Pre-Law Application Process
Embarking on the path to law school is an exciting journey, and we're here to guide you through the application process. Begin by researching and selecting the law schools that align with your goals and preferences. Next, prepare for and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), a crucial component of your application. Gather your academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a compelling personal statement that highlights your motivations and qualifications. Submit your applications through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), paying careful attention to each school's specific requirements and deadlines. Throughout this process, our Pre-Law College Advising team is available to provide support, answer questions, and ensure you present your strongest application. Your journey to law school starts here, and we're excited to help you take the first steps toward a rewarding legal career.
Application Timeline
The following is a basic outline for applying to law school. For more detailed information on the law school admissions process, please visit the LSAC website.
Registering for the LSAT is the first step in preparing your application to law school. The LSAT is offered four times a year, typically in June, October, December, and February. In general, you are advised to take the LSAT in the summer or early fall preceding your application, to avoid any delays in processing your application. Ideally, you should plan to take the LSAT only once, and when you are well prepared. For more information on the LSAT, see here and here.
The Credential Assembly Service is offered through LSAC and is required for most law school applications. Registration for the Credential Assembly Service can be accomplished at the same time you register for the LSAT. The CAS registration fee, which is separate from the LSAT registration fee, includes the electronic application service, the Credential Assembly Service, the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service, and the LSAC Evaluation Service.
Tulane students generally apply to between six and ten law schools, depending on a variety of factors including admission criteria, financial resources, etc. Most law schools use the LSAC’s electronic application service; however, many also require additional application materials. Visit the websites of potential law schools and read all application instructions carefully. You should draft a basic personal statement that can be tailored to the specific requirements of each law school.
Again, follow all application instructions carefully and be mindful of deadlines. Many law schools participate in rolling admissions, which means there are more seats available in the first-year class at the beginning of the application process. The rule of thumb is to apply early.
Taking the LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is designed to measure skills that are considered essential for success in law school: reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and writing. It is one of the most important aspects of your law school application and factors heavily in law school admissions decisions.
The LSAT is administered four or five times a year, usually in June, October, December, and February. Students tend to do best on the LSAT when they take it in June after their junior year.
The test is comprised of five sections of multiple-choice questions. Each section lasts for 35 minutes. Four of the five sections count towards the test taker’s score; the fifth section is a variable section which is typically used to “pretest” new questions and test formats. At the end of the test, a 35-minute writing sample is administered. The writing sample is not scored, but copies of the writing sample are sent to all of the law schools to which you apply. To learn more about what the test measures, see here.
Your LSAT score is based on the number of questions that you answer correctly. There is no penalty for incorrect answers and questions are weighted equally. The lowest possible score is 120; the highest possible score is 180.
You may not take the LSAT more than three times in any two-year period, regardless of whether you cancel your score or your score is not otherwise reported. Wondering whether to retake the test? See here for more information.
The LSAT is something you can and should study for. Test takers should be familiar with the instructions and question types before they enter the testing center so that they will not be delayed or distracted from actually answering a question. At the same time, the LSAT is not an achievement test—it is designed to test how you think more than any specific knowledge content—and thus there are limits to what any form of preparation can do for your final score.
