Most students receive some sort of financial aid while attending law school. The most common sources of aid for law school students are student loans, work-study grants, scholarships, and grants. Tuition costs vary greatly. Make sure that you complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) which is available from the school you are interested in attending or download a copy from the Department of Education’s website.

Begin the process of applying to law schools at least a year before you hope to attend. Although some law schools have early spring deadlines (February or March), many admissions committees begin the application review process in November-the sooner you submit your application, the sooner it will be reviewed. Taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an important part of the law school application process. For more information about this test, check the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website.

Law schools base most admission decisions on the combination of your GPA and LSAT scores. Strong letters of recommendation and personal statements are good, but they will not compensate for low GPA or low LSAT scores. If your GPA is mediocre, you will need to score very well on the LSAT (over the 70th percentile) to remain competative. Final decisions may be made on the basis of your letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities.

A new Law School Resource Coordinator will soon be announced who can offer advice and information to students contemplating law school. Also, visit the Law School Resource website.