Application Process
Grade Point Average and Majors
The LSAT
Personal Statement and Application Essays
Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Dean’s Certification
The Application Process
This is where you can find out ALL about the application process! So you want to know what will make you a competitive applicant to law schools? What the different application materials consist of? This is where to begin. 
The law school application consists of a few general components. Below is a breakdown of each, with the option of “learning more” about each one. The focus here is on strengthening your law school application to ensure you are a competitive applicant. After reading this, you should have a better sense of how to map out your undergraduate degree with timelines and priorities.
Grade Point Average and Major(s)
From the previous section, you now know that there is no defined “Pre-Law” major. You can choose ANY undergraduate and get into law school. However, your undergraduate transcript is still an absolutely critical part of your application. Admissions officers will review your transcript carefully and ensure you “have what it takes” to do well in their law school.
For this reason, getting good grades is essential. Your goal, right from the outset, should be aiming for a +3.5 GPA in whichever major you choose. Solid studying skills and time management will be important here. (Here is a list of helpful workshops.)
Students are encouraged to enhance their major by taking challenging majors or pursuing an interdisciplinary education. Having a minor can be helpful. Sometimes, a double major is a great idea. Importantly, you should ensure that regardless of your academic path, you plan to take your coursework very seriously.
There are some additional courses that might be helpful. Click here to learn more about some of those.
The LSAT
The lynchpin of the law school application. Realistically, the LSAT is the most critical part of your application. Preparing well for the LSAT is very important and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Check out our LSAT Study guide
and this good preparatory overview from Boston College to get started.
UB students are encouraged to visit the on-campus Kaplan Center (Suite 201, the Commons) so they can take advantage of the free LSAT practice tests Kaplan offers. Learn more about the practice tests and other available workshops under our Workshops tab.
Expect to prepare for the LSAT over the course of a few months. As the entries mentioned above indicate, there are several ways to prepare, but ordering some books at the outset that include previously administered exams would be highly encouraged. The blog entry mentioned above includes a helpful list of books that you should consider ordering.
Personal Statement and Application Essays
The personal statement provides an opportunity for law school candidates to present to admission officers more about who you are and what drives you. Essentially, it tells them who you are, what you value, and how well you will be able to handle the pressures of law school.
Read more about Personal Statements.
Letters of Recommendation
Most law schools require applicants to submit at least 2 to 3 Recommendation Letters (at least 2 letters should come from professors). Students can secure letters from professors either within our outside of their major. Following are further instructions for the Law School Admission Council service and some additional tips to assist law school applicants with requesting recommendation letters.
I. Law School Admission Council Letter of Recommendation Service
The LSAC offers a letter of recommendation service to make the process of applying to law schools easier and more efficient. Law School candidates can use their LSDAS account to designate letters of recommendation to specific law schools based on each schools requirements and preferences. Applicant must print out a customized form for each recommender as specified in their LSDAS account. LSAC has more information about their LoR services here http://www.lsac.org/LSAC.asp?url=lsac/letters-of-recommendation.asp.
Resume
Some law schools require (or encourage) you to include a resume to your application. This is different than a employment resume as law schools will take a more holistic approach to reviewing your resume. It is encouraged to visit the resume resource center in Career Services for assistance with building your resume.
Read more about these topics