Issuu

ROAD MAP TO LAW SCHOOL MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of LAW

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

1. SPRING (approx. 18 months prior to desired start at law school) 1. C reate an account with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at LSAC.org. 2. R egister, prepare, and sit for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). a. L SAC has great insight, tools like LawHub and resources on how to prepare for the LSAT. Visit lsac.org for information and to learn more about suggested timelines. b. P repare for the LSAT. This can be accomplished by studying on your own (through prep books from a bookstore or online with practice tests), signing up for a commercial test prep company, or a combination of both. 3. S tart your research. Research law schools of interest and make a list of application requirements, deadlines, etc. Find information regarding all American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law schools in the country on LSAC.org. 4. Start thinking about who you are going to ask to provide a letter of recommendation. In other words, plant the seed now. Don’t wait until the fall to request last-minute letters from your recommenders. 5. R each out to your pre-law advisor and admission representatives at the schools of interest to you in order to ask questions about how to make yourself the best, most competitive applicant.

3. FALL (approx. 12 months prior to desired start at law school) 1. S it or re-sit for the LSAT. 2. B egin working on applications (i.e., writing statements and gathering the required documents needed) for the schools you have decided to apply to. a. A ll law school applications are available through LSAC. b. Applications are typically available by August and September (with a few becoming available in October) and most schools offer application fee waivers upon request. c. While the foundation of the application requirements are very similar, there are always slight differences for each school. Make sure to read individual application instructions/ requirements carefully! d. A s part of the application, most schools ask for a personal statement, professional resume, letters of recommendation, and any necessary addenda usually explaining “yes” responses to the character and fitness questions. 3. V isit and tour schools of interest, if possible. 4. Submit applications before the first of the year, if possible, paying attention to application deadlines for the schools you plan to apply to.

S – FROM START TO FINISH

2. SUMMER (approx. 14 months prior to desired start at law school) 1. C onsider sitting for the LSAT for the first time. The test is offered around eight times a year, by taking it for the first time in the summer the year before you plan to start law school. This allows you the opportunity to improve your score by taking a fall administration while still submitting your application as early as possible in the cycle. (NOTE: Do not use an LSAT administration to gain a diagnostic baseline to see how you will perform. Law Schools are able to see all test administrations.) 2. C onsider participating in events such as Spartan Preview Day (offered at MSU College of Law in early Spring and Fall) which includes a complimentary practice LSAT. Opportunities like this can be a great chance to gain more closely aligned experiences similar to an actual administration. 3. R egister for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through LSAC – the cost is $219.* Undergraduate transcripts and letters of recommendation will need to be sent to LSAC. They will then compile this information along with your LSAT score(s) into what is called the CAS Report. You will need to send a CAS Report to each school you apply to (at a cost of $45* a school) during the application process. 4. Research opportunities to visit or meet with law school representatives at LSAC Forums, law/grad school fairs, or prospective student events/visits held by individual schools.

4. WINTER (approx. 9 months prior to desired start at law school) 1. W rap up applications and get them submitted, if pending. Many schools have application deadlines that are in February, March, and April. 2. P lan visits to the schools where you have been admitted. 3. R esearch external scholarship opportunities and apply to all that you meet the requirements for! 4. Await offer(s) from any schools you haven’t heard from yet.

5. SPRING ( a pprox. 5 months prior to desired start at law school) 1. V isit law schools or attend their admitted student visit programs. 2. C omplete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and request reports be sent to the law schools you are considering. 3. S elect law school of choice.

Welcome to MSU Law!

4. Pay the enrollment deposit and/or submit the commitment agreement. 5. Follow additional guidance/requirements given by your school of choice to prepare you for your fall start! *rates subject to change.

QUICK REFERENCE MSU Law’s Application Process

APPLICATION CHECKLIST: ¨ Completed application submitted through LSAC

¨ Resume

¨ Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report with reportable LSAT score, LSAC calculated UGPA and official copy of transcripts

¨ Two (2) Letters of Recommendation (Two (2) required, but up to four (4) can be submitted)

¨ Personal Statement

¨ Any necessary addenda (i.e., character & fitness)

MSU MOOT COURT

RANKED #1 IN THE NATION

RANKED #6 IN THE NATION

Michigan State Law Review

RANKED 39 FOR “IMPACT”

RANKED 53 OF 200+ FLAGSHIP LAW JOURNALS

2024 & 2025 SEASON

2026 SEASON

Blakely Advocacy Institute Washington & Lee Law Journal Rankings, 2026

MSU College of Law Office of Admissions (517) 432-0222

admiss@law.msu.edu

FALL 2026

I STILL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, WHO DO I CONTACT?