Career Development Office - Graduate & Professional School

Open credential file with Career Development Office.
It is recommended that, by the time you start the application process for law school, often the fall of senior year, that you have in your file two academic recommendations and one extracurricular or work recommendation. This is something to work on during junior year.
Continue to research information about legal careers, using materials and resources available through Career Services.
Identify factors important to you in your choice of schools.
Develop a rough list of the schools you think you want to explore further. Spend some time reviewing their websites and look up information about them in the latest edition of the Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools, and in other books in the Career Services library.

Attend a Pre Law Applicant workshop.
Sign up for the Pre Law distribution list.
Schedule an appointment with pre law advisor
Attend CDO panels of lawyers and law students.
Research law schools.
Secure three recommendations before fall semester, Senior Year
Begin preparing for the LSAT. Sign up for an LSAT prep course if necessary. If you can, take the LSAT in June (and register for it in April.)

If you are continuing to explore the idea of a legal career, consider an internship related to law.
Prepare for the October LSAT if you did not take the LSAT in June.
Begin to narrow down your list of schools and, if close by, attend a law school fair.
Register for LSDAS and LSAT and forward all transcripts
Pick up some old application forms and look at the essay questions. Work on your essay during the summer.

Attend a law school fair if there is one close to you.
Fill out application for Deans Letter/Certification form at the Deans Office
Be sure that you are registered for LSDAS and get all the requisite forms to LSDAS, including transcripts, letters of recommendation(CDO).
Begin to obtain application forms, or decide how you are going to apply. It is okay to use electronic application forms.
Be sure to check your LSDAS report carefully when it comes back.
Meet with Pre Law Advisor to review your final list and to be sure that you have taken care of everything.
Have your essay critiqued.
GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN BY THANKSGIVING, OR EARLIER IF APPLYING EARLY ACTION. ALSO MANY SCHOOLS HAVE ROLLING ADMISSIONS SO IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO GET ALL YOUR APPLICATIONS TO LAW SCHOOLS BY EARLY DECEMBER.
Find out if there are any financial aid forms that you need to fill out when applying.

In January, send LSDAS copies of your official transcript with your fall grades (unless you grades suffered badly and the schools don't require it from you.)
If applying for financial aid, fill out the FAFSA form by the end of February.
If waitlisted, send schools a letter informing them of your continued interest and any relevant information about honors, projects, etc., along with another letter if recommendation.
Don't make your final decision until you have heard from most of your schools. Some schools may offer you fellowship money and that may be a factor in your decision.
If you have been accepted to the school of your choice, then put down a deposit and be sure to meet ALL DEADLINES for submitting subsequent deposits and paperwork.