Law School Application Process
The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) coordinates
almost all applications to accredited and
non-accredited law programs. They have created
something called the "Law School Data
Assembly Service" (LSDAS). This is a
centralized method of applying to multiple law
schools. You begin by completing the LSDAS
forms and paying a fee (based on the number of
programs you are applying to). You letters of
reference will be sent directly to the LSDAS, as
is your personal statement, your college
transcripts, and your LSAT score. Then you apply directly
to the law program you want to attend. That law
school in turn will request your LSDAS packet
from LSAC. Overall, an efficient method of
applying to multiple law schools.
When your LSDAS packet is sent to a law
school, LSAC provides a numerical score on your
packet. That score is based on a formula that
takes into account your GPA, your LSAT score, and
various factors about your undergraduate
university. Law school admission committees
typically use this score as the initial ranking
of applicant. Some students are admitted with
only a cursory reading of their file; some are
rejected without ever having their files read.
For some applicants, however, the decision to
admit will be based on the personal statement,
letters of reference, and other information in
your LSDAS packet. Overall, you should rely on
your numbers, of which your GPA is the
easiest to control.
Timing is very important. Application dates
vary, but the best schools have deadlines early
in the calendar year. At the very latest, you
should take the December LSAT. Equally important,
if you plan to enter after you graduate, the Fall
semester of your senior year should be the time
when you are devoting a great deal of energy to
your applications. As your senior year begins,
you should have selected three references (who
know you by name), have begun the process of
selecting which school you want to attend, have
begun work on your personal statement, and are
setting aside time to study for the LSAT. In
general, try to have the bulk of your application
more or less together by Thanksgiving.
What if you want to wait several years
after graduating to enter law school? No
problem. Indeed, a little life experience might
make you a better candidate. You should, however,
make sure that you can still get those
all-important letters of reference from some
faculty. Keep in touch and let them know in
advance that you may be needing letters at a
later date.
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