Here is a list of things that can cause a delay in the application process. Encourage your students to ensure that they have not left these items incomplete or out of their application.
Missing CAS report. The CAS report is an essential part of an applicant’s file. Applicants must ensure that the CAS report is submitted at the same time as (or shortly after) their application. The most common reason for a missing CAS report is that the applicant has not designated a certain school to receive the report. The other common reason is that the applicant has unpaid fees associated with the CAS.
Missing transcripts. Law schools will often ask to see all academic transcripts of an applicant from after the completion of their high school education. An applicant should be sure the CAS report includes all of the transcripts from their college and graduate studies, including any from study abroad programs.
Missing LSAT writing sample. LSAT gives applicants plenty of time to complete the LSAT writing sample, but it is important for students to consider how prolonging the completion of the writing sample may keep admissions committees from being able to make a timely decision on the file.
Missing letters of recommendation. Most schools request letters of recommendation to understand how others see applicants. When a letter of recommendation is missing, an admissions committee is unable to make the proper judgement call on the applicant’s academic and professional character. It is important to ensure these are also included in the CAS report.
Upcoming LSAT score. The LSAT score is crucial to the admissions process. Without it, an admissions committee is unable to make the appropriate decision about an applicant. Some schools may allow an applicant to submit his/her application without an accompanying LSAT score, but the school will not review the file until a score has been reported. Some schools may even be willing to hold the file for review until the LSAT score is reported. It is imperative for applicants to ensure that their LSAT scores are reported to the schools in which they are interested soon after they have submitted their applications. Typically, the LSAT score will be reported with a completed CAS report; however, in cases where an applicant has retaken the LSAT and notified the schools of this, the applicant should ensure his/her LSAT score is reported to those schools.
Missing character and fitness addendum. If an applicant does check “yes” for one or more of the character and fitness questions, he/she will need to complete an addendum addressing the issues and providing details of what led up to the infractions, sanctions, charges or convictions. The applicant will also want to include the disposition of such situations. If at all possible, it is usually in the applicant’s best interest to include the court documents or disciplinary documents for those situations.
Inconsistent information between a CAS report and an application. Discrepancies between a CAS report and an application will cause admissions committees to pause and wonder which of the information presented is correct and why there are differences. Be sure to have your students address discrepancies they are aware of in the addendum.
Not responding promptly to the admission committee’s inquiries. Sometimes a law school’s admissions office may reach out to an applicant to inquire about documents missing from the CAS report or the application. Applicants sometimes do not answer. This holds up the process because the admissions committee is unable to make a decision without the necessary information. This can eventually lead to an applicant’s file being indefinitely incomplete.