Transcript Applying to Law School

Applying to Law School:
Information You Need to Know
Tutorial
This tutorial will introduce you to the law
school application process.
Acronyms You Need to Know
• ABA (American Bar Association)
• Candidate Referral Service (CRS)
• LSAC (Law School Admissions Council)
• LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)
• LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service)
What is the ABA & What Does it Do?
• American Bar Association (ABA)
− Serves as the national representative of the legal
profession
− Accredits law schools
− Provides continuing educational for individuals
working in the legal profession
− Assist lawyers and judges through programming
− Provides information about the law
What is CRS & What Does it Do?
• Candidate Referral Service (CRS)
− A database of candidate information
− Allows law schools to search for potential applicants
based on specific criteria (GPA, age, race,
citizenship, etc.)
− Law schools typically send program information to
registered users who match specified characteristics
− Registration is not mandatory but recommended
What is LSAC & What Does it Do?
• Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)
• LSAC’s membership is made up of all law schools
approved by the American Bar Association
• This organization
− Administers the LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
− Oversees LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service)
− Coordinates the Candidate Referral Process
− Sponsors Law School Forums
− Publishes test preparation books and law school
guides
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
• Required admission exam for all ABA
approved law schools
• Administered 4 times a year
• Half-day exam
• Costs $123
• Consists of five 35-minute, multiple
choice sessions (4 are scored)
• Includes a writing sample which is not
scored by LSAC, but is sent to the
schools to which you apply
LSAT (Continued)
• Score scale is 120-180
• Taking the test multiple times =
an average score used by most schools
• Scores are reported in an average of 3 weeks
• Most schools require the LSAT to be taken no
later than December for fall enrollment the
following fall. However, it is recommended that
the test be taken sometime between June and
October.
What is LSDAS and What Does It Do?
• LSDAS stands for Law School Data Assembly
Service (LSDAS)
• It is responsible for
− Coordinating law school applications
− Standardizing and centralizing academic
records and biographical information of
applicants
• Most applicants are required to register with
LSDAS as this is the only way most ABAapproved schools will accept applications
• Registration costs $113
LSDAS (Continued)
• Each law school to which you
apply will receive a report from
LSDAS containing:
− An undergraduate academic
summary
− Copies of all undergraduate,
graduate, and law/professional
school transcripts
− LSAT scores and writing sample
copies
− Copies of letters of
recommendation that are
processed by LSAC
Steps for Applying to Law School
These steps were taken from: www.lsac.org/LSAC.asp?url=lsac/getting-started.asp
Step 1: Prepare to take the LSAT
• Numerous resources are available to help
you prepare
• The following materials are found in the
Career Resource Library:
− Peterson’s Graduate Programs in Business,
Education, Health, Information Studies, Law
& Social Work
− Cracking the LSAT
− LSAT & LSDAS Information Book
− LSAT Practice Test
− Law School Admission Reference Manual
Step 2: Research Potential Law Schools
• Review the Internet
− Click here for the official guide of ABA-approved
law schools: http://officialguide.lsac.org/
− Click here for the official guide of Canadian law
schools:
http://www.lsac.org/canadianCFC/Canadian_hom
epage.asp
• Attend a Law School Forum
• Contact law schools and request information
• Visit campuses
• Talk to current students and alumni
Step 3: Register to take the LSAT
• The LSAT is offered 4 times a year
• There are three ways to register
− Online
− Phone
− Mail
• Make sure to receive an
Admissions Ticket. This will permit
you to enter the test site to take
the exam
Step 4: Register with LSDAS
• The two ways to register with
LSDAS include
− Online
− Mail
• Remember, LSDAS coordinates
the application process and is
required of most ABA approved
schools
Step 5: Request Transcripts
• Allow enough time for processing
• Request that transcripts be sent to
LSAC
• Most schools charge for official
transcripts, so be prepared to pay
a transcript fee
Step 6: Request letters of
recommendation
• Submit letters of recommendation to
either
− The law school or
− LSAC
• Each school determines how they will
process letters of recommendation.
Therefore, it is essential to refer to each
school’s application procedures
Step 7: Take the LSAT
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Don’t forget to bring your
Admission Ticket the day of the
test! You will not be admitted
without the ticket
• Follow the testing site’s procedures
regarding what you can and
cannot bring
Step 8: Apply to Specific Law Schools
• This is done electronically via LSAC
when applying to US schools
− This is why registering with LSAC is
imperative.
• Schools to which you apply to will
then request your LSDAS report
(LSAC will coordinate this process)
Web Resources
• http://www.mcdaniel.edu/5730.htm
• http://www.lsac.org/
• http://www.abanet.org/
• http://www.aals.org/
• http://www.hg.org/schools.html
• http://stu.findlaw.com/
Need More Help?
• Speak to a Career Counselor
− Call 410-871-3305
− Email [email protected]