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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 8/1/23
Understanding the timeline for applying to law school and what’s required of you can make your journey to law school less stressful. Read on to learn about law school deadlines and more!
When’s the best time to apply to law school? When should you take the LSAT and submit your applications? Our month-by-month timeline will answer all these questions and help you stay on track at every step.
Although most law schools have rolling admissions, this application timeline can help you stay on task and meet various milestones. If you’re wondering when to apply to law school, read on.
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If you haven't compiled a list of your top law schools, you should start your school research now. You can compare and search for law schools using LSAC’s JD program guide. Inputting your undergraduate GPA and potential LSAT score can help filter your admission likelihood.
April is an excellent time to request recommendation letters before the spring semester ends. You should also consider how you want to spend your summer; consider employment, volunteer opportunities, or internships to boost your profile.
To be fully prepared to take the LSAT, you should study for at least three to four months. If you haven't taken the LSAT by the end of your junior year, preparing now should place you in good standing for the end of summer LSAT test dates. The LSAT is offered nine times per year in:
Taking the LSAT in June means you’ll have enough time to retest if needed before you submit law school applications. Ensure you take the LSAT before application deadlines. To ace the LSAT the first time, consider supplementing free online classes and self-study with an expert LSAT tutor’s help.
If you're not taking summer courses, you should create a Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) account and register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Most law schools request all your official undergraduate and graduate transcripts be sent through the CAS.
Although there are no precise 2023 LSAT dates past June, you should take the LSAT between June and August. Taking it in June will give you more time for a potential retake, but you could potentially retake the test in September if you opt for the August date.
Remember, law schools won’t evaluate your applications until you receive your LSAT scores! Scores are released approximately three weeks after your test date.
This is the perfect time to build your law school resume after finishing your summer activities. Once you receive your LSAT scores, you can create a more concrete school list based on your profile.
Most law school applications open on LSAC in September. You can get a headstart by:
If you didn’t receive recommendation letters yet, you should follow up with your recommenders at the beginning of the month.
Keep working on your applications for any program you're not applying for through early decision. If you're applying through early decision to any school, law school application deadlines for most schools are approaching. Most early decision deadlines are on November 1.
Ensure you review the school’s application checklist before submitting your application!
Once you’ve applied to your early decision school, it’s time to turn your attending toward perfecting the rest of your applications. Double-check to ensure you’ve completed all documents before submission.
You may start receiving interview invitations after law schools receive and review your application.
If you still have outstanding law school applications, try to get them all in by the end of December. Most law schools accept applicants on a rolling basis, meaning you’ll want to submit your application before spots fill up.
If you haven't already, you may receive law school interview applications. After schools receive and review your applications, invitations are typically sent on a rolling basis.
Once you've submitted all your applications, you may receive more interview invitations after law schools review them.
Between January and April, you should receive admissions decisions for all schools you applied to. Don’t get discouraged if some schools take longer to get back to you. If you receive multiple admissions offers, you can:
As soon as you've decided, accept your offer of admission to your dream law school!
If you still have questions about the law school admissions timeline, read on to have all your queries answered.
Fall or early winter is the best time to apply to law school.
The law school application cycle typically opens sometime in August and September each year.
You should apply to law school as early as possible without sacrificing the quality of your applications. Most law schools review applications on a rolling basis, meaning you may have a better chance of acceptance if you submit yours in October or November.
Application dates vary depending on the school, but most law school deadlines for regular decision fall between February and March. Some schools may accept applications into the summer.
December isn’t too late to apply to law school; many applicants apply in December.
February isn't necessarily too late as long as you apply before the deadline. However, you may have a lower chance of acceptance as fewer spots are likely left at this stage in the admissions process.
Experts recommend taking the LSAT between June and August. The earlier you take your test, the more time you have to retake your test if necessary.
Each individual institution has their own deadlines for when to apply to law school. However, it is generally recommended to apply early in the year before you intend to begin law school.
No, August is not too late to take the LSAT, however you may not have enough time to retake the LSAT if you leave it until August.
Although most law schools have rolling admissions, following this application timeline for law school helps you ensure your applications are submitted on time. Good luck with your applications!
