Pathing one’s way towards law school can be both exciting and daunting. To make the experience less strenuous, it’s vitally important to comprehend each stage of admissions more effectively. Understanding an application timeline and requirements will make the experience much less strenuous.
This article will outline when to submit law school applications in order to increase your chances of acceptance and scholarships. Typically speaking, it’s wise to apply by schools’ priority deadlines (or recommended deadlines).
Early Decision
If your LSAT/GPA combination falls outside the requirements for admission to your top choice school, Early Decision may be an option for you. Admission during Early Decision is binding; if accepted into NYU School of Law through this route, withdrawal of other applications and submission of seat deposits are all requirements of acceptance into Early Decision.
Summer is the ideal time to study for the LSAT, prepare your school list, request recommendation letters and make necessary modifications in your application materials.
Fall law school admissions operate on a rolling basis, meaning schools evaluate applications as they come in rather than waiting until a fixed deadline to evaluate them. Some institutions provide “strict”/final deadlines while some suggest “priority”/suggested deadlines that applicants should apply by to increase their chance of admission and receiving merit scholarships. Furthermore, schools may even begin interviewing students in late autumn.
Regular Decision
Many law schools have strict or final application deadlines as well as priority or suggested deadlines for financial aid consideration, so it’s best to apply by these suggested dates for schools you are most keen on attending in order to increase your chances of admission and scholarships.
Fall applications open between August or September and close early November and are binding decisions; if accepted, all other school applications must be withdrawn immediately.
At this stage, it’s essential that you continue working on your personal statement and collecting any other necessary materials. Furthermore, it would be prudent to request recommendation letters early in the spring.
By midsummer, it is important to complete all unfinished business and begin your legal education. Law school orientation sessions often begin in September or October; with careful planning and preparation, law school application deadlines can be met successfully and without stress or confusion. Shemmassian Academic Consulting can be of great assistance here if need be – contact them!
Rolling Admissions
Within four to six months before applications open, it is likely you will need to focus on finalizing your school list and creating application materials such as personal statements and recommendation letters.
Law schools typically adopt a rolling admissions policy, meaning they evaluate applications as they come in rather than waiting until an admission deadline to evaluate them all at once. This enables schools to admit students on more holistic grounds while giving those with superior academic credentials (LSAT, GPA and softs) better chances at merit scholarships than those applying later in the cycle.
If you choose Early Decision, it’s essential that your application be complete by the end of February. In addition, withdraw other applications and submit deposits for those schools where admission has been offered – which can be an anxious time! For best results, complete all applications as early as possible to reduce stress!
Financial Aid
Fall is an ideal time to begin law school application preparations. Take the LSAT, update your resume and extracurricular activities, research schools to add to your list and secure recommendation letters – these tasks should all take place by November.
Priority deadlines exist at many schools for fall admissions; applying by them increases your odds of acceptance and scholarship consideration.
Applicants who plan to defer their law school matriculation may find it advantageous to submit applications in the cycle before their intended year of attendance rather than attempt an early application and later defer. Once accepted by a law school, it’s advisable to send a letter of continued interest indicating your intent to enroll so the institution may reserve your seat.
