Support Our ProgramsPre-Law Programs at Miami University
Information for Seniors
Overview
Well, you've finally made it. If you have done your prep work, this year will be much less stressful for you than it is for your colleagues. You are in great shape — you have taken the LSAT, formulated your list of law school applications, selected and contacted your recommenders, and drafted your personal statement. Your focus this year: get accepted to law school, secure financial aid, and begin your transition from college to law school.
- Law School Applications
- After you have finalized your law school application list, you can begin the process of applying to law schools. The services provided by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), make this process much more seamless.
- Financial Aid
- Because a legal education is becoming increasingly expensive, most students secure some type of financial aid. You should investigate the types of scholarships offered by different law schools, and learn about the process for securing school-specific financial aid. In addition, you should learn more about government aid and private scholarships and loans.
- Transition to Law School
- You have accepted admission to law school and taken the necessary steps to finance your legal education. You can now begin the process of preparing to enter law school. At this point, you should learn as much about what to expect in your first year of law school as possible. Many books have been written on the subject, so you should select one that suits your individual needs. Additionally, you should take advantage of the transition workshops offered at Miami and your law school.
Checklist
Summer Following Junior Year
- Take the LSAT in June.
- After you receive your score, formulate a preliminary list of law schools based on your numerical (LSAT/GPA) credentials, geographical preferences, and personal interests. Remember to "diversify" your list to include some safety and reach schools.
- Begin drafting your personal statement.
Senior Year
- Register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS).
- Submit your transcript to LSDAS.
- If you did not take the June LSAT, register for and take the September/October LSAT.
- Schedule appointment with Pre-Law Advisor to discuss your law school list, your personal statement, and your timeline for applying to law schools.
- Continue researching law schools and finalize your law school application list.
- Begin reviewing applications for all schools on your list.
- Complete any supplemental essays.
- Revise/update your resume.
- Follow up with your list of recommenders, and send them the necessary materials.
- Complete law school applications and upload all of your supplementary materials to your LSDAS account.
- Complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1st.
External Web Resources
LSAT:
- LSAT (LSAC)
LSAT Commercial Preparation Courses:- LifeLong Learning (Miami University, online course)
- Communiversity (University of Cincinnati)
- LSAT Intensive Review
- Kaplan
- PowerScore
- Princeton Review
- TestMasters
Law School Admissions:
- Applying to Law School (LSAC)
- Law School Locator (Boston College)
- Law School Recruitment Forums (LSAC)
- Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools
Financial Aid:
- Financial Aid for Law School (LSAC) [PDF]
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- SmartStudent™ Guide to Financial Aid (FinAid)
- Student Loans (Access Group)