Timeline for Law School Applications
First Year and Sophomore
Tips for First Years and Sophomores Considering Law School
Junior Year
Fall Semester:
Complete your Career Interests in your Handshake Profile to receive weekly emails about events and opportunities in Law, Government & Policy. This is the best way to stay up to date about all current law school news.
If you plan to study off-campus this year, make sure to schedule an individual pre-law advising appointment with Nancy Gibson to discuss your interest in law school and develop an application plan. Advising appointments are available via Zoom and can be scheduled through your Handshake account. If you plan to apply during your senior year, schedule an appointment no later than January of your Junior year.
Check Handshake’s events tabs to see what law related events are offered. Also visit LSAC.org.
AccessLex.org is an essential resource for you to consult as you begin the process of considering or applying to law school. They have frequent webinars throughout the year and offer many great resources on everything from paying for law school, to a searchable scholarship database and help selecting law schools based on criteria important to you.
Spring Semester:
January
Figure out when you will take the LSAT. The LSAT is accepted by all law schools and is offered approximately 9 times per year. If taking the LSAT, review available test dates and register to take the test for the first time no later than September/Octoberof the year you plan to apply. That way, if you need to retake the test you can take it in November. Give yourself at least 4-6 months to prepare and plan to devote at least 180-200 hours studying.
Sign up for MAX-Prelaw by AccessLex. They offer a suite of resources, lessons, events and financial aid counseling and it’s all free! Another essential tool is LawHub, offered by LSAC. You can create a free LawHub account which offers four free LSAT practice tests and access to lessons and the “I Am the Law” podcast. LawHub Advantage costs $115 and provides access to 75+ LSAT tests , an application status tracker and Law School Unmasked (a series of lessons about skills you need to succeed in your first semester of law school). If you receive a fee waiver from LSAC, you will be able to receive free access to the LawHub Advantage library.
April/May
Talk to potential recommenders who know you well to ask if they will have time to write a strong letter of recommendation for you. Letters will be due in the fall. Provide them with a copy of your resume. Some may want to see your personal statement as well. These can be provided during the summer. Ask professors and others to write letters of recommendation for you due in the fall.
Apply for LSAC fee waiver.
Summer before applying:
Begin drafting your personal statement and resume and review with your pre-law advisor. Plan to write several drafts of your personal statement.
Research law schools of interest. Think beyond the “T-14” or the most selective schools. You will want to apply to a mix of Reach, Target and Safety schools. Look at the ABA 509 Reports for schools to learn about their admissions profiles. Review your list with your pre-law advisor. Most students apply to 10-12 schools. For help thinking through the criteria for your search, check out lawschooltransparency.com.
Senior Year
Fall Semester:
Complete your Career Interests in your Handshake Profile so that you will receive weekly emails about events and opportunities in Law, Government & Policy. This list is used to email interested students about law related opportunities and law school news.
Register with the LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service and send in all transcripts. Remember to request transcripts from all higher ed institutions you studied with, whether in high school or college, including summer programs and study abroad.
Check the admissions websites of law schools that interest you. Note admissions events in person or virtual and plan to attend an information session.
Check Handshake’s events tabs to see what law-related events are happening. Also check LSAC’s online offerings as well as those of AccessLex.org. AccessLex.org is an essential resource for you to consult as you begin the process of considering or applying to law school. They have frequent webinars throughout the year and offer many great resources on everything from paying for law school, to a searchable scholarship database and help selecting law schools based on criteria important to you.
Have your Letters of Recommendation been submitted to your LSAC CAS account by your letter writers?
Visit law schools if possible. Review your personal statement and resume with your pre-law advisor. Discuss optional statements and whether to submit an addendum (this is for any weakness in your application, or other statement you wish to add)
Register to retake the LSAT if needed.
The FAFSA opens in October. If you require financial aid, don’t delay in applying!
Check and double check all aspects of your application. Proofread your essays as much as possible. Make sure all of the information is correct.
November
Submit your applications by Thanksgiving if you are applying to very selective law schools. It may be okay to apply after December to other schools, but check with your pre-law advisor.
Begin to investigate scholarship resources https://www.accesslex.org/databank and apply for financial aid.
Double check law school application deadlines if you are still working on your application. Remember that your portion of the application as well as the components that come from the LSAC (LSAT score, Letters of Recommendation, Transcripts, Academia Summary) are due by the law school’s application deadline.
December/January
Check to make sure your law school applications are complete and that all letters and transcripts have been received by CAS.
Submit the FAFSA if applying for financial aid. Wait, wait some more and then wait some more….
Spring Semester:
January
Make sure your fall semester grades are sent to CAS.
February – April
To understand and compare law school financial aid offers, make an appointment with AccessLex for free financial aid counseling with licensed professionals.
Make time to attend admitted student days, virtually, or in person and discuss your choices with your pre-law advisor.
Be sure to complete your financial aid applications.
Evaluate offers of acceptance and financial aid and discuss with your pre-law advisor.
If you are on a waiting list, and wish to remain under consideration, write a letter of continued interest (LOCI). Send them any new information regarding accomplishments, grades, and awards. Send additional letter of recommendation. Let your first-choice school know that it is your first choice.
Summer before enrolling
Make sure your final transcript is sent to the law school you will attend.
Thank your letter writers an let them know when you’ve reached a decision about where you will attend.
If still on a wait list, come to a decision about how long you are willing to remain on the list, especially if attending the school would mean relocating.