ROAD MAP TO LAW SCHOOL MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
THE APPLICATION PROCES
SPRING
(approx. 18 months prior to wanting to start law school) 1. C reate an account with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at LSAC.org 2. R egister, prepare, and sit for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). a. P repare for the LSAT. This can be accomplished by studying on your own (obtaining prep books from a bookstore or online), signing up for a commercial test prep company, or a combination of both. b. LSAC has great information on how to prepare for the LSAT on their website, including free LSAT test prep in partnership with KHAN Academy. 3. S tart your research. Research law schools of interest and make a list of application requirements, deadlines, etc. Find information regarding all American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law schools in the country on LSAC.org. 4. Start thinking about who you are going to ask to provide a letter of recommendation. In other words, plant the seed now. Do not wait until the fall to request last minute letters from your recommenders. 5. R each out to your pre-law advisor and admission representatives at the schools of interest to you in order to ask questions about how to make yourself the best, most competitive applicant.
FALL
(approx. 12 months prior to wanting to start law school) 1. Sit or re-sit for the LSAT. 2. B egin working on applications (i.e. writing statements and gathering the required documents needed) for the schools you have decided to apply to. a. All law school applications are available through LSAC. b. Applications are typically available by August and September (with a few becoming available in October) and most schools offer application fee waivers upon request. c. While application requirements are very similar, there are always slight differences for each school. Make sure to read individual application instructions/requirements carefully! d. As part of the application, most schools ask for a personal statement, professional resume, letters of recommendation, and any necessary addenda usually explaining “yes� responses to the character and fitness questions. 3. Visit and tour schools of interest, if possible. 4. S ubmit applications before the first of the year, if possible, paying attention to application deadlines for the schools you plan to apply to. *rates subject to change.
SS – FROM START TO FINISH
SUMMER
(approx. 14 months prior to wanting to start law school) 1. C onsider sitting for the LSAT for the first time. The test is offered nine times a year, but taking it for the first time in the summer the year before you plan to start law school allows you the opportunity to improve your score by taking a fall administration while still submitting your application as early as possible in the cycle. 2. R egister for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through LSAC – Cost is $195.* Undergraduate transcripts and letters of recommendation will need to be sent to LSAC. They will then compile this information along with your LSAT score(s) into what is called the CAS Report. You will need to send a CAS Report to each school you apply to (at a cost of $45* a school) during the application process. 3. R esearch opportunities to visit or meet with law school representatives at LSAC Forums, law/grad school fairs, or prospective student events/visits held by individual schools.
WINTER
(approx. 9 months prior to wanting to start law school) 1. W rap up applications and get them submitted, if pending. Many schools have application deadlines that are in February, March, and April. 2. Plan visits to the schools where you have been admitted. 3. R esearch external scholarship opportunities and apply to all that you meet the requirements for! 4. Await offer(s) from any schools you haven’t heard from yet.
SPRING
( approx. 5 months prior to wanting to start law school) 1. V isit law schools or attend their admitted student visit programs. 2. C omplete your FAFSA and request reports be sent to the law schools you are considering. 3. Select law school of choice. 4. P ay the enrollment deposit and/or submit the commitment agreement. 5. Follow additional guidance/requirements given by your school of choice to prepare you for your fall start!
QUICK REFERENCE
MSU Law’s Application Process APPLICATION CHECKLIST: ¨C ompleted application submitted through LSAC ¨C redential Assembly Service (CAS) Report with reportable LSAT score ¨ Personal Statement ¨ Resume ¨2 Letters of Recommendation (2 required, but up to 4 can be submitted) iversity Statement (optional) ¨D ¨A ny necessary addenda (i.e. character & fitness)
#1 MOOT COURT IN THE COUNTRY
GRADE “A” FOR MSU LAW’S IP (Intellectual Property)
(2019-20 academic year)
PROGRAM, RANKING IT AMONG THE NATION’S TOP IP PROGRAMS (PreLaw Magazine, Spring 2019)
INDIGENOUS LAW AND POLICY CENTER RECIPIENT OF THE 2020 M. SHANARA GILBERT HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
RANKED ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS FOR LEGAL TECHNOLOGY
(Pre-Law Magazine, Fall 2018)
I STILL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, WHO DO I CONTACT? MSU Law Office of Admissions (517) 432-0222
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admiss@law.msu.edu