Law School Application Checklist: Everything You Need to Know
Published October 6, 2022
Applying for law school is a long and sometimes stressful process. It’s hard enough wondering if you have the good grades, determined work ethic and impassioned drive to tackle law school on its own, then you realize the application process can be a hurdle in and of itself. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Getting all your ducks in a row can be a little easier if you have a singular checklist helping you sort the steps you need to take along the way. Let’s dive into our helpful checklist that can lead you through the law school application process.
Here’s our law school application checklist:
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is the gateway to the law school admissions process. Create a free LSAC Account to get started and to access useful law school application resources.
- Register and prepare for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Pro Tip: The School of Law offers LSAT Prep Workshops and LSAT Practice Test events for a small fee. LSAC offers Free Official LSAT Prep through the Khan Academy.
LSAC’s CAS Service allows applicants to submit their official transcript(s) and recommendation letters just once even if they’re applying to multiple schools. The CAS Law School Report combines your transcript(s) and recommendation letters with your LSAT Score and LSAT Writing Sample. A copy of your CAS Law School Report is then sent to all schools you apply to.
You must request for transcript(s) to be sent directly to LSAC from each institution you attended, including graduate institutions, institutions attended for summer courses, institutions attended even though a degree was never received, and institutions from which you took college-level courses while in high school.
Pro Tip: Add all institutions you’ve attended to the Credentials & CAS tab in your LSAC.org account. Applicants may then access a Transcript Request Form from the Transcripts page.
- Arrange for at least one letter of recommendation to be submitted through LSAC’s Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Service.
Recommendations should stress your ability to think and write critically, analyze large volumes of text, and address your level of responsibility in the classroom. The Admissions Committee highly values letters from faculty members, former employers or colleagues who know you well. Two to three letters are recommended, but only one letter is required to complete your file. The Admissions Committee will accept up to four letters.
Pro Tip: Letters of recommendation help to complete the academic profile of each applicant. We highly suggest applicants ask faculty members to write these letters. Personal recommendations (e.g. letters from family, friends, members of the clergy, politicians, etc.) are strongly discouraged.
- Review your Academic Summary Report (based on your transcripts) for errors/inconsistencies.
- Access our application for admission through your LSAC.org account!
Pro Tip: Domestic applicants should select JD Application Domestic. International applicants (non-U.S. Citizens and non-U.S. Permanent Residents) should select JD Application International.
- Prepare and upload your required attachments:
- Personal Statement
- Resume
- Consider preparing and uploading optional attachments:
- Why Buffalo? Statement
- Diversity Statement
- Addenda
- Review all information provided and proofread!
- Access our application for admission through your LSAC.org account!
- Hit submit!
Hopefully this checklist will help you keep track of all the many different aspects of applying to law school, but should you need assistance along the way, please reach out to the Law School Admission Council at (215) 968-1001 or the School of Law Office of Admissions at (716) 645-2907.
For more information on the law school application process, check out the UB School of Law Blog!
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in March 2020 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Lindsay Gladney is the Vice Dean for Admissions at the University at BUffalo School of Law.
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