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Law School Admission Council

Frequently Asked Questions - Electronic Applications

Important: You are responsible for the accuracy of your law school applications. Instructions and checklists for most of the law schools are available by clicking the button at the top of the application form. Some schools require additional materials that can only be found in their catalogs or on their websites. Some schools may change their fees or requirements during the year. It is a good idea to check each law school's website or catalog to make sure your application materials are complete and on time.

Carefully check your completed applications before electronically sending them to LSAC or mailing them to the schools.

Electronic applications have been provided to LSAC by all of the ABA-approved law schools. The applications are up-to-date as of the time they were submitted to LSAC. All ABA-approved law schools will accept properly completed electronic applications; many law schools prefer that you submit your applications electronically via LSAC. Each school’s preference for receiving electronic applications is indicated next to the application name in the Level column on each school's list of applications.

Opening Your Applications

Completing Your Applications

Creating Your Written Statements

Printing Your Applications

Saving your applications

Transmitting Your Applications

How do I add schools to My School List?

On the My School List page, click School Search. You have three choices: Add Member Schools displays the list of all LSAC-member schools; Add Nonmember Schools lists law schools that are not LSAC members; and Search Official Guide, a database that allows you to research information about schools. You can add schools from all three places.  Check the box next to each school of interest and click Save Selections to School List at the top of the page (or Add to School List from the database) to create an alphabetical list. You may reorder this list any way you choose by assigning each school a number; click the name of a school on your list to see a workspace. Select My Law School Order or My Notes to assign a number and to Save any personal notes. Use the drop-down menu, Sort My School List, to see the list in your chosen order.

What are the differences between the various application methods?

When you click on Start/Continue Application on My School List, you must select from the available applications, the school term, and application type. Next, select from among the three application methods.
Apply and submit online: Choose this option to complete the entire application process online. The application will be submitted electronically to the school.
Fill out application online and mail it to the school: Choose this option to fill out the application online, then print and mail the application to the school.
Apply via paper application: Choose this option if you are using a paper copy of the school’s application.  You will fill it out entirely by hand and mail it to the school.

Note: Regardless of which application method you choose, LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (LSDAS) is still used to build your law school report, which consists of your transcript(s), letters of recommendation, and LSAT score(s). If you are mailing the application to the school, you must purchase a report online. Follow the link from the school’s Active Applications page. When an electronic application is added to your Shopping Cart, a report is automatically included at checkout.

How do I access a new LLM application?

Visit the school’s website to locate its LLM application link.

How do I open an application?

Once you have selected an application method (see above), click Apply. In the application’s workspace, click Primary Application to open the application form.

I followed a link from a law school’s website to its JD application and saved it. How do I get back to that application?

You can return to the application either by revisiting the law school’s website and following the same link to the online application, or  by logging into your LSAC.org account and accessing it via My Active Application on your home page. Please remember that your application will not be transmitted to the law school from LSAC until you also register for the Credential Assembly Service (LSDAS) and check out of the Shopping Cart, even if the school does not charge an application fee.

What is the Common Information Form?

The Common Information Form contains the information that is most commonly requested on law school applications. Once you have completed this form, you will not have to re-enter this information each time you start working on a new application. Information from the Common Information Form will automatically flow into each application you open. You can edit this information on each application if you wish.

We recommend that you fill out the Common Information Form completely and save it before beginning work on any law school applications. Changes made to the Common Information Form will not be reflected on any applications that you saved prior to changing the Common Information Form.

Why isn't all of my data flowing from the Common Information Form to the law school applications?

Some information may not flow because of differences in application formats. In such cases, you will have to enter the information manually. Information added to your Common Information Form will not flow to an In Progress or Saved application.

I followed a link on a school's website to fill out their application. Where is the Common Information Form?

You are working on an electronic application that you accessed through an individual law school’s website, and so you will not be able to use the Common Information Form. However, information from your LSAC.org account will flow into an individual law school’s application.

Can I go back and change the Common Information Form? What will happen to applications that I’ve already completed?

