When Do Law School Applications Open?
As your application process moves forward, it’s essential that you stay abreast of law school research and keep an eye out for applications and deadlines. Register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS), which for a fee assembles your transcripts, LSAT scores and letters of recommendation into one report for every school you apply to.
September
Now is an excellent time to research law schools that interest you and create your school list. Additionally, now is also an excellent time to start working on your application materials and taking LSAT tests – many schools accept applications on a rolling basis, though admissions teams are likely still filling classes until November or later if you wait too long!
It’s also wise to create or update your resume, research the process for sending transcripts to LSAC from undergraduate schools, and start writing essays. Most law schools require personal statements and diversity statements as part of the application, while additional essays may also be requested by some schools; it is ideal to complete these before your application deadline arrives.
Once applications are open, you can start filling them out on LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Most law schools have their own electronic applications available through this platform – however CAS makes them all available at once in mid-August or September allowing you to save your progress throughout. Furthermore, begin soliciting recommendation letters early as most recommenders require at least 30 days to write letters for you – another task which must be accomplished prior to application deadline.
If you are committed to attending one or more law schools, early decision 1 or 2 (if binding) applications could increase your chances of acceptance while alleviating stress by not waiting until the last minute to submit them.
In September, applicants should also consider taking the October or November LSAT exams in order to increase their chances of attaining a higher score if necessary. It is wise to make this decision carefully in light of personal circumstances and goals for law school; failing which retaking could prove extremely costly – potentially delaying acceptance into your desired law school program.
October
At this time of year, many highly competitive law schools begin accepting and reviewing applications. If you want to increase your odds of getting into law school and receiving scholarship money, applying during this month is the optimal strategy; most law schools use rolling admissions and begin handing out acceptance letters almost as soon as they receive them; additionally, most top-tier schools also offer scholarships on an ongoing basis – so the longer you wait to submit an application, the fewer scholarships may remain.
By this time, most law school applicants should have completed their LSAT studies and are ready to assemble their applications. In addition, they should have requested transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended (excepting quarter system schools) so they arrive on time for submission to LSAC for distribution to your preferred law schools or professional programs. You should also begin writing your personal statement (if applicable) and diversity statement or addendum before sending them off. It would be prudent to have several knowledgeable individuals read over these essays prior to sending them off.
Additionally, applicants will often need letters of recommendation. This process requires time-consuming tasks such as 1) selecting suitable recommenders; 2) scheduling meetings with them and 3), having them write and sign their letters. Therefore, when preparing to apply to law school it is crucial that you plan ahead by asking your recommenders for letters before September ends or even earlier if required.
Note that certain law schools impose hard deadlines for applications, meaning any submitted after this date will likely not be reviewed and considered. Most schools still review late applications if they are complete and therefore it would be wise to plan ahead and submit yours by November 1.
November
While the LSAT remains an essential factor in law school admissions, its influence does not end there. Essays applicants write for each law school they apply to are also extremely influential and should begin early in the process if possible. Drafting, revising and editing essay components takes significant effort – so if you’re planning on attending law school it is recommended to start working on writing your application essays as early as possible!
Once your list is compiled and organized, the next step should be creating and organizing it. With your list in hand, it should become easier to prioritize which schools you’ll apply to first while waiting out application cycles for others. Also start thinking about whether early decision or regular decision is better for your top schools: early decision applications typically must be submitted three months early as regular decision deadlines loom nearer; early decision processes tend to be binding thus forcing applicants to withdraw other applications once accepted into Early Decision processes.
If you plan on applying early, make sure that all your application materials are complete and that you understand all the admissions requirements of the law school you wish to attend. Doing this will prevent any unexpected surprises when making decisions later on. In addition, request recommendation letters by September to allow recommenders ample time to send their letters through LSAC.
As part of your application to law school, it is also beneficial to research housing options and start the process of securing accommodation. Doing this early will reduce stress later on and ensure you’re ready to move and settle into your new place before the fall semester starts – particularly important if attending out-of-state or distant law schools. Furthermore, research the legal job market to begin planning your career goals.
December
Be sure to submit your applications early. Schools usually accept applications on a rolling basis, meaning the earlier you apply the more seats may become available; this is particularly true of top law schools. Many schools also have deadlines set in place that ensure full consideration only for applicants who submit by their stated due dates.
Start assembling your law school application between August and September for optimal results. At this time, conduct school research to identify programs that appeal to you on various factors including location, class size, faculty strength in specific areas and reputation. Also discover more by browsing their websites, reading legal blogs/forums articles about them or consulting publications such as U.S. News & World Report.
Admissions teams begin reviewing applications in October and selecting people for admissions teams to review for each semester’s incoming class, which can be an extremely competitive process; classes fill quickly. It is highly advised that anyone applying to programs that require high GPA or LSAT scores submit their application by November in order to maximize chances of acceptance.
Once your application process has reached the last mile, taking or retaking the LSAT is important in giving yourself the best chance at being accepted into your top choice of schools. Also make sure that all necessary tasks have been accomplished such as requesting letters of recommendation and submitting FAFSA applications directly to LSAC.
Notably, some schools have recently shown an openness to extending deadlines for applicants with exceptional profiles. If you are anxious about your chances of entering one or more schools, reaching out to their admissions offices might help your chances. Even if unable to submit by deadlines alone, quality over quantity should always win out!