Law School Admissions 101 Presented by: Liz Kazungu Academic & Pre-Law Advisor CLAS Academic Advising Center University of Florida

Factors of Admission Primary Factors: LSAT Score LSAT Score Undergraduate Transcripts (GPA) Undergraduate Transcripts (GPA) Additional Components of Application: Applications Applications Personal Statement Personal Statement Letters of Recommendation Letters of Recommendation Resume Resume Dean’s Certification Letter (if requested) Dean’s Certification Letter (if requested)

LSAT Score LSAT offered 4 times/year: LSAT offered 4 times/year: February, June, October, & December February, June, October, & December Best to take in June after junior year Best to take in June after junior year October of senior year also fine as a back-up October of senior year also fine as a back-up Score range – Score range – If you take it more than once, provide an explanation If you take it more than once, provide an explanation To register: To register: Online – Online – Can prepare on your own or with a prep course Can prepare on your own or with a prep course Depends on your learning style, timeline, and budget Depends on your learning style, timeline, and budget

Undergraduate GPA Submit transcripts from all colleges attended (even dual enrollment & even if it appears on your UF transcript) to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Submit transcripts from all colleges attended (even dual enrollment & even if it appears on your UF transcript) to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) GPA is recalculated by LSAC to account for difference in grading scales (+/- grades) GPA is recalculated by LSAC to account for difference in grading scales (+/- grades) Graduate school GPA (if applicable) not typically as important Graduate school GPA (if applicable) not typically as important

Applications Available: Available: Online through law school websites Online through law school websites Paper copies sent from law schools Paper copies sent from law schools Electronic applications for Law School Date Assembly Service (LSDAS) registrants Electronic applications for Law School Date Assembly Service (LSDAS) registrants *Preferred by most schools

Personal Statement Make a case for why you should be admitted to law school Make a case for why you should be admitted to law school It’s your interview on paper It’s your interview on paper Length varies per law school – usually 2-4 pages Length varies per law school – usually 2-4 pages Topics vary per law school – some very specific; some very open-ended Topics vary per law school – some very specific; some very open-ended Follow each school’s instructions Follow each school’s instructions Separate workshops offered this fall in the UF Academic Advising Center (AAC) and the Career Resource Center (CRC) Separate workshops offered this fall in the UF Academic Advising Center (AAC) and the Career Resource Center (CRC)

Letters of Recommendation 3 letters ideal (2 is likely sufficient) 3 letters ideal (2 is likely sufficient) At least 1 academic reference; others can be additional academic references, employers, faculty advisors, etc. At least 1 academic reference; others can be additional academic references, employers, faculty advisors, etc. References should know you well, think highly of you, and be able to articulate their thoughts well References should know you well, think highly of you, and be able to articulate their thoughts well Submit through LSDAS Submit through LSDAS

Resume Allows you to market: Allows you to market: Leadership Leadership Work Experience Work Experience Internship Experience Internship Experience Study Abroad Study Abroad Research with Faculty Research with Faculty Community Service Community Service And More! And More! The CRC in the Reitz Union offers resume writing assistance and critiques The CRC in the Reitz Union offers resume writing assistance and critiques or or

Dean’s Certification Letter Addresses a student’s judicial and academic record Addresses a student’s judicial and academic record Only a few law schools will request one Only a few law schools will request one Take forms to Registrar’s Office in Criser Hall – they will forward to Dean of Students Office Take forms to Registrar’s Office in Criser Hall – they will forward to Dean of Students Office

How Competitive Is It? Data for UF undergraduates applying to law school application year (applied for Fall 2006) 1224 applicants 1224 applicants Average LSAT: Average LSAT: Average GPA: 3.34 Average GPA: 3.34 Average number of applications per applicant: 6.34 Average number of applications per applicant: 6.34 Average number of admissions per applicant: 2.21 Average number of admissions per applicant: 2.21 Number accepted to 1 or more law schools: 949 Number accepted to 1 or more law schools: 949 Number who matriculated to a law school: 798 Number who matriculated to a law school: 798 (426 of the applicants didn’t end up going to law school that year) (426 of the applicants didn’t end up going to law school that year)

How Competitive Is It? Data for UF undergraduates applying to law school application year (matriculated Fall 2006) UF Law School 638 applied, mean LSAT, 3.47 mean GPA 256 admitted, mean LSAT, 3.69 mean GPA UF Law School 638 applied, mean LSAT, 3.47 mean GPA 256 admitted, mean LSAT, 3.69 mean GPA FSU Law School 465 applied, mean LSAT, 3.43 mean GPA 159 admitted, mean LSAT, 3.59 mean GPA FSU Law School 465 applied, mean LSAT, 3.43 mean GPA 159 admitted, mean LSAT, 3.59 mean GPA Stetson Law School 430 applied, mean LSAT, 3.31 mean GPA 179 admitted, mean LSAT, 3.46 mean GPA Stetson Law School 430 applied, mean LSAT, 3.31 mean GPA 179 admitted, mean LSAT, 3.46 mean GPA U of Miami Law School 368 applied, mean LSAT, 3.39 mean GPA 175 admitted, mean LSAT, 3.55 mean GPA U of Miami Law School 368 applied, mean LSAT, 3.39 mean GPA 175 admitted, mean LSAT, 3.55 mean GPA

Application Timeline 1 st & 2 nd Years: 1 st & 2 nd Years: Explore careers in law. Explore careers in law. Focus on academic excellence, get involved, and get to know faculty members. Focus on academic excellence, get involved, and get to know faculty members. Junior Year: Junior Year: Continue focus on academics, involvement, and getting to know faculty. Continue focus on academics, involvement, and getting to know faculty. Research, prepare for, and register for the LSAT (register on Plan to take it in June after junior year or Oct of senior year. Research, prepare for, and register for the LSAT (register on Plan to take it in June after junior year or Oct of senior year. Begin selecting schools to which you will apply. Begin selecting schools to which you will apply.

Pre-Law Advising Services Pre-Law Workshop Series Pre-Law Workshop Series Online Pre-Law Information Online Pre-Law Information Pre-Law Listserv Pre-Law Listserv Pre-Law Advising at AAC in Farrior Hall Pre-Law Advising at AAC in Farrior Hall Most students seen on a walk-in basis Most students seen on a walk-in basis A few appointments available, as well - Call to speak to a front desk staff member A few appointments available, as well - Call to speak to a front desk staff member

Thank you for listening! Please contact a Pre-law advisor if you have questions