In general, you should start the application process by January of your junior year of undergraduate college so that you’re on track to submit your applications in October of your senior year. Let’s take a close look at what you need to do during this 10-month period.

When should I submit my law school application?

Because there are typically more spots available in a law school class at the beginning of the admissions process than at the end, the ideal time for J.D. hopefuls to apply to law school is in the fall or early winter, experts say.

Can you go straight from college to law school?

No. It is very common for undergraduates to assume that they should plan to go straight to law school after graduating from college. In fact, only approximately one-third of law students nationwide go straight from college to law school.

What is considered applying early for law school?

Most law school applications are considered early when received in the first few months of the process, which is late summer or early fall. They may want to take the LSAT once more during the summer months or find their summer schedule doesn’t leave enough time to complete the application process.

Can I apply to law school my senior year of college?

Plan on taking the LSAT no later than the Summer of your Junior year or Fall of senior year, one year prior to your expected entry into law school. Some schools practice rolling admissions, meaning that the earlier you apply, the better your chances of admission.

What month should you apply to law school?

Most law schools start accepting applications between the end of August and the beginning of October. Keep in mind that while most schools don’t stop accepting applications until sometime between February and June, almost all schools have rolling admissions which benefit those who get their applications in early.

What’s the LSAT score range?

The LSAT scale ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 being the highest possible score.

How many years do you go to law school?

Before law school, students must complete a Bachelor’s degree in any subject (law isn’t an undergraduate degree), which takes four years. Then, students complete their Juris Doctor (JD) degree over the next three years. In total, law students in the United States are in school for at least seven years.

Do law schools care what college you went to?

Law schools do not care where you obtained your undergraduate degree. However they do care what your Overall GPA (Not Cumulative) is at the school or schools you’ve attended for undergraduate.

Do law schools only care about GPA and LSAT?

It’s All Largely About the Numbers That said, your LSAT score and undergraduate GPA (UGPA) matter most. First, admissions officers want to gauge whether or not you’ll succeed in law school, and the combination of your LSAT score and UGPA turn out to be strong predictors of first-year law school grades.

Is applying to law school in November too late?

You should aim to have your applications submitted by November in the year before you’d start your first year at law school (so October or November if you plan on starting law school next fall). Obviously, taking an LSAT after November would prevent you from meeting this goal.

What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?

Therefore, to gain admission to Harvard Law School, you will likely need an LSAT score in the 170+ range. An LSAT score in the 170s tied with a GPA over 3.75 will make you a competitive applicant. If you have LSAT and GPA numbers in this range, Harvard Law School might be an option for you.

Do law schools see fall semester grades?

If you are a strong student and you apply early (e.g. October), law schools may review your application before seeing your fall grades. If you have not heard from your schools by the end of the fall semester, you will need to send a supplemental transcript to CAS which will be forwarded to the schools.

Does senior year GPA matter for law school?

It does not matter if you get straight A’s in grad school, take Extension School classes, etc. Per LSAC’s policy, graduate or professional school work does not get summarized or factored into your UGPA.