Admissions into law school can be an exhausting and complex process, so for optimal success it is advisable to devise an action plan before beginning this journey.
Begin by selecting a group of mentors, advisors, supervisors and professors who can write strong letters of recommendation for you. Reach out to these individuals at least one month in advance in order to arrange a meeting or send out emails requesting letters of reference from them.
Fall
Fall is when applications open for law school admissions and applications are evaluated on a rolling basis by admission committees; seats will then be filled as they become available. Applying early could increase your chance of admission as you compete against fewer applicants in terms of application volume.
Start by compiling a list of schools and researching their programs. Take the LSAT, secure recommendation letters if necessary and work on your personal statement so it reflects who you are effectively – get someone with critical eyes to read through it and give feedback!
Plan activities this summer that will distinguish your resume. Now is also an excellent time to take any standardized tests, like GRE or MCAT exams if necessary – this gives ample preparation time so that retaking becomes unnecessary later and allows for focussed application work come fall.
Winter
If you plan to apply to law school, you should start your application early. Doing so gives you ample time to take and retake the LSAT, compile and update a school list, research scholarship opportunities, request recommendation letters (giving them plenty of notice), request recommendation letters from referees, update your resume and complete any required forms.
By winter’s end, your application should be complete and ready to submit in early January – this date is typically considered “on time” by law schools; however submitting your application in late December could put too close of an edge between itself and meeting its deadline for many schools.
Some law schools accept applications on a rolling basis until capacity has been reached, giving early applications more of a chance at receiving acceptance letters more quickly. Furthermore, certain schools provide deferred admission for college students who know law school is their top choice – this works similarly to an undergraduate 3+3 program and allows you to save one year’s tuition costs.
Spring
Law schools typically begin accepting applications in the fall, making this an opportune time to start compiling your list and developing a plan. Request letters of recommendation from recommenders as you begin writing your personal statement – also be sure to reflect upon how your unique experiences have prepared you for law school!
Take this time to request information from law schools you’re curious about and discover more about them. Some may share admissions stats with you so that you can assess whether they might be suitable.
If you have been accepted to multiple schools, it is wise to prioritize them so you can make an informed decision when your acceptance letters arrive. Some law schools will notify you where you stand on their waitlist; knowing this can be extremely useful as saving a seat could take one away from someone who already has been accepted to that school.
Summer
Beginning your law school application process as early as fall of your junior year (or earlier) gives you two years to take the LSAT, gather letters of recommendation and determine where you want to attend law school.
Focus your summer LSAT preparation efforts on taking or retaking it as necessary until your score satisfies the requirements for your target schools. At this time, also get your resume together and think about what content to include in your personal statement.
Most law schools employ a rolling admissions policy, meaning they admit students continuously throughout the year to fill classes more effectively and reduce the chance that spots run out by their stated deadlines. Summer can also be an ideal time to practice scholarship negotiations before schools require applicants to make (often binding) deposits.