Application Timeline

From Applying to Law School to Your First Day as a 1L

Applying to Law School

When applying to law schools, you should expect to be rejected by at least 1 school you apply to. That’s because you should be applying to at least some law schools that have LSAT and GPA scores that are higher than yours (unless, of course, you got a 4.0 from Harvard and a 180 on the LSAT). Think of it this way: If at the end of the application process you are accepted to every law school you applied to, and you didn’t apply to some other schools because you didn’t think you would get in, then you’ll always wonder whether you could have gotten into those other schools, too. So, we recommend applying to 2 safety schools, 4-5 schools where you have a reasonable chance of admission, and 4-5 schools you’d love to go to but probably can’t get in. Below is a comprehensive timeline to help guide you through every step of applying to law school.

Application Timeline

24-19 Months (August-January, Junior Year)

Research Law Schools. Research law schools online at AdmissionsDean and LSAC.org.

Draft List of Law Schools. Create draft list of law schools to apply to, and begin tracking them on AdmissionsDean.

Decide When to Take the LSAT. We recommend either February or June the year before you apply to law school.

Prepare for the LSAT. If taking the LSAT in February, begin preparing to take the LSAT. We recommend that you take an LSAT prep course or engage a tutor; at a minimum, buy and take 10-15 actual old LSATs and engage in rigorous self-study.

Setup LSAC Account & Register for LSAT. If taking the LSAT in February, set up your LSAC account online and register for the LSAT at least 30 days before the exam. Registering with the LSAC and using their Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) is mandatory to apply to most law schools. Your LSAC account allows you to:

Purchase LSAT prep materials
Register to take the LSAT
Receive your LSAT score early by email
Register for free Law School Forums (see below)
Use the LSAC’s LSDAS service
Apply online to law schools
Check your application status with most law schools

Identify Recommendation Letter Writers. Draft list of possible persons to write a total of 2-4 law school recommendation letters on your behalf. Make sure to cultivate those relationships during this time. We recommend college professors and bosses at meaningful jobs as the best recommendation writers.

Meet with Pre-Law Advisor. If your college has a pre-law advisor, meet him/her and attend any prelaw events your college sponsors.

Attend Free Pre-Law Forums. Consider attending third-party free pre-law forums. The LSAC sponsors free Law School Forums in major cities across the US where prospective law students can attend live workshops, and meet with law school representatives and LSAC officials. In addition, while we do not endorse any particular LSAT prep course, PowerScore provides a free forum where you can have many questions answered by LSAT preparation and law school admissions experts.

18-15 Months (February-May, Junior Year)

Take the February LSAT. Register online at LSAC.org.

Get LSAT Scores. Receive LSAT score from LSAC via email 3 weeks after the exam.

Refine List of Law Schools. Refine your draft list of law schools you plan to apply to.

Re-Take the LSAT? Decide whether your LSAT score is high enough to give you a reasonable chance of admission at the law schools you plan to apply to. AdmissionsDean allows you to consult current data on the median, 25th percentile and 75th percentile LSAT scores at all ABA-approved law schools to consult. You should also meet with your college pre-law advisor to discuss your prospects. If you plan to take the LSAT again, decide whether you’ll take it in June or September/October.

Prepare for the LSAT. If taking the LSAT in June, begin preparing to take the LSAT. We recommend that you take a LSAT prep course or engage a tutor; at a minimum, buy and take 10-15 actual old LSATs and engage in rigorous self-study.

Attend Free Pre-Law Forums. Consider attending the free pre-law forum sponsored by LSAC.

14-12 Months (June-August, Junior Year)

Take the June LSAT. Register online at LSAC.

Get LSAT Scores. Receive LSAT score from LSAC via email 3 weeks after the exam.

Re-Take the LSAT? Decide whether your LSAT score is high enough to give you a reasonable chance of admission at the law schools you plan to apply to. AdmissionsDean allows you to consult current data on the median, 25th percentile and 75th percentile LSAT scores at all ABA-approved law schools to consult. You should also meet with your college pre-law advisor to discuss your prospects. If you plan to take the LSAT again, register for the September/October test and start studying again.

Finalize List of Law Schools. Finalize the list of law schools you’ll apply to.

Request Law School Applications. Request information packets from all law schools you are applying to.

Draft Personal Statement, Other Statements. Prepare a draft of your personal statement–as well as any diversity statement, mitigation statement, etc. you expect to submit in your applications–and review them with your pre-law advisor, close, smart friend/family member, and/or admissions consultant you may hire.

Draft Resume. Draft and finish your resume.

Send Transcript(s) to LSAC. Ask your college(s)/graduate school(s) Registrar(s) to send your official transcripts to the LSAC.

Solicit 2-4 Recommendation Letters. Provide recommendation letter writers with a copy of your resume, transcript and a summary of aspects of your academic/professional/personal life accomplishments for them to consider highlighting. Instruct recommenders to finish and submit letters to LSAC no later than the end of September.

11 Months (September, Senior Year)

Finish Personal Statement, Other Statements. Finish final versions of your personal statement, diversity statement, mitigation statement, etc.

Meet with Pre-Law Advisor. If your college has a pre-law advisor, meet him/her and attend any prelaw events your college sponsors.

Attend Free Pre-Law Forums. Consider a free pre-law forum sponsored by LSAC.

Request Financial Aid Applications. Request Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)/law school/private financial aid information/applications.

Request Law School Applications. Request information packets from all law schools you are applying to.

10 Months (October, Senior Year)

Take the October LSAT. Register online at LSAC.

Finish LSDAS Report. Finish the LSDAS report online.

Perfect All Law School Applications. Triple-check all aspects of your law school applications before submitting online/mailing.

Submit Law School Applications. Submit law school applications if possible/ready.

9 Months (November, Senior Year)

Submit Law School Applications. Submit all law school applications, if you have not already done so.

Confirm Receipt of Law School Applications. Obtain confirmation letters/emails from law schools that your applications are complete, and contact law schools if you do not hear from them.

Finish Obtaining Financial Aid Applications. Finish obtaining FAFSA/law school/private financial aid applications.

8 Months (December, Senior Year)

Confirm Receipt of Law School Applications. Obtain confirmation letters/emails that your applications are complete from any remaining law schools.

Do Well on Final Exams! If you’re still in college, don’t forget doing well on your final exams (law schools may see these grades before making a decision on your application)!

Draft Financial Aid Applications. Finish drafts of your financial aid applications.

Evaluate Law School Acceptances/Deferrals/Waitlists.

Unwind and Enjoy the Holidays! For at least a little while, life returns to normal.

7 Months (January, Senior Year)

Submit Updated Transcript to LSAC. If you’re still in college, have your college Registrar submit updated transcript that reflects your Fall semester grades.

Submit completed financial aid applications.

6 Months (February, Senior Year)

Continue Evaluation of Law School Acceptances/Deferrals/Waitlists.