Your 2025-2026 Law School Application Timeline: January 2026 Actions

It’s never too early to create your law school application strategy! Apply Point's ideal schedule looks something like this timeline. 

January 2026

• 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.

Your 2025-2026 Law School Application Timeline: October Through December Actions

It’s never too early to create your law school application strategy! Apply Point's ideal schedule looks something like this timeline. 

October-December 2025

• 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. 

Your 2025-2026 Law School Application Timeline: August & September Actions

It’s never too early to create your law school application strategy! Apply Point's ideal schedule looks something like this timeline. 

August and September 2025

• 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. 

Your 2025-2026 Law School Application Timeline: Spring & Summer Actions

It’s never too early to create your law school application strategy! Apply Point's ideal schedule looks something like this timeline. 

Spring and Summer 2025

• 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. 

Your 2025-2026 Law School Application Timeline: "Never Too Early" Actions

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 2025 (for Fall 2026 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.) 

Are You a Pre-Med Struggling With a “Should-I” Question? We’re Here to Help.

If you’re planning to apply to medical school, you likely have a few “Should-I” questions on your mind. Stay tuned, as this week we’ll review the three most common pre-med questions and provide guidance and related resources.

Should I Take a Gap Year?

Maybe. In 2019, 43.9% of matriculating medical students had taken a gap year or two before medical school, according to the AAMC. You might even take a longer pause. Fun fact: The average age of a 2021 Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania matriculant was 24—ranging between 21 and 30. 

So, why might you want to take some time between undergrad and med school? You can use a gap year to beef up your transcript with a post-bacc or master's degree. Or you might take a break from academics to immerse yourself in a clinical or research experience. 

If you're light on clinical or research experience, we highly recommend a gap year. Longer-term clinical and research roles will teach you things a short stint cannot. And, if you work full-time in a clinical or research environment, that will further enhance your candidacy. 

Maybe you want to put away more money before attending medical school. Never a bad idea. Whatever work you do—it doesn’t have to be medical, you could be a bond trader or consultant—should challenge you in the areas of leadership, critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving. This is a transferable skill set to medical school and residency. What a gap year cannot be: A year of nothing but MCAT prep and vacation. Schools need to know you can handle multiple priorities and that you value learning and helping others.

Related:

Blog Series: Earning Another Degree or Certification Before Med School

Clinical Experiences that Medical Schools Love

How to Find Clinical Experiences for Your Gap Year(s)

Are You a Pre-Med Struggling With a “Should-I” Question? We’re Here to Help.

If you’re planning to apply to medical school, you likely have a few “Should-I” questions on your mind. Stay tuned, as this week we’ll review the three most common pre-med questions and provide guidance and related resources.

Should I Apply Early Decision? 

We rarely advise clients to apply early decision. Not only do you have to be 100% ready to commit to the school where you apply early if admitted, but you must be an absolute all-star. If you’re an average applicant, you will not improve your chances of admission. If you want to apply for early decision, August 1st is the Early Decision Program (EDP) deadline for all medical schools that use the AMCAS submission system. (And most do.) The EDP will tell you if you were accepted or not by October 1st, so you will still have time to apply to other medical schools if you’re rejected.

Are You a Pre-Med Struggling With a “Should-I” Question? We’re Here to Help.

If you’re planning to apply to medical school, you likely have a few “Should-I” questions on your mind. Stay tuned, as this week we’ll review the three most common pre-med questions and provide guidance and related resources.

Should I Take the MCAT again? 

We recommend taking the MCAT a maximum of three times—really, you should aim for two. (Medical schools prefer it.) "Since this exam’s introduction in 2015, the vast majority of examinees (just under 95%) have tested at most once or twice," reported the AAMC. "About 5% have tested three times.”

Data from the AAMC suggests that the longer the time between your first and second exam, the bigger the point gain. Many factors likely play into this, one of them is as simple as completing helpful college courses. 

You can take the MCAT seven times in your lifetime. The cap is three times in one calendar year and four times across two calendar years. There is no uniform way that schools handle multiple MCAT scores. Some will take your highest, others your most recent, others an average of your scores. So, if you scored really well on test one, you might do better to leave that score alone. But generally, we do recommend taking the test twice because it’s very likely that you’ll be able to improve your score by at least a couple of points.

Related: 

Key Considerations Before Retaking the MCAT 

Preparing for the MCAT: Tips and Advice from an Expert

You’ve Submitted Your Law School Application… Now What?

Congratulations! You’ve submitted your law school application, but your work is not quite complete. You still have the opportunity to make a positive impression on the admissions committee by demonstrating your enthusiasm for the program. 

Consider the following ways to showcase your interest.

