Pre-Law Guide - How to Apply

As a part of your fee for LSDAS, LSAC provides you with electronic applications from all ABA-approved law schools. These applications are available sometime in early August. Some schools may require additional materials that can only be found in their catalogs or on their websites. You should check each law school's website or catalog to make sure your application materials are complete and on time. You can find an LSDAS Electronic Application demo and a link to frequently asked question on the LSAC.org website.

It is essential in preparing a law school application to read all material and instructions carefully and then prepare the form and all supportive documents meticulously. This entails succinctness, thoroughness, and clarity. Besides the application form itself, you will probably need to submit supplements or addenda; this supporting information is important to the admissions officer's evaluation of you, so send any relevant material.

Personal Statements

In addition to some short answer essays or elaboration which may be requested on the applications, most schools will expect you to respond in an open-ended essay which has become known as the personal statement. It is usually solicited in the following manner: Is there any other information or achievement, or any part of your record or application, to which you wish to call attention? Your answer may be derived from any topic that you feel might strengthen your application.

It is important to remember that this statement will be used in an assessment of your character as well as your writing style and ability. This means that you must be absolutely honest, and you must express yourself clearly. You will want to present the most positive picture of yourself and your strong points, but be sure that the picture is really of you. Law school admissions committees, having read thousands of statements, have become sensitive in distinguishing the honest ones from those that misrepresent the writers. The admissions committees also look closely at the way you express yourself in writing, so make your personal statement a lucid and skillful piece.

Consult the pre-law advisor for advice regarding your personal statements, and any other application problems, at the beginning of your senior year. A panel of law school representatives from various law schools is presented early each fall to assist seniors who are immersed in the law school application process.

Recommendations

Almost all law schools require you to provide at least two references, most law schools will accept three recommendations. The faculty recommendations must come from persons who are knowledgeable about your intellectual capability and can evaluate your work, competence, and aptitude. Simple statements about your character, personality, or background are not adequate.

If you had a good summer internship experience or are involved in athletics or other activities at Williams, you may want to consider asking your employer, a coach or other college administrator to write a third letter of recommendation.

The dean's certification form, if required, is used by schools to determine any personal or academic information not likely to appear elsewhere in your file. Be aware that the dean's certification form can be used to bring to the attention of a law school some aspect of your academic or personal background that might otherwise be overlooked. A particularly bad or incongruous grade, a personal or academic mishap, or on the other hand, a positive experience of consequence relevant to law school admission can be officially noted or explained. If you have any questions about any of these issues, you should schedule an appointment with one of the deans.

Approach those from whom you want to request recommendations early enough that they can submit them on time, because your application will not be complete until the required recommendation letters have been received at the law schools. Be courteous and helpful to those writing your letters. It is a good idea to inform them about your application schedule, and to check on their progress from time to time. According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you will have to make a choice as to whether or not to waive your right of access to recommendations written for you. Finally, be careful not to overload your file with too many recommendation letters; they will bog down the admissions committee and not necessarily give you any advantage.

Submitting the Application

Time is of the essence in submitting your applications. If you are interested in one law school that is early decision binding, the deadline is very early (around November 1). In order to be competitive, the deadline to apply to law schools in during the week of Thanksgiving.

Remember, your application is not complete until all the required items: application form, fee, faculty and/or dean's certification, and LSAT/LSDAS reports have been received by the law school. It is your obligation to make sure that all of these documents reach the school.

When you electronically submit your applications to LSAC, it takes LSAC 48 hours to process before the information is to the law schools. You can make sure they were sent to the law schools by going to your account at www.LSAC.org and checking your LSAC file status.

Interviews

Interviews are neither required nor encouraged by law school admissions committees. If you are a borderline applicant, and can arrange an interview through an alumnus, or another connection, go for it--it will not hurt your chances and may improve them. You might visit schools you are considering, sit in on a class, and drop by the admissions office. Have a few questions ready, and be prepared to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself for conversation with a member of the staff, but do not expect a candid appraisal of your chances for admission. Ordinarily there is no verbal communication between you and the admissions committee, so you must be sure all pertinent information is included in the written application.

Financial Aid

The average loan after completing three years of law school is $90,000. This may have a significant impact on you if you have incurred undergraduate student loans or if you have massive credit card debt. It may alter your choices of employment after graduating from law school (making a large enough salary to meet expenses versus what type of law you really want to practice).

In order to help defray some of these costs, some students choose to work for a couple of years before applying to law school.

If you anticipate wanting or needing financial aid, start looking into it early. Generally, law school admissions are need blind, which means that applicants are considered for admission regardless of financial need.

Each law school has its own way of handling the need for financial aid, so you should call the Financial Aid Office of schools to which you plan to apply. Request the necessary information and applications.

Most law school financial aid is awarded according to need, and loans represent the major source of funds. Inquire about federal, state, and university loans which may be available to you. Pay careful attention to deadlines. Some schools do have special scholarships about which you should inquire. You should also investigate loan forgiveness programs at each school.

Applicants of color should be aware that there are some programs designed to promote their law school opportunities. The Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) is a federally funded program, which assists economically and/or educationally disadvantaged persons to undertake legal study.

Finally, be sure to check your local American Bar Association for additional loan and grant information.