Apply to Law School

There is no one timeline that works for all students. If you are looking to attend law school immediately after graduation, the timeline below will give you a sense of what needs to be done when. Please work with our Pre-Law Career Coach, to determine the timeline that will fit best for you.

Fall of Junior Year

Create an account on LSAC.org
Talk to professors about letters of recommendation
Decide how you want to study for the LSAT. Study options range from the free LSAC test prep, to self-study using LSAT prep materials, to enrolling in a LSAT prep course either online or in person, to working individually with a tutor. When assessing the options, think about how you best study and learn and what your budget will accommodate.
Decide when you plan to take the LSAT and register here

Spring of Junior Year

Start studying for the LSAT. The general rule of thumb is that you will need 10-15 hours/week over a six-month period. Include timed practice tests to build your endurance and speed for the test.
Polish your resume using The Piper Center’s Law Resume template as a guide.
Explore how to finance your law school education

Summer between Junior/Senior Year

Take the LSAT during the summer, in September or in October
Decide if you’ll apply early decision. Talk with our Pre-Law advisor if you are considering this option.
Begin writing your personal statement – our Pre-Law advisor can support you here.

September of Senior Year

Applications open – submit your application early for best scholarship and admission chances since schools use rolling admissions.
Explore and apply for outside scholarships.

October of Senior Year

Attend recruiting events, law school open houses, law school fairs.
Fill out the FAFSA for need-based financial aid.

November of Senior Year

Early Decision deadlines.

December of Senior Year

Early applicants start getting results/scholarships

February of Senior Year

Schools continue admitting students.
Scholarship negotiation begins.
Schools may be recruiting accepted applicants.

March of Senior Year

Schools continue admitting students
Preliminary seat deposits may be due.
Scholarship negotiations continue.
Wait list discussions are starting.
Many students visit schools to help make their final decision.

April of Senior Year

Applicants and schools are making final decisions.
Applicants must decide where to deposit.

June – August After Senior Year

Schools turn to the waitlist when places in the class open up.

Other Helpful Resources:

LexScholars – a diversity pipeline initiative aimed at learning more about effective methods for increasing law school diversity by providing over 1,200 aspiring lawyers with resources and guidance to pursue their goal of attending law school.

AccessLex Pipeline Program Directory – An online database designed to help prospective law students and pre-law advisors identify pipeline programs serving college students and/or college graduates from historically underrepresented groups with information and resources premised on aiding their successful matriculation into law school and the legal profession.

Law School Scholarship Databank – Search over 800 carefully curated and vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions — totaling more than $3 million in aid.

LSAC Law School Scholarship List – Check back periodically as application deadlines may have passed and new opportunities will become available in the future.

LSAC Guide on Financing Law School – Law school is a major commitment and a significant financial investment. Explore funding options to help you pay.

Information on Applying for Aid – Changes in financial aid rules and regulations are ongoing, and law school policies vary. It is important for you to stay current and to educate yourself about financial aid in much the same way that you research law schools when deciding where to apply.

Think about your priorities and what’s most important to you about your law school education. You’ll want to figure out which school is best for you.

Some criteria to consider:

Location – where do you hope to practice after graduating? Many graduates end up working in the geographic area where they attended law school.
Career goals – do you want to work in public service? Then seek out a school that offers courses in that area. Do you want to work at a large law firm? The school’s alumni may be helpful in attaining those positions.
What are the ranges of GPA and LSAT scores of admitted students? If you are below the 25th percentile on GPA and LSAT for that school, you may have difficulty getting admitted. Don’t focus only on the median LSAT and GPA scores. Schools do a “holistic review” of all applications, which means that they accept a range of LSAT scores and GPAs.
Apply to a range of schools – safety, stretch, reach. Make decisions based on how well you align with each school’s admissions data.

Many students find it helpful to visit law schools. You may want to visit a school if:

You don’t know if law school is a good fit for you.
You’re deciding which law school(s) to apply to.
You’ve been accepted by a school but you haven’t visited the campus.

When you visit, ask questions that can only be answered in person. Ask if you can sit in on a class and talk with current law students. Reach out to the admissions office of each school to arrange your visit. Attending Law School Fairs and LSAC Forums can also help you explore many schools at one event.

Application Fee Waiver Program

Law School Financial Support and Scholarships

Law School Scholarship Databank – Search over 800 carefully curated and vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions — totaling more than $3 million in aid.

LSAC Law School Scholarship List – Check back periodically as application deadlines may have passed and new opportunities will become available in the future.

LSAC Guide on Financing Law School – Law school is a major commitment and a significant financial investment. Explore funding options to help you pay.