1. 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)
Tel:
This series is co-sponsored by the Division of Humanities and Communication and the Center for Advising, Career & Student Success

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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!)

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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!

17. 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

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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. Application Process
Questions?