• Follow the school on social media and set up Google alerts with key words so you can easily stay informed of current events, research, or news related to the program. Confirm that your social media presence is up to date and represents you well.

• Prepare for and participate in interviews, even if they are optional. 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 the program’s student experience, experiential learning opportunities, and/or alumni network. 

• Set up an in-person visit to the school, if possible. Make appointments with professors or current students who share your interests. Prep by creating a brief elevator speech explaining, with specifics, how the school's programming aligns with your interests and why you would be a great addition to the student body.

• Attend any admissions events, webinars, or other programming facilitated by the school or the admissions committee. If appropriate, introduce yourself and ask a thoughtful question(s) on the content.

• Follow-up any interactions with faculty or students with a brief thank you note reiterating your excitement about the program. 

• Send an update letter to the school if you have a significant accomplishment or update, not previously covered in your application, to share. Examples include: a significant positive change to your GPA or LSAT/GRE score, publications, professional development (e.g., you presented at a national/regional conference or received a promotion with additional responsibility at work), awards/honors, and/or extracurricular achievements (you took on a leadership position in a club/organization, significantly expanded the scale or reach of a club/organization, or a club/organization you lead received an honor or award).

• In your update letter, don’t forget to express your continued interest in the program, noting specifics that are particularly compelling to you. If the school is your first choice, make the yield protection statement: If admitted, I will attend. 

• Do not excessively contact the admissions committee, particularly to ask questions with answers readily available online or to ask for feedback on your application or admissions likelihood. If you do reach out – make it strategic. 

You’ve Received Multiple MBA Acceptances: Consider the Cost

You now find yourself in the enviable position of having been accepted to multiple MBA programs, and you have to make an important choice. This week we’ll highlight the factors you should weigh before committing. 

Cost. An MBA is a major investment so compare the cost, including cost of living. But, keep in mind, not all schools offer the same ROI. Attending a top-tier school, while necessitating a larger initial outlay, can prove to be a better return on your investment. Conversely, if you know you want to return to your company post-graduation, it may make sense to opt for a very good, but more reasonably priced MBA program.

You’ve Received Multiple MBA Acceptances: Consider the Fit

You now find yourself in the enviable position of having been accepted to multiple MBA programs, and you have to make an important choice. This week we’ll highlight the factors you should weigh before committing. 

Fit. Will you feel comfortable at the school? Does it meet your expectations in terms of collegiality? Alumni-base? Are there other students similar to you in terms of lifestyle and/or interests? You want to choose a program where you’ll not only be happy for the next two years, but where you’ll be able to build a life-long network. 

You’ve Received Multiple MBA Acceptances: Consider the Geography

You now find yourself in the enviable position of having been accepted to multiple MBA programs, and you have to make an important choice. This week we’ll highlight the factors you should weigh before committing. 

Geography. Where you are located plays an important role in your ability to network. If you know where you want to live post-graduation, consider those programs that are within that city or state. Similarly, if your goal is to enter a particular industry, think about programs that are located near one of the industry’s hubs. 

You’ve Received Multiple MBA Acceptances: Consider the Academics

You now find yourself in the enviable position of having been accepted to multiple MBA programs, and you have to make an important choice. This week we’ll highlight the factors you should weigh before committing. 

 Academics. Which schools can boast leading professors in your specific areas of interest? Whose research makes you most excited? Are students involved in faculty research? Confirm that the school offers concentrations or majors in areas that you want to study and/or consistently makes courses available in topics of interest to you (beware the visiting professor!).

You’ve Received Multiple MBA Acceptances. What's Next?

Congratulations! You now find yourself in the enviable position of having been accepted to multiple MBA programs, and you have to make an important choice. This week we’ll highlight the factors you should weigh before committing. 

Post-graduate employment opportunities. Take a close look at what companies are actively recruiting and hiring at the MBA programs that you’re considering. You can review each school’s career placement report (most schools have made their 2024 report available) and/or engage with the school’s career services team to learn more. Alternatively, if you dream of starting your own company, consider how each program supports entrepreneurs with mentoring, networking, and access to financing. 

Alternative Routes to Becoming a Physician: Podiatry School

We’re exploring alternatives to the MD. Check back throughout the week as we provide some facts and figures and guidance on osteopathic, Caribbean, and podiatry programs.

Podiatry School

A podiatrist is a physician or surgeon who treats the feet. Podiatric programs cost less than MD and DO programs, and the surgical residencies are not as long. After graduation, you'd be entering a secure, lucrative field that usually has a humane number of work hours per week.