You can make changes to the Common Information Form at any time. Changes made to the Common Information Form will not transfer to any saved law school application. If you also wish to change saved applications, you will have to make the changes manually within that application. Any applications not yet saved will reflect the changes in the Common Information Form.

Is there a spell checker?

Unfortunately, there is no way to check your spelling within the program. Due to the formatting of the application fields, built-in spell-checking programs (such as in Firefox 2) will not work. Please read your answers carefully before transmitting your applications.

Why are some of the application fields so small? What should I do if I cannot fit my answer into the space provided?

The electronic applications must replicate the paper version of the schools’ applications as closely as possible, so these fields cannot be expanded. Many schools also have field-length limitations in their own databases that allow for a limited number of characters.

Try to make your information fit by abbreviating when possible. For longer answers, we recommend entering "See Attached" and creating an additional document to upload for the remaining answers. When going through the application assembly process, attach this written statement the same way you will be attaching your résumé or other written statements. The law schools are aware of the space limitations and do not mind receiving the extra information as an electronic attachment.

There are some questions on the application that allow me to type past the designated space. Will everything I typed show in my applications?

No. Only what can fit onto the viewable lines will be printed and displayed electronically for the law schools. What you see in Application Preview is exactly what the law schools will receive. In some cases (by a law school’s request), an alert will identify entries that exceed the allocated space when you save your application.

When entering information on an application, it won’t allow me to edit the field.

You should be able to edit any blue field on the Application or Supplementary Form. If you can’t, then you will need to highlight the field with your mouse and then press Delete. You should now be able to type into the field.

What if there isn't enough space for my undergraduate school or major on the Common Information Form or the law school applications?

Use the drop-down menus on the Common Information Form to select your college and major. The program will automatically abbreviate them for placement in each application. These abbreviations should fit in most cases. It is important to use the official abbreviations whenever possible, so that the law schools receiving your applications electronically will be able to download your data.

What if my major isn't on the drop-down list?

If your major category does not appear on the Category list, select Other. Then select your major from the Major drop-down list. If your major does not appear on the list, select Other.

I received a message that says I selected a term that is inconsistent with the entry term I indicated. What does that mean?

Many schools have more than one entry term. It is important for the entry term you select on the application list to be the same as the entry term you indicate on that school’s application. For instance, if you select Fall 2010 as the entry term from the application list and then indicate Spring 2010 as the entry term on your application, you will get a warning message stating that you selected a term that is inconsistent with your original choice.

I received a message that says I have entered a term that is not active for electronic transmission. What does that mean?

Electronic applications can only be transmitted for the terms and years you see listed as available on the school’s Select Term/Program application list. If you indicate a term on the application that is not listed, the application cannot be transmitted electronically. You can fill out the application, print it, and mail it to the law school, but you cannot save or transmit it.

I accidentally selected and saved the wrong application for a law school. Now I cannot select the application I really want to complete.

You can only choose one application for each term for each law school. First, you must delete the application you saved. Click Delete for the active application you want to remove. Your saved application will be deleted and you will be able to open the other application for that term. Applications cannot be deleted if you have assigned letters of recommendation. Under Letters of Recommendation in the Credentials section of Active Applications, click View or Edit, remove all letter assignments, then return to the Application page and click Delete.

Why am I seeing blank pages saying "This Page is blank" or "This page left intentionally blank" on my PDF Application Package?

Some schools request that their application package be printed double-sided. If there are five pages to the application, then page six would have the message "This page left intentionally blank," so that the uploaded attachment (if applicable) would not start on the back of the law school application. "This page is blank" pages are put between the uploaded documents to separate them.

Can I change the view of the application?

Yes. There is a Zoom feature that enables you to magnify or reduce your view of the application. Select from five size options at the top of the application screen.

What are Supplementary Forms?

Many law schools have supplemental forms—such as, dean’s certification, residency forms, and financial statements―that must be printed out separately from the admission application. Click Supplemental Forms in the Applications section (Active Applications page) to access these forms. Supplemental forms are not transmitted with your application. They must be printed out and mailed to the law school.

