CHAPTER 2: APPLICATION BASICS

Once you have decided to apply to law school, the good news is that the application process is relatively centralized and standardized. Nearly all U.S. law schools use the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to collect and transmit application materials. LSAC serves as the central hub for your law school applications, compiling your transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and written materials and sending them to schools on your behalf.

That said, “simple” does not mean “easy.” Applying to law school requires a significant investment of time and energy. You will need to study for and take a standardized admissions test, write multiple essays, prepare a professional resume, complete school-specific application forms, and secure letters of recommendation. While LSAC streamlines the submission process, the quality of your application depends entirely on the work you put into it.

Your first step should be to create an account with LSAC and register as a “Future JD Applicant.” This account will serve as your portal for the entire admissions process. Through LSAC, you will manage your applications, access school information, register for admissions tests, and submit required materials. You will also receive an LSAC account number, which functions as your primary identifier across all LSAC services.

Most law schools require applicants to use LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). CAS compiles your academic transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation into a standardized report sent to law schools. The CAS fee is a one-time charge and allows you to submit materials to multiple schools without re-uploading documents each time.

ADMISSIONS TESTS: LSAT AND GRE

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) remains the most common standardized test used in law school admissions. The LSAT is designed to measure skills critical to legal study, including reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking. While a growing number of law schools accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the majority of applicants still apply using the LSAT, and some schools show a clear preference for it.

The LSAT is administered digitally. Under the current format (effective August 2024), the multiple-choice portion includes Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension sections, along with one unscored section used to pilot future questions. Applicants should consult LSAC for the most up-to-date test structure.

In addition to the multiple-choice test, applicants must complete LSAT Argumentative Writing, an unscored writing sample that is sent to law schools. An approved writing sample is required before LSAT scores can be released to schools. In recent years, the test structure has evolved, and applicants should always consult LSAC for the most current format. LSAT scores range from 120 to 180, with the average score typically in the mid-150s.

The LSAT is offered multiple times each year, both in-person and remotely. Applicants are strongly encouraged to plan their testing timeline carefully. To maximize flexibility and competitiveness, you should aim to take the LSAT no later than early fall of the application cycle in which you plan to apply. Taking the test earlier, such as in the spring or summer, before applications open, can reduce stress and allow time for a retake if necessary.

LSAT scores are valid for five years. If you are several years away from applying, taking the LSAT early can be a viable strategy, provided you are adequately prepared.

We strongly recommend beginning LSAT preparation at least six months before you plan to submit your applications. Effective preparation often requires consistent, sustained study over time. Many applicants benefit from structured prep courses, whether online or in person. Your Service to School ambassador can help connect you with free or discounted LSAT preparation resources available to veterans.

Detailed information about LSAT structure, preparation strategies, score cancellation policies, and retake limits is covered in Chapter 4.

ADMISSIONS TEST PREPARATION AND PARTNER RESOURCES

Service to School applicants may be eligible for discounted standardized test preparation and admissions support resources through S2S partnerships and affiliated organizations. These resources include preparation options for the LSAT, GRE, and individualized admissions advising.

For LSAT preparation, LSAT Demon offers Service to School applicants a 25% discount, available in perpetuity, for use of their LSAT preparation services. LSAT Demon is an analytics-driven platform that emphasizes mastery of fundamentals, adaptive practice, and data-informed improvement.

Service to School applicants may also have access to discounted GRE preparation resources through partner organizations, which may be appropriate for applicants applying to law schools that accept the GRE or considering joint-degree pathways.

In addition, Juris Education offers discounted law school admissions consulting services to Service to School applicants. Juris Education provides individualized support across the admissions process, including application strategy, school selection, personal statements, and addenda.

A current list of Service to School partner organizations and applicant resources, including available discounts, can be found in the S2S Applicant Toolkit.

Applicants should speak with their S2S Ambassador before enrolling in any test preparation or admissions consulting service to confirm current offerings and to determine which resources best align with their goals, timeline, and target schools. Applicants should always refer to the S2S Applicant Toolkit for the most current list of partners and discount instructions, as offerings may change over time.

ACADEMIC SUMMARY REPORT

One of your earliest administrative tasks should be requesting official transcripts from every undergraduate and graduate institution you have attended. These transcripts must be sent directly to LSAC through the Credential Assembly Service.

Once your transcripts are received, LSAC will generate an Academic Summary Report. This report standardizes your academic record and recalculates your undergraduate GPA using LSAC’s methodology. Because LSAC includes all undergraduate-level coursework—such as transfer credits, study abroad programs, and summer courses—your LSAC GPA may differ from the GPA reported by your primary institution.

Admissions committees rely heavily on the Academic Summary Report. LSAC is able to contextualize your academic performance by comparing your GPA to those of past applicants from the same institution. Law schools understand that grading standards vary across schools and majors, and the LSAC report helps provide a more consistent basis for comparison.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

The personal statement is a core component of your law school application. In most cases, it is an open-ended essay designed to give admissions officers insight into who you are beyond your numbers. While some schools provide specific prompts, many simply ask you to describe your background, experiences, and motivations for pursuing a legal education.

Admissions officers read thousands of applications each cycle. A strong personal statement helps distinguish you from other candidates by telling a compelling, authentic story and adding depth to the rest of your application. For veterans, the personal statement is an opportunity to highlight leadership, service, resilience, and perspective—without relying on clichés or restating your resume.

While undergraduate GPA and standardized test scores remain the most heavily weighted factors in admissions decisions, the personal statement can be decisive among similarly qualified applicants. A thoughtful, well-written essay can strengthen your candidacy, while a careless or unfocused one can undermine it.

