The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is a vital component of the application process for prospective law school students in the United States. This service, provided by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), simplifies and centralizes the submission of application materials, making the process more efficient for both applicants and law schools. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Credential Assembly Service, outlining its features, costs, and how to get started.
What is the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)?
The Credential Assembly Service acts as a central hub for all your application documents. Instead of sending transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other required materials to each law school individually, you submit them only once to LSAC through CAS. LSAC then verifies, summarizes, and combines these documents with your LSAT score into a comprehensive report, known as the CAS Report, which is then forwarded to all your chosen law schools. This streamlined approach saves significant time and effort. Most American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law schools require applicants to utilize CAS. However, if you’re applying exclusively to law schools in Canada, CAS is not required.
Credential Assembly Service Fees: Understanding the Costs
Utilizing the Credential Assembly Service involves certain fees. A CAS subscription currently costs $207 and remains active for five years. This subscription covers several key services:
- Transcript Summarization: CAS processes, authenticates, and evaluates academic records, including those from international institutions.
- CAS Report Creation: While the subscription covers the creation of your report, each report sent to a law school costs $45. You’ll need to purchase a CAS Report for every school you apply to.
- Letter of Recommendation Processing: CAS handles the processing of your letters of recommendation, whether submitted electronically or by mail.
- Electronic Application Processing: CAS facilitates the electronic submission of applications to all ABA-approved and some non-ABA-approved law schools.
For applicants facing financial constraints, LSAC offers fee waivers that can cover the CAS subscription fee and up to six CAS Reports. This assistance helps ensure that financial hardship doesn’t prevent qualified individuals from applying to law school. More information on fee waivers can be found on the LSAC website.
Initiating Your Credential Assembly Service Application: A Step-by-Step Guide
While the order isn’t strict, you must complete all the following steps before LSAC can finalize and send your CAS Report:
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LSAC JD Account Creation: Establish a secure LSAC JD account online.
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Reportable LSAT Score: Ensure a reportable LSAT score is linked to your account, as required by the law schools you’re applying to.
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Academic Institution Information: Provide details about all undergraduate and graduate institutions you’ve attended.
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Transcript Submission: Send official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, professional, and law schools you attended.
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Letter of Recommendation Submission: Ensure all required letters of recommendation are submitted through CAS.
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CAS Fee Payment: Pay the required CAS subscription fee.
Important Note: Processing times vary. Transcripts can take approximately two weeks, while paper letters of recommendation require up to five business days. Electronic letters of recommendation are generally available much sooner.
CAS Authentication & Evaluation (CAS A&E) for International Applicants
Applicants with international education credentials often require an additional step: CAS Authentication & Evaluation (CAS A&E). This service verifies and evaluates foreign transcripts for U.S. law schools. While many ABA-approved schools accept and even require CAS A&E, it’s crucial to confirm each school’s specific requirements, as some may require a different evaluation service.
Conclusion: The Importance of the Credential Assembly Service
The Credential Assembly Service plays a crucial role in streamlining the law school application process. By centralizing application materials, CAS simplifies submission, ensures accuracy, and ultimately saves time and effort for both applicants and law schools. Understanding the intricacies of CAS, from fees to required documents, is essential for a successful law school application journey.
