Successfully applying to law school is no easy feat. While the road to law school may be challenging or confusing at times, preparing a checklist and timeline will help to keep you on the right track throughout your entire law school application process. Here are some of the important things that you will want to keep in mind throughout the process.

• Give ample time for research and preparation. The first step is to thoroughly research various law schools. In your research, identify the pros and cons of each school and the things that match your needs and interests. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is a good place to start. After that, you can scour schools’ websites for information about their course offerings and specialties.
• Set your Law School Admission Test (LSAT) date. Decide when you are going to take the LSAT as soon as possible. February or June the year prior to your application is suggested, but you’ll want to make sure that you’re ready. The sooner you set your date, the sooner you can begin studying.
• Study efficiently. LSAT scores are crucial to your admission to law school. There are many ways to get ready for the LSAT. It’s critical that you give yourself at least three months to study, rigorously. You may also consider options such as hiring a tutor, enrolling in a prep course, or taking practice tests. InGenius Prep has a great network of test prep partners that we can refer you to based on your learning style and preferences, if you need any assistance.
• Create an LSAC account and register for the LSAT. You have to register for LSAC and its credential and data assembly service (LSDAS).
• Request and submit a copy of your college transcript (and a transcript from any other institution of higher education which you have attended). Your application does not solely rely on your overall GPA. The law school admissions committee will also review the classes you took and your performance in each of them. In many cases, the LSDAS report will include information about how other students applying from your school have fared in similar courses.
• Pay a visit to your top-choice law schools. It can only benefit you now and down the road to start building a network of current law students, alumni, and faculty at your target schools. These people may eventually help you adjust to the culture or even help you get admitted in certain circumstances
• Ask for advice. Schedule a consultation with the pre-law advisor at your college. You will want your adviser’s advice and knowledge, particularly about how previous applicants from your school have fared in the law school application process at some of your target schools.
• Request and obtain strong letters of recommendation. Make a list of people who could write 2 – 4 letters of recommendation on your behalf. You may ask your professors to vouch for your skills and class performance. Alternatively, you may ask a boss of yours in an internship or job to write about the qualities and attributes which will make you a successful law student.
• Engage yourself in a myriad of pre-law school activities. If there are law school forums or workshops available to you, take advantage of them.

For helpful tips and expert advice about your application to law school, contact an InGenius Prep law school admissions expert.

This article was written by an admissions expert at InGenius Prep.

Make sure you’re fully prepared for the LSAT come test day. Next Step offers customized one-on-one LSAT tutoring at an affordable price. Learn more about our tutoring packages here. See what our students have to say about us here.