University of Nevada, Reno
Professional and Graduate
School Planning (PGSP)
Career Development
Thompson Building 200/Mail Stop 104
Reno, Nevada 89557-0282
(775) 784-4678
LAW SCHOOL APPLICATION CHECKLIST
The Law school application process ideally begins during your junior year or in the year
prior to your anticipated attendance at law school.
1) Develop a list of target schools using the ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA Approved
Law Schools, or the “Searchable Edition of the ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA
Approved Law Schools” found at http://officialguide.isac.org/docs/cgi-bin/home.asp. The
official guide to law schools can be purchased at most bookstores, perused in the PGSP
Resource Library (200 Thompson Building); or accessed at www.LSAS.org
2) It’s a good idea to attend a law school fair. This is YOUR chance to talk directly with
admission’s directors from the law schools. Locally you have the opportunity to attend
several such events.
Law School Recruitment Forums
San Francisco – 9/16/06
San Francisco Hilton
University of Nevada, Reno - 9/21/06
JTSU 10:00 am- 2:00p
Los Angeles – 11/10/06 & 11/11/06
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
3) The LSAT/LSDAS Information book is available in the lobby outside Counseling
Services (Thompson Building, second floor) or on-line at www.LSAC.org which also has
links to law school websites.
4) JUNIOR YEAR – Attend PGSP workshops on applying to law school, writing personal
statement, obtaining letters of recommendation, etc. Prepare for and take the LSAT as
early as you can be completely prepared. February and June dates are best in that scores
are available in plenty of time to plan an application strategy and/or take the early fall
test, if necessary. With importance placed on the LSAT, it is hard to choose schools
effectively without the score. Start requesting letters for recommendation.
5) Summer: Research the schools to which you are going to apply and get your application
materials in order. Draft summaries of your resume and your personal statement. If you
want help on the personal statement, do the following: attend a personal statement
workshop, review resources available in the PGSP Resource Library, prepare a draft and
have it reviewed by the Writing Center and/or Pat Wilson in the PGSP.
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6) Fall: If you haven’t already done so, register for LSDAS and arrange for your transcripts
to be sent by the Registrar of all the colleges you have attended directly to LSDAS.
Forms and information are in the LSAT/LSDAS booklet.
7) Get your applications in as early as possible! Although deadlines are from January 15 to
March 15, many law schools review files AS THEY ARE COMPLETED. Files
completed by Thanksgiving have an advantage in such review processes. Most
applications can be obtained, on the web sites of the schools, or on the Searchable Edition
of the ABA – LSAC Official Guide to Law Schools. Then start completing financial aid
materials.
Letters of Recommendation: The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) has a Letter of
Recommendation service for people applying to law school. This service is described in
the LSAT and LSDAS information book, and on the LSAC website. The letter service
allows candidates to submit up to 3 general letters of recommendation to LSAC, which
will copy the letters and send them at the time the LSDAS Report is sent to the schools.
Agreement to receive letters through the service does not imply that a law school will
receive letters exclusively in this manner; it is expected that many schools will continue
to receive school-specific letters directly. Use of the service is optional unless a law
school to which you are applying states that its use is required. You should always check
specific letter of recommendation requirements of each law school to which you are
applying. PGSP also offers a Letter of Recommendation Service (LRS). Forms for this
procedure are available in the Career Development office or online at
www.unr.edu/career/students/undergrad/PGSP/PGSP.html
Other Thoughts:
How are YOU going to pay for law school?
Contact the financial aid office of all the schools to which you are applying.
Monitor your file at every law school. Double check everything – LSDAS, recommendations,
etc. - to make sure your file is complete.
You may want to consider visiting the “final contender” schools.
To pursue an academic interest in depth, you may consider research. However, research need
not be in any particular field.
There are many paths to law school. People with different backgrounds, experiences, and ages,
all get there; schools have differing goals, admissions policies and academic programs.
While developing the ability to read, write, and think, explore the social sciences, humanities,
and the natural sciences. The law touches every area of human endeavor.
When you make your decision to attend a law school:
1). Pay your deposit to the law school.
2). Order a final transcript (certifying graduation) to be sent to the law
school you will attend.
3). Let Pat Wilson know your plans!
For Additional Information:
www.unr.edu/career/students/undergrad/PGSP/PGSP.html
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