This recommended Time Line for Fall 2014 admission assumes that you will complete and submit your applications by Thanksgiving 2013. It’s an ideal time line — meaning you started thinking about the process at least a year and a half before you intend to start law school. As you’ll see, there a number of places where you can “catch up” to the time line, if you didn’t start thinking about things that early.
January – March 2013
- Decide when you’ll take the LSAT (June or October) and how you’ll prepare
March – May 2013
- Register for June LSAT and Credentials Assembly Service
- Prepare for June LSAT
- Identify your ideal recommenders
- Talk with recommenders
- Start researching law schools
May 7, 2013
- Deadline for registering for June LSAT
June 10, 2013
- Take the LSAT
August – September 2013
- Prepare for October LSAT (if you did not take June)
- Visit law school websites, become familiar with schools
September 2013 (first week)
- Deadline for registering for October LSAT
September 2013
- Request transcripts from UMass registrar and from other schools you have attended
- Visit law schools, if possible
- Verify accuracy of Credential Assembly Service information
October 5, 2013
- Take the LSAT (if you did not take it in June)
September – October 2013
- Give LSAC LOR forms to recommenders
- Make final decisions about which schools to apply to
- Draft personal statements
- Complete applications online
- Check in with recommenders
- Request Dean’s certification letters
October 2013
- Date TBD: New York Law School Forum
- Oct. 30: UMass professional school fair
November 2013
- Finalize applications and transmit
- Date TBD: Boston Law School Forum
Late December 2013
- Check on LSAC that files are complete; follow up if necessary
January – May 2014
Early January 2014
- File FAFSA and financial aid applications
March – April 2014
- Notifications arrive from law schools
- Weigh offers, scholarships
- Make a decision
- Pay seat deposit