What are the buttons at the top of each application used for?

Save: Saves the application in its current state. We recommend that you save your work periodically. Your information is stored on a secure server, and the connection to that server may be timed out after a time limit set by your internet service provider. If your connection times out, any information you have entered and not saved will be lost.
Print: Opens the Print dialogue for your operating system to send the application to your printer.
Page: Jumps to the selected page in the application.
Zoom: Enlarges or reduces the size of the application in your browser window.
Application Instructions: Accesses the instructions and checklists for this law school's application.
Exit Without Saving: Exits the application without saving changes you have made during this session.

What are electronic signatures and certification letters?

Electronic signatures are a certification by you that may be used in lieu of a written signature. By taking some action, such as clicking a button or typing your name, you are electronically certifying a document you would physically sign if it were on paper. Some schools will not accept electronic signatures; these schools use certification letters that you must print out and sign physically. Once you click Continue after previewing the application, the options and requirements for that school will appear on the following screen. Make your selections from the available options. There will be a link to the certification letter only if one is required for that school. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your application transmission process.

I transmitted my application, but forgot to print the certification letter. Can I still print it?

If you need to access the certification letter after you have transmitted the application, you will need to find it in the Active Applications for that school on the Apply menu. If your law school report was requested, then you will find it under LSAC Completed Applications on the Apply menu.

How do I complete the certification letter?

Some schools require applicants who apply electronically to print, sign, and mail a certification letter. Most schools will mention this in their application or instructions. If the school to which you are applying requires a certification letter, there will be a link to the certification letter on the next screen after you preview the application package and click Continue. Click the link, complete the certification letter, print it out, and sign it. Note: You must click Printed and Signed at the bottom of the window. This will take you back to a screen where you must click Add to Cart to continue to the Shopping Cart. You must check out to transmit your application. Mail your certification letter directly to the law school, along with any other items the law school may require.

How do I generate letters of recommendation (LOR)?

Letters of recommendation are not sent with electronic applications. The letters of recommendation must be directed to specific law schools based on each school’s requirements or preferences. Once you are logged in to your LSAC.org account, click Letters of Recommendation under Credentials on the Apply menu to learn more about this service.

How do I create and attach written statements?

You can create written statements, résumés, and any other required documents in other programs (such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Notepad, and so forth) and attach them to your applications. To upload and attach your files, click Browse, choose the file you would like to attach, enter a title in the Describe the file field, and click Update. You can attach files in the following formats: DOC, HTM, HTML, TXT, WP, WPD, RTF, WPS, WPT, DOCX. It is important that the description of your written statements convey information regarding the content so that if you wish to edit or delete a written statement in the future, it will be easily identifiable.

How do I view my written statements?

Once you attach a written statement, you will see the file name in the “Files in your application package” area of the Submit Additional Documents screen. Click Return to Application to go to the Active Applications screen. Click Submit Application to move to the Application Preview and Submission screen. Use Preview to see what your application package will look like when the school views it or it is printed by LSAC. You will need Adobe Reader 5 or later installed on your computer to use the preview function. Please review the preview carefully as it displays an exact copy of what will be sent to the law school.

How do I edit my written statements?

To edit a written statement you have already uploaded, you will need to delete the uploaded document and then replace it. Click View or Edit in Upload Additional Documents on the Active Applications page. Click the Remove link next to your attached document and upload your edited document.

How do I delete a written statement?

To delete a written statement you have already uploaded, click View or Edit in Upload Additional Documents on the Active Applications page. On the Submit Additional Documents screen, click the Remove link next to your attached document.

What do I do if my written statements do not convert to PDF?

Occasionally, an Internet error will cause a file to not transmit correctly. If you attempt to preview your application and you receive a message that one or more of your written statements does not convert to PDF, click Return to Application at the bottom of the page. Remove the statement that failed to convert and attach it again. If the document still will not convert and it is in Word 2007 (DOCX) format, open your original document in Word and save it to a different format by going to File, Save As, and selecting File Type Word 97–2003 Compatible Format (DOC) or Rich Text Format (RTF). Attach the new document to your application and preview the application package.

