcripts Letters of recommendation Law School Report Candidate Referral Service (to be recruited!) From the LSAC: “US grades are converted by LSAC to a standard 4.0 system in order to furnish law schools with a uniform basis for comparing applicants.” More here

Application Process Overview Admissions cycle Apply in fall for admission the following fall Rolling admissions Possible wait lists The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) LSAT score(s) CAS GPA Transcripts Letters of recommendation Law School Report Candidate Referral Service (to be recruited!) Must register with CAS BEFORE request transcripts Have separate transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution you attended sent (LSAC process is here) CSUMB uses the National Student Clearinghouse (see here for more information). There is a charge for this service. Must provide LSAC account number! Must update as complete additional coursework

Application Process Overview Admissions cycle Apply in fall for admission the following fall Rolling admissions Possible wait lists The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) LSAT score(s) CAS GPA Transcripts Letters of recommendation Law School Report Candidate Referral Service (to be recruited!) Best choice are academic references—who can attest to intellectual capacity for law school Someone who knows you and your work well Generally 2-3 required Confirm what each school requires—DO NOT send extra Use the Letter of Recommendation (LOR) service from the LSAC—can target letters for particular schools See LSAC website for more information about the LOR service and process

Application Process Overview Admissions cycle Law School Report (See handout) Background—including degrees, notes from transcript (eg. honors) Degree School—the LSAT and GPA profile of students from school who graduated, took LSAT Transcript analysis—LSAT, GPA info from schools, your GPA for each school, percentage grads below your GPA, grade distribution Summary—with your LSAT scores, number of letters if recommendation, if you attended law school, any prior applications Application Process Overview Admissions cycle Apply in fall for admission the following fall Rolling admissions Possible wait lists The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) LSAT score(s) CAS GPA Transcripts Letters of recommendation Law School Report Candidate Referral Service (to be recruited!)

Application Process Overview Admissions cycle Apply in fall for admission the following fall Rolling admissions Possible wait lists The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) LSAT score(s) CAS GPA Transcripts Letters of recommendation Law School Report Candidate Referral Service (to be recruited!) Assists law schools in recruiting applicants—seeking to build a diverse class Provides LSAT, GPA, age, citizenship, race/ethnicity, geographic background Free with LSAC registration Must authorize release of information

The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Application Process Overview The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) E-application—ABA Accredited Law Schools CAS fee “covers electronic application (e-app) processing for all LSAC- member law schools” Does NOT include application fees from particular law schools

Check application requirements for each school! Application Process Overview The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) E-application—ABA Accredited Law Schools CAS fee “covers electronic application (e-app) processing for all LSAC- member law schools” Does NOT include application fees from particular law schools Assembles materials for applications including resume, personal statements, law school reports prepared by LSAC, LSAT scores, recommendations (as required) Some law schools have additional requirements. For example, certification letter from Dean about ethical misconduct. Check application requirements for each school!

What LSAC Services Each Law Schools Require Application Process Overview The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) E-application—ABA Accredited Law Schools Then… apply—as early as possible! Use LSAC system to submit applications for many law schools—but check to see what your particular schools require and what process they follow Here’s a simulation (for pre-law advisors—only available in this workshop) What LSAC Services Each Law Schools Require

Note redirect to LSAC Application Process Source: UCLA School of Law

During Your Junior Year Summer Before Senior Year Application Process Your Timeline During Your Junior Year Research—careers, law school options Register with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Register and prepare for the June Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Notice for letters of recommendation Summer Before Senior Year Take LSAT (ideal) Assess school options Register and prepare for October LSAT (as needed) Draft personal statement Draft resume Research/finalize list of schools Fall of Senior Year Finalize personal statement, resume after feedback from professor Information packet for recommenders Transcripts sent to CAS October LSAT (if applicable) Complete applications by Thanksgiving Verify applications complete Spring of Senior Year Submit financial aid materials Hope for acceptances! Update and thank professors who recommended you

Letters of Recommendation Application Process Admissions decisions Addendum as needed Admission Decision Personal Statement Resume Letters of Recommendation Transcripts LSAT GPA

Some Additional Factors Considered Application Process Admissions decisions Some Additional Factors Considered Undergraduate major: breadth, depth, rigor College attended: its reputation and track record Grade improvement Leadership experience: on campus, in community Background, including economic, gender, racial, ethnic diversity Work experience Motivation and commitment Obstacles overcome How Law Schools Determine Who to Admit from the LSAC

Application Process Questions?