Introduction
Understanding law school application deadlines is key as they significantly differ from undergraduate admissions. Many law schools assess applications on a rolling basis, reviewing submissions as they arrive rather than after a set deadline. This method allows for continuous acceptance of students throughout the admission period.
Not all law schools use rolling admissions, but for those that do, there are clear benefits. Applicants who send their applications early are often among the first to receive decisions. This early feedback enables them to secure financial aid sooner and choose from a wider selection of schools.
To help you in your law school application journey, this article guides you on the best time to apply to law school and law school application deadlines to maximize your chances of securing a spot.
Top 20 Law School Application Deadlines
Familiarize yourself with the specific deadlines in law school applications for each institution. This table includes the application deadlines of the top 20 ranked law schools.
| Law School | Deadline for Early Admission | Deadline for Regular Admission |
| 1. Stanford University Law School | Not Available | February 15th |
| 2. Yale University Law School | Not Available | February 15th |
| 3. University of Chicago Law School | December 1st | March 1st |
| 4. University of Pennsylvania (Penn Carey Law School) | September 1st | March 1st |
| 5. Duke University Law School | November 4th | February 15th |
| 6. Harvard University Law School | Not Available | February 1st |
| 7. NYU School of Law | November 15th | February 15th |
| 8. Columbia University Law School | November 15th | February 15th |
| 9. University of Virginia School of Law | Not Available | March 1st |
| 10. Northwestern Pritzker School of Law | November 15th | February 15th |
| 11. Berkeley Law, University of California | November 15th | February 15th |
| 12. Michigan Law, University of Michigan | November 15th | February 28th |
| 13. Cornell Law School | November 1st | March 1st |
| 14. UCLA School of Law | November 15th | February 1st |
| 15. Georgetown University Law Center | March 1st | Rolling Acceptance |
| 16. University of Minnesota Law School | November 15th | June 1st |
| 17. USC Gould School of Law | November 20th | April 1st |
| 18. University of Texas at Austin School of Law | November 1st | March 1st |
| 19. Vanderbilt Law School | November 1st | April 1st |
| 20. University of Georgia School of Law | December 1st | June 1st |
When to Apply for Law School?
The time you choose to submit your law school application is super important. Most law schools have application deadlines around February or March, though some extend until April or May. Being aware of this law school admission timeline and preparing your materials accordingly will ensure you submit your applications effectively.
But here’s the deal—you’ll want to aim for the early submission dates that the law schools provide. These are usually several months before the final application deadline. Applying this early is seen as a major advantage, and applying sooner increases your chances of acceptance.
Applications sent around late December are typically viewed as “on time,” but after January 1, 2025, you’re getting into “late” territory – though not hopelessly late. However, never sacrifice the quality of your application just to meet an early deadline. If your goal is that October 31 submission, be sure to have these law school requirements prepared well in advance:
- Your final LSAT score.
- A well-crafted personal statement.
- Any additional essays required by individual schools.
- At least two letters of recommendation.
- Any supplemental addenda you need to include.
We suggest a timeline to help you comfortably meet the October 31 application deadline for law school. If you prefer more leeway, consider adjusting your schedule to submit by mid-October or even the end of September.
To maintain a steady, manageable pace throughout your application process, seek guidance from our admission consultants to ensure that your overall application upholds the standards expected by top institutions. Navigate the complexities of law school admissions with expert guidance, from acing the LSAT to choosing the perfect law school for your future success!
Organizing Your Law School Application Timeline
Starting your application process early can help reduce stress and tough choices down the road. Follow this simple admission roadmap to stay on track:
January – March
Reflect on why you want to obtain a law degree and how it aligns with your career objectives. Formulate a list of essential pros and cons to help maintain your motivation during challenging times. You can ask other law students about their experiences during the admission process on Law School Admissions Reddit to know what to prioritize. Focus on doing well in your current classes to boost your GPA.
Start lining up some great professors or mentors who can write you stellar recommendation letters. Decide if you’ll take the LSAT or GRE for your entrance exam, and research the LSAT dates 2024 to better prepare. Spend these first few months researching law school application deadlines and start preparing for whichever standardized test you need.
