What is the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)?

According the LSAC, the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) "simplifies" the law school admission process.  It is required to apply for law school.  It is the place where you send all your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and evaluations.  LSAC and CAS work together and combine all your documents, LSAT score, and writing sample to create a report for you.  When your completed application is received by law schools, the law school requests your report from LSAC.  It simplifies the application process in the sense that you submit all your information to one place instead of you sending individual applications to each school. It is to your benefit that you become familiar with the LSAC and CAS so that when you apply you know exactly what to do and where to send things.  It will ease your process. 

I will highlight the most important information you should know when you apply

Attend UC Davis School of Law Open House This Saturday, November 12th!

Here's one of those opportunities you don't want to miss if you're interested in UC Davis School of Law!  

This Saturday, November 12th, the school is holding their Open House for perspective law school students.  Representatives from the school will be answering your questions about admissions, financial aid, career services, and extracurricular activities.  You will also be able to hear from a panel of faculty and students.  

You must register online to attend this event.  You can do so by clicking here!

After you have registered, UC Davis School of Law will send you a copy of the schedule and map.  

To view these documents...

My Review of Law Day at University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

If you haven't had a chance to visit the law schools you plan to apply to, I would highly encourage you to do so. Most law schools are hosting open house events around this time and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (Sacramento, CA) had theirs today! I attended and as promised, I will share my experience with all of you!

How to Ask For a Law School Letter of Recommendation

If you plan to attend law school next fall, you are probably working on your application.  It's a highly stressful time.  This is do or die.  This is everything you've been working for!

Aside from your fabulous GPA and LSAT score, admissions officers will consider your letter of recommendation.  They usually ask for 2/3 letters. To maximize the likelihood that your letters are accurate reflections of you, I have a few tips for you!



Preparing for the December LSAT?

If you plan to apply to law school for Fall 2012 and you have yet to take the LSAT, you are probably preparing for the December LSAT.  Or, you took the October LSAT and didn't score as well as you'd hoped and are planning on taking it again. 

I have a question for those of you preparing for the LSAT: How are you preparing? 

What's an Addendum?

In one of my previous post's I mentioned including an addendum in your law school application.  You are probably asking, "what's an addendum?"  An addendum is an optional supplementary document you can include in your application.  According to a law school advisor I have consulted, it is a bit risky to include. 

Attend Law Day at McGeorge School of Law!

Applying to law school is just like applying to undergrad all over again.  You need to take a standardized test, submit an application, write a personal statement, etc.  With that comes figuring out what school is the best fit for you.  To find this out, it is highly encouraged that you visit the school and talk to current students and professors.  Remember that this decision is an investment and you want to make sure you actually like the school you are looking to attend. 

University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law is hosting a Law Day at their campus in Sacramento on November 5, 2011.  

Should You Take a Year Off Between Undergrad and Law School?

The idea of taking a year off between getting your undergrad degree and going to law school has recently become the more popular route students have chosen to take.  Why?  Because students, who plan to go to law school, work tirelessly for four years and then find themselves burnt out.  This is the last state you want to be in going into your first year of law school--the most difficult! You want to go in ready to think critically, write, brief, argue, and work yourself like you have never worked before! You want to be a lawyer, right?

How Do Law Schools Review Applications?

There are 5 parts to a law school application:

1. LSAT Score
2. Grade Point Average (GPA)
3. Personal Statement
4. Resume
5. Letters of Recommendation (From Professors/Employers
*Optional: Addendum

When law schools review applications it really comes down to numbers.  GPA and LSAT score.  Your acceptance really depends on if you meet the school's GPA and LSAT range.  If you do, great! That's usually all a law school needs to make a decision. If your numbers are a few points away from the school's range, they will probably look at your personal statement, resume, and letters of rec.  In those sections, the review board is looking for explanations for why your numbers are short or a compelling reason to accept you.