Whether you’re applying to law school in the upcoming admissions cycle or waiting until next year, you can take the following steps right now to get a head start on the application process:
Begin your LSAC registrations.
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) manages all aspects of the law school application process. LSAC creates and administers the LSAT and serves as a clearinghouse for everything you will submit to schools as part of your application. These are the three LSAC services you should consider registering for now:
LSAC account
Your LSAC account will host every step of your application process, including registering for and taking the LSAT, uploading transcripts and letters of recommendation, accessing each application, and ultimately submitting all your applications. Note that you will need an LSAC account even if you plan to take the GRE in lieu of the LSAT, as you will use the LSAC website to submit your applications and required materials. LSAC accounts are free, and your account won’t expire. Click here to create an LSAC account.
Credential Assembly Service
The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) allows you to send external application materials to LSAC for verification, summarization, and electronic transmission, and CAS also enables you to submit your completed applications electronically. Although it costs $195 to register for CAS, your registration is valid for five years. Therefore, even if you’re uncertain about applying in the upcoming cycle, it’s a good idea to get this part of the process out of the way. Once you’ve created your LSAC account, you will be able to register for CAS.
Candidate Referral Service
By registering for the Candidate Referral Service (CRS), you are authorizing LSAC to share your credentials (including LSAT score, undergraduate GPA, age, citizenship, race, and other information) with law schools. Law schools are then empowered to reach out to you with information about themselves—and sometimes application fee waivers! CRS registration is optional.
Create an LSAT plan (if you plan to take the LSAT).
The single most important criterion for law school admission is the LSAT score, so it is important to create a game plan to prepare for and take the test. The registration fee is $215, and additional fees may apply for late registration and other reasons. Below we outline the key factors in creating your own LSAT plan. (Note that many law schools now accept the GRE in lieu of the LSAT. Be sure to check with your target schools if you would like to consider taking the GRE.)
How should I prepare for the LSAT?
The key to LSAT preparation is realizing that it will require a serious, sustained effort. Although the learning curve varies from person to person, we recommend spending about ten hours per week for four months preparing for the LSAT. Many preparation options are available: in-person classes, on-demand video courses, one-on-one tutoring, and self-study books and guides. The right combination of these options depends on your budget and learning style—but whatever you do, don’t go it alone! According to LSAC research, test takers who employ one of the above methods score significantly better than those who do not. For seven tips to nail the LSAT, click here.
When should I take the LSAT?
When deciding when to take the LSAT, first consider when your other obligations will allow you to devote enough time to LSAT preparation, particularly during the month before the test. Most college students, for example, avoid taking the December LSAT because it coincides with end-of-semester coursework.
You should also coordinate your LSAT plan with your intended application submission dates. If you’re applying early decision, make sure to take the LSAT no later than September or October. If you’re applying regular decision, every school will accept a December LSAT score.
If you can, take the LSAT in June of the year you intend to apply—or earlier. Doing so gives you enough time to retake the test, if necessary. LSAT scores are valid for up to five years, and it’s best not to scramble to take the LSAT while you’re assembling your applications.
A new factor in strategizing the test-taking date emerged alongside the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting in June 2020, LSAC has allowed candidates to take the LSAT remotely. Although LSAC had originally intended to only allow remote taking through June 2021, the organization has extended the deadline twice, and there is no indication that the test will revert to its in-person format in the foreseeable future.
When should I register for the LSAT?
Registration for each administration closes about six weeks before the test date, so be sure to register before then. You can electronically withdraw your registration until the night before the test, but you will not be refunded your registration fee. Unlike canceled scores, registration withdrawal information is not sent to schools. Therefore, from an admissions perspective, there is no harm in withdrawing your registration if you don’t feel fully prepared as the test approaches.
Upload transcripts to CAS.
Because transcripts uploaded to CAS must be processed by both the law school and LSAC, it’s best to tackle this step early so that it doesn’t delay your application. Below, we offer some guidance on uploading your transcripts. For more information on the process, click here.
Which transcripts should I upload?
LSAC is very broad in its guidance regarding which transcripts to upload, so plan to upload transcripts for any grades you’ve received since graduating high school. This includes schools from which you’ve transferred, many study abroad programs, summer coursework, and post-undergraduate coursework (whether or not you ended up earning a postgraduate degree). Additionally, if you took any college classes while still in high school—even if they were taken at an institution other than your undergraduate university—make sure to include those in your uploads.
When should I upload my transcripts?
There is no reason to delay uploading transcripts compiled by schools from which you’ve already graduated. However, if you’re planning to apply to law school directly from college, wait until the summer after your junior year to upload your transcript.
As always, if you would like our expert help on your law school applications, sign up for a free consultation!