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Students

The Application

With your CAS registration, you now receive electronic access to the applications for all accredited law schools in the United States.

A law school application has four parts - the application form, a personal statement, resume, and letters of recommendation. Remember that your law school application forms may become part of your record when you apply for bar admission. Accordingly, make sure everything on your application is correct. If you have had some obstacle - academic, discipline, or otherwise- do not ignore the problem on your application. Use the application form as an opportunity to explain whatever happened.

Recommendations are an important part of the application process. You can have your recommendations sent directly to the CAS and then select which letters are to be sent to which school. Once you have registered with the CAS, you will have access to the required Letter of Recommendation form. Instructions on how to use LSAC's LOR service can be found here.

Decide whom you will ask for LORs. In general, you should have two recommendations. Ideally, academic recommendations should come from professors who actually know you; the professor will not have much to write about if all they know about you is that you did well in their class. If you know in the spring of your junior year whom you want to ask, you should talk with them before the end of the semester. You may also have a recommendation from a supervisor/manager, whether they were from an internship or part-time employment opportunity. If you have not decided on your recommenders before the fall, do so early in the fall semester if possible. Again, your goal is to have a completed application submitted within the fall semester. On each recommendation form, you will have the opportunity to waive your right to read the recommendation. In general, law schools treat recommendations more seriously if you waive your right to read the recommendation. It may be helpful to provide your recommender with your resume as well.

Personal statements are often the most challenging component of the application for a student. The personal statement is your opportunity to distinguish yourself from all the other law school applicants. In addition, law schools look at your personal statement as an example of your writing skills. The UNC Writing Center can assist with reviewing application essays.

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