Application Process

You can apply electronically to California Western School of Law through LSAC. A $55.00 application fee will be required with submission of your application. You will also need to register with CAS if you haven't already done so. (Please call LSAC's Help Desk at (215) 968-1393 for assistance with this service.)

Steps for Applying | Credentials Assembly Services (CAS) Report | Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) | Personal Statement | Diversity Statement | Addendum Statements | Letters of Recommendation | Transcripts | Volunteer Work History | Fees

Steps for Applying

Step 1: Complete, date and submit the application (this may be done electronically on LSAC's website)

Step 2: Write a personal statement to include with the application. (See below for additional information about personal statement requirements).

Step 3: You may include an optional diversity statement or an addendum statement.

Step 4: Prepare a resume or work history and/or volunteer service to include with your application (Required)

Step 5: Submit electronically supporting documents along with a $55.00 nonrefundable application processing fee to LSAC's e-app service.

The application and supporting material may be submitted before taking the LSAT. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure his/her file is complete. Please include your LSAC account number on all correspondence.

Step 6: Arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent to the Admissions Office from Law Services with the CAS report.

Step 7: All applicants must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and register with the Credentials Assembly Service (CAS) at Law Services, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940. (215) 968-1001.

To assure prompt service, please notify us if your address, email, and/or phone number changes during the admissions process.

Credentials Assembly Services (CAS) Report

To obtain the LSAT/CAS Registration and Information information, go to www.lsac.org, or contact the California Western Admissions Office.

You must register for the Credentials Assembly Service (CAS). Our LSAT law school code number is 4802. Law Services will release the report to any school to which the applicant has applied and provided his/her social security number. Applicants should register with CAS in early fall, and ask their college registrar to mail transcripts to CAS as soon as possible. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that this process has taken place.

Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)

All applicants are required to take the LSAT. Applicants must have taken the LSAT within the past three years; otherwise applicants should retake the test. If more than one LSAT score is reported, the scores will be averaged.

The LSAT test is given four times each year: October, December, February and June. The latest LSAT we can consider for the Fall entering class is the February test, and the latest LSAT we can consider for the Spring entering class is the October test. Later test dates may affect scholarship and financial aid opportunities. We encourage the applicant to prepare adequately for the test. Studies show that applicants who use several sources for preparation, and practice by working through the entire test on a timed basis, score better than those who do not.

Personal Statement

A brief one to two-page personal essay is required. Please consider one of the questions listed below to help guide your personal statement topic:

a. Write a personal statement about your expectations for what law school ought to be (e.g., focusing on issues such as what your expectations are, how do you know law school is right for you, what your life as a lawyer will be, or discuss a lawyer's role as a creative problem solver.

b. What is the most difficult thing you have ever had to do?

c. If you could relive any one day of your life, what day would it be?

d. At California Western, we make an effort to understand what you value, in order to provide support and guidance to your personal goals. Please attach a brief statement in which you discuss the personal values most important to you.

e. Write a statement on a topic of your choice.

While the academic record and performance on the LSAT are the most important aspects of the review process, a well-written essay can be a significant factor. If you have something extra you would like to highlight, be sure to discuss it in your personal statement. PLEASE NOTE: The Admissions Committee does not conduct personal interviews.

Diversity Statement

You may wish to include an optional diversity statement. California Western recognizes that a diverse student body enhances the educational process for all students. To ensure the benefits of diversity, we consider, in addition to academic credentials, a variety of factors such as background, experience and personal characteristics when reviewing applications to ensure the benefits of diversity. Examples of factors which may be considered for diversity purposes include but are not limited to the following: ethnic minority applicants; bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender applicants; older applicants; applicants from geographically diverse areas; applicants with disabilities, applicants who have overcome economic, religious or cultural disadvantage, personal adversity or other social hardships; applicants who have lived in a foreign country or who spoke a language other than English at home; applicants with unusual career goals, employment history, volunteer or community service, or military or law enforcement experience.

An applicant who believes that his/her background or experience can contribute to the law school's goal of diversity and educational enrichment, and who wishes to have this considered in the admissions process, should provide written detailed information about his or her background or experience as part of the personal statement or in a separate diversity statement.

Addendum Statements

You are encouraged to include a separate statement explaining any perceived weaknesses in your application you feel may need to be explained to the admissions committee. This could include, but is not limited to, unique situations that may have affected your LSAT score or an illness in college that may have impacted your grades. It is important to note that this written statement should not be used as a means for making excuses for substandard academic performance or test scores, but as a means for communicating fully, inconsistencies.

Letters of Recommendation

Submit two letters of recommendation, preferably from professors or employers, attesting to your qualifications for the study of law. Letters should be submitted to Law Services (on letterhead) to be attached to your CAS report.

Transcripts

Transcripts from all of the colleges or universities you have attended must be submitted to LSAC for processing.

After admission and before enrollment, official transcripts must be sent directly to California Western Admissions Office from the degree-granting undergraduate school. Hand-delivered transcripts cannot be accepted. If the transcript will not precede enrollment, the applicant must provide written documentation to the Admissions Office that degree requirements will have been completed but that the official transcript will arrive after enrollment. An "official transcript" is a transcript certified by the issuing school sent to California Western in a sealed envelope with seal intact. Copies supplied by CAS are not official transcripts. "An official transcript showing the receipt of a degree(s) and all academic work undertaken prior to the date of registration of the applicant shall be on file at the time the student registers in the law school or within a reasonable time thereafter." (ABA Standard 502)

Volunteer Work History

Please include a resume or summary of your volunteer and/or work history, including activities where you assumed leadership.

Fees

Please include a resume or summary of your volunteer and/or work history, including activities where you assumed leadership.