Law School Application Deadlines: Your Guide

When Is Too Late to Apply to Law School?

Now, you may be wondering, but when is there a time when it is truly too late to apply to law school? 

Well, let’s say you find yourself in this common predicament. The new year has come and gone, and you haven’t submitted your application to your dream school; does this mean you’ve missed the chance to apply to your law schools of choice? The answer is: that depends on the schools. 

Most law schools begin accepting applications in the fall, typically between August and September, with some schools accepting as late as October. Schools like Stanford Law or Yale have strict application deadlines, while others accept applications on a rolling basis, like Georgetown University Law, for example. 

All this means is that, depending on the law schools you are interested in, you may have some flexibility during your application process. Be sure to check your law school’s admissions page to learn their exact deadlines and to see if they accept late applications. 

It is important to remember that punctuality is an ideal quality for a potential lawyer. However, schools and admissions teams understand that life gets hectic and not everyone can submit their application early. Try not to worry too much if you have to submit later than your originally planned. 

Plus, quality over quantity or, in this case, timing. If you have to apply as a late submission but it means your application will be substantially better than that is the better choice.  

If you have questions about a school’s timeline or need clarification on due date expectations, don’t be afraid to reach out to the school’s admissions team. Connecting with an admissions officer is also a great way to introduce yourself, make potentially useful connections, or ask for advice or guidance during your law school application journey. 

Finally, remember that these law schools want you to be a good fit for their program, so take advantage of the resources they have to offer. 

FAQs: Law School Application Deadlines

You may still have some unanswered questions about law school application deadlines. Don’t fret! Below we have answered some of the more common questions students ask when they begin to think about applying to law school. 

1. When Should I Apply to Law School for Fall 2023?

When it comes to applying to law school, a good general rule to follow is: the earlier, the better. Since fall 2023 is just around the corner, we recommend applying as soon as possible; the longer you wait, the more competitive the application process becomes. 

That being said, many law schools do accept submissions on a rolling basis, so check your school’s admissions page to learn if you are still eligible to apply for the fall. 

2. Is Applying to Law School in January Too Late?

It is not too late to apply to law school in January. Even though most law schools tend to begin accepting applications in the fall for the next year, applying in January does not mean you will be rejected or considered ineligible. 

In fact, many schools now assess applications on a rolling basis, so depending on the competitiveness of the school, a January application could be more than acceptable. 

3. When Are Most Law School Application Deadlines?

Most law school application deadlines tend to be in February or March, with some even being as late as April or May. 

While it is not a bad thing to submit your application for the final deadline, we do recommend aiming to submit your application by your school’s early submission date. Check your school’s admissions page to learn when they begin accepting applications and what their early application window is. 

4. Are There Law Schools With Late Application Deadlines?

Yes, there are many prestigious law schools with late application deadlines, though these dates do vary per institution. This means that you will need to check your school’s admissions page to learn what your options are for application submission.