How do I print my application?

While you are viewing your application, click Print (located next to Save in the blue toolbar at the top of the application). This will open the Print dialogue for your operating system. If you wish to print your application after you have sent it to LSAC, locate the application either in Active Applications or in LSAC Completed Applications, depending on its processing status. Click the application for the term you wish to print and then click “Download a copy of your transmitted application.” It will open in a pop-up as a PDF file. Click Save or Print from the toolbar.

Note: The law school electronic applications were tested on numerous printer, browser, and operating-system configurations. It is not possible to anticipate results on every printer model. Make sure to proofread every application prior to sending it to a law school.

How do I save my application?

Once you have completed your application form, click Save in the blue toolbar at the top of the application. You may see a drop-down message: “Your application has not been saved due to the following validation issue(s).”  Follow the instructions to correct any problems that are identified. After clicking Save, wait until you return to the previous page to ensure that your data has been saved. The Save button only saves your application data. It does not send your application electronically to LSAC for transmission to the law school. You must place your completed applications in the Shopping Cart and complete the checkout process before transmission to the law schools can occur.

We recommend that you save your work periodically. Your information is stored on a secure server, and the connection to that server may be timed out after a time limit set by your Internet service provider. If your connection times out, any information you have entered and not saved will be lost.

Warning: Do not use the Save option from your Web browser’s File menu. This will not update the application on file at LSAC. Use only the Save button in the blue toolbar at the top of the applications to save your applications.

How do I find a list of the applications I’ve saved?

From My Home page, go to My Law Schools/Applications and select My Active Applications. Your active applications will be listed. A column at left indicates the current status of an application. All saved applications will have a status of In Progress.

Can I change information on an application that I have already saved but not yet sent to LSAC?

Yes. You can edit information from any application with a status of In Progress. From the Active Applications list, click the name of the school for the application you wish to change. Then click on Primary Application for the application you wish to edit. Remember to save it again when you are finished making changes. If the application's status is Shopping Cart, you must first remove the application from the Shopping Cart to return it to Active Applications.

Can I delete a saved application?

Yes. You can delete any application as long as its status is listed as In Progress. Click Delete under Prepare to Apply on the Active Applications page. The application will be cleared, and it will no longer appear on the list of Active Applications. If letters of recommendation are assigned to the application, they must be unassigned before the Delete button is active. If the application’s status is Shopping Cart, you must first remove the application from the Shopping Cart to change the status back to Saved. If the application is marked as Sent, Transmitted, or Completed you cannot delete it.

How do I remove an application from my shopping cart?

Go to your Shopping Cart, then click the Remove link next to the application. Your application is now returned to Active Applications.

Can I electronically transmit my applications directly to the law schools?

No. When you check out of Shopping Cart, your application is sent to LSAC for processing; it is time-stamped and made available for the law school to download. Within 24 to 48 hours, a paper copy of your application is printed and mailed to the law school. Some schools may choose not to receive a paper copy.

How can I be sure my applications are transmitted by LSAC to the law schools in time to meet their deadlines?

Law schools can specify to LSAC the date and time of day (Eastern Time) they wish to stop the transmission of electronic applications. The default time is 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the date of the school’s application deadline. Information about these deadlines is included on the application itself, in the application instructions or checklists, and to the right of the school name in Active Applications.

Note: The Save button only saves your application data. It does not send your application electronically to LSAC for transmission to the law school. You must place your completed applications in the Shopping Cart and complete the checkout process before transmission to the law schools can occur.

Each application is stamped with the date and time you send it to LSAC. Once the application’s status is listed as Transmitted, the law school can immediately access the application, although each school maintains its own schedule for reviewing incoming applications.

We highly recommend that you not wait until the last minute to send your applications to LSAC. Internet slowness, server problems at your ISP or elsewhere, or other issues beyond LSAC's control may occur, resulting in the deadline passing without your application being transmitted. Once the deadline has passed, the time stamp cannot be changed, so please pay careful attention to deadline dates. It is your responsibility to check and ensure that you have completed all the necessary steps to transmit your application.

