University at Buffalo (UB)
We encourage you to review the following to learn more about the law school application process.
Law schools seek students who can think critically, write well and possess good interpersonal skills. You can pursue any undergraduate major. Select something you find interesting, challenging and enjoyable. Work hard to earn good grades.
No, there is no set of prescribed courses for law school.
Your Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score, undergraduate grade-point average, letters of recommendation and personal statement (and often, your resume) are the primary factors used to determine law school admission.
Law schools are looking for well-rounded applicants and involvement in campus and community activities can be beneficial. However, you need to keep in mind that your grades are important, so don’t sacrifice academic performance by over-extending yourself. Participating in different extracurricular activities, such as leadership experiences, internships and volunteering will enrich your college experience. Law schools will be impressed if you have been able to achieve a healthy balance between academics and extracurricular activities.
Law schools do not require applicants to have work experience in the field of law. However, students intending to attend law school should definitely consider interning or volunteering in a law-related position, to gain a better understanding of law as a professional career. It is in fact very, very important to have a keen understanding of the legal profession before venturing into a long and costly legal education.
Visit the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website to browse law programs. Law school websites are an excellent resource to learn about which program is right for you.
Many organizations, like U.S. News and World Report, issue law school rankings every year. However, it is very important to understand all rankings are subjective and there are inconsistencies in ranking methodologies. Therefore, it is best to review law school employment statistics and talk to students who have attended the law school. This approach will help you make an informed decision about which programs meet your individual needs and interests.
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) provides access to materials such as the Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools™, which contains admission profiles for law schools. Law School Transparency is an excellent resource as it also includes vital information such as employment statistics.
If possible, it is recommended that students apply to six to eight schools. You should plan on applying to schools in these categories:
Ideally, you should take the LSAT in June prior to the year you plan on attending law school. However, if you are not fully prepared, you should take the LSAT at a later date. You should plan to take the LSAT only once. Repeat only if your score is low and you feel it is not an accurate reflection of your true ability. Normally, scores vary by no more than a few points. Schools now report only your higher LSAT score to the American Bar Association.
The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) provides a means of centralizing and standardizing undergraduate academic records to simplify the law school admission process. All students applying to law school must register with CAS. When you register, your biographical and undergraduate academic records will be standardized into a uniform Law School Report. The CAS report includes your official college transcripts, LSAT score and letters of recommendation (if you choose to use the Letter of Recommendation service). When you apply to law schools, they will request a copy of your Law School Report from CAS. The American Bar Association-approved law schools require using CAS for applying into JD programs. Other law schools may also require the use of CAS.
Choose at least two faculty members who know you well and can attest to your academic abilities and strengths. It is acceptable to have a letter from a professor outside of your major. You can also request a letter of recommendation from a person for whom you have worked, interned or volunteered.
The Dean’s Certification primarily seeks information regarding a student’s academic and disciplinary record. Read about the guidelines for requesting a Dean’s Certification.