This recommended Time Line for Fall 2019 admission assumes that you will complete and submit your applications by Thanksgiving-ish 2018. 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 2018
- Decide when you’ll take the LSAT (June, July, September, or even November) and how you’ll prepare
March – May 2018
- Register for June or July LSAT and Credential Assembly Service
- Prepare for June or July LSAT
- Identify your ideal recommenders
- Talk with recommenders
- Start researching law schools
May 1, 2018
- Deadline for registering for June LSAT
June 11, 2018
- Take the LSAT
June 13, 2018
- Deadline for registering for July LSAT
July 23, 2018
- Take the LSAT (Note: Plan to take the LSAT only once! This date is for those who didn’t take it in June.)
- Deadline for registering for September 8th LSAT
June – September 2018
- Prepare for September LSAT (if you did not take June or July)
- Visit law school websites, become familiar with schools
September – October 2018
- Request transcripts from UMass registrar and from other colleges/universities you have attended
- Visit law schools, if possible
- Verify accuracy of Credential Assembly Service information
- Give LSAC LOR forms (or have LSAC email electronic recommendation link) to recommenders
- Make final decisions about which schools to apply to
- Draft personal statement, other essays, and résumé
- Complete applications online
- Check in with recommenders
- Request Dean’s certification letters (if required)
September 8, 2018
- Take the LSAT (if you did not take it in June or July)
October 2018
- Oct. 8: Registration deadline for November 17 LSAT
- Oct. 26-27: New York City Law School Forum
November 2018
- Nov. 12: Boston Law School Forum
- Nov. 17: LSAT (Think of this LSAT only as your backup plan, not the “ideal” timeline.)
- Finalize applications and transmit
Late December 2018
- Check on LSAC that files are complete; follow up if necessary
January – May 2019
Early January 2019
- File FAFSA and financial aid applications
March – April 2019
- Notifications arrive from law schools
- Weigh offers, scholarships
- Make a decision
- Pay seat deposit