Getting into law school is no easy task, and getting into a top law school is an even tougher one. Develop a strategic approach and attack the application process full-force.
Most law schools employ a Rolling Admissions process that heavily favors those people who submit their applications as early as possible. You should aim to submit all of your applications, regardless of deadlines, by late November or early December, if not earlier. Ideally, give yourself about a year, starting in January to complete all the necessary steps.
Applying to Law School
1. Prep for the LSAT
The LSAT is offered seven times a year, and the deadline for registering is about a month in advance.
- January: Take a free LSAT practice test to calculate your diagnostic score.
- February: Start thinking about an LSAT prep course (we strongly recommend in-person or online courses).
- March: Check upcoming LSAT test dates, registration deadlines, and the logistical information you'll need to know for the big day.
Read More: When To Take the LSAT
2. Register for CAS
The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is a service provided by the LSAC and is required by most ABA-approved law schools. For a fee, CAS will assemble a report containing your transcript, LSAT scores, and letters of recommendation. After you apply to the law schools of your choice, they will contact the CAS directly and request a copy of your report.
- July: Aim to register for the CAS around July so that you can complete your file as soon as possible.
3. Submit your transcripts and letters of recommendation to CAS
- August: Contact your colleges to ask that your transcript be sent to the CAS.
- September: Consider which professors know you well enough to offer solid predictions (and positive impressions) for your future performance. Ask for recommendation in September, when professors are getting back in the swing of things.
4. Search for Law Schools
Check out school stats to find out where your GPA and test scores will fit comfortably within the application pool.Your best bet is to apply to a mix of reach, match, and safety schools.
- August: Touch base with your prelaw advisor and settle on a mix of schools. Use our law school search tool to narrow your list of schools based on location, specialty, and other factors that are important to you.
5. Apply to Law Schools
While your applications will be relatively straightforward to complete, your personal statement will most definitely benefit from careful ruminations and multiple revisions. Ask some people who know you well—and have good critical eyes—to read your personal statement to make sure that it communicates your character. Admissions officers will appreciate a clear indication of what attracted you to law and what particular field interests you.
- September: Start working on your law school applications and personal statements around September.
- November: Aim to submit all your law school applications, regardless of official deadline, by late November or early December.
How will you score?
Take a LSAT practice test with us under the same conditions as the real thing. You'll get a personalized score report highlighting your strengths and areas of improvement.
