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When To Apply To Law School

The Law School Application Timeline: Month-by-Month

Although most law schools have rolling admissions, this application timeline can help you stay on task and meet various milestones. If you’re wondering when to apply to law school, here are all the law school admission requirements you need to know.

Law School Admission (Spring)

Spring is your chance to gather all your important materials before your application. In this time, be prepared to study for important tests like the LSAT and add to your school list before applications open.

March to April: School Research and Setting Up Your Summer

If you haven’t compiled a list of your top law schools, you should start your school research now. You can compare and search for law schools using LSAC’s JD program guide. Inputting your undergraduate GPA and potential LSAT score can help filter your admission likelihood.

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April is an excellent time to request recommendation letters before the spring semester ends. You should also consider how you want to spend your summer; consider employment, volunteer opportunities, or internships to boost your profile.

May: LSAT Preparation In Full Swing

To be fully prepared to take the LSAT, you should study for at least three to four months. If you haven’t taken the LSAT by the end of your junior year, preparing now should place you in good standing for the end-of-summer LSAT test dates. The LSAT is offered nine times per year in:

  • January
  • February
  • April
  • June
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November

Taking the LSAT in June means you’ll have enough time to retest if needed before you submit law school applications. Ensure you take the LSAT before application deadlines. To ace the LSAT the first time, consider supplementing free online classes and self-study with an expert LSAT tutor’s help.

Law School Admission (Summer)

Summer can be one of the busiest and most stressful seasons for law school, but after reading our guide, you thankfully won’t have to worry. During this period, you’ll focus on gathering academic reports, taking the LSAT, and building your law school selection.

June: Request Transcripts Through the Credential Assembly Service

If you’re not taking summer courses, you should create a Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) account and register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Most law schools request all your official undergraduate and graduate transcripts be sent through the CAS.

June-August: Take the LSAT

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Although there are no precise 2023 LSAT dates past June, you should take the LSAT between June and August. Taking it in June will give you more time for a potential retake, but you could potentially retake the test in September if you opt for the August date.

Remember, law schools won’t evaluate your applications until you receive your LSAT scores! Scores are released approximately three weeks after your test date.

August: Resume Building and Law School Selection

This is the perfect time to build your law school resumeafter finishing your summer activities. Once you receive your LSAT scores, you can create a more concrete school list based on your profile.

Law School Admission (Fall)

This season is all about what you’ve been waiting for – applications! That’s right, law school accepts applications during the fall time. So work off the list you’ve prepared and don’t quit until you’ve applied to every last one!

September: Fill Out Applications and Craft Your Law School Personal Statement

Most law school applications open on LSAC in September. You can get a headstart by:

  • Filling out your LSAC application
  • Crafting first drafts of your personal statements (you may need multiple versions)
  • Brainstorming content and writing first-draft school-specific essays

If you haven’t received recommendation letters yet, you should follow up with your recommenders at the beginning of the month.

October: Work On Applications and Submit For Early Decision

Keep working on your applications for any program you’re not applying for through early decision. If you’re applying through early decision to any school, law school application deadlines for most schools are approaching. Most early decision deadlines are on November 1.

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Ensure you review the school’s application checklist before submitting your application!

Law School Admission (Winter)

Congratulations, you’ve entered both the most relaxing and nerve-wracking season of law school admissions. How can that oxymoron be the case? Well, there’s not much to do outside of tidying up your applications. However, this is when you’ll receive potential interviews and eventually an admissions decision. Don’t stress – you’ve got this!

November: Complete the Rest of Your Applications

Once you’ve applied to your early decision school, it’s time to turn your attention toward perfecting the rest of your applications. Double-check to ensure you’ve completed all documents before submission.

You may start receiving interview invitations after law schools receive and review your application.

December: Finish Outstanding Applications

If you still have outstanding law school applications, try to get them all in by the end of December. Most law schools accept applicants on a rolling basis, meaning you’ll want to submit your application before spots fill up.

If you haven’t already, you may receive law school interview applications. After schools receive and review your applications, invitations are typically sent on a rolling basis.

January – April: Interviews and Admissions Decisions

Once you’ve submitted all your applications, you may receive more interview invitations after law schools review them.

Between January and April, you should receive admissions decisions for all schools you applied to. Don’t get discouraged if some schools take longer to get back to you. If you receive multiple admissions offers, you can:

  • Evaluate all your options
  • Visit schools to assess your fit
  • Examine scholarship/financial aid offers before you decide

As soon as you’ve decided, accept your offer of admission to your dream law school!

Prepare for the law school application cycle with the help of our free Law School Admissions Checklist!

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