When Law School Applications Are Due
At least 10 months before your law school application submission date is the best time to start preparing. This allows enough time for you to take and study strategically for the LSAT examination (or even retake it if needed) in preparation.
Law schools generally follow a rolling admissions process wherein classes fill as applicants are accepted; thus review often begins as early as October for applications submitted for review.
Fall
When it comes to law school admissions, fall is typically the ideal time and place to submit applications. Most schools start accepting applications around September/October with early decision deadlines typically being in November.
Law schools employ rolling admissions cycles, but that does not equate to late applications being considered by them. Instead, law schools consider applications “on time” when all elements of them have been received by the admissions committee: including an applicant’s LSAC Credential Assembly Service Report and two faculty evaluations as well as any documents submitted on behalf of an applicant such as recommendation letters or dean’s certifications.
As a rule of thumb, aim to have your application ready by November 1. However, the exact timeline will depend on when and how soon after taking the LSAT your early decision application will be approved – something which may accelerate this process considerably.
As you work to meet your submission date, don’t forget that editing each component of your application carefully can ensure it reflects you accurately and free from errors. Doing this will allow for maximum representation and success of you and your unique background.
Once your applications are in order, patience is key as you wait for law school admissions committee to review them. Once submitted, they’ll be reviewed on an ongoing basis until full or until law school begins – being early and on time is your best bet for success – after that, simply tie up any loose ends and prepare to start your legal education! Good luck!
Winter
An application to law school takes time, effort, and planning – it is vitally important that you begin planning for it as early as possible – between the summer of your junior year and beginning of senior year is ideal. This gives ample time for studying for the LSAT, researching law schools, and beginning your application process.
Your first step should be identifying which law schools you would like to attend based on research, personal goals and knowledge of programs offered at each institution. Once your list is finalized, add their admission requirements and deadlines onto a calendar so you stay organized and meet them on time.
Consider whether any of the law schools on your list provide early decision options. As these tend to require you to withdraw applications from all other schools if accepted early decision, it’s wise to evaluate these opportunities thoroughly.
Once you have finalized your list of law schools, the next step should be drafting applications. Take care in adhering to their specific guidelines and deadlines – missing any one could reduce your chances of admission significantly! Also take the time with each application, double-checking that all materials required have been uploaded along with any errors in answers provided.
Once your applications are submitted, allow schools time to process them. They should send you an online status report with a timeline letting you know when you should hear back from them. If an acceptance letter comes through, start planning housing and researching local transportation options, as well as taking any other necessary steps before starting law school.
Be mindful that law school applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the sooner you apply the better your odds are of being admitted and being granted a merit scholarship. Therefore, aim to submit your application by early January at the latest.
Spring
At this stage of your application process, you have likely narrowed down your shortlist of law schools. Now is the time to work on your applications by providing all documents requested by LSAC (recommendations letters and transcripts) as well as making sure all answers adhere to best practices. Furthermore, consider taking or retaking the LSAT again, if needed, in order to improve your score and position yourself for merit scholarships.
Law schools review applications continuously throughout the spring semester, so applying early may increase your chances of admission. Furthermore, many law schools offer merit scholarships to applicants who submit by specific dates – applying early may increase your odds of receiving this financial boost!
If you are applying to early decision programs, their deadlines tend to fall around November and can significantly shorten the process of application. However, acceptance into one usually means you must withdraw applications from other schools as part of this arrangement.
As law schools will still accept applications in the spring, it’s essential to do your research and understand their admissions policies thoroughly. Also take your time completing each application so you’re representing yourself at its best!
Start collecting recommendation letters in April, as well as taking any employment or volunteer experiences that will enhance your application. It’s also a good time to start researching prospective law schools based on your interests, GPA/LSAT scores and research potential law schools that might best fit you. Finally, this month is also ideal for starting to write your personal statement/application essay(s).
As fall semester is quickly approaching, now is the time to make sure all enrollment requirements have been completed, including sending final transcripts and immunization records. Attend any admitted student open houses or orientations happening near you if possible and confirm when your financial aid refund check will arrive so you can plan appropriately for law school in fall.
Summer
Law school applications typically open in the fall, with some schools opening as early as October and others waiting until November. No matter when they start opening applications, all applicants should submit theirs by February/March at the latest; most law schools use rolling admissions systems and will begin admitting students once enough applications come in to fill a class. In addition, many law schools award merit scholarships on a rolling basis and the earlier you apply, the greater your chance of receiving one!
Dependent upon your school of choice, applying to law school through an early decision program may also be possible. Early decision programs tend to have stricter requirements and usually come due in November or December; additionally, their deadlines tend to be considered “hard”, while regular decision deadlines tend to be considered “soft”.
Students applying through standard early decision programs should follow a more traditional application process. They should compile a list of their top law schools and begin researching programs, student opportunities, admission requirements, GPA thresholds and LSAT scores as a way of narrowing down which schools they can realistically get into at this point in time. It is recommended they request letters of recommendation from professors they have studied under, employers where they have worked, or community or spiritual leaders whom they have closely collaborated.
The last four to six months leading up to when you plan on submitting your law school application will be filled with preparation of application materials, letters of recommendation and working on personal statements and diversity statements required by individual law schools – among other optional essays or statements that may also be required of you. Keep in mind that it takes between 10-15 months for all steps involved with law school applications to be submitted successfully so make sure to give yourself enough time!