Checklist & Timeline
a to-do list
As you apply for law school admission, you will find the whole process much easier if you start early, organize your efforts, keep accurate records, and monitor your files. To help you do this, complete the following steps:
-Regardless of your classification -- first-year, sophomore, junior, senior -- please make an appointment soon with Janet Hopkins, Pre-Law Services, if you have questions or concerns, or if you just need some guidance about whether you should even pursue a law career. However, plan to meet with Janet Hopkins NO LATER than early in the spring semester of your junior year to assess the status of your preparations and to map out your best application strategy. NOTE that law school applications occur in the FALL of the senior year. Email jhopkins@smu.edu or phone 214-768-1272 to make an appointment. Or, stop by 108 Clements Hall to sign up for an appointment on the scheduling calendar.
-Subscribe to the pre-law listserve. If you wish to subscribe from on-campus with your SMU email address, visit www.smu.edu/prelaw and follow the easy directions. If you have a non-SMU email address that you would like to add to the listserve, send an email to jhopkins@smu.edu and we will include the email address for you. Being on the listserve will give you access to any late-breaking news about the application process, law schools, upcoming events, and any relevant pre-law information.
-If you are planning to apply for Fall '09 law school admission, pick up (and READ) the 2008/2009 LSAT & LSDAS Information Book, available in the hallway outside 108 Clements Hall. The information book also includes a sample LSAT from the June 2007 test administration
-The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) administers the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) four times during each application cycle -- June, October, December, February. When you have decided on a specific test administration date, visit www.lsac.org to register online for an LSAT test date. [Note: The remaining LSAT test date for the 2008-2009 application cycle is Feb. 7, 2009.] Be sure to check YES in the appropriate box on your LSAT registration form that releases your test and application data to Janet Hopkins.
-As you register for an LSAT test date, also complete your registration with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), which is the division within LSAC that handles all the paperwork that is processed and placed in your LSAC file. The LSDAS provides a means of centralizing and standardizing undergraduate academic records to streamline the law school application process. Most law schools require that you register with the LSDAS. The LSDAS prepares and provides a report for each law school to which you apply. The report contains (a) academic summary; (b) copies of transcripts from all schools which you have attended; (c) LSAT score and writing sample from your LSAT; and (d) copies of recommendation letters. When law schools are ready to review your application, they will contact the LSDAS and request a report.
-PREPARE FOR AND TAKE THE LSAT as soon as you are thoroughly and completely prepared. June or October dates are best because if you apply by November 1 (which is typically the Early Application Deadline at most law schools), you will be in the early applicant pool. Positioning yourself in this pool is advantageous because law schools take about half of their entering class from the early applicants. Also, scholarship funding typically goes to the early applicants. Regardless of any other preparations you are making, take 6-8 (or more) practice LSATs under simulated, timed conditions. Note: Most law schools now take the highest of multiple LSAT test scores. However, the wisest strategy is to vigorously prepare for the LSAT and give it your best one-time effort.
-Take a look at the ABA / LSAC OFFICIAL GUIDE TO ABA-APPROVED LAW SCHOOLS (2009 edition). This book is produced by the American Bar Association and the Law School Admission Council and can help you develop a list of target law schools. For this you will need both your undergraduate GPA (GPA) and LSAT score. A hard copy of the above-mentioned Guide can be purchased at most bookstores; the entire book is also accessible online via www.lsac.org. No other publication comes close to the accuracy of this book’s information on applications/acceptances, bar passage rates, and much more. Links to all ABA-approved law schools are provided on the Law School Admission Council’s home page, www.lsac.org, from which you can also download law school application materials.
-You will need to supply the LSAC with official transcripts from every college or university you have attended since high school. If you took college courses (not AP) while in high school, you must supply a transcript from that college. Refer to the 2008/2009 LSAT & LSDAS Information Book for specific information on this issue. High school transcripts are not required. The official LSAC Transcript Request Form (download from www.lsac.org) MUST accompany your transcripts. BE AWARE: If you have a Mac computer, you may not be able to view the Transcript Request Form; use a PC to access the LSAC website and print out the form. Important note: Official transcripts must be sent directly from the registrar of the attended institutions. Transcripts issued TO YOU personally and sent BY YOU personally to the LSAC or to law schools will be returned TO YOU unprocessed. Law schools WILL REFUSE transcripts that have not been processed through and sent from LSAC.
