In this next post in the Applying to Law School series, we focus on a unique moment in the application cycle where timelines start to diverge. Some applicants may be taking the LSAT for the first time this month while others may be hitting submit on their finalized applications. And others will be somewhere in between. In this blog post we are taking time to gauge our progress, refine our checklists, and celebrate our accomplishments. Keep in mind that there is no one singular pathway to law school and everyone’s timeline is different.
Gauging Your Progress
The law school application process is long, with many different components, timelines, and deadlines. Many things can change throughout this process, including your continued desire to attend law school next year. So I invite you to actively reflect on your progress so far. Take some time to think through these questions:
Based on my goals, how do I feel about my progress so far?
Do I have an LSAT score I am satisfied with? If not, what is my plan for re-testing or testing for the first time?
If testing for the first time, how does preparing for and taking it fit into my bigger application timeline?
Do I have a list of schools I am interested in applying to? If not, what else do I need to know or understand to complete my list?
What is the status of my letters of recommendation? Do I need to follow up with anyone?
What is the status of my resume, personal statement, and supplemental essays? Have I reviewed all the instructions and prompts from each law school I plan to apply to? Have I had them reviewed by a pre-law advisor or other trusted individual?
What is the status of my transcripts? Have I obtained transcripts from every institution where I have earned college credits?
And finally,
Do I still want to apply to law school right now?
The last question is not meant to create panic or concern, yet it is an important one to consider. If your answer to number 7 is an enthusiastic YES, then carry on! If you are having doubts, reflect on why that is and give yourself an opportunity to make intentional adjustments towards your next steps. And that leads us to…
Refining Your Checklist
Now that you have taken some time to reflect on the journey so far, assess where (or if) you need to make adjustments. If you are on track with your goals, I invite you to skip this section and jump straight to celebrating your accomplishments. On the other hand, if you need to refine, let’s explore one of the main reasons why that may need to happen.
The LSAT: It is very common for applicants to not feel completely satisfied with their LSAT score(s). Depending on when (or if) you have taken the LSAT by now, re-testing may require you to adjust your timeline. At this point in the cycle, January is the soonest you can take the exam. Scores for the January LSAT will be released on February 5, 2025, making the first weeks of February the earliest opportunity to submit a complete application. While this timeline can be feasible, you need to consider the application deadlines for each school you wish to apply to. Remember, applications to law school are reviewed on a rolling basis, with offers of admission handed out before the published application deadline has passed. If you find yourself reconsidering your timeline because of the LSAT, here are some things you can do:
Make a list of all the schools you want to apply to and their overall application deadlines. Sort the list from the earliest to the latest deadline. Note if any schools indicate which LSAT testing month is the last one they will accept.
Evaluate your list based on deadlines and consider where your application will fall in that school’s overall application cycle. For example, if the general deadline is February 15, applying in February puts you at the very end of that school’s cycle. In contrast, if the general deadline is in April or later, applying in February puts your application more toward the middle of the cycle. Timing could make a difference in your application.
Next, consider how prepared you feel to take a future LSAT exam. In general, applicants spend anywhere from 3 to 6 months preparing for the LSAT. Using our January example, you would have only two months to prepare if you started studying today (Nov. 13). Does that feel sufficient? The LSAT should not be taken cold, and you should feel good about your preparation before committing to taking the exam.
Depending on your reflections so far, revisit question 7: Do I still want to apply to law school now? Your answer will depend on many factors, including how flexible you are willing to be when it comes to where to accept an offer of admission. For some, the goal is to attend a specific law school or category of law school. For others, the goal may be to go to the best place that admits them. Remember, there is no one path to law school, and understanding your goals and motivations will support the best outcome for you.
Other Reasons: The LSAT may not be the only reason to refine your checklist or timeline. Because of the length of the application process, applicants begin preparing almost two years before starting law school. A lot can change in two years! Perhaps you secured a job that you are really excited about or decided to pursue a different post-graduate degree first. Or maybe your academic year got too busy and fitting in the law school application process is no longer feasible. Or you realized that you are simply not ready to start law school next year and you want to give yourself more time and space to do other things first.
If you do decide that applying during the current cycle is no longer your best option because of the LSAT or another reason, then I want to be the first to congratulate you. It is not an easy decision to make, yet making it can open up some space for you to rest, regroup, and prepare for a future cycle. And all your preparation, whether for the LSAT or your materials, will not be for nothing. LSAT scores are valid for five years and your current documents will make excellent drafts for the future. Future you will be grateful for all the effort past you made!
Celebrating Your Journey
Celebrations are an important piece of this journey! Consider celebrating milestones big and small to keep yourself motivated and honor what you’ve done so far. You absolutely do not have to wait until you are sitting in your first law school class to celebrate. Taking the time to acknowledge your work and dedication to this process will make it that much sweeter. So, how will you celebrate today?
Final Thoughts
As mentioned earlier, there is no one single path to law school. The more you move along the journey, the more you will learn about your passions and motivations for pursuing this career path. And, those motivations may change along the way. If they do, please know that is ok. Take your time to make sure that the application process evolves in the best way possible to help you reach your unique goals. Law school will be waiting for you if and when you decide you are ready to attend.
Gabriela Brunner holds a JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a MS in Higher Education Leadership from Western Illinois University. Prior to becoming a prelaw advisor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gabriela practiced law for ten years in business litigation and immigration law. She has a passion for mindfulness and meditation, particularly as it applies to pre-professionals.
