We've developed application game plans for three types of law school applicants. But, before getting to the game plans themselves, you will want to consider when you should apply. Make sure you read the article on this subject below.
If you're ready to jump to the Application Game Plans, choose the one that best matches you and go!
Admissions staffers love the Early Bird, who starts in January, a full 18 months before entering school.
Most would-be law students start the application process in the early summer, a little over a year before they intend to matriculate as first-year law students.
Although entire law school admissions staffs get exasperated just thinking about applicants who start the law school application process a mere nine months before school starts, it can be done.
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The Early Bird Game Plan
Here is the most ideal application timeline and checklist. It starts a full year-and-a-half before you enter law school. It's uncomplicated and brilliantly methodical.
Just keep in mind that this is our ideal game plan. If you decide to go to law school in June or even October, it doesn't mean that you are doomed. It just means you'll need to juggle a few more things at once and move along at a more hectic pace. The later you start, the more important it is to hit the ground running because everything must be compressed into a shorter timeframe.
One comes free with every Official LSAT Registration Booklet. Once you get the test, take it in one sitting under strict time conditions. Try to emulate the real testing environment as much as possible. Follow the test booklet instructions exactly and do it right. When you finish, score the test honestly. Don't give yourself a few extra points because "you'll do better on test day." |
The LSAT is a weird test, because it requires almost no specific knowledge of anything whatsoever. The only infallible way to study for the LSAT is to study the LSAT itself. If you opt not to take a course, do something to prepare. Just as with any test, you'll get a higher score on this one if you prepare first. You can take a live course, one-on-one tutoring, or an online course with The Princeton Review. If you prefer independent study, check out our book, Cracking the LSAT. |
These booklets are generally published every March. You can get one at any law school, by calling the LSAC at 215-968-1001, or by visiting www.lsac.org. |
The regular registration deadline is usually about one month before the test date. Don't miss it! Registering late will cost you more. You'll also risk losing out on your first choice testing center. For specific deadlines, visit the LSAC website.
(in a course or independently) if you haven't already. |
Whatever your strategy, make sure you are taking regular full-length practice exams.
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You want to take this test just once-for your own sanity as well as for admissions purposes. If you take it twice, some law schools will consider just your highest score. Other schools will average your scores. Still other schools have their own esoteric policies. Whatever the case is at the schools you apply to, your best bet is to take the LSAT once, do well, and get it out of your hair forever. |
LSDAS is the law school admissions Mafia. In exchange for upwards of $100 of your money, they collect a bunch of records from you and make life a lot easier for understaffed law school admissions staffs. You can subscribe to LSDAS online.
Granted, you may have a pretty good idea of where you will apply already, but now is the time to really finalize your list of schools. Check out our Advanced Law School Search to come up with a list of schools that measure up to your standards. Keep track of your selected schools by adding them to My Review School List. |
It's really easy to get information using our website. From a school's Profile, simply click on Send an Email to send an e-mail request directly to the school.
See which applications are available from this website.
Have transcripts sent. Remember to order transcripts from every single undergraduate institution you attended. |
Proofread them. Spell-check them. Edit them. Edit them again. Spell-check them again. Have someone else look them over for mistakes you missed. Get some advice if you're stuck.
Create one from scratch if you don't have one.
You want your recommenders to submit recommendations exactly when you send your applications (in October and November).
but only if you need to retake it.
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Keep a photocopy of all completed applications (even those you submitted online) for your records. It's a very lawyerly thing to do. |
Again, make photocopies of all of them. |
The application process is over. Buy holiday gifts. Make plans for New Year's Eve. |
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The Average Joe (or Josephine)
If you are starting the law school application process in June, you've got several months to put together all the parts of your application. So long as you don't drag your feet, you'll be fine. It's particularly important that you prepare for, register for, and take the LSAT. Here is a timeline and checklist.
You can get one at any law school, by calling the LSAC at 215-968-1001, or visiting www.lsac.org. This booklet will contain a free practice LSAT.
