If you want to be admitted to law school, you'll have to deal with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). They're responsible for the LSAT and the application process for a majority of law schools in the US. Additionally, if you run afoul of the LSAC's rules, it could put your law school admission in jeopardy.
You've worked hard to get into law school. You studied for and took the LSAT (perhaps more than once), sought letters of recommendation, and prepared your application materials. You did everything that was required of you and even more. Don't let that time and effort go to waste because the LSAC thinks you've broken their rules.
At the LLF Law Firm, our Student Defense Team wants to help you protect your future as a law student. If you get into any kind of trouble with LSAC, you should give our team a call at 888-535-3686 or send us a message online and we will get back to you right away.
What Is the LSAC?
LSAC is a non-profit organization made up of law schools accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) that helps pre-law students apply for and get admitted to law schools. The LSAC is responsible for administering the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which almost all law schools require students to take as part of the application process.
The LSAC also provides other services for pre-law students and law schools, including:
- Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
- LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS)
- LSAC law school forums
- Candidate Referral Service (CRS)
- LSAC Ambassadors Program
Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
In addition to handling and administering the LSAT, the LSAC also has a system that helps prospective law school students simplify their applications. When you enroll in the CAS, you can send all your transcripts, recommendations, LSAT scores, and other application materials to the LSAC rather than to individual schools. LSAC prepares a report based on the information you provide and sends the report to the schools you wish to apply to. Almost all ABA-approved law schools require you to use CAS if you want to enter a JD program.
LSAC Policies
The LSAC has several policies concerning the LSAT, CAS, and other matters. These policies are very strict, and every potential law school student must adhere to them if they want to be admitted to a JD program affiliated with LSAC.
The LSAC has LSAT test-taking policies related to:
- The 10-minute intermission during the exam
- Accommodations for disabilities
- Changing biographical information
- Changing a test date
- Fairness procedures
- Identification requirements
- Limits on how many times you can take the test
- The LSAC candidate agreement
- Refund for the LSAT fee
- The LSAT score
- Misconduct and irregularities during the admission process
- Modifications for nursing mothers
- Photo requirements
- Getting a second opinion on your LSAT score (score audit)
- Cancelling your LSAT score
- Explanation of your LSAT score report
- Handling complaints and feedback about test day
- Challenging test questions
- Disclosed LSAT forms for practice use
- Withdrawing your registration from a test
- Enrolling in CAS and how to use it
- Changing your biographical information in CAS
- Prior law school matriculation
- How grades are converted for CAS
- Fee waivers for the LSAT and CAS
- Issuing refunds for LSAC services (including for the LSAT)
While most policies concern prospective students—they are the primary group LSAC's services are for—there are a few policies that law schools must pay attention to as well. The LSAC has a set of cautionary policies that advise law schools on how to use LSAT scores and the CAS in the admission process. In general, the LSAC advises schools not to rely solely on information provided by them. Law schools should look beyond LSAT scores and transcript summaries to evaluate candidates as a whole.
LSAC Misconduct Issues
Most misconduct issues that arise with LSAC are related to the LSAT. You can read a full list of what is considered LSAT misconduct in our guide to LSAT test issues. Some misconduct or “irregularities,” as the LSAC calls them, can be related to CAS or other application materials, however.
These violations include:
- Submitting false, inconsistent, or misleading information to CAS
- Submitting false, inconsistent, or misleading statements or omissions of information in the CAS registration process or on individual law school application forms
- Falsifying transcript information, school attendance, honors, awards, or employment
- Providing false, inconsistent, or misleading information in the financial aid/scholarship application process
If someone believes you've committed a misconduct violation concerning your law school application, they can report it to LSAC, which can launch a disciplinary procedure. Note that the LSAC can charge you with misconduct prior to admission to law school, after matriculation at a law school, or even after you're admitted to practice as a lawyer.
To know what happens once the LSAC accuses you of misconduct, read our guide to LSAT test issues. It covers the investigation and adjudication process in more detail.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Deal with the LSAC?
If you are dealing with a misconduct or irregularity issue with the LSAC, you should take it seriously. Any problems with your LSAT, CAS application, or other service provided by the LSAC could negatively impact your ability to get into law school. Unfortunately, every school you apply to will see that there's a complication with your admissions.
Going through the adjudication process is easier if you have a Student Defense Team of attorneys by your side. At the LLF Law Firm, we can assist you with building your case, speaking to LSAC negotiators on your behalf, and guiding you through the adjudication process. If you want to protect your chances of getting into the law school of your dreams, contact us today at 888-535-3686 or send us a message online.
