Everyone’s journey to law school is unique. If you plan to attend law school, it’s important to be aware of the general timelines for candidates and to plan accordingly. Typically, the application process begins at least a year before the year you plan to attend law school.

Application Materials

For most law school applications, the process is done online through the LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). CAS functions similarly to the Common Application used for college admissions but is specifically designed for law schools. It is important to check whether the law schools you want to apply to use CAS, as some schools may not.

1. Resume
2. Personal Statement
3. Letters of Recommendation (see below for more information about LoR)
   • Number of Recommendations: You should secure 2-3 letters of recommendation. Most schools will require at least 2 and may allow for an optional third as well.
   • Who Should Recommend Me: At least one of your recommenders should be an instructor who is familiar with your academic work and capable of speaking to your potential to study law. Other recommenders can include work or internship supervisors, coaches, advisors, or anyone else who knows you well and can vouch for your skills, work ethic, and abilities.
   • Timeline: Be sure to give your recommenders sufficient time to write strong letters for you. Talk with them about why you want to pursue law school and provide them with your resume, personal statement, and any other materials that can assist them in crafting the best recommendation. You can guide each recommender to focus on different aspects of your profile that they are best suited to address.
   • Submitting Recommendations: Recommenders will submit their letters through the LSAC website. You input their information in your LSAC account, and LSAC will generate a recommendation form and send it to your recommender. They will then upload the letter directly to LSAC.
4. Academic Transcripts
   • How to request UO Transcripts for LSAC
   • Tips: Remember to include transcripts from any transfer or study abroad institutions. 
5. LSAT Score
6. Other School Specific Essays/Statements
7. Character and Fitness
   • Reporting Misconduct: This section in your application will ask you to disclose any past misconduct that falls into two general categories: academic and criminal. Reporting an incident does not automatically disqualify you from consideration, but providing inaccurate information could jeopardize your application. Most law school applications inquire whether an incident occurred, not whether it was recorded, meaning you must report all relevant incidents, even if they are not on the record.
   • Read Carefully: Each school may phrase the question differently, so read each question carefully to ensure accurate responses
   • Be Honest: Honesty is crucial in your application. Err on the side of caution and report everything. Discrepancies between your law school application and your bar exam application could jeopardize your admission to the bar in the future.
8. Addenda (if applicable)
9. Optional Essays (such as a Diversity Statement)

Give yourself enough time – several months – to draft and revise your application materials, and have multiple people review your them. 

When should I apply to law school?

The application season for most law schools typically begins in September for the following fall. Early application is encouraged, as many schools use a rolling admissions process. This means they review applications as they are received and may have more available seats and funding for competitive candidates who apply earlier.  Use Thanksgiving and Winter Break as a general deadline to submit applications. While you can still be admitted into a law school if you apply by the final deadline, be aware that funding amounts may be affected.

Some schools have specific early decision deadlines related to funding or may accept candidates well into the spring. It’s important to closely review the admission timelines for each law school you’re considering and ensure that you take the LSAT in time to support an on-time application. Typically, LSAT scores are released 3 weeks after taking the exam, so plan accordingly.

Deciding Which Schools to Apply to

There are many considerations to consider when deciding which law schools to apply to and how many to include in your list. Reflect on what you are looking for in a law school, and research what different schools offer. Here are some key things to consider:

• Where do you want to live while attending law school?
• Where do you think you want to practice law after graduation? Different states have unique court systems and rules for bar admission, which can be crucial. Some schools provide flexibility for practicing in various states, while others are state-specific.
• How much debt are you willing to incur? Investigate funding programs, scholarships, and loans available at the law schools you are considering. Weigh the importance of the debt you might accumulate against the prestige or ranking of the institution.
• Does the law school offer an expertise area in a of law you want to pursue?
• Are there other opportunities at the law school that interest you, such as legal clinics, connections to local communities, mentoring opportunities, or student organization?
• How does the program “feel” to you? Reach out to student ambassadors, current students, admissions staff, faculty, and alumni. If possible, visit the campus to see if it feels supportive for your as a prospective law student.

One effective strategy for submitting applications is to compare your LSAT score and GPA to the median admitted scores and GPAs of the schools you’re considering. This analysis can help you categories schools into “reach”, “target”, and “safety” schools, ensuring you have various options throughout the application and admissions process.

For example, after applying to a range of schools, you may receive an offer to one of your “reach” schools and a “target” school. Because your numbers are more competitive at your target school, this second offer may come with a financial incentive. Having multiple options and financial incentives allows you to choose the offer that best aligns with your priorities.

I’ve been offered admission to law school! How do I decide?

The decision, of course, is ultimately up to you. Many of the criteria you should consider are already mentioned in the guidance on choosing schools. Now that you’ve received admission offers, you may want to continue connecting with individuals who can share their experiences and insights regarding the law schools that have offered you admission.

One new piece of information that you likely receive is your financial aid package. It’s important to talk to the financial aid staff at the law school to understand how funding works and any requirements you must meet each term or year. You may also be able to leverage your financial aid package to negotiate for better funding at another school.

Financing Law School

Planning for financing your legal education requires careful research. Engage with the financial aid offices at the schools you are considering or have committed to attending. AccessLex offers a helpful Loan Calculator and Scholarship Databank to help you get started.

Here are some things to keep in mind while planning:

• Cost of Tuition
• Fill out the FAFSA!
  • Available October 1 every year.
• Financial Aid. What types of aid and loans are available?
• Merit-Based Scholarships vs. Need-Based Scholarships
  • Check with individual schools about what they offer.
  • Look into external funding sources, as there are often external scholarships available.
• After reviewing your financial aid packages, you may have the opportunity to negotiate or request additional funding.
• Consider the cost-of-living in the area where you will be relocating, including:
  • Rent
  • Utilities
  • Groceries
  • Car/Renters/Health insurance
  • Textbooks
  • Other

When deciding which law school to attend, it’s important to consider the financial aspect involved. You may find yourself comparing a school that offers a larger financial aid package with another option that might require you to take on more debt. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but it is important to reflect on how much debt you may incur, what your loan payments will look like after graduation, and your potential income following law school. These factors will significantly impact your personal finances, including your ability to make future purchase which require credit checks.