Submitting International Transcripts For Law School

Applying to law school requires materials from transcripts to exam scores. What exactly do you do when you have two transcripts: one from a US undergrad and another from an international school?

Anna Ivey, of Anna Ivey Consulting, recently answered how law schools view international transcripts and how applicants can explain “so-so” grades.

THE RULES

LSAC generally handles international transcripts when it comes to law school applications.

The council notes that applicants are required to have “international transcripts, academic records, mark sheets, and degree certifications sent directly from the issuing institution” if they are applying to a law school that requires Credential Assembly Service Authentication and Evaluation (CAS A&E).

Typically, Ivey says, the LSAC report will supplement an Academic Summary Report (ASR).

“The ASR includes your undergraduate grades and transcript from the US,” Ivey writes. “Will law schools see the international transcripts? Typically yes, because the transcripts are attached to the authentication and evaluation report.”

Additionally, Ivey notes, the report will also include marks from graduate institutions.

“Some applicants get worried when they see only their undergraduate grades on the ASR and not their graduate school grades. That is normal. The ASR will still attach your graduate transcripts so that admissions officers can see them.”

“SO-SO” GRADES

For many, a transcript may show a dip in grades over a certain period of time.

That may worry applicants who wonder if admissions officers will jump to conclusions.

However, Ivey states, applicants should decide whether or not they want to explain a dip in their transcript.

“Not all backstories are worth sharing,” she writes. “Hypothetically, if your grades had been so-so because you were spending too much time drinking at the pub, you’d be better off not trying to justify or spin your grades. As I like to say about a lot of addendum ideas that applicants have, it’s best to let that sleeping dog lie.”

Sources: Anna Ivey Consulting, LSAC