This to-do list is straight out of my new version of The Law School Admission Game, to be released in just a few weeks.

References to chapters (below) are within the new book. I hope it’s helpful to those of you applying this fall for the Fall 2014 cycle (and beyond).

1. Register for CAS (Credential Assembly Service). Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation must be sent through the CAS, and CAS then is responsible for sending these items (along with your Academic Summary Report (as per #6) and your LSAT score (as per #10) to each school where you end up applying (for a fee, as per #18, below).

2. Get a professional sounding e-mail address. E-mail names like2parTi and SexSImama probably need to be retired.

3. Cultivate and ask for letters of recommendation – at least two and up to five. (See Chapter 6, “Letters of Recommendation,” or these blog posts about letters of recommendation)

4. Add recommender information to your CAS account.

5. Send transcripts to LSAC. (See Chapter 3, “Your GPA.”)

6. Check your Academic Summary Report (based on your transcripts) for errors/inconsistencies.

7. Attend a law school forum or a campus recruiting event or visit your local law school(s). How to make the most of an LSAC forum.

8. Choose a LSAT date. (See Chapter 12, “The Application Timeline.”)

9. Select an LSAT prep method. (See Chapter 4, “The LSAT,” or read my LSAT Prep blog posts)

10. Take the LSAT.

11. Collect fee waivers (free applications)!

12. Create and hone your resume. (See Chapter 7, “Building Your Resume,” or read these posts about your resume.)

13. Write your personal statement. (See Chapter 10, “The Personal Statement,” or these posts on the personal statement.)

14. Create your addenda (re: Character and Fitness (Chapter 9, “Explaining Your Weaknesses”); LSAT (Chapter 4, “The LSAT”), Grades (Chapter 3, “Your GPA”), or disability (Chapter 9, “Explaining Your Weaknesses”).

15. Create a list of schools, essay prompts, and requirements as per the application instructions and each school’s website. (See Chapter 14, “Choosing a Law School.”)

16. Write optional essays. (See Chapter 11, “Writing Optional Essays.”)

17. Fill out applications online, then proofread them! (See Chapter 13, “Filling Out Applications.”)

18. Pay for LSAC reports for each school and for the applications themselves.

19. Submit applications.