Applying to Law School

You typically apply to law school about one year before you want to start the program. You will need to identify programs that match your interests and complete an application. Some steps take time so plan ahead!

Schools & Programs

• Find ABA approved Search for Law Schools – LSAC Official Guide | The Law School Admission Council - consider competitiveness, curriculum, cost, and other Selection Factors
• Attend individual law school information sessions - information about session dates on law school websites
• Attend events to learn more about law schools
  
  • LSAC Law School Forums | The Law School Admission Council
  • Upcoming Events - West Coast Consortium of Private Law Schools (weebly.com)

LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)

• LSAT - Prepare, Practice, Take the Test - Take the LSAT - Law School Admission Test | The Law School Admission Council (lsac.org)
• Find out whether you are eligible for LSAT and CAS fee waivers
• Preparing for the Law School Admission Test
• Test Preparation Courses in San Diego | UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies (ucsd.edu) for GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT
• Student Grant Program | Continuing Education | UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies (ucsd.edu) - current students can apply, if eligible, for a $500 fee waiver.
• Test Prep:  Official LSAT Content Licensees | The Law School Admission Council (lsac.org)

Application Components

• Applications - Carefully prepare and submit
  • LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) compiles your transcripts, letters, and LSAT scores
  • School-specific applications through LSAC (includes essays, resumes, etc.)
• LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service
• Academic/Experience – Law school admissions officers share that it does not matter what you study or what you do as long as it challenges you and you are passionate about it.
• Resume Application Toolkit: Resume | Harvard Law School | Resume Advice & Samples | Yale Law School

General Timeline

Before the Year You Apply

• Summer/Fall: Take a diagnostic LSAT to determine how much time you need to prepare.
• Fall/Winter: Prepare for the LSAT, research schools, outline ideas for your personal statement, determine your recommenders, and reach out to them to find out if they can write you a letter of recommendation and ask what information they need to support you with writing your recommendation.  Find UC San Diego Alumni mentors through LinkedIn.

The Year You Apply

• January or earlier:  Meet with a Pre-Law Advisor at UC San Diego Career Center to develop your timeline and action steps. Schedule an appointment in Handshake under law school application support, or stop by drop-in advising. Pre-Law
• April, June, and August: Take the LSAT
• June-August: Start drafting personal statements and other application materials.  
• July: Sign up for LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
• July-August: Narrow down the list of schools and take the September LSAT if necessary. 
• September: LSAC application portal opens. Check the requirements for each school and tailor materials accordingly. 
• Fall-Winter: Submit applications.  Consider that many law schools have rolling admissions, and applying earlier in the application cycle is advised. Many rolling admissions schools recommend applying no later than November 1st or earlier.

Resources

Evaluate the cost of law school and how you can pay for a legal education

• LSAC Financial Aid Overview
• Financing your legal education

Scholarship Resources

• Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund (americanbar.org)
• Scholarship Databank | AccessLex
• Scholarship Estimator

Pre-Law Programs

• Summer Prelaw Programs | The Law School Admission Council (lsac.org)

UC San Diego Pre-Law Resources

• Pre-Law Mailing List: This mailing list is for students interested in staying updated on pre-law related events, news, and resources.
• UC San Diego YouTube Channel
• Law and Politics Initiative (ucsd.edu)
• Fall Graduate and Professional Virtual Fair - Meet with Admissions Officers from law schools to ask questions - check Handshake Fairs for more information and to register

Pre-Law Student Organizations

• Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity.  You can sign up for their newsletter with internships, career opportunities, events, and other helpful information  
• Pi Alpha Delta
• Society for Hispanics in Law (SOHIL)
• Association of Muslims in Politics and Law
• Project Venus
• Moot Court
• Mock Trial