At this stage, you can begin narrowing your list of law schools to apply to by using online databases and guides as well as law school fairs hosted by your undergraduate institution or LSAC.
Admissions officers take notice when applicants go the extra mile to show interest in their schools, helping them stand out in a crowded applicant pool.
Fall
After taking and studying hard for the LSAT and creating your list of schools to apply to, it’s time to begin the law school admissions process. By autumn, top-ranked law schools will begin accepting applications, giving you several months to work through your application checklist: request transcripts from undergraduate and graduate schools; file the FAFSA (Federal Aid Form); register for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS); and begin gathering letters of recommendation.
Though you can submit applications throughout the year, fall is generally considered the ideal time. Law schools tend to have more room in their entering classes in fall and can therefore offer full scholarships. Furthermore, demographic quotas won’t have been filled yet increasing your odds of admission significantly.
Once law schools receive your application, they’ll conduct a careful analysis of it. They use various criteria to assess whether you possess the academic preparation and motivation necessary to be a successful law student, including GPA/LSAT score analysis, supplement materials, personal statement writing samples, letters of recommendations from former professors as well as interviews. Admissions committees typically begin reviewing applications around December, and finish most of their work by April.
Those accepted into law school this past fall should make their deposit before April to secure their spot in the incoming class. Applicants who were waitlisted can send a letter of continued interest and ask how to move up on their list.
Once accepted to law school, make sure all enrollment requirements have been fulfilled. This may involve sending final transcripts and immunization records as well as registering for orientation programs and updating your enrollment checklist. It would also be prudent to start researching housing costs, living expenses and financial aid options while attending any open houses or events for admitted student. Once classes start again in September, start off your legal education in confidence!
Winter
Law school admissions is an intricate and time-consuming process, so planning early is key to ensure you submit applications on time. Aim to begin this process two years prior to enrolling so as to give yourself enough time for LSAT preparation and application completion; for instance if planning on attending law school in 2024 then planning should start during your junior year in college.
As part of your law school application process, the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) should be the initial step. Taken between September and November prior to your intended start year of law school enrollment, your LSAT score allows you to proceed with other components of your application such as writing your personal statement and gathering letters of recommendation.
Many law schools utilize a rolling admissions process, giving applicants who submit their applications early a greater chance of acceptance. Early decision programs also exist and can help students who know exactly which law school they would like to attend.
As part of their admission requirements, law schools require applicants to submit a personal statement or essay in addition to LSAT scores, transcripts and letters of recommendation. This is your chance to express yourself and inform the admissions committee about who you are as an individual and your interests; so make sure yours stands out by writing and revising several times prior to submission; additionally it would be wise to have others read through and provide feedback before sending in your statement.
Students looking for additional assistance when applying to law school should consider applying for academic or need-based scholarships. A comprehensive list can be found on a law school website along with instructions on how to apply. It’s wise to apply early as these scholarships can often be competitive and limited in availability.
Before enrolling in law school, it’s a good idea to ensure you have everything necessary for orientation and your first semester classes. Review the enrollment checklist at your law school to make sure all requirements have been fulfilled, such as providing final transcripts and immunization records.
Spring
Applying to law school requires significant amounts of time, money, and focus. Many applicants start the application process several months ahead in order to give themselves enough time for all aspects of preparation to come together smoothly – including conducting most of their research, finding reliable recommendation writers, taking or retaking the LSAT in September/October etc.
Once this work is completed, they can begin the final steps in applying to law school. This could involve updating their resume or other pertinent documents; reaching out to recommenders; asking them for letters of support from them; or making sure existing education loans are in deferment status to avoid paying back while attending law school.
By February, most law schools are in full application mode, submitting applications with eager anticipation for starting law school the following fall. This is usually the best time and place to apply if you want to increase your chances of admission and scholarship awards.
Applying after this deadline may still be possible for lower-tier schools and programs with rolling admission programs, though this comes at a price. Admissions could close or at the very least become very thin by this point since law schools ranked partly on selectivity have strong incentive to limit acceptance rates in order to improve their USNWR rankings. In addition, scholarship funds could have run dry by this point and your best chance of acceptance might lie with applying next year.
Summer
If you plan on applying to law school this fall, now is the time to start organizing yourself. Make a list of schools that would best fit with your goals, interests, and personal circumstances before researching them through databases, guidebooks, or Google. Consider attending law school admissions forums at your undergraduate institution or with the LSAC; take the LSAT (if you haven’t done so already); request letters of recommendation from professors; file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form in order to qualify for scholarships if applicable
At this point, you should have a firm grasp on which law schools will best meet your academic and LSAT scores. Now is also an opportune time to apply early decision at top-tier law schools, should they accept you; but be mindful that early decision is binding; accepting one school means withdrawing applications to others if your first-choice acceptance comes through.
As summertime approaches, law school students often enroll in first-year classes to ease the transition and add flexibility in your 2L, 3L or 4L years.
If you have been accepted into an fall program, now is the time to secure on or near campus housing and start planning for this exciting chapter of life! Now is also an excellent opportunity to explore your surroundings while making connections among fellow legal professionals who share similar goals.
Beginning law school can be both exciting and intimidating. Staying focused on studies and making healthy choices to prevent burnout is crucial; make sure to reach out to support networks like WNE for advice and encouragement along the way! Our pre-law advisors are here for every step of your journey!
