CHECKLIST FOR LAW SCHOOL
STARTING OUT…
 Visit www.lsac.org and create a free student account…there is a TON of information for pre-law students on
this site!
 Take courses that will prepare you for the study of law: courses in English, History, Government, Criminal
Justice or Philosophy…and GET GREAT GRADES
 Intern or volunteer with a law-related organization
o Contact your major advisor to determine if there are law-related internships available through your
major. Also visit the Sac State Career Center to ask about joining their job/internship listservs in
areas that relate to government and law.
 Join a pre-law organizations or honor societies on your campus CSUS Phi Alpha Delta www.csus-pad.com,
2013-2014 President, Madyson Baker at madybaker@gmail.com
 Form relationships with professors who may be willing to write letters of recommendation in the future
 Take leadership roles and volunteer in community service or student organizations that you are passionate
about and committed to
 Meet with a pre-law advisor (contact Debbie Mullin at 916-278-6485 for information)
 Study for the LSAT for at least one year prior to taking the test and take as many practice LSATs as possible
o Sign up for our Sac State on campus FREE practice LSAT (one each semester, hosted by Kaplan)
 Visit a law school open house or shadowing day and attend a law school forum
o Spring Law Day, on or around May 1st of each year
o CSUS Fall Law Forum – October 10, 2013, 12pm-5pm, University Union, Lobby Suite & Redwood
Room
 Check your credit report every year and resolve any errors or negative issues
APPLYING TO LAW SCHOOL…
 Inquire about the LSAT fee waiver at www.lsac.org (fee waiver applications begin at the beginning of the
year each year, and the money is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to those who qualify). If you
don’t qualify for a waiver, the current fee is $165 to register for the exam.
 Prepare for the LSAT and inquire with test preparation organizations about scholarships
o Plan to take the LSAT approximately a year prior to your planned law school start date (e.g. take
October 2014 test for a fall 2015 law school start)
 Sign up for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), the current fee is $160 for this service, and submit
transcripts from all undergraduate institutions (jr. colleges, prior 4-year colleges, and your institution of
graduation)
Prepared by: Laurie Kubicek, JD
Fall 2013
 Develop rough draft your personal statement (summer prior to applying) – check each school’s application
to ensure that you speak directly to their question and ask your pre-law advisor to review it
 Consider whether you will need an addendum to your personal statement to explain an inconsistency or
problem in your application (e.g. low LSAT score or GPA); if so, develop a draft of the addendum
 Secure two letters of recommendation – typically from two professors, as writers to submit prior to the time
you plan for your applications to be submitted (if you plan to submit applications by Nov. 1st, ask
recommenders to submit letters by Oct. 15th)
 Prepare a law resume – have your pre-law advisor review it
 Choose a wide range of schools and request catalogs & fee waivers if you qualify (attend a law forum and
meet with representatives from the schools you are interested in…Sac State’s Fall Law Forum!)
 Be prepared to negotiate your financial aid; research and apply for scholarships
 Be proactive if you are placed on the waitlist for admission
APPLICATION TIPS FOR APPLICANTS FROM TRADITIONALLY DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS…
 Search out and apply for outreach programs available at ABA law schools (e.g. King Hall Outreach Program,
UC Davis School of Law “Boot Camp”, Santa Clara’s PLUS Program)
 Consider applying to CLEO’s sophomore summer program or senior summer fellowship; visit
www.cleoscholars.com for eligibility and application information
 Apply for the LSAC fee wavier early (new applications are typically available each March)
 Ask law schools about application fee waivers
 Develop a personal statement that highlights your ability to overcome challenges
 Inquire about student support programs available at the law schools where you apply
 Seek out “like-minded” student organizations on your law school campus to develop a network of support
USEFUL LINKS…
o http://officialguide.lsac.org/ – official guide to ABA law schools
o http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ – Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – make sure to submit
between January 1 – March 1 each year
o Need access application http://www.needaccess.org (typically a March 1st deadline)
o Scholarships: www.finaid.org, www.fastweb.com/fastweb/register,
http://www.collegenet.com/elect/app/app
o Law School Admission Test http://www.lsac.org/LSAT/test-dates-deadlines.asp
o Discover Law http://www.discoverlaw.org/
o Diversity Special Interest http://www.lsac.org/SpecialInterests/SpecialInterest-menu.asp
o UC Davis Law Outreach www.law.ucdavis.edu/prospective/outreach
o Personal Statement Writing Tips: http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/law-school-personal-statementtips.html
Prepared by: Laurie Kubicek, JD
Fall 2013