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Law School Admissions Process

Admission to law school is very competitive and highly selective process which is based upon a student's grade point average and LSAT score. An applicant should realistically consider his or her chances of being admitted to this graduate program before initiating the application process.

Individual Law School Requirements

The Online Law School Locator provides a listing of scores and grades which individual law schools use in determining their admission process. Students should access this Locator as early as possible in helping to decide whether to pursue a career in law and which law schools offer the best match for a student's academic credentials. That site is located at http://www.bc.edu/LawLocator.

The Law School Admissions Test

The Law School Admissions Test is a standardized examination which provides a uniform measurement of reading and verbal skills that law schools use in assessing the qualifications of an applicant. The test is administered four times a year by the Law School Admission Council with tests dates in June, October, December and February. Interested students should not take the examination without first conducting a sufficient investigation into the types of questions asked. Applicants should take a sample examination under simulated conditions since practice for any standardized test helps build familiarity and confidence. Students may even purchase previously administered tests and they should enroll in a preparatory course, such as that offered by Kaplan or Princeton Review, to maximize scores.

The best time to take the LSAT is during the early summer following the completion of a student's junior year. This affords the opportunity of being able to retake the examination in the fall if a satisfactory score is not achieved.

Law School Data Assembly Service

Most law schools require applicants to register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). This service submits a report to each law school that an applicant wishes to apply to which report contains the following information:

  • an undergraduate academic summary
  • copies of all transcripts
  • LSAT scores and writing sample
  • letters of recommendation

It is recommended that an applicant register with LSDAS about six weeks before a student wishes to apply to law school. This time is needed to collect the necessary transcripts and documents. Registration may be done by telephone at 215-968-1001 with the selection of option "2" or on-line through the Law School Admission Council's web site.

Checklist

The Law School Admission Council has put together the following checklist to illustrate the sequence of events in the law school admissions process:

  • Prepare for the LSAT.
  • Research law schools and construct a schedule for application deadlines.
  • Registration for the LSAT and LSDAS.
  • Receive an LSAT Admission ticket.
  • Receive an LSDAS subscription confirmation.
  • Receive an LSAC Activity update each month that activity occurs in your file.
  • Send an official school transcript to the Council.
  • Send letters of recommendation to the Council.
  • Take the LSAT.
  • Receive your LSAT score.
  • Receive a Master Law School report once undergraduate transcripts have been summarized.
  • Apply to law schools.
  • Obtain an Activity Update which indicates that reports have been sent to law schools.

Websites

The following websites maybe of interest to pre-law students:

Researching Law Schools

National Pre-Law Student Fraternity

Law School Admission Council

Sample Law School Admission Tests

LSAT Prepatory Courses

Official Guide to ABA Approved Law School

Listing of Law School Websites

Pre-Law Advising

 

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