The following checklist, provided courtesy of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), broadly illustrates the sequence of events in the law school application process. You are responsible for monitoring your own application file. (You can obtain your LSAC file online.)

  • Research law schools and application deadlines. Find the right law school for you by using the LSAC searchable online database and individual law school websites.
  • Register for the LSAT and sign up for LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (LSDAS). Register for these services online.
  • Many law schools require that the LSAT be taken by December for admission in the following fall. However, taking the test earlier—in June or September/October—is often advisable.
  • Prepare for the LSAT. (Download a free sample test or purchase official preparation materials from LSAC.) Preparation courses are offered for a fee, but applicants can prepare themselves by simulating the test experience several times.
  • If necessary, make test date or location changes through your LSAC.org account.
  • Obtain your LSAT Admission Ticket (online or by mail).
  • Ask registrars to send all your official transcripts to LSAC. Request forms are available at your LSAC.org account.
  • Allow two weeks from the time of receipt for LSAC to process your domestic or Canadian transcripts. Transcripts from undergraduate and graduate schools located outside the US, territories, or Canada require additional processing time.
  • Ask recommenders to write letters and send them to LSAC or directly to the law schools (as specified by the law schools themselves). Specify recommenders and print letter request forms from your LSAC.org account.
  • Allow two weeks from the time of receipt for LSAC to process your letters of recommendation.
  • Take the LSAT.
  • Obtain your LSAT score by e-mail and view your answer sheet, score conversion table, and test book (for disclosed tests only) in your LSAC.org account. (E-mail score reporting is free for LSAC online account holders.)
  • View your Academic Summary Report in your LSAC.org account once all undergraduate transcripts have been summarized (for US law schools only).
  • Apply to law schools electronically from your LSAC.org account (for US law schools only). Schools will then request your Credential Assembly Service report from LSAC.
  • Order LSAC Reports online (for US law schools only). You will be prompted to order a report each time you submit an electronic application.
  • Use your LSAC.org account to verify that your reports have been sent to the law schools you applied to.
  • Throughout the application season, check your file status through your LSAC.org account.