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Don't forget to apply for fee waivers!
This recommended Time Line for Fall 2022 admission assumes that you will complete and submit your applications by Thanksgiving-ish 2021. 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 2021
- Decide when you’ll take the LSAT (June, August, October, or even November) and how you’ll prepare
March – July 2021
- Register for June or August LSAT and Credential Assembly Service
- Prepare for summer LSAT
- Identify your ideal recommenders
- Talk with recommenders
- Start researching law schools
April 30, 2021
- Deadline for registering for June LSAT
Week of June 12, 2021
- Take the LSAT
July 2, 2021
- Deadline for registering for August LSAT
June – September 2021
- Prepare for summer or October LSAT
- Visit law school websites, become familiar with schools
Week of August 14, 2021
- Take the LSAT.
August 25, 2021
September – October 2021
- 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 29, 2021
Week of October 9, 2021
- Take the LSAT (if you did not take it over the summer)
November 2021
- Week of Nov. 13: LSAT (Think of this LSAT only as your backup plan, not the “ideal” timeline.)
- Finalize applications and transmit
December 2021
- Check on LSAC that files are complete; follow up if necessary
January – May 2022
Early January 2022
- File FAFSA and financial aid applications
March – April 2022
- Notifications arrive from law schools
- Weigh offers, scholarships
- Make a decision
- Pay seat deposit