- The two most important components of the JD application are your GPA & LSAT score.
- Your LSAT score is an integral part of your law school application for most law schools. Scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly (the raw score). There is no deduction for incorrect answers, nor are individual questions on the various test sections weighted differently.
- Most law schools look closely at your college grades and course selection. Undergraduate GPA is often a strong indicator of how well you’ll perform in law school. Law schools also view difficult or advanced undergraduate courses more favorably.
- Two or three letter or recommendations: The most effective letters of recommendation are written by professors or work supervisors who know you well enough to describe your academic, personal, or professional achievements honestly and objectively. Letters that compare you to your academic peers are often the most useful. Most schools do not consider general, unreservedly praiseworthy letters helpful.
- Personal statement: Law schools want to recruit people who are qualified for reasons beyond grades and scores. The essay or personal statement is your opportunity to tell the committee what sets you apart from others.
- Sample Law School Personal Statements
- 9 Important Personal Statement Tips for Law School Applicants
- Excellent Law School Personal Statement Examples
- Resume: Law schools want diverse, interesting classes that represent a variety of backgrounds. A candidate who applies to law school several years after their undergraduate education, and who has succeeded in a nonacademic environment, may be seen by a law school as more motivated than one who continues their education without a break.
