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How to Apply to Law School

Law school applications open in early fall and close in spring. Be prepared to submit a high-quality application early in the application cycle.

Process to Apply

All law schools offer a standard admissions application process.

Some law schools have a binding early decision process. Read the terms of a binding application process closely. There is no uniform deadline for early decision. Each law school will have a specific deadline to submit an early decision application.

A few law schools offer a non-binding early decision option.

Qualified UGA undergraduates and alumni can apply to the University of Georgia School of Law though the UGA Scholars process. Read the information that the School of Law provides closely. Admissions is not guaranteed. You cannot take the LSAT prior to attempting this application process. It is intended to be binding. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2024.

Law School Application Components

Please review the following information carefully. Many common questions will be answered below. Contact LSAC if you have any specific inquiries about the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Reach out to the Office of Admissions if you have specific questions about that law school or their application.

You will apply to law school using your JD Account on LSAC. Complete the CAS one time. For each law school that you apply to, open and complete an application.

CAS (One time)

You do not need to pay the CAS fee to complete these steps. You will need to pay the fee to submit your applications. If you are attempting UGA Scholars, you will need to purchase CAS and submit your application via LSAC.

Academic Transcript(s): You must send in the original transcript for any college credit earned or attempted. This includes dual enrollment credit and any credit that you transferred to UGA. International transcripts are not required unless you studied for more than a year at that institution. It is a good idea to submit the transcript anyways.

Once you save your institutions in the CAS, a link will appear on your Transcripts page that re-directs you to the institution’s registrar to request a transcript.

Letters of Recommendation: Law schools require 1 or 2 letters of recommendation. Assume you will need two. Some allow you to submit more. More is not better. Any additional letters should add something new to the application. Make sure the person you reach out to can write a strong letter of academic support. Academic letters are preferred, but you could get one from an employer.

Do not request a letter from a family friend or someone who does not know you well.

You can Add/Edit LOR writers in the CAS. Do this early and communicate a specific deadline to your letter writers.

LSAT: Law schools will see your LSAT testing history for reportable period (usually the last five years). If you cancel a score, a C will appear on your CAS report.

Law School Application

You will submit the following items for each law school that you apply to:

  • Personal Statement
  • Required Essays (not all law schools will have these)
  • Optional Essays
  • Optional Addenda: Academic, LSAT, Character & Fitness
  • Resume

Read the application instructions closely.