Navigating the law school application process may not be overly complex, but it’s a journey that demands your time and attention. Here’s your guide to mastering every step with confidence. Scroll down to learn more about the LSAC application process, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and requesting a "Dean's Certification".

Timeline for Applying to Law School

Preparation for the law school application should begin about 18 months prior to your intended Law School start date. Visit LSAC.org to familiarize yourself with the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and CAS (Credential Assembly Service). Follow the general timeline below, noting that the LSAT is offered multiple times each year.

If you need assistance in developing a timeline, or if you have any special circumstances that may impact your application process, please schedule an appointment with one of your pre-law advisors.

Winter Quarter

Begin drafting your Personal Statement. The process of writing a personal statement for law school tends to be more difficult and time-intensive than they expected. It is important to start writing early and have your drafts reviewed by our pre-law advisors. See the personal statement information below for additional details.

Begin reviewing LSAT concepts. During the winter and spring quarters leading up to the LSAT, focus primarily on your coursework to maintain a high GPA, with only a light review of LSAT concepts to become familiar with them

Early Spring (April 1st)

Start requesting letters of recommendation. Remember, many professors may be away during summer so reaching out in Spring Quarter is key.

Decide how you will prepare for the LSAT over the summer. If you plan to study on your own, make sure to gather all the necessary books and materials. If you’re considering an LSAT preparation course, start researching companies, costs, deadlines, and summer scheduling options.

Start drafting your resume and continue refining your personal statement.

Summer

Begin preparing for the LSAT. The ideal time for intensive LSAT preparation is in the summer, either the year before or the year you plan to apply to law school. We recommend dedicating 8-10 weeks, from early summer through late August, to prepare, spending 25-30 hours per week on your studies. It’s advisable not to take courses at UCSB during this period to ensure you can focus fully on your LSAT prep. Additionally, try to reduce or eliminate other commitments to concentrate on your preparation.

Follow up with your professors regarding your letters of recommendation.

Finalize your resume and personal statement.

Late August / Early September

Take the LSAT. Your score will be posted two to three weeks after your test date.

 

End of October

Submit all of your law school applications through the CAS. You should do this as early as possible. Keep in mind that the CAS mostly applies to ABA-accredited law schools. Contact each school directly for any additional application instructions.
 

Late Fall through Early Spring

During this period, you can expect to receive law school admission decisions for the following fall. The timing of admissions decisions varies. While some students receive quick decisions, others may be waitlisted and learn of their final admissions decisions in the spring. Occasionally, a student will not receive a decision until the summer.

Applying Through the LSAC

The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) oversees the online application process for most law schools. Instead of applying directly to each school, you’ll use LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to submit your applications and required documents. LSAC also provides valuable resources, including information about law schools, upcoming recruitment events, and tips for choosing the "right" school.

Use the links below to access LSAC resources with detailed information regarding the application process, deadlines, fees, and other important considerations:

LSAC Homepage Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)

 

The CAS Process

As part of the application process through the LSAC, students will:

  1. Create a CAS account

  2. Make a reservation to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)

  3. Submit a personal statement

  4. Submit letters of recommendation

  5. Submit a resume

  6. Submit other optional documentation as needed

Guide to an Outstanding Personal Statement.

Most law schools require the submission of a personal statement along with your application materials. While writing a personal statement may seem like a straightforward task, many students find that this exercise is more difficult than they previously estimated. Before you begin writing your personal statement, review the tips and considerations below—and, most importantly, begin the writing process as early as possible.

Your personal statement should not exceed the specified page limit, so you will be unable to condense your entire biography. Instead, highlight and develop the most important ideas.

Specific examples will make your personal statement more interesting, memorable, and clear.

 Ask questions about what you are writing—who, what, why, where, etc.—and try to answer them as you craft sentences.

Avoid using the “hooks” or devices recommended in how-to books. Law school admissions committees are likely to have seen them before. Instead, aim for a clear and well-written statement that focuses on you rather than gimmicks.

Instead of guessing about what you think law schools most want to know, discuss the ideas and experiences that are most significant to you.
 

 

Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose

Some general resources may use the terms "personal statement" and "statement of purpose" interchangeably, but these are distinct types of essays. A personal statement is an essay that reflects on your personal life or experiences, while a statement of purpose focuses on your specific reasons for pursuing a particular field, program, or school.

Most law schools require a personal statement. However, some may include specific prompts that guide your writing, leading you to create a hybrid statement—part personal statement, part statement of purpose. It’s crucial to carefully read each school’s instructions to ensure your statement meets their requirements. If you’re unsure about what to write, don’t try to combine different prompts into a single document. This essay is often your only opportunity, outside of a rare in-person interview, for an admissions officer to get to know you.

Letters of Recommendation

 

Most ABA-accredited law schools and many non-ABA accredited law schools require letters of recommendation (LORs) as part of the law school application process, with a minimum of two letters coming from academic sources. An academic source is anyone that has supervised you in an academic setting (e.g, a professor, lecturer, TA, research supervisor). Beyond that, additional recommendation letters can come from other sources (e.g. employers, supervisors, or anyone else that has clear oversight over your work and knows you well).

Choosing a Recommender

Your recommenders should be able to provide meaningful information about you, specifically regarding your:

  • Character
  • Work ethic
  • Analytic abilities
  • Level of professionalism
  • Unique personal attributes
  • Skills and strengths

Dean's Certifications

 

 

 

 

Some law schools, as well as many other graduate schools, will ask for some form of academic and disciplinary clearance. Depending on the school, this statement could have several possible titles, which may include: “Dean’s Certification,” “Disciplinary Clearance,” “Statement of Undergraduate Dean,” or something similar. The information requested in these forms varies slightly, but most have two basic elements to address: your undergraduate disciplinary record and any history of academic probation.  

Check each law school’s website to find out what type of statement is needed, when it is due, and how it should be submitted—whether by form or written letter. Please note: these forms or letters are not part of your law school application process through the LSAC and are filed with law schools directly.

 

How to submit a Dean's Certification/Disciplinary Clearance Request.

The Office of Student Contact maintains all disciplinary records. They are located on the 2nd floor of the Student Resource Building, or SRB). To submit a standard Dean's Certification request for graduate schools, including law school, please email your form for a given school with your portion completed to StudentConduct@sa.ucsb.edu.

Students that have been on Academic Review (formally known as Academic Probation) at any point while at UCSB

A very small number of law schools may request a letter from UCSB addressing your academic status. These law schools include Cardozo, Columbia, Duke, NYU, Stanford, and USC, among very few others. If you have been specifically asked by one of these law schools to submit a letter addressing your academic status while at UCSB, please email your request to academic_advising@Ltsc.ucsb.edu and one of our pre-law advisors will check in with you to let you know we are processing your request.

NOTE: The law schools that request a statement addressing your probation status while at UCSB do not provide a form for this process. When you email your request to us, please make sure to include the name and address of the law school/s and include your LSAC ID number.

We're here to help.

 

Whether you're a current student or an alumnus applying to law schools, we can help! Do not hesitate to contact our Pre-Law Advisors. 

Contact Pre-Law Advisors