You should begin working on your personal statement early. Expect to go through multiple drafts and seek feedback from trusted mentors, advisors, or your S2S ambassador. Topic selection, clarity of purpose, and careful revision are critical. We will discuss personal statements in greater detail in Chapter 6.

ADDENDA AND OPTIONAL ESSAYS

Most law schools allow applicants to submit additional essays or addenda. Some are optional, while others are effectively required based on your background.

Certain disclosures—often grouped under “Character and Fitness” or “Moral Character” questions—are mandatory. These typically ask about criminal charges or convictions, academic misconduct, disciplinary actions, or other serious issues. You must answer these questions honestly and completely. Failure to disclose relevant information can result in rescinded offers, dismissal from law school, or denial of bar admission later.

Optional addenda may be used to explain aspects of your application such as multiple LSAT scores, a low undergraduate GPA, a significant gap in education, or other anomalies. These explanations should be concise, factual, and non-defensive. Not every weakness requires an addendum, and unnecessary explanations can draw attention to issues that admissions committees might otherwise overlook. Your S2S ambassador can help you decide whether an optional addendum is appropriate.

Many schools also offer optional essays, such as diversity statements or “Why X Law School” essays. A well-crafted diversity statement can be a powerful addition if it provides new insight into your background or perspective. Likewise, a thoughtful “Why X” essay can demonstrate genuine interest in a particular school. However, optional essays should only be submitted if they are substantive and well-executed. Quality always matters more than quantity.

RESUME

Most law schools require a resume, and even when it is optional, you should submit one. Your resume should present a clear, concise snapshot of your academic, professional, and leadership experiences—typically on one page.

For veterans, the resume is an opportunity to translate military experience into language that highlights leadership, responsibility, and impact. Focus on outcomes, scope of responsibility, and skills that will transfer to legal study and practice.

Three core resume principles apply:

Use strong action verbs to describe your experience.

Quantify accomplishments whenever possible.

Use consistent tense (past tense for completed roles, present tense for ongoing roles).

You should begin developing your resume well before application deadlines. Early preparation allows time for refinement, feedback, and strategic positioning. Resume development will be covered in greater detail in a later chapter.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Most law schools require two letters of recommendation, though requirements vary. All recommendation letters are submitted through LSAC. You will enter your recommenders’ contact information, and LSAC will provide them with instructions for uploading their letters.

LSAC allows recommenders to submit general letters, which can be sent to multiple schools, or targeted letters addressed to specific institutions. General letters are standard and widely accepted. Targeted letters may be helpful in limited circumstances, such as when a recommender has a strong connection to a particular school.

Law schools generally prefer academic recommendations from professors who have taught you in a classroom setting. However, for veterans who have been out of school for some time, professional recommendations—such as from military supervisors—are entirely appropriate. The strongest letters come from individuals who know you well and can speak specifically to your abilities, character, and potential as a law student. Enthusiasm and substance matter far more than title or prestige.

THE APPLICATION TIMELINE: ROLLING ADMISSIONS

Most law schools use a rolling admissions process. Applications typically open in early fall, and schools begin reviewing files as they are received. Offers of admission are made on an ongoing basis until the class is filled.

Applying earlier in the cycle can be advantageous, as more seats and scholarship funds are available. However, submitting a polished, high-quality application is more important than submitting early. A strong application submitted later in the cycle is preferable to a rushed application submitted early.

You should plan to begin preparing your application at least six months before you intend to submit. This timeline allows adequate time for test preparation, writing and revising essays, securing recommendations, and addressing any weaknesses in your application.

A sample planning timeline is outlined below:

January–February: Create LSAC account, register for CAS, request transcripts

February–May: Begin LSAT preparation, request recommendation letters, draft personal statement and resume

June–August: Take LSAT (if feasible), finalize school list, revise application materials

September–October: Submit applications; retake LSAT if necessary

November–April: Receive decisions, compare offers, apply for financial aid

SELECTING SCHOOLS

When building your school list, start with what matters most to you: career goals, geographic preferences, cost, Yellow Ribbon participation, academic programs, clinics, and employment outcomes. Most applicants apply to between five and ten schools, balancing reach, target, and safety options.

Applications can be expensive, with individual school fees often ranging from $60 to $100, though many schools offer fee waivers to veterans.

Outside the most nationally portable schools, geography matters significantly. If you plan to practice in a particular region, prioritize schools with strong placement and alumni networks in that market. To assess competitiveness, compare your GPA and test scores to each school’s published medians. While admissions decisions are holistic, numerical indicators remain highly influential.

In addition to reviewing published medians, applicants should use available admissions and scholarship estimation tools to evaluate both their likelihood of admission and the potential cost of attendance. Many schools publish GPA and LSAT medians on their websites, which can serve as an initial benchmark. Applicants may also use GPA and LSAT calculators, such as those provided by 7Sage, to estimate admission odds using both actual and hypothetical scores.

Service to School further recommends that applicants review LSAT Demon’s Scholarship Calculator, which estimates potential merit-based scholarship outcomes based on an applicant’s LSAT score, GPA, and target schools. Understanding likely scholarship ranges is critical when comparing offers, assessing affordability, and evaluating the long-term return on investment of a law degree.

Veteran status can provide a meaningful admissions boost, but it does not override academic metrics. Strong preparation, strategic school selection, and a well-executed application are still essential. Applicants should review Chapters 3 and 4 for guidance on strengthening their candidacy and developing an effective testing strategy.