Top Law Coach’s Complete Guide to Law School Application Deadlines
It’s best to apply to law school as soon as possible. Admissions are rolling, so the earlier you apply, the better your odds are. Applications are considered in roughly the order in which they're received. That being said, one extra day won’t make a huge difference. Over the course of weeks, however, your odds will diminish.
Beyond rolling admissions, there are number of different deadlines to consider. While each has its advantages and disadvantages, knowing the strategic differences between deadlines can help strengthen your application and odds of admission.
When Do Law School Applications Open?
Applications tend to open in August or September. You can check whether application is open through LSAC’s Credential Assembly Services (CAS). The CAS is the centralized clearing house that collects your LSAT score report, recommendations, applications, and transcripts.
The “True” Deadline for Law School Applications
The ideal time to submit your application would be in September or October. You may also be able to submit a viable application in November.
Remember that your application will not be considered until all components are complete and submitted successfully. That means that all requirements—including submitting your application, recommendations, transcripts, and LSAT or GRE scores—must be met before your application is accepted.
Further, if you have a pending LSAT score, your application will not be considered until the score is submitted. If the admissions officer opens your file and sees a pending LSAT score, they will wait until those results appear.
Applying Later in the Admissions Cycle
The latest application deadline varies by school. Applications tend to close around March, though can sometimes extend through April or May.
But those late deadlines are a bit of a mirage: If you apply to law school in the spring, or anytime after February, your admission odds are low. It may be a waste of money to apply to law school at this point.
As early as winter, around early-December, your admissions odds begin to decrease. Applying to law school in December, January, or February may not be a death sentence, but such late applications can leave you with outcomes that are less than ideal. You may consider whether it would be worth waiting for the next cycle.
Choosing to Re-Apply
If you’re shaking your head reading this post, perhaps having already applied a bit later in the cycle, it’s possible to apply again next year. If you do choose to reapply, however, know that most law schools tend to frown on applications that are identical to ones submitted previously. You may need to seriously alter your essay, update your resume, and solicit new letters of recommendation (albeit from the same professors, if need be).
Reapplying may also give you a chance to shore up other areas on your application where you might have come up short. A reapplication is a perfect opportunity to retake the LSAT or polish your writing.
[Next Read: A Month-by-Month Guide to Law School Admissions]
Early Decision and Early Action
Many law schools have early decision options, and a few have early action options. While most applicants do not apply early decision or early action, some do consider either deadline.
Early Decision, its Advantages and Disadvantages
Applying early decision (ED) is legally binding. If you apply to a law school and are accepted, you must withdraw your applications to other schools in favor of the one you received an early decision acceptance from. You can still decide not to go to law school—but you cannot pursue a different school. Law schools do circulate information about early decision applicants, so you can get into serious trouble if you lie about early decision acceptances.
In weighing the advantages and disadvantages of applying early decision consider the following questions: What are your reasons for applying ED? Are your odds of admission slim without applying ED? Is your ED school your unequivocal top pick?
Advantages of Applying Early Decision to Law School
You’ll almost certainly boost your admissions chances if you apply ED. It’s the best way to demonstrate your interest in a particular school.
You should also ask whether it’s feasible, given your deadlines and application progress, to complete your ED applications in time. ED deadlines tend to be earlier—closer to the winter —so it can be a challenge to meet them if you haven’t started your applications early.
Another advantage to applying early? Law schools consider your application first and will tend to notify you sooner, usually within 6 weeks. However, this is not true for all law schools. Top programs tend to notify their applicants in the spring.
Disadvantages of Applying Early Decision to Law School
Early decision applications decisively limits your options. If you get in, you get in, and any other acceptances you may receive become effectively a wash.
A second reason why an ED application may be a bad choice is that it limits your ability to negotiate merit scholarships. Law schools have always offered a range of need-based scholarships, but there has been an increasing uptick in merit scholarships, as well. These merit-based scholarships are often used as opportunities for negotiation. Students can advocate for themselves to receive a more equitable or generous aid package.
By applying ED, you have significantly less room to negotiate. In the regular admissions process, many students negotiate by claiming they have higher, more competitive aid offers from other schools. The ED admissions process, by contrast, is bound by a contractual obligation to enroll. It leaves you with an ultimatum: either increase the aid, or don’t enroll at all—anywhere.
Of course, there are more outcomes than an acceptance or rejection. You may also be deferred back to the general admissions pool. Many who apply early find themselves placed into the general admissions pool. This is admissions saying, “We're not ready to make a decision yet,” which is not necessarily a bad thing. They may be waiting for a clearer picture of the applicant pool before making a decision.
Early Action, Its Advantages and Disadvantages
Applying early action, on the other hand, is non-binding. Even if you are accepted, you can still consider and apply to other schools. The value of an early action application is that you get your results back sooner, which may give you more freedom and flexibility to make your eventual decision of where to attend.
Data shows that early action does not, generally, result in increased chances of law school admissions.
Admissions for College Students
Some law schools have a few special programs to accept juniors in college with deferred admission. College students apply during their junior year and are reserved a deferred seat in the years following college graduation. Many graduates plan to participate in some kind of service following graduation, like Peace Corps, a special fellowship, military service, or Teach for America.
Other law schools have a 3+3 program that allows undergraduates to apply for a combined bachelor’s degree and JD. These students save one year of tuition by attending a total of six years of higher education, rather than seven.
Both of the above options require you to consider them as a sophomore in college, so you’ll have to make a decision early on. For most applicants, however, the earliest time to think about law school is in senior year, or just after graduating college.
[Next Read: A Year-by-Year Guide for College Students Applying to Law School]
The entire process of planning your application can be a challenge. I’ve gone over some of the hidden obstacles that may rear their heads on your application journey, but to make the most of any law school application you may need some additional guidance. I’m happy to help fill that role! Get in touch for a free fifteen-minute session — we can discuss your situation.
