PRE-LAW ADVISING OFFICE

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

Everything You Need To Know About Applying To

Law School

Things to Think About:

Why do you want to go to Law School? (pros and cons)

Do you truly understand what it means to be a lawyer and go to law school? (Have you talked to lawyers? Had any experience in a

law firm?) Have you thought about taking time off

between Tufts and Law School? Some schools appreciate that you have taken time off

(Northwestern, Harvard)

Application Process

LSATTranscriptsLetters of RecommendationPersonal Statement/Diversity StatementResume

Application Process Timeline

Early September Applications Open

September-Thanksgiving: Work on Applications and Submit

December-April: Wait on decisions

Where to Start: First Step

Visit LSAC.org and create an account

More than 200 law schools in the US and Canada use this online system to administer the law school application process

Also provides resources such as law school locators, FAQ’s and additional resources for the application process

Credential Assembly Service

Central Application Service for applying to Law Schools Can sign up through the LSAC.org website Sign up at any point prior to applying Will assemble your letters of recommendation,

transcripts and LSAT scores to be sent to individual schools

You can check online to be sure that all of your items have been received

Cost: $160

What is the LSAT?

Necessary to apply to an ABA-approved law school.

The LSAT is an admissions test, not an aptitude test, unlike the SAT’s.

It is designed to test your logical reasoning abilities under timed conditions.

LSAT’s predict first-year grades and the ability to pass the bar exam.

LSAT is a learnable test.

When to take the LSAT

Offered four times a year: June, October, December & February

If applying next year, should think about taking the June or October test date

Why can’t I take the December test?o Puts you late in the admissions cycleo Significantly hurts chances for admissiono Hurts chances for merit-based aid

Visit LSAC.org to register It takes about three weeks to receive your score Can I take the test more than once?

Not advised. o Law schools will either average your scores or use the highest

score, but they will see ALL of your scores.

How to Study for the LSAT

Study, Study, Study

12-15 FULL, TIMED, LSAT practice exams are necessary to perform your very best.

Blocks of questions alone will not improve an LSAT score.

You CAN improve your score with practice. There are Commercial prep programs. It

depends on your study skills, but can do just as well on your own.

Free LSAT practice exams are available through the Pre-Law website and LSAC.org.

Letters of Recommendation

• Secure 2 academic recommendations (Prof, TA, Advisor)• Pick a professor that knows you very well and you

think is going to write you a good letter of recommendation.

• Don’t ask someone just because they are well known (judge, DA, etc.)

Personal Statements

Should be two pages, double spaced in an easy to read font

Must directly, clearly answer the question that is asked by each school

Think about the following: Why do I want to be a lawyer? Why do I want a legal education? How will a legal education help me fulfill my

goals? What experiences make you feel ready for the

ethical, professional and moral responsibilities of a career in law?

How Many Schools Should I Apply to?

For risk-takers: 5-7 schools.For more security in the process: 8-12

schools• 2-4 “reach” schools• 3-5 schools with a good probability of

acceptance• 2-4 safety, or “money” schools

The Search Process: How to Select Schools

70% of the admissions process is your GPA and LSAT score However, your personal statement and letters of

recommendation do matterUse the UGPA and LSAT Score Search from

the LSAC website: https://officialguide.lsac.org/Release/UGPALSAT/UGPALSAT.aspx If you don’t have your LSAT score, use your latest

practice test This will give you a sense of your likelihood of being

accepted to a particular school

Factors To Think About:

Where you will be happy for three years, location of the school: urban, suburban, college town

Cost: tuition, room & board, likelihood of grant or scholarship

Programs offered: Clinics & Externships Student body: competiveness, community feeling,

diversity Career opportunities through the placement office Facilities: housing, classroom, library, technologyTake tours of different law schools you are

interested in to get a feel of the school

When Should I Apply?

You should aim to have all of your applications submitted by Thanksgiving.

Law school is on a rolling admission so the earlier you submit your application, the earlier the admissions officers will read your application

What should I expect?When should I expect…?

It all depends on the applicant profile…something you can’t know.

Don’t be upset if you don’t hear anything by early March.

Summing Up The Application Process

1. Register for the LSAT and CAS2. Practice, practice, practice for the LSAT3. Arrange letters of recommendation4. Get recommendations and transcripts to

CAS5. Work on personal statement/diversity

statement6. Research law schools in your GPA/LSAT

range7. Apply!

How to stay connected with Pre-Law Advising

Register for the Pre-Law Newsletter through Webcenter

Register for Applicant EmailsAttend Law School Panels and EventsStay in touch with the pre-law advisor as I

offer advising to alumni Visit the pre-law website:

http://uss.tufts.edu/pre-law/

Questions??