Primary Factors of Admission

Law School Admissions 101Presented by:Liz KazunguAcademic & Pre-Law AdvisorCLAS Academic Advising CenterUniversity of Florida

Factors of AdmissionPrimary Factors:LSAT ScoreUndergraduate Transcripts (GPA)

Additional Components of Application:Applications Personal Statement Letters of Recommendation Resume Deans Certification Letter (if requested)

LSAT ScoreLSAT offered 4 times/year:February, June, October, & DecemberBest to take in June after junior yearOctober of senior year also fine as a back-upScore range 120-180If you take it more than once, provide an explanationTo register:Online www.lsac.org Can prepare on your own or with a prep courseDepends on your learning style, timeline, and budget

Undergraduate GPASubmit 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)Graduate school GPA (if applicable) not typically as important

ApplicationsAvailable:Online through law school websitesPaper copies sent from law schoolsElectronic applications for Law School Date Assembly Service (LSDAS) registrants*Preferred by most schools

Personal StatementMake a case for why you should be admitted to law schoolIts your interview on paperLength varies per law school usually 2-4 pagesTopics vary per law school some very specific; some very open-endedFollow each schools instructionsSeparate workshops offered this fall in the UF Academic Advising Center (AAC) and the Career Resource Center (CRC)

Letters of Recommendation3 letters ideal (2 is likely sufficient)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 wellSubmit through LSDAS

ResumeAllows you to market:LeadershipWork ExperienceInternship ExperienceStudy AbroadResearch with FacultyCommunity ServiceAnd More!The CRC in the Reitz Union offers resume writing assistance and critiques392-1601 or www.crc.ufl.edu

Deans Certification LetterAddresses a students judicial and academic recordOnly a few law schools will request oneTake forms to Registrars Office in Criser Hall they will forward to Dean of Students Office

How Competitive Is It?Data for UF undergraduates applying to law school2005-2006 application year (applied for Fall 2006)1224 applicantsAverage LSAT: 154.2Average GPA: 3.34Average number of applications per applicant: 6.34Average number of admissions per applicant: 2.21Number accepted to 1 or more law schools: 949Number who matriculated to a law school: 798(426 of the applicants didnt end up going to law school that year)

How Competitive Is It?Data for UF undergraduates applying to law school2005-2006 application year (matriculated Fall 2006)

UF Law School 638 applied, 155.8 mean LSAT, 3.47 mean GPA 256 admitted, 159.9 mean LSAT, 3.69 mean GPA FSU Law School 465 applied, 154.6 mean LSAT, 3.43 mean GPA 159 admitted, 160.3 mean LSAT, 3.59 mean GPAStetson Law School 430 applied, 152.4 mean LSAT, 3.31 mean GPA 179 admitted, 156.2 mean LSAT, 3.46 mean GPA U of Miami Law School 368 applied, 154.3 mean LSAT, 3.39 mean GPA 175 admitted, 159.3 mean LSAT, 3.55 mean GPA

Application Timeline1st & 2nd Years:Explore careers in law. Focus on academic excellence, get involved, and get to know faculty members.Junior Year:Continue focus on academics, involvement, and getting to know faculty.Research, prepare for, and register for the LSAT (register on www.lsac.org). Plan to take it in June after junior year or Oct of senior year.Begin selecting schools to which you will apply.

Pre-Law Advising ServicesPre-Law Workshop SeriesOnline Pre-Law Informationhttp://www.advising.ufl.edu/prelaw/Pre-Law ListservPre-Law Advising at AAC in Farrior HallMost students seen on a walk-in basisA few appointments available, as well - Call 392-1521 to speak to a front desk staff member

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