Applying to Law School
Active preparation for the law school application process should begin the spring before the cycle you plan to apply. Most law schools begin accepting applications in September/October, and have “rolling admissions” policies, which means they begin making admissions decisions in the fall through the spring when the application cycle closes.
Ideally, your application should be complete and ready to submit by late October, or shortly thereafter, allowing your application to be considered near the beginning of the review period.
Build Your Application
A complete application typically includes:
- Personal statement (most schools request two pages double-spaced)
- Résumé
- 2-3 letters of recommendation
- LSAC Law School Report, which includes your official academic transcript(s) and LSAT score(s). Some schools also now take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in lieu of the LSAT.
Some law schools offer applicants the opportunity to submit additional essays/documents, including addenda, diversity statements, and other school-specific essays. Learn more about these documents on the Application Documents page.
More Application Guidance
