PR EDA : 572-335-4994
When applying to law school, it’s essential that you understand the timeline for application submissions. Law schools utilize a rolling admissions process which rewards early submitters.
Consider how much time will be necessary to build relationships with professors, ask for letter of recommendations and complete projects that will set you apart as an applicant.
The fall application cycle typically opens from late August to early October, when most law schools start reviewing applications. Students should begin this process as early as January of their junior year of undergraduate college; however, even with careful planning and preparation it is still possible that applications won’t be submitted until close to their desired law school’s deadlines.
At this stage, it is crucial to finalize your list of targeted law schools and their admissions requirements. Researching and gathering all the needed data is paramount to successfully submitting applications on time. Students should devote ample time and consideration when writing personal statements – taking care to craft strong statements that convey an honest portrayal of themselves within law school communities and showcase what each applicant brings to them.
Now is also an excellent time to submit an early decision application, which can expedite the admissions process for those accepted. These applications must be received by November and are legally binding, meaning if accepted you must withdraw applications to other schools immediately.
Register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) by late August or early September; most ABA-accredited law schools require this service to review and assemble an official report containing your transcript, LSAT scores and letters of recommendation.
Students should file the Federal Aid Student Application (FAFSA), a mandatory step towards applying for federal financial aid, around this time as well. Furthermore, students must request letters of recommendation promptly as this form an integral component of any application package.
Students taking the LSAT should schedule to take it either in September or October and ensure all their applications have been properly submitted by November. While this time can be challenging and emotionally draining, remember to remain calm and work hard towards reaching their goal!
Law school applications can seem like a time crunch, but there are ways you can manage them more easily. Starting early allows you to submit applications with sufficient time before the school year starts and to see results of applications before making decisions about next steps.
Your deadlines may range between late September and mid-November for applying to law schools, depending on their respective official deadlines. This should provide enough time for you to secure recommendations from others, take or retake the LSAT (if needed) and complete other components like resume and personal statements. It is also important to give yourself sufficient time when writing personal statements – often taking months of drafts over multiple rounds – along with filing FAFSA, which opens its application process each October 1.
Although most law schools accept applications on an ongoing basis, if possible it’s best to apply before February. By this point most law schools have become full and you will find it more challenging competing for admissions and merit scholarships compared to if you had applied earlier in the fall.
Once your applications have been submitted, sit back and wait. Response times vary between law schools – expect about two months as a general guideline before seeing responses. Use this time to investigate housing options (if needed) and prepare for what promises to be an action-packed law school year ahead!
Participate in admitted student open houses and orientations; these can provide an ideal way of meeting other prospective classmates, while providing more insight into your legal career goals. Once you’ve received acceptances or waitlist decisions, carefully compare each choice against their financial aid packages before talking with each school about potential scholarship offers or deferrals.
While most students prepare to enroll in law school this fall, others may opt to start sooner – perhaps in spring or summer. While certain schools provide this option, doing so could limit your career options post-graduation. If this option interests you, make sure you research each institution carefully to find one that is a perfect match for you and your career plans.
As with fall applications, spring applications require similar tasks for success. Begin by creating a list of schools you are interested in before narrowing it down to those most exciting to you – this will allow you to focus on each application and ensure it is polished as much as possible. Furthermore, most schools require letters of recommendation by their application deadline; make sure these letters reflect thoughtful writing if applicable as admissions officers appreciate receiving thoughtful letters written with care and consideration.
Make sure that your transcripts have been sent to LSAC for inclusion in your law school application and file the FAFSA by its deadline – this step can determine your eligibility for financial aid awards and aid grants.
Once applications have closed, admissions committees will have a better sense of their class’s composition, giving admissions committees more leeway in accepting applicants who might otherwise not meet GPA or LSAT scores criteria, such as those who have many acceptances at lower-tier schools or those whose overall GPA exceeds that of their target law school’s median GPA.
As you wait to hear back from schools, visiting campuses and attending events for admitted students such as orientation or open houses is a good way to evaluate your choices in a new light and ask more pointed questions of current students, faculty and administrators. Once acceptances or waitlist decisions come through, then comparing schools with their financial aid offers to find one that suits your career goals best.
When applying to law school, starting your application early is key. Begin by carefully compiling your list of schools and research what their admissions requirements are before noting all deadlines/enrollment timelines on a calendar. Register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS), which compiles your LSAT scores, transcripts and letters of recommendation into official reports that can be sent directly to each individual school; many ABA-accredited law schools require this step for smooth application processes.
Once you’ve compiled all the relevant information, it’s time to start finalizing your applications. Take your time reviewing each application to ensure every attachment uploaded correctly and all answers provided contain no major or minor mistakes. It can be tempting to rush through applications at the last minute; but remember your obligation both to yourself and each school that they deserve complete consideration in every submission made.
Make sure that your resume outlines all of your experiences and skills clearly, is professionally-formatted, and error-free. Also start planning for your summer internship requirements now.
By fall, your applications should be complete and ready for submission. Most students submit applications to at least 20 schools; many even submit as many as 40! Before you make your selections, consider each application’s advantages and disadvantages before determining whether Early Action or Early Decision applications would best serve your interests.
As well as filling out applications, you’ll attend either the John Jay Graduate and Professional School Fair or LSAC Forum to meet representatives from multiple law schools and learn more about their programs. Some will even offer fee waivers at these events, so register early if possible to save money!
Once your applications are submitted, it is time to wait for results. Most law schools accept applicants on an ongoing basis and send acceptance letters shortly thereafter; late applications may not secure their desired law school and receive less scholarship aid than earlier applicants.