This recommended Time Line for Fall 2021 admission assumes that you will complete and submit your applications by Thanksgiving-ish 2020. 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.
* April 2020 NOTE: Many of the dates below, especially for the LSAT, law school forums, and visiting law schools, may be impacted by COVID-19. See this post for the most up to date info on COVID-19 impacts*
January – March 2020
- Decide when you’ll take the LSAT (June, July, August, October, or even November) and how you’ll prepare
March – May 2020
- Register for June, July, or August LSAT and Credential Assembly Service
- Prepare for summer LSAT
- Identify your ideal recommenders
- Talk with recommenders
- Start researching law schools
April 24, 2020
- Deadline for registering for June LSAT
June 8, 2020
- Take the LSAT
May 28, 2020
- Deadline for registering for July LSAT
July 13, 2020
- Take the LSAT (Note: Plan to take the LSAT only once!)
Late July 2020 (exact date TBD)
- Deadline for registering for August 29 LSAT
June – September 2020
- Prepare for summer or October LSAT
- Visit law school websites, become familiar with schools
August 29, 2020
- Take the LSAT.
September – October 2020
- 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
- Request LSAC email to recommenders with upload link (or print and give recommendation form 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)
Late August/Early September 2020 (exact date TBD)
September 12, 2020
October 3, 2020
- Take the LSAT (if you did not take it over the summer)
October 2020
- Oct. 3: October LSAT
- Oct. 23-24: New York City Law School Forum
November 2020
- Nov. 11: Boston Law School Forum
- Nov. 14: LSAT (Think of this LSAT only as your backup plan, not the “ideal” timeline.)
- Finalize applications and transmit
December 2020
- Check on LSAC that files are complete; follow up if necessary
January – May 2021
Early January 2021
- File FAFSA and financial aid applications
March – April 2021
- Notifications arrive from law schools
- Weigh offers, scholarships
- Make a decision
- Pay seat deposit