Applying to law school is a marathon, not a sprint.
And you’ll find that having a clear timeline will make all the difference.
From LSAT prep and personal statements to submission deadlines and application tracking, knowing what to do and when will keep you ahead of the competition and moving in the right direction.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know all about the key phases of the law school application timeline.
Ready to break it down step by step? Let’s go!
Key phases of the application process
In short, here’s what to expect from the law school application timeline:
- Research and preparation: Determine why you want to attend law school and explore career paths and schools.
- LSAT preparation and test-taking: Study for and take the LSAT.
- Gathering and drafting application materials: This includes your personal statement, resume, and letters of recommendation.
- Application submission: Finalize and submit your applications on time.
- Post-submission and decision period: Track your application statuses, prepare for any potential interviews, and consider your acceptance offers.
Each phase is equally important, and we’ll take a closer look at them in the next section, so keep reading!
Law school application timeline
When it comes to the law school application timeline, you’ll want to approach it methodically.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what to do and when.
12-18+ months before (or earlier): Research and foundation
- Self-assessment: Understand your interests, goals, and reasons for becoming a lawyer.
- Research law schools: Build a list of target schools based on admission requirements, location, specialization, and reputation.
Read more: What Law School Can You Get Into? - Build relationships: Connect with professors or legal professionals who could write you a strong letter of recommendation.
Read more: Who to Ask for Law School Letters of Recommendation
- Establish a strong GPA: Reach and maintain a competitive GPA, as it’s a key factor in law school admissions.
Read more: What GPA Do You Need for Law School? - Preliminary LSAT research: Familiarize yourself with the test format, sections, and scoring system, and create a study plan.
Read more: When Should You Take the LSAT? - Work with a pre-law advisor (if available): They can offer further guidance on the law school application timeline.
- Create an LSAC account and register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS): You’ll register for the LSAT and submit your application materials here later on.
6-12 months before (January-May): LSAT and application prep
- Intensive LSAT preparation: Create a realistic study schedule, take practice tests periodically, and sign up for a prep course if needed.
- Register for the LSAT via LSAC: Choose a date that leaves enough time to retake the test before applications are due.
- Start writing your personal statement: Brainstorm topic ideas and come up with a compelling narrative about why you want to become a lawyer.
Read more: - Ask for and obtain letters of recommendation: Provide your chosen recommenders with deadlines and details about your goals.
- Finalize your law school list: Base it on your GPA and LSAT scores.
3-6 months before (June-August): Application material refinement
- Take the LSAT: Once you receive your score, you can consider if you need to retake it.
Read more: - Fine-tune your personal statement: Make any necessary edits and get feedback.
- Prepare your resume: Make sure it fits your application’s theme and highlights relevant experiences and skills.
Read more: How to Write a Law School Resume - Research financial aid and scholarships: They’ll help reduce tuition costs.
- Gather addenda: Think about whether you need to include character & fitness/diversity statements and score explanations.
Read more: When & How to Write a Law School Addendum - Have transcripts submitted to LSAC: Learn how to do it here.
1-3 months before (September-December): Application submission
- Finalize your application materials: Read them carefully and double-check for errors.
- Complete applications: Fill out each school’s application forms.
- Write any optional essays: Tailor these to the school’s specific requirements.
- Review and submit applications: Make any final edits, then hit submit!
Post-Submission (January-April): Follow-up and decisions
- Track application status: Regularly check your email and application portals.
- Interview prep: If required (or invited) to interview, research the process and prepare your answers.
- Visit law schools (if possible): Attend admitted student events or schedule campus visits.
- Consider your acceptance offers: Compare financial aid, scholarships, and career placement stats to help you make your decision.
- Pay your deposit by the deadline: This will secure your spot.
Read more: Law School Deposit Deadlines - Inform other schools: Notify other schools and withdraw your application.
And that’s it – a full breakdown of the application timeline!
Before we finish up, let’s cover the all-important law school application deadlines.
