It’s never too early to create your law school application strategy! Apply Point's ideal schedule looks something like this timeline.
Never too early
If you haven't connected with us yet, do it as soon as you can. We can guide you on your academic choices and advise you on how to land internships or volunteer experiences that will appeal to admissions committees.
Investigate the LSAT. The LSAT is typically offered in January, February, April, June, and then monthly from August to November. Taking it in the summer or early fall of your application year gives you some wiggle room if you must retake it. The latest you should retake this test is November 2024 (for Fall 2025 matriculation).
Start a journal. You'll raid your journal for details for your Personal Statement, and School-Specific Essays. Make notes on your current experiences as they happen and past ones whenever you have a moment to ponder them. You can keep a paper or digital diary or even record audio and text notes on your phone as they come to you, and organize them into a document later. (You will eventually want all of your experiences in one place.)
Spring and Summer 2024
Be all about LSAT preparation. Take a prep course and/or work with a tutor to prepare for the test.
Gain meaningful experiences in both academic, internship/volunteer, and extracurricular settings.
Visit law schools of interest, if you’re able, and research law programs to understand their offerings and how they align with your goals.
Continue keeping a journal. This is repetitive for a reason—never stop doing this. It is so helpful.
August and September 2024
Create an LSAC account and register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
Reach out to your recommenders. We'd like you to get three to four letters of recommendation, with at least two from professors who can speak to your ability to thrive in a challenging academic environment.
Take the LSAT.
Finalize your school list. You want a hearty list of "I could go here" schools and you’ll ultimately want to apply to between 10 and 15 law schools.
Move all of your journaled experiences into a brainstorming document.
Request your transcripts—and this includes those from schools abroad.
October-December 2024
Finalize your Personal Statement and School-Specific Essays. This is going to take a while. If you blast it all out in one week, you haven't done it right. Give yourself time for writing, revisions, and re-writing.
Update your resume to showcase the results you’ve achieved and impact you’ve had.
Follow up with your recommenders to ensure that they have submitted their Letters of Recommendation through the CAS.
January 2025
Fill out the school applications and Character & Fitness questionnaires available through LSAC.
Submit your applications by mid-January, at the latest. Most law schools offer rolling admissions and submitting your application on the earlier side will benefit you.
Prepare for and participate in interviews, even if they are optional. Your brainstorming document will continue to be useful here. Interviews are a great way for the admissions committee to get to know you as a person (beyond your application) and for you to learn more about a program’s student experience, experiential learning opportunities, and/or alumni network.