This recommended Time Line for Fall 2020 admission assumes that you will complete and submit your applications by Thanksgiving-ish 2019. 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 2019
- Decide when you’ll take the LSAT (June, July, September, October, or even November) and how you’ll prepare
March – May 2019
- 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
April 24, 2019
- Deadline for registering for June LSAT
June 3, 2019
- Take the LSAT
June 4, 2019
- Deadline for registering for July LSAT
July 15, 2019
- Take the LSAT (Note: Plan to take the LSAT only once!)
August 1, 2019
- Deadline for registering for September 21st LSAT
June – September 2019
- Prepare for September or October LSAT (if you did not take June or July)
- Visit law school websites, become familiar with schools
September – October 2019
- 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)
September 10, 2019
September 14, 2019
September 21, 2019
- Take the LSAT (if you did not take it in June or July)
October 2019
- Oct. 10: Deadline to apply for the November 25, 2019 LSAT
- Oct. 11-12: New York City Law School Forum
- Oct. 28: October LSAT
November 2019
- Nov. 8: Boston Law School Forum
- Nov. 25: LSAT (Think of this LSAT only as your backup plan, not the “ideal” timeline.)
- Finalize applications and transmit
December 2019
- Check on LSAC that files are complete; follow up if necessary
January – May 2020
Early January 2020
- File FAFSA and financial aid applications
March – April 2020
- Notifications arrive from law schools
- Weigh offers, scholarships
- Make a decision
- Pay seat deposit