Top 50 law school application deadlines
Here’s a look at the law school application timeline for some of the best law schools in America.
| Law school | Early decision | Regular decision | Latest LSAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | N/A | February 14 | January |
| Yale University | N/A | February 15 | January |
| University of Chicago | December 1 | March 1 | January |
| Duke University | November 1 (Round I), January 3 (Round II) | February 15 | |
| Harvard University | N/A | February 15 | February |
| University of Pennsylvania (Carey) | November 15 (Round I), January 7 (Round II) | March 1 | February 28 |
| University of Virginia | March 1 | March 1 | February |
| Columbia University | November 15 | February 15 | January |
| New York University | November 15 | February 15 | October (early decision), January (regular decision) |
| Northwestern University (Pritzker) | November 15 | February 15 | November (early decision) |
| University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) | November 15 | February 28 | January |
| University of California (Berkeley) | November 15 | February 17 | October 31 (early decision), February 28 (regular decision) |
| University of California – Los Angeles | November 15 | January 31 | October 31 (early decision), January 31 (regular decision) |
| Cornell University | January 1 | July 1 | November (early decision), February (regular decision) |
| Georgetown University | March 3 | March 3 | |
| University of Minnesota | December 31 | June 1 | |
| University of Texas – Austin | November 1 | March 1 | October (early decision), February (regular decision) |
| Washington University in St. Louis | No fixed deadlines, but they recommend you apply ASAP. | ||
| Vanderbilt University | November 1 | April 1 | October (early decision), February (regular decision) |
| University of Georgia | December 1 | June 1 | November 6 (early decision), June 4 (regular decision) |
| University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | N/A | May 1 | April |
| University of Notre Dame | N/A | March 15 | |
| University of Southern California (Gould) | November 15 | April 1 | November (early decision), February (regular decision) |
| Boston University | January 5 | April 1 | January |
| Wake Forest University | April 1 | March 1 | |
| Ohio State University (Mortiz) | November 20 | June 1 | June |
| Texas A&M University | December 1 (Priority 1), February 1 (Priority 2, binding), March 1 (Priority 3) | May 31 | |
| Boston College | December 1, January 16 | March 31 | February |
| Brigham Young University (Clark) | N/A | May 1 | |
| George Mason University (Scalia) | January 15 | April 30 | November (early decision), April (regular decision) |
| University of Florida (Levin) | N/A | April 1 | June |
| University of Utah (Quinney) | October 25 | March 10 | February |
| Fordham University | N/A | March 15 | February |
| University of Alabama | N/A | August 1 | June |
| Washington and Lee University | December 15 | July 1 | |
| Arizona State University (O’Connor) | N/A | July 31 | |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | N/A | March 15 | January |
| University of Iowa | N/A | May 1 | January |
| University of Wisconsin – Madison | November 29 | April 1 | November (early decision) |
| William & Mary Law School | N/A | August 1 | June |
| George Washington University | February 1 | March 1 | |
| Emory University | February 15 | April 15 | Recommended before March 15 |
| Indiana University – Bloomington (Maurer) | November 1 | June 1 | |
| SMU (Dedman) | November 15 | April 1 | October (early decision), February (regular decision) |
| University of California – Irvine | November 15 | May 1 | April |
| Baylor University | December 1 | March 15 | |
| University of Kansas | N/A | March 1 | |
| Florida State University | December 15 | July 31 | November (early decision), June (regular decision) |
| University of Colorado — Boulder | N/A | April 1 | |
| University of Washington | November 15 | July 11 | November (early decision), June (regular decision) |
Still have questions about the law school application timeline? I’ll answer them next.
Frequently asked questions about the law school application timeline
When should you apply for law school?
Most law schools offer rolling admissions, and applications can open as early as September.
I recommend applying early to increase your chances of acceptance and securing financial aid.
However, you’ll also want to refer directly to the individual law school’s application timeline for their specific requirements.
How long before applying to law school can you take the LSAT?
Your LSAT scores are valid for up to five years, but most students take the test about six months to a year before they submit their application. This leaves some breathing room if you want to retake it or opt for the GRE instead.
Whatever you choose, make sure you pick a test date that allows you to get your scores well before applications open.
When do law school decisions come out?
Just like the law school application timeline, decision timelines vary by school. While some students hear back before the end of the calendar year, most receive their decision after January.
When do law schools start in the fall?
Some schools offer spring or summer programs, but they traditionally start in the fall – around mid- to late August.
Next steps
So, there you have it!
A month-by-month look at the law school application timeline.
I know it seems like a lot to take in, especially with all those deadlines to remember!
But don’t worry – I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Find out what it’s like to work with me here.
Read more:
How to Get Into Top Law Schools
