Factors That Determine Your Admission to Law School

People enter law school for many reasons. For some, there is a lifelong passion for learning about laws and the U.S. legal system. For others, they have strength in written and oral communication skills and a desire to help those in unfortunate circumstances. Whatever your reason, if you have decided to apply for law school, your application receives consideration among many. In fact, according to the Law School Admission Council, as many as 71,000 people applied for law school for the 2021 enrollment year, which is 13 percent more than applied the year before.

Deciding Factors That Determine Your Admission to Law School

Unfortunately, the crucial factors that determine an applicant's admission to law school remain overlooked or ignored. Thus, leaving applicants wondering why they weren't successful. Here are some important actions that you should take that can increase your chance of admission.

The Timing of Your Application

Many individuals seek assistance with their fall law school applications in early spring, and they are often concerned that they are already too late to begin the law school application process. Ideally, if applying to law school, you want about ten months to prepare, instigate, and complete the application process. 

LSAT Score and Academic Strength

Your LSAT score, GPA, and overall academic strength constitute the most important factors in determining a law school application. Allow yourself time before submitting your application to study for and take the LSAT at least twice. 

When demonstrating your overall academic strength, consider offering information about any big academic projects. For example, use a thesis, a final project, a capstone project, or any major written work. This shows your writing and research skills. It also demonstrates your ability to manage your time and build a close working relationship with your professor.

Writing All Optional Supplemental Essays

Reading and writing are both major activities for those who have a career in law. Supplemental essays show the admissions personnel your writing skills while also providing additional information about your interest in that particular school and field of law. Indeed, writing supplemental essays shows your writing chops, but also helps the admissions team to see your qualities.

Securing Professor Recommendations

Most law schools recommend that applicants provide 2-4 letters of recommendation from professors. They are looking for driven, motivated applicants who will contribute positively to their school community. Who you choose to write these letters is an important consideration. Indeed, admissions personnel view letters speaking to your personal qualities favorably. Applicants out of college can substitute professor recommendations with that of employers or others who know them well.

When determining who to solicit a letter from, remember that it is absolutely acceptable to make recommendations to the writers. For example, if you requested a letter from a professor who specifically saw you go the extra mile to increase your grade in their class, let that professor know to include that in the letter.

Building and Fostering a Relationship With the School and Admissions Team

As interest in the field of law grows, so does the number of people seeking admission into law school. Because there are only so many slots available for prospective law school students, it is not unusual for applicants to be placed on a waitlist. If this happens to you, build and foster a strong relationship with the school and admissions team by providing updates of significant changes to your LSAT scores or GPA. Additionally, if you engage in community or organizational activities, provide this information to the school for assistance in their consideration of your application.

Submitting Addendums to Address Low Scores or Grades

As mentioned previously, LSAT scores and GPA are among the most important factors when considering a law school application. However, remember that these scores or grades are looked at in the context of the overall application strength. What this means is that a test score or a grade that was lower than you -- or the admissions team -- would like is not necessarily a reason to deny your admission. Admissions teams are made up of people who understand that life circumstances can sometimes impact an individual's performance on a test or in a class. If there was a valid reason for the score, they want to know. 

When submitting an addendum addressing a low score or grade, it is important to not attempt to make excuses, as law school admissions teams tend to be far more concerned about personal growth. If the low score was a result of a mistake you made, own up to that mistake. The addendum provides you an opportunity to address the issue, explain how you have grown, and the preparations you have made to avoid having a test or a class get away from you in the future.

Need Help With the Law School Admissions Process?

For more information about factors that determine your admission to law school, or for hourly consulting in order to begin preparing to submit your law school application, contact S. Montgomery Admissions Consulting online.