Application Timeline Checklist
This checklist outlines the essential steps and deadlines for pre-law students navigating the law school application process.
Year Before Application (Spring/Summer)
- LSAT Prep:
- Choose an LSAT prep course or self-study method.
- Create a structured study schedule and stick to it.
- Take diagnostic LSAT practice tests to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Aim to take the LSAT in the late spring or early summer to allow for retakes if needed.
- GPA Maintenance:
- Continue to focus on academic performance and maintain a strong GPA.
- Consider taking challenging courses that demonstrate your intellectual ability.
- Extracurricular Activities:
- Participate in activities that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and commitment.
- Consider volunteering or interning in legal settings to gain experience.
- Start School Research:
- Begin researching potential law schools and their admission requirements.
- Attend law school fairs and virtual information sessions.
- Create a preliminary list of target schools.
Summer Before Application
- LSAT:
- Take the LSAT exam.
- If necessary, register for and retake the LSAT.
- Letters of Recommendation:
- Request letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or mentors who can speak to your qualifications.
- Provide your recommenders with your resume, transcript, and personal statement draft.
- Personal Statement:
- Begin drafting your personal statement.
- Seek feedback from trusted advisors and revise your essay.
- Resume:
- Update your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
- LSAC Account and CAS Registration:
- Create an account with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
- Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to streamline the application process.
Fall of Application Year
- Finalize Applications:
- Complete and submit applications to your chosen law schools.
- Pay attention to deadlines and submit materials well in advance.
- Financial Aid:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Research and apply for scholarships and grants.
- Optional Addenda:
- If necessary, write addenda to address any discrepancies or weaknesses in your application.
Winter/Spring of Application Year
- Interviews:
- Prepare for and attend interviews if invited by law schools.
- Practice answering common interview questions and research the schools you're interviewing with.
- Decision Time:
- Review acceptance offers and make your final decision.
- Consider factors such as location, program reputation, financial aid packages, and career goals.
- Seat Deposit:
- Submit a seat deposit to secure your place at your chosen law school.
Additional Tips:
- Stay organized and keep track of deadlines.
- Seek guidance from pre-law advisors, mentors, and current law students.
- Attend pre-law events and workshops.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help or feedback.
- Proofread all application materials carefully.
- Be patient and persistent throughout the process.
This checklist provides a general framework for the law school application timeline. Remember to adjust the timeline based on your individual circumstances and the specific requirements of the schools you're applying to.
Comments
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This is super insightful, I am printing out the checklist. I started to freehand a checklist but this is useful.
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@Marcelle_Ceide I'm glad you find it useful! I will work on more printable resources like this :)
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This is a good guide also, for us "non traditional" "older" students…. that's me!!! Thanks!!!
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@Fae_Richardson I'm glad it's helpful!! Best of luck on your law school journey :D
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Thank you very much!!
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What is the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)? Is it recommended to write and Addendum? Also, what would be the ideal person to write recommendation letter? (Professor?Employer?)
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@Deborah_Alonso Hi Deborah. Great questions, some of which have very nuanced answers depending on your specific situations. I'll provide short answers here, but recommend you join my colleague, Jesse Borges, and myself for our Spring Strategy Admissions Session on March 16 at 7pm (you can sign up through one of the other posts). 1. The CAS is a service offered by the LSAC (the same company that administers the LSAT) that collects your transcripts, letters of recommendations, and other key documents required for the law school process. Almost all ABA-approved law schools require you to use the CAS as it greatly simplifies the process for them. 2. It is not required to write an addendum; you only need to write an addendum if there is an element of your application that needs to be addressed. Usually this is an extremely negative element you want to address (e.g., I was on academic probation for a semester due to a loss in the family; my first two semesters my GPA was a 1.0, but I turned academic career around by changing my habits; or I had a DUI in college, but haven't had any issues since). Many people have no such issues and do not write an addendum. 3. As a general rule, if you are still in school or recently graduated, schools prefer to have primarily academic recommendation letters (I've had some clients apply to schools who only wanted letters from academics). Often it is good to have a bank of 3 to 4 recommendation letters. If you have one employer in that mix that is fine (some schools accept more letters. The longer you have been out of school, the more lenient schools are on accepting employer recommendation letters. They understand that someone who graduated ten years ago might have trouble finding a professor who remembers them; but someone who only graduated two years ago should still have primarily academic references. I suggest looking at the law school's website or talking to an admissions officer to get their exact position on this topic. Good luck and hope to see you on the 16th!
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