Getting Started
If you are just beginning to think about law school, the following questions may be among the many on your mind.
- Where can I go for advice?
- How do I prepare for a law school education?
- What does a legal education cover?
- Is there a standard law school curriculum?
- Who is applying to law school?
- How can I find out about law schools?
- How do I choose a law school?
For additional information about the law school application process, click on the links below.
Once you have made your decision that law school is indeed something you will want to pursue, you will need to begin the law school application process.
Most law schools have a variety of application requirements and deadlines that you must meet to be considered for admission. If you are applying to a number of schools, the various deadlines and requirements can be confusing. It probably will be helpful if you set up a detailed calendar that will remind you of when and what you must do to complete your applications.
The first step is preparation for the LSAT. There are a number of ways to prepare, but you may want to begin by taking a sample test 
under simulated conditions. When you are ready, you can also purchase previously administered tests for practice, which is probably the best way to get ready for the actual test.
Once you begin the application process in earnest—which usually begins with registering to take the test—you will need to register for the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). You may want to register for this service at the same time that you register for the test to simplify the paperwork, but you don’t have to. The important thing is to understand that this service will compile your academic and biographical information, as well as your test score, for the law schools to which you apply.
You may register for the test online or by phone or by mail. LSDAS registration is available online or by mail.
In registering for the LSAT, be sure to give yourself enough time to select a convenient testing location and prepare for the test. You also should determine whether each law school in which you are interested will accept scores from the February LSAT administration, which is the last test date in each admission cycle.
You also will want to give some thought to which law schools you might be interested in attending. There are many things to consider when choosing a law school and many ways to go about researching the information. One way to begin is to attend a Law School Forum. The best source of information on law schools is the law schools themselves.
Finally, review carefully the LSAT/LSDAS Checklist to make sure that minor details are not forgotten.
