Too Early or Too Late: A Guide to the Law School Application Timeline
As we chug through February and into March, 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. A common fear among students is that they have somehow already “missed the boat” on law school admissions.
Thankfully, nothing could be further from the truth! The best time to start on law school applications is around a year and a half from your starting term. (So, if you’re starting law school in Fall 2024, you should get started around the beginning of the calendar year in 2023). Starting early is especially important if you want to be a competitive applicant who applies early in the cycle.
(If you’re reading this seven to eight months before your starting term, we suggest reading this blog post first.)
In this blog post, we share a general law school application timeline, plus special attention on your LSAT, essay, and letter of recommendation timeline.
General Application Timeline
January - March
Take an LSAT diagnostic exam
Plan your LSAT preparation strategy
Begin your LSAT preparation
Cultivate relationships with potential recommenders
Think about your goals and reasons for applying to law school
Register for an LSAC Fee-Waiver (if applicable)
Register on the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
April - May
Continue LSAT preparation
Develop your list of schools
Consider your baseline score (diagnostic exam will help!) and reasonable expectations on the LSAT
Research law school clinics and journals, employment data, bar passage rates, and historical scholarship information (ABA 509 reports are helpful here!)
Attend LSAC Forums
Begin brainstorming for your admissions essays
Apply for LSAT Accommodations (if applicable)
June - August
Take the LSAT 1-2 times
Begin drafting your personal and diversity statement
Secure letters of recommendation
Attend virtual information sessions and cultivate relationships with admissions professionals
Revise your school list based on LSAT scores
Send your transcripts
September - November
Draft supplemental essays
Submit your FAFSA (opens Oct. 1)
Submit your application as early as possible (ideally by Oct. 31!)
Prepare for and receive interview offers
Respond to early waitlist offers
December - January
Receive the majority of decisions (if you applied by Oct. 31)
Receive additional interview offers
Respond to waitlist offers
Send updated transcripts (if still in school)
Search for and apply to scholarships, fellowships, and pipeline programs
February - April
Receive remaining decisions
Attend admitted student events
Continue to apply to scholarships
Continue to respond to waitlist offers
Deposit deadlines are usually around April 1
May - August
Continue to work toward updates for letters of continued interest (volunteer work, etc.)
Continue to foster relationships with schools you’re waitlisted at
Waitlist offers may come as late as August
Timeline for the LSAT
Preparation
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 take the LSAT between June and August the year that you want to apply.
Ideally, you want to take the LSAT once, but taking it in the summer gives you some wiggle room. First, it gives you the opportunity to revise your application list, if necessary, based on your score. Second, it gives you the opportunity to take it again in the fall and still turn in your application early in the cycle.
When to Begin
You should begin researching different methods of LSAT prep in January. There are a few free resources that may help you decide how much preparation you need. Kaplan has a free LSAT practice test; Testmasters has a free digital LSAT practice test. Taking a free practice test can be a good way to get a baseline score.
Once you have a baseline score, you can decide what format of prep might be appropriate for you. You can find our list of recommended courses and tutors here. If you know you don’t have three hours a day every day to study for the LSAT, then give yourself at least six months to study.
Admissions Essays
Preparation
All applicants should be prepared to write a personal statement and a diversity statement for every school. Depending on the school, you may need to also write supplemental essays (if given the option, we always suggest writing additional essays).
As a general rule, students should plan to write at least three to four drafts of each essay. The essay process, including brainstorming and drafting, will take at least four months. While your GPA and LSAT are very important in the law school admissions process, the role of essays cannot be overstated. Keep in mind that you will be juggling writing your essays with school, work, or family commitments, so you want to give yourself enough time to do your best thinking and writing.
When to Begin
Some students can simultaneously study for the LSAT while working on their essays. Some students need separate in order to properly focus on each part of the application. The most important thing is to know yourself. There is nothing wrong with requiring more time to do your best work. If you plan to apply by October, you should start your essays no later than June.
Letters of Recommendation
Preparation
Your preparation timeframe may look different depending on whether you are coming straight from college or from the workforce. Some students may need to grow and cultivate a relationship with a professor over a semester before they feel comfortable asking for a letter of recommendation, and others may want to finish a large project at work that shows their leadership skills and abilities before making the request of their supervisor.
At a minimum, you will want to provide your potential recommenders with a summary of your accomplishments and insight into why you are applying to law school. It is common courtesy to give recommenders at least one month to write your letter.
When to Begin
If you are planning on applying in October, you should ask your recommenders no later than August, and ask them to furnish your recommendation in September. This will account for any delay in sending or processing your recommendation letter to LSAC, and of course any delay on the part of your recommender. In the unlikely scenario that you need to ask someone else, it gives you enough time to make that decision.
The team at Barrier Breakers® Admissions Advising is here to support you through this law school application cycle! Whether it's through discounted advising for BIPOC, first-generation, and LSAC Fee Waiver applicants, our essay review services and courses, or just downloading our free Essential Guide to Applying to Law School, we're here to help make this process 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.