The JD Application Process

Wherever you are in your life — in college thinking about law school, a college graduate searching for the right career, currently working but looking for a second career or even hoping to fulfill a long-time dream of becoming a lawyer — CSU|LAW is the place for you!

We have students from all walks of life, and at least one of them sought law school for the same reason you do.

As you take the next step to applying for law school, please be thorough in your research. Talk with lawyers to learn more about their experiences practicing law, visit the Law School Admission Council's website for general information about applying to law school and the LSAT and review our website to learn about the CSU|LAW application process.

Here are some tips to help you on your path to law school:

• If you are just starting college and thinking about selecting a major, choose one that is rigorous and matches your interests and passions. There is no “prelaw” major – law schools and legal employers seek students from a wide range of majors. As a law student you will be doing a lot of reading, writing, and research, so take courses that involves these skills.
• If still in college, begin to establish a connection with professors who could write letters of recommendation for you; let them know of your interest in law school.
• Start exploring the work of attorneys through internships and volunteer work.
• Visit the Law School Admission Council’s website to learn about and register for the LSAT and the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) visit www.lsac.org.
• Begin preparing for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Count on at least three months of preparation. Learn about the option of applying with a GRE score instead of an LSAT.
• Gather your CSU|LAW application materials, which must be submitted through LSAC. These include:
  • A personal statement. Learn more here.
  • A resume.
  • Letters of recommendation. Learn more here.
  • Undergraduate and (where applicable) graduate transcripts.
  • A note about the timing of the admissions process: Although our application deadline is July 1, applicants should apply as soon as reasonably possible. The reality is that by the end of the admissions cycle, there may be few spots still available in the class and scholarship resources may have been expended. So it’s beneficial to submit an application earlier in the process if possible. Please note that we have two Early Decision cycles, with application deadlines on November 15 and January 1. You can read more about the Early Decision process here.

  For high school students:

  Admission to law school requires that you have successfully completed a Bachelor’s Degree program from a regionally accredited college or university. So you will want to keep this in mind as you are evaluating your college options.

  Regionally accredited? What does that mean?

  A school's accreditation is your assurance that the school has met specific requirements in terms of quality faculty, facilities, academic programs, student services, success of its graduates, and the overall management of the institution. Regional accrediting agencies include:

  • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges

  Cleveland State University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. You can most likely find a school’s accreditation statement on their website or in their printed college bulletin.

  Learn more about Cleveland State University, our Bachelor’s Degree Programs and how to apply!

  We look forward to your application to CSU|LAW!