April – June
Preparation for the LSAT should begin now if you haven’t started already, especially if you have a full schedule. Use this time for thorough study and practice, using tools like prep books, courses, or tutors. Regular practice during these months will help solidify your testing skills.
Master the LSAT and unlock your path to top law schools with our dynamic prep course. This August 2024, the Analytical Reasoning section will be replaced with an additional Logical Reasoning section. But no need to panic! We provide all the necessary resources, practice questions, and test-taking strategies to help you excel in this new exam format. With our course, you can confidently tackle the LSAT and be fully equipped to handle the revised sections effectively.
July
Plan to take the LSAT, possibly more than once. Register early for your test dates to ensure you get a spot at your preferred testing location. If you are not taking summer courses, request your academic transcripts through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) provided by the LSAC.
August
After completing summer activities, update your resume and begin drafting your personal statement. Now is a good time to finalize your list of law schools. Ensure it includes a balanced mix of safety, reach, and match schools based on your LSAT scores and GPA. Summer visits to potential law schools can also be beneficial, especially for schools in new areas.
September
Applications for most law schools open this month. Each school may have distinct essay topics or short-answer questions. Begin preparing your personal statement well in advance to allow for multiple revisions. It’s also advisable to contact your recommenders early to ensure they have sufficient time to write a solid recommendation for you.
October
Finish up your personal statement and compile all other required application materials. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applications can be advantageous due to the rolling admissions process used by many law schools.
November
Focus on submitting well-crafted applications, especially to your top-choice schools. If required, prepare for any interviews by practicing commonly asked questions. Our law school admission consulting services provide personalized assistance with crafting compelling essays, preparing for interviews, and even application follow-ups to increase your chances of admission.
December
Aim to submit any remaining applications before the holiday break. Keep in mind the deadlines in law school application processes. Early submissions can improve your chances, but later options are still available for less competitive or online programs.
The Following Year
Admissions decisions typically arrive between December and April. If you find yourself waitlisted, a thoughtful letter of continued interest can be beneficial. Once you receive acceptance, visit your top choices and consider negotiating law school scholarships if there are disparities in financial aid offers.
When Should I Take the LSAT?
Selecting the appropriate time to take the LSAT is essential to align with law school application deadlines. Here is a straightforward piece of advice:
- Schedule the LSAT when you can fully dedicate time to study. Avoid periods when you are overwhelmed by school or work responsibilities.
- We recommend taking the LSAT in the spring or summer, utilizing the quieter winter months for preparation when there are fewer distractions.
- Take the exam right after your semester ends in June or July, allowing you to focus entirely on the LSAT without academic or significant work conflicts.
- Always have a contingency plan with a second test date. This isn’t planning for failure but ensuring flexibility.
- Schedule your first LSAT attempt in March, April, June, or July.
- If you reserve an LSAT date in September or October as a backup, you won’t be delayed by the law school application deadline.
Elevate your LSAT performance to new heights with tailored tutoring sessions designed for your success. All our tutors scored 170+ on the official LSAT, bringing their expertise and effective techniques to our students. Our tutoring program is designed to equip each student with practice tests, personalized study plans, and regular performance reviews.
Ready to learn more about our approach? We offer a 3-week LSAT Free Class to introduce you to our learning methods and tools. This is a great opportunity for you to experience our approach firsthand and understand how we can help you achieve your best LSAT score.
Final Thoughts: When is the Best Time To Apply For Law School?
Most schools want your application pretty early in the new year. If you wait too long, you’ll compete against way more people for those limited spots, which is not a good position to be in!
The smart move is to aim for the early admission window. This usually opens up around August or September, with law school application deadlines sometime in early November. Knowing exactly when each school needs your application allows you to plan ahead and avoid any last-minute rushing.
Starting early gives you time to put together a really strong application. You can perfect that personal statement, get great recommendation letters, and tailor your application to the school standard. Knowing the best time to apply for law school in mind just sets you up for success.
If you have any questions about the LSAT or need application help, just ask! We offer LSAT Free Consultations where our experts will give you straight-up advice to ease any worries. Applying to law school is a big step, but we’ll make sure you’re prepared for it all.
With Odyssey Test Prep, there is no stressing on our watch!