Why hasn't my application been transmitted?

First, check the application’s status. If it is listed as anything other than Sent, Transmitted, or Completed, you have not completed the electronic transmission process. If the status is listed as Shopping Cart, you must complete the checkout process before your application will be sent to LSAC. Once sent, applications can take up to 48 hours to be processed and transmitted to the law schools, depending on server load and other variables. It is your responsibility to check and ensure that you have completed all the necessary steps to transmit your application.

I did not receive my confirmation e-mail for my transmitted Law School Application.

The “confirmation of transmission” e-mails are generated automatically. If you are not receiving them, you should check to make sure that your e-mail address is correct in your LSAC.org account or that they are not getting caught in your spam filter. You can verify that the application was transmitted by logging into your account and opening the specific law school application that you transmitted; it should say Transmitted next to the name of the law school.

How will I know if the law schools received my applications?

After you send your applications to LSAC for processing, you can make sure they were sent to the law schools by logging in to your LSAC.org account and checking your LSAC application status online. It can take the schools several weeks to process applications, even those they receive electronically.

Why hasn't the school received my transmitted application?

If your application file status is Transmitted, it means that an electronic copy of the application has been sent to the school. However, some schools will not consider an application officially received until they also receive the paper copy LSAC sends. It can take up to three weeks from the date you sent the application electronically to LSAC for the school to receive the paper copy. This will not have any effect on the application’s deadline. Your application will not be considered late, as it is time-stamped when electronically transmitted so the school knows exactly when you sent it.

What is the deadline for transmitting applications?

Law schools can specify to LSAC the date and time of day (Eastern Time) they wish to stop the transmission of electronic applications. The default deadline time is 11:59 pm (ET) on the date of the school’s application deadline. Information about these deadlines is included on the applications, in the application instructions or checklists of the individual law schools, and to the right of the school name in Active Applications.

Applications can take up to 48 hours to be processed for transmission by LSAC. For the most part, they will be processed sooner than that, but if LSAC’s servers become overburdened due to excessive use, some applications may take the full 48 hours. It is highlyrecommended that you not wait until the last minute to transmit your applications. Internet slowness, server problems at your ISP or elsewhere, or other issues beyond LSAC’s control may occur, resulting in the deadline passing without your application being transmitted. Once the deadline has passed, the time stamp cannot be changed, so please pay careful attention to deadline dates. Once LSAC transmits an application, it can be immediately accessed by the law school, although it is up to the school how often they review incoming applications.

How early do I need to send my applications?

You should send your applications as early as possible to avoid last-minute complications. The deadline for electronic application transmission is established by each school. The schools list their deadlines on their application instructions or checklists, on the applications themselves, and to the right of the school name in Active Applications.

When I try to send my application, it tells me to make sure that I have printed and signed the certification letter, even though I already did. What do I do?

When you open your certification letter, be sure to click the Printed and Signed button at the bottom of the screen. This button must be clicked before our system will recognize that the certification letter has been printed and signed.

I have added a lot of applications to my shopping cart and now I am getting an error message when I try to check out.  What should I do?

Shopping Cart size is limited. If you place too many items in your cart, you may be unable to check out. Also, if the items exceed the limit, a warning will be displayed and the Checkout button at the bottom of the page will become hidden. To remove applications from the Shopping Cart, click Remove, next to the application. Your application is now returned to Active Applications.

I sent an application, then noticed an error or need to make a change. Can I edit and resend the application?

After an application has been sent to LSAC, it cannot be recalled, canceled, or resent. You will be required to review your entire application package before proceeding to Checkout. Once you complete the checkout process, you cannot make any changes to your application via LSAC. If you need to make corrections, additions, or changes to your application once you have completed the checkout process, you will have to send a paper copy directly to the school. You will also need to include a cover letter stating why you are sending the correction and what changes you are making.

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