Too Early or Too Late: A Guide to the Law School Application Timeline (2024)

Written By Sydney Montgomery

By Sydney Montgomery, Executive Director & Founder

When should you start preparing for your law school applications? Especially if you're someone who's a first gen, minority and/or immigrant applicant. Is now too early? Should you be doing something right now if you're planning on applying in the fall?

As we chug through January into February, the next application is around the corner — or already here, depending on when you get started. Many students come to us during this time as they begin to consider law school in the fall. Starting early is especially important if you want to be a competitive applicant. In this blog post, we break down how to go about having a stress-free application timeline, resources you can use to establish confidence early, as well as LSAT prep and addressing the new LSAT format occurring in the fall.

 Stress-Free Application Timeline

Nobody’s timeline is perfect. But to have a smoother transition, following the guidelines we have set here makes for a less-stressful application process.

January - March 

  • Solidify why you want to go to law school

  • Figure out one to two areas of law that most interest you

  • Accumulate information and resources

  • Begin planning LSAT strategy

  • Start cultivating relationships with recommenders

  • Practice cold emailing

  • Register for an LSAC Fee-Waiver (if applicable)

  • Register on the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

April - May 

  • Prepare to take June LSAT (if applicable)

  • Continue researching LSAT prep options

  • Develop list of schools

    • Research acceptance rates and scores

    • Research location, clinics, programs and centers, and supportive communities

  • Attend LSAC Forums 

  • Begin brainstorming for your admissions essays and personal statements

  • Apply for LSAT Accommodations (if applicable)

June - August

  • Study and prep for planned LSAT

  • Take June LSAT (optional for if you prefer logic games)

  • Get strong application materials (resume, supplemental essays)

  • Begin drafting your personal and diversity statement and admissions essays

  • Secure letters of recommendation

  • Develop relationships with admissions professionals 

  • Take new format LSAT in August

  • Revise school list based on score and submit transcripts

  • Develop schedule

  • Find an accountability buddy

September - November

  • Obtain letters of recommendation

  • Finish up application materials and submit

  • Submit supplemental essays

  • Respond to early waitlist offers 

December - April 

  • Receive acceptance letters

  • Apply for FASFA, financial aid, and other scholarships

  • Attend admitted student events

  • Respond to last of waitlist offers

May - August 

  • Attend LSAC forums, open houses, conferences, and law fairs

  • Engage in-person admissions officers and deans

  • Take advantage of virtual opportunities

Resources

Applying for law school goes far beyond taking the LSAT and having a strong GPA. Most successful law applicants practice methods for success frequently. These students properly utilize resources that are created to help minorities and first-gen students as well as sources that are already readily available to access. Listed below are resources, free for all to access:

LSAT Prep

The sooner you start your preparation for the LSAT the better. Starting by researching different methods this month gives yourself a head start. Most students need at least three to six months to study for the LSAT. We suggest that our students do a minimum of 100 days of preparation to succeed and do well on the exam. You should aim to either take the LSAT before June, as the format is changing. If not, by August of the year that you want to apply.

Changes to the LSAT (August 2024)

This year marks the start of a new change in testing format for the LSAT. After the LSAT exam in June of 2024, the LSAT will no longer contain logic games. This means in August, the test will be different. It will still include important courses such as reading comprehension and logical reasoning, but it is important to note the change, as studying for a topic you won’t get tested on isn’t worthwhile.

We want you to be able to thrive and succeed. That's so important to us. We're doing some fantastic things this year with law firm partnerships, public interest organizations to help make sure that you are career ready even before you get to law school. We are here to support you! Whether it's through personalized one-on-one counseling, our Essay Editing Support, or just downloading our free Essential Guide to Applying to Law School, there is definitely something we can do for you to help make this process a little bit easier. 

As always, feel free to reach out to us at hello@barrier-breakers.org with any of your questions! You can also submit a question to be answered on our weekly Break Into Law School® Podcast, streaming wherever your favorite podcast service is.

Sydney Montgomery
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