The average GPA and MCAT requirements for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) programs are lower than U.S. MD and DO programs. In 2021, the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) reported that the mean overall GPA for matriculants was 3.4 (Science: 3.2, Non-Science: 3.5), and the mean MCAT was 494.3

When You Should Apply:

If you’re applying to podiatry school, you want to apply the August before or early fall of your senior year. (If you plan on going to podiatry school right after undergrad.) The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS) begins processing primary applications in August for fall admission the following year. For priority consideration, the AACPMAS says you should submit before March. The final application deadline date is June 30th for fall admission of the same year. But don’t be on this last train out of town!

Where You Should Apply:

The AACPM website is an incredible resource for information on podiatry schools. We're talking breakdowns of each accredited school's mission, cost, special programs and services, demographics, and social media handles. If you're interested in podiatry, check out the info on all 11 accredited schools.

Alternative Routes to Becoming a Physician: Caribbean MD programs

We’re exploring alternatives to the MD. Check back throughout the week as we provide some facts and figures and guidance on osteopathic, Caribbean, and podiatry programs.

Caribbean MD Programs

Students with lower MCAT scores and GPAs are more likely to be accepted to allopathic schools abroad than in the U.S. Schools in the Caribbean are especially interested in students from the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.

It's likely that way more doctors than you think graduated from international schools. From 2010 to 2020, the number of licensed physicians who graduated from international medical schools increased by 24%. "About one-quarter (24.7%) of active physicians in 2020 were international medical graduates (IMGs)," according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. "This includes U.S. citizens who studied abroad."

When You Should Apply:

Off-shore schools have rolling admissions (and have multiple start dates). We think you should start submitting applications to these programs with your U.S.-based allopathic applications in June.

Where You Should Apply:

Of the 80 Caribbean medical schools, we recommend "The Big Four" to clients. All have key international accreditations; they are recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education/Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (WFME/ FAIMER). They are also recognized by stricter state medical boards (like California's). These top Caribbean schools also have competitive residency placement rates and other boast-worthy qualities.

St. George's University / Grenada, West Indies: As of December 2020, the average MCAT score of matriculants was 498. Their average undergraduate GPA was 3.3. St. George's has a strong reputation for students passing the USMLE Step 1 (95%), USMLE Step 2 (91%), and for residency placement. SGU secured more than 990 U.S. residencies in 2022. The Grenada-based program has been the largest provider of doctors into first-year U.S. residencies for the last eight years.

Saba University School of Medicine / Saba: Saba told us that as of April 2022, the average GPA of matriculants was 3.19 and the average MCAT was 497. Saba is smaller than SGU, so it has fewer graduates becoming residents—but their stats are strong. Between 2019 and 2021, 94% of graduates obtained residencies. The average first-time pass rate for the USMLE between 2015 and 2020 was 99%.

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine / St. Maarten: In January 2022, the average GPA for matriculants was 3.27; the average MCAT score was 496. AUC has a 93.2% pass rate for the USMLE Step 1, a 92.8% pass rate for the USMLE Step 2 CK, and 96% of 20212022 graduates attained residencies. AUC's clinical rotations take place at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved hospitals. It has clinical teaching affiliates in the U.S. and the U.K., and students can take global health electives in the Dominican Republic, Russia, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

Ross University School of Medicine / Bridgetown, Barbados: RUSM emphasizes remedying systemic bias in healthcare in their curriculum—and on campus. Diversity in the student body and faculty is highly valued. They have rolling admissions; prospective students can apply anytime. Matriculants can start school in January, May, or September. The majority of clinical training takes place in the United States. 2022 graduates had a residency match rate of 96% and the school has consistently had a 91% first-time pass rate for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2.

Alternative Routes to Becoming a Physician: Osteopathic Programs

If your GPA or MCAT is low-ish, it's time to consider all of your options. Osteopathic schools, off-shore MD programs, and podiatry schools are all roads that lead to you becoming a physician. And they are open to folks with lower GPAs and MCAT scores. It's not that these programs aren't competitive—they are—they're just not as competitive as many allopathic schools in the U.S.

This week, we’ll provide some facts and figures and guidance on osteopathic, Caribbean, and podiatry programs.

Osteopathic Programs

Plenty of applicants apply to osteopathic programs because they know they want to be DOs. You may have visions of that MD after your name. But if you're interested in holistic medical practices and primary care especially, one of the 42 accredited DO programs in the United States might be right for you.

In May 2021, the American Osteopathic Association's Physician Masterfile reported that 56.5% of osteopathic doctors practiced primary care. That covers a broad set of opportunities, including becoming an OB/GYN and a pediatrician. In 2022, nine Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine were in U.S. News & World Report's list of the top 10 schools with the most graduates practicing primary care. (Yep, them and one allopathic school.)

There is no shame in the DO game. One in four medical students in the United States attends an osteopathic program, according to the AOA. Much of an osteopathic classroom and clinical medical education is like an allopathic one. Additionally, osteopathic programs involve 200 hours of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) training, which focuses on the spine, bones, and muscles.

