Law School Decisions: What to Do While Waiting
By Sydney Montgomery, Executive Director & Founder
For many applicants, the waiting period for law school admissions is riddled with uncertainty. Questions like, "Was I admitted? Was I denied? Am I waitlisted?" can linger, causing anxiety. If you're in this boat, fret not. Here's a breakdown of what to do during this nerve-wracking time.
Here are some actionable tips for applicants grappling with uncertainty and guidance on making the most of this challenging phase in the admissions process.
1. Understand the Timeline:
If you applied later in the cycle (January or February), don't panic if you haven't heard back from schools yet. This cycle is notoriously slow, and delays are common.
If you applied in September or October and are still waiting, it's time to take action and move to step #2.
2. Check Your Application Status:
Ensure your application is marked as "under review" in the school's portal. If it's not, consider reaching out to admissions to confirm they've received all your materials. This can be done by sending a brief, respectful email.
3. Utilize the Waiting Period:
Use this time meaningfully. If your application is under review, focus on enhancing your candidacy with updates.
Examples of meaningful updates include job promotions, higher LSAT scores, new volunteer opportunities, or significant publications.
If you have substantial updates, such as a significant job promotion or a notable LSAT score increase, consider adding them to your letter of continued interest. You may also send these significant updates and resume builders in a short note to admissions with your LSAC number.
4. Be Respectful and Courteous:
Avoid bombarding admissions offices with frequent check-ins. Respect their process and timelines.
Craft concise and polite emails when reaching out for updates or sending additional materials.
5. Address Deposit Deadlines:
If faced with impending deposit deadlines, communicate openly with the schools involved.
Request deadline extensions if needed, but be transparent about your circumstances.
Consider depositing at one school while awaiting decisions from others, but be prepared to forfeit the deposit if you choose to enroll elsewhere later.
6. Attend the Break into Law Conference:
Take advantage of resources like our annual Break into Law Conference, where you can connect with law school representatives and gain valuable insights into the admissions process.
Remember, navigating the waiting period requires patience and strategic thinking. By following these tips and staying proactive, you'll be better equipped to handle the uncertainties of the law school admissions process. We are here to help you work your way to an acceptance letter. If you found this information helpful, don't forget to share it with others in your shoes.
No matter where you are in the process, we are here to help! Through our services such as personalized one-on-one counseling, Essay Editing Support, our free Essential Guide to Applying to Law School, or our Essay Boot Camps, there is definitely something we can do for you to help make this process a little bit easier. We also offer discounts to first-generation, BIPOC, and other marginalized students!
Have a question or topic you'd like us to address? Feel free to reach out to us at hello@barrier-breakers.org with any queries! You can also submit a question to be answered on our weekly Break Into Law School® Podcast, streaming wherever your favorite podcast service is. You can also connect with us on Instagram or TikTok @breakintolawschool.