In attempting to determine motivation, Southwestern considers an applicant's civic and professional extracurricular activities, evidence of leadership, employment background, and experience in law-related fields. Applicants answer the core questions once and select the school to which they wish to apply, and the program places the answers in the proper fields. With the electronic application clearinghouse service, applicants release their applications electronically to LSAC, then the LSAC will in turn forward them to the law schools, both electronically and via paper. Candidates using the software will not be given any preference or advantage over candidates not using the software. Designed to measure certain abilities important in the study of law, the LSAT is used by law schools in assessing the academic promise of their applicants.
Any LSAT score earned within the past three-year period is acceptable.
Applicants should register for the LSAT no later than 30 days before the test date. Applicants holding undergraduate degrees from foreign institutions should refer to the Foreign, Transfer and Visiting Students section. The information book includes the forms that are to be completed and given to each writer submitting a letter of recommendation on the applicant's behalf. Southwestern strongly recommends the submission of up to three letters of recommendation, preferably from college professors who can attest to the applicant's ability to enter a competitive professional program. For applicants who have been out of school for some time, letters from their places of employment may be able to address their strengths and abilities as they would relate to potential success in a law school environment.