-Make arrangements for your recommendation letters. Select recommenders (typically professors) who know you well, who can speak to your intellectual and academic capabilities, and for whom you have done your best work. The official LSAC Letter of Recommendation form (download from www.lsac.org) MUST accompany your recommendation letters. BE AWARE: If you have a Mac computer, you may not be able to view the Letter of Recommendation form; use a PC to access the LSAC website and print out the LOR form. It is your responsibility to ensure that your recommenders have that official form (signed by you) in hand so that it can be attached to their individual letter which they can mail directly to LSAC. It is considered a courtesy to provide your recommenders with a resume as well, but they use it as a reference tool only and do not include it with your rec letter. After you connect with your recommenders, expect the letter-writing process to take 4-6 weeks, so plan ahead! If you have questions, refer to the recommendation guidelines of the 2008/2009 LSAT & LSDAS Information Book, or contact Janet Hopkins at jhopkins@smu.edu.
-Get your application materials in order. Resume: Draft summaries of your academics, work history, and most important activities. Personal Statement: The hardest part of writing a personal statement is getting started. Sample personal statements are available for you to read in the Pre-Law Advising office in 108 Clements Hall. Phone or email for an appointment to go over your materials, or you may email your resume and personal statement drafts, along with any other materials needing review, directly to Janet Hopkins at jhopkins@smu.edu. There are no remedial writing classes in law school, and the personal statement is your opportunity to display your writing skills. Note: The final version of your personal statement and anything else that you submit with your applications should have no grammatical, punctuation, or sentence structure errors.
-Prepare your applications as early as possible. An increasing number of schools have early application schedules requiring June or October LSATs and applications submitted in September or October. Although most application deadlines are between January 15 and March 15, most law schools review files AS THEY ARE COMPLETED. Applicant files submitted by the Early Application deadline (typically November 1) have an advantage in such review processes. Note: Law schools take about half of their incoming class from early applicants. Also, scholarship money generally goes to the early applicants.
-Around 30 law schools require completion of a
Dean’s Certification Form (a separate form
specific to the law school and considered part of the application materials).
If you are applying to one or more law schools that have such forms, Janet
Hopkins
can complete those forms for you. Don't forget to indicate "yes"
or "no" in the "Waiving your right of access to the form" section, and
remember to sign and date each form!
Either mail the forms
directly (see mailing address below) or bring them to the Pre-Law
Office in 108 Clements Hall. Phone 214-768-1272 or email
jhopkins@smu.edu if you have questions regarding Dean’s Certification Forms.
-Monitor your LSDAS file via www.lsac.org
and your applicant file at each law school.
-Law school is an expensive proposition. NOW IS THE TIME TO GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER! Here are some suggestions:
--Pay off (or significantly reduce) credit card debt and other forms of consumer debt.
--Save as much money as possible to apply toward your legal education and
related costs;
don't rely on borrowing any more money than you absolutely must to finance your legal
education.
--Keep lifestyle expectations consistent with your financial resources;
don't expect to live like a
well-paid lawyer while in law school.
--Check your credit! It's easy, inexpensive, and will save lots of
time later. Knowing what's on
your credit report will give you the
opportunity to correct any discrepancies, and could mean
a significant
difference in student loan rates. Here are three major credit
reporting services:
Equifax: www.equifax.com
Experian: www.experian.com
Trans Union: www.transunion.com
--January is the time to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid)
application necessary to be considered for financial aid.
Apply online at FAFSA.ED.GOV.
-As your offers arrive in the spring, consider visiting the "final contender" schools. Contact the admission offices to arrange tours. Definitely sit in on some classes to see for yourself what the "Socratic" method of teaching is all about!
-Attend recruiting events. This is your chance to talk directly with law school admission directors. Refer to the Special Events link at www.smu.edu/prelaw for information on current events.
-When you make your decision, be sure to do the following: (1) pay your deposit
to the law school; (2) order and send your final official transcript certifying
graduation; (3) keep Janet Hopkins informed of your plans and, most
importantly, of your acceptances. We like to celebrate the
successes of our students!
-Feel welcome to contact the Pre-Law Services Office if you have
any questions.
Janet Hopkins
Pre-Law Services
Southern Methodist University
108 Clements Hall
PO Box 750272
Dallas, TX 75275-0272
214-768-1272 ph
214-768-3056 fax
jhopkins@smu.edu
