Applying to Law School
The process for applying to law schools resembles the undergraduate application process: applicants take an entrance exam, draw up several written documents, secure recommendations, identify schools, and submit their materials through a centralized application system. This page provides an overview of the application process. While this is a good place to start, it is strongly encouraged that students meet with the pre-law advisor as early as possible in the application process to discuss their plans. Students intending to apply during their senior year should schedule a meeting no later than the spring semester of the junior year.
Applications to all ABA-accredited law schools are submitted through the . Prospective applicants may create a free account with LSAC whenever they like, which allows them to register for the LSAT and to make a list of potential law schools. In order to finish the application process, applicants will also need to purchase a subscription to LSAC's , through which they will upload academic transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Law school applications are typically composed of the items listed below. See the Pre-Law Guide for more detailed information on each component. A sample law school application budget template is available .
- An entrance exam score. Applicants to law school most commonly take the . Over 100 law schools now also accept the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in lieu of the LSAT. The GRE offers flexibility to students who are considering law school alongside other graduate-level programs. The Educational Testing Service publishes Schools have also started to accept the JD Next exam, an online law school prep course program and entrance test, in lieu of an LSAT or GRE. However, for students intending only to apply to law school, the LSAT remains the best exam option. Please see this page for more information regarding LSAT preparation, as well as the Pre-Law Guide.
- An undergraduate transcript. Applicants must submit transcripts from all undergraduate institutions from which they have earned academic credit, per the . Depending on the college or university, these transcripts may either be sent electronically or by mail. Once all of the transcripts have been received, LSAC will compute a new Undergraduate GPA (UGPA), which averages an applicants grades from across all institutions. Please note that this will likely differ from a student's ÂÌñÉç GPA, which includes only grades earned at ÂÌñÉç. Learn more about the LSAC's grade conversion system on
- A personal statement. This short statement introduces the applicant and allows them the chance, in their own voice, to explain who they are, what they value, and why they are interested in law. Though short—typically no more than two double-spaced pages—personal statements can be quite difficult to write. See this page for a more detailed description, as well as reflective questions to help you get started. Allow plenty of time for revisions. Students are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the Pre-Law Advisor to discuss how to improve your essay; remember to email the file to prelaw@binghamton.edu at least 24 hours in advance. Students can also make an appointment with the Writing Center to receive additional feedback, such as how to organize your paragraphs, polish your grammar, or refine your sentence structure.
- A resume. Because the law school application is a graduate school application, the résumé should place education first, including awards and honors, before listing relevant experience. Feel free to take up two pages! Unlike hiring committees, law school representatives need to see the full range of your undergraduate activities, community service, professional experiences, and skills. A resume template to help you get started is available . Schedule an appointment with the Pre-Law Advisor if you have additional questions.
- Letters of recommendation. Requirements vary with regard to letters of recommendation. Some schools allow as many as four but the standard requirement is two letters. It is expected that these recommendations, will come from faculty members who can best speak to an applicant's abilities as a student. Beyond those two primary recommenders, additional letters may come from professional sources, such as an internship supervisor, who can speak to an applicant's professionalism and responsibility. Please see for more information on letters of recommendation.
- Optional essays. Many schools supply prompts for additional essays that applicants may submit alongside the personal statement. The topics vary widely. The most common perhaps is the "diversity statement," which asks what an applicant will contribute to the culture and community of the law school or legal profession. Another asks why an applicant has chosen to apply to a particular school. Others may ask about obstacles that applicants have overcome or commitments to particular kinds of legal practice. While some are more lighthearted, asking about favorite recipes or songs. The intent here is to allow applicants a chance to provide a fuller picture of themselves. These essays are truly optional. If an applicant feels that an optional essay would contribute materially to the application, then it may be a good idea to write one. If, on the other hand, the optional essay feels perfunctory, it may detract from the other components of the application.
- Addenda. Addenda are similar to optional essays, in that they are not required for every application. Rather than address prompts provided by the law school, addenda clarify certain aspects of an applicant's record. Most often, these have to do either with academic performance (such as addressing a difficult semester, highlighting an upward trend in the GPA, or explaining a change in LSAT scores) or with issues related to character and fitness. Regarding the latter case, if an applicant discloses any previous student conduct violation or legal issue, law schools will typically require a statement detailing the incident. They may also request that the Pre-Law Office complete a Dean's Certification form.