Applying to Law School - A Recommended Admission Checklist

Aug 30, 2026

Applying to law school requires early, organized preparation to strengthen key components of an application. The process includes planning around undergraduate GPA, LSAT scheduling, the application itself, a resume, and recommendation letters, with optional addenda for trends, testing conditions, or records. Guidance also covers choosing the right LSAC account setup, understanding LSAT skills and test timing, and using CAS to centralize transcripts, evaluations, and writing samples for reports sent to ABA-approved schools.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Is law school right for you?

Recommended Timetable for Law School Applicants

Set up your LSAC account

Mastering the LSAT

Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

Applying to Law School A good, complete application requires proper planning! A complete application consists of five main items: your undergraduate GPA; your LSAT score; the application itself; your resume and your recommendation letters. Some applicants will also include addenda to discuss grade trends, standardized testing conditions or criminal records. To present yourself in the best light, you should begin preparations as soon as possible. The following strategies should help you get started. Is law school right for you? Many applicants to law school know little about the profession and about trends in law school admissions. While you are completing the application process, take time to learn more about legal education and the profession. See Career Services’ “Planning for Law School” and “Do you really want to be alawyer?” handouts for more information. Recommended Timetable for Law School Applicants school entry in order to send completed applications as early as possible. Many schools practice rolling admissions and early applicants are in a better position. Do not take the test cold and don’t take the real test for practice. If you cannot take the June exam due to study abroad, work, or lack of preparation, you can still apply for early admission by taking the September/October exam. Schools treat multiple scores differently; most will average all scores. Testing locations may change, but SU, as well as UT, ACC and Huston-Tillotson, serve as testing sites. Refer to the LSAC site for current testing sites. Prepare for the LSAT and plan to take it only once. Many LSAT preparation methods exist, including private prep courses, either live ($1000+) or on the web ($500-800) and self-prep ($70-125). Mock LSATs are available several times per year on campus and you can purchase previous LSATs. Register for the LSAT as soon as possible to reserve a spot at your | April/May:
Prepare and register for the June LSAT. Begin researching law schools and identify possible choices. Start collecting reference letters. | | --- | | June:
Take the LSAT. Continue research and finalize law school choices. Make a file for each law school and include deadlines, addresses, etc. Update your resume. | | July/August :
Receive LSAT scores. Send requests for information to law schools of interest. Begin writing your personal statement. Keep track of which reference letters you have received and send thank-you notes to the writers. | | August/September:
Subscribe to CAS. Have official transcripts from every school you have ever attended sent directly to CAS. Begin completing applications. Keep photocopies of all application materials and correspondence. Forward reference letters to CAS. | | October/December:
Take, or retake if necessary, the LSAT. Complete remaining applications. Receive notification from CAS that Law School Reports have been mailed to law schools. Rank law schools on your list. | | Spring Semester:
Receive offers of admission. Apply for scholarships and financial aid. Tour law schools that have offered admission. Inform Career Services of admissions offers and which school you have selected. | One of the first things you should do is set up your Law School Admission Council (LSAC) account. This will be your gateway to the entire law school admission process. Your LSAC account number will be your primary identifier for all LSAC services. You will use your LSAC account for registering for the LSAT, receiving your scores, using the Credential Assembly Service , and submitting law school applications. Once you set up your LSAC account, you will be able to easily go through all of the steps necessary to register for the LSAT, prepare all of your credentials, complete your applications, and check the status of your application process. Mastering the LSAT The LSAT tests your reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning skills. While the LSAT is offered four times per year (June,

FAQs

What are the five main items in a complete law school application?

A complete application includes your undergraduate GPA, your LSAT score, the application itself, your resume, and your recommendation letters. Some applicants also include addenda for grade trends, testing conditions, or criminal records.

What is the recommended timetable for law school applicants?

The document provides month-by-month guidance from April/May research and LSAT prep, to June taking the LSAT, receiving scores in July/August, subscribing to CAS and completing applications in August/September, and finishing applications and LSAT retakes in October/December, followed by scholarship steps in spring.

How does the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) help applicants?

CAS streamlines the process by collecting transcripts, recommendations, evaluations, and writing samples once and combining them with LSAT scores into a report sent to prospective law schools. Many ABA-approved schools require CAS as the standard method for centralized applicant information.

Aug 30, 2026

Uploaded by Felix Montgomery