You can find out more about osteopathic programs by attending an American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) virtual fair. Their ChooseDo.org website for prospective students can also give you valuable info on programs, tuition, application deadlines, etc.

Shadowing an osteopathic doctor will give you an idea of their day-to-day practice. And you'll have plenty of DOs to choose from: The 2020-21 Osteopathic Medical Profession (OMP) Report stated that there were 135,000 osteopathic physicians in America in 2021—an 80% increase over the past decade. DOs make up 11% of doctors and 26% of medical students in the country. And according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, 99.3% of DO graduates are placed in residencies.

If you're applying to an osteopathic program, you should have shadowed a DO or better yet worked with one. You'll also need a recommendation letter from an osteopathic physician—and we mean need—you must show a real interest here.

When You Should Apply:

The AACOM application opens in May. Deadlines for osteopathic programs are in February and March. You can check out the AACOM Choose DO Explorer for exact dates for each school. But we’d like to see you apply to these programs in October, just as allopathic schools start getting back to applicants.

Where You Should Apply:

No exaggeration: All U.S. osteopathic programs are good. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA)'s standards are strict. Check out the AACOM site for more information on the 42 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine, which have 67 teaching locations in 36 states.

Prospective Law School Students: How to Spend Your Gap Year

For prospective law students who wish to take a gap year, there are many jobs and activities that will improve your resume, provide clarity on your future career path, and ultimately bolster your candidacy in the application process. We’ve listed a few ideas below:

• Management consulting/investment banking: For future applicants with a passion for business or an interest in corporate law, spending time at a consulting or investment banking group can increase your baseline knowledge, and understanding of the work.

• Policy analysis/research: If your interests are in constitutional or immigration law, working directly in this space can provide you experience with relevant stakeholders, as well as the ability to speak to your future goals more specifically within your law school application. It may also assist you to more strategically select law school programs that will best position you to do the work you love.

• Non-profit work: If you have identified an interest in public interest law or just in gaining professional skills quickly, working for a non-profit organization could be a sound next step. Typically, nonprofits have lean workforces and, as a result, even recent college graduates are asked to work outside their comfort zone to acquire new skills. Further, it is important to note that some organizations like Teach for America have relationships and scholarship programs with select law schools.

• Paralegal/legal assistant/legal administrator: For applicants interested in learning more about working within a law firm, this type of experience will broaden your understanding of the day-to-day life of a lawyer and will also likely show meaningful commitment to both law schools and future legal recruiters.

While it isn’t necessary to take a gap-year between undergraduate and law school, if you do, it is of vital importance to spend your time thoughtfully and productively.  It may seem appealing, in those months after college, to solely focus on LSAT and application preparations.  But remember, admissions committees will be looking very closely. Meaningful and productive work will help you to construct a narrative that will bolster your story as an applicant and positively contribute to your law school class and experience.  

Prospective Law School Students: When to Consider a Gap Year

Prospective law students often wonder if they should take time off between finishing their undergraduate work and applying to law school. While there is no one size fits all answer, the trend shows that many law schools are expecting and even rewarding students who take at least a brief interlude prior to starting school. 

According to ABA data, the majority of 2024 matriculants did report a gap prior to starting law school (65 percent). Among four of the top five ranked law schools by U.S. News and World Report in 2024, the incoming classes showed that between 70 and 90 percent of incoming students took at least one year off before matriculation. At Yale, 89 percent of the Class of 2027 was at least one year out from undergraduate and 46 percent were at least three years out.

While, it isn’t necessary for all students to take a gap year, it can be a beneficial use of time for the following types of applicants:

• Those with a general interest in the study of law, but without experience in the day-to-day operations of a law firm and/or those who do not yet feel comfortable selecting a career path within the legal industry

• Those who have a passion they would like to pursue, who can spend some time in the field to confirm law school is the right next step to help them achieve their goals

• Those who need to enhance the competitiveness of their application with additional experiences and insight into their future goals

• Those who may benefit from a year of earnings prior to taking on the financial burden of law school

• Those interested in working at a firm post- law school, as prior work experience can be looked upon quite favorably by hiring managers

Check back tomorrow as we discuss productive ways to spend your gap year. 

Need Clinical Experience? Check out the SDN Activity Finder.

If you are a premedical student looking to supplement your learning and enhance your medical school application, check out the Student Doctor Network (SDN) activity-finder. The activity-finder allows you to sort through summer or next-term experiences, organized into the following categories: medical/clinical work experiences, volunteer/community service experiences, research experiences, and shadowing experiences. Then it provides a list of organizations and resources for you to consider by location.