Take it in one sitting under strict time conditions and try to emulate real testing conditions. Follow the test booklet instructions exactly. When you finish, score the test honestly. Don't give yourself a few extra points because "you'll do better on test day." |
The only infallible way to study for the LSAT is to study the LSAT itself. If you opt not to take a course, do something to prepare. Just as with any test, you'll get a higher score on this one if you prepare first. You can take a live course, one-on-one tutoring, or an online course with The Princeton Review. If you prefer independent study, check out our book, Cracking the LSAT. |
The regular registration deadline is usually about one month before the test date. Don't miss it! If you'll do, you'll pay more for late registration and risk losing out on your first-choice testing center.
(in a course or independently) if you haven't already. |
You should be in full and total preparation mode by now. Whatever your strategy, make sure you are taking regular full-length practice exams.
LSDAS is the law school admissions Mafia. In exchange for upwards of $100 of your money, they collect a bunch of records from you and make life a lot easier for understaffed law school admissions staffs. You can subscribe to LSDAS online. |
You want to take this test just once - for your own sanity as well as for admissions purposes. You might not have time to take it twice. If you do, some law schools will consider just your highest score. Other schools will average your scores. Still other schools have their own esoteric policies. Whatever the case is at the schools you apply to, your best bet is to take the LSAT once, do well, and get it out of your hair forever. |
Remember: September is your LSAT month. Once you get that heinous test out of the way, then hammer out your list of schools. Check out our Advanced Law School Search to come up with a list of schools that measure up to your standards. Keep track of your selected schools by adding them to your School List in My Review.
It's really easy to get information using our website. From a school's Profile page, simply click on Send an Email to send an email request directly to the school. Check out the applications we have available online. |
Remember to order transcripts from every single undergraduate institution you attended.
If you start in June, you may still have a shot at early admission. You'll really have to hustle, though, because your personal statement, recommendations, and everything else must be completed by the end of October.
if you need to retake it. |
Proofread them. Spell-check them. Edit them. Edit them again. Spell-check them again. Have someone else look them over for mistakes you missed.
Create one from scratch if you don't have one.
You want your recommenders to submit recommendations in November - around the same time you send in your applications.
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Keep a photocopy of all completed applications (even those you submitted online) for your records. It's a very lawyerly thing to do. |
The application process is over. Happy Christmas. Merry Hanukkah. A joyous Kwanzaa to you and yours. |
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The Procrastinator
If you are starting the law school application process in October, you are seriously late, buster. You'll need to hustle, but there's still enough time of time to put together a cohesive, competitive application for regular admission to law school. The only unavoidable drawback is that you won't be able to apply for Early Decision anywhere. Here is a timeline and checklist.
Like, today. This booklet will contain a free practice LSAT. Your best bet is to go to a nearby law school. You could also call the LSAC at 215-968-1001 or visit www.lsac.org, but this is no time to rely on snail mail.
it in one sitting under strict time conditions. Follow the test booklet instructions exactly. Score the test honestly; don't cut yourself any slack.
The only infallible way to study for the LSAT is to study the LSAT itself. If you opt not to take a course, do something to prepare. Just as with any test, you'll get a higher score on this one if you prepare first. You can take a live course, one-on-one tutoring, or an online course with The Princeton Review. If you prefer independent study, check out our book, Cracking the LSAT. |
The regular registration deadline by telephone, by mail, and online is usually about one month before the test date. Since the test is usually at the very beginning of December, the deadline is at the very beginning of November. Don't miss the deadline! Late registration costs more, and you may lose out on your first-choice testing center.
(in a course or independently) if you haven't already. |
This month, you should live, eat, sleep, and breathe LSAT preparation. Also, whatever your strategy, make sure you are taking regular full-length practice exams. |
You want to take this test just once - for your own sanity as well as for admissions purposes. Since you started late, you don't really have time to take it twice, anyway. If you decide to take the LSAT again, some law schools will consider just your highest score. Other schools will average your scores. Still other schools have their own esoteric policies.
LSDAS is the law school admissions Mafia. They take about $100 from you, collect a bunch of records from you, and make life a lot easier for understaffed law school admissions staffs. You can subscribe to LSDAS online. |
Check out our Advanced Law School Search to come up with a list of schools that measure up to your standards. Keep track of your selected schools by adding them to your School List in My Review.
It's really easy to get information using our website. From a school's Profile page, simply click on Send an Email to send an email request directly to the school. We have many online applications available as well. |
Remember to order transcripts from every single undergraduate institution you attended.
but only if you need to retake it. |
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