Law School Application Check List
The Check List for Fall 2023 Admission is organized topically. Click here to get the same list organized chronologically. Go here for all our application resources.
This Check List assumes you have already made the firm decision to apply to law school after a thorough investigation of the law, legal careers and the financial implications/consequences.
The LSAT*
- Decide how you will prepare for the LSAT (Jan – Mar 2022)
- Prepare, study, practice! (Spring or Summer 2022)
- Register for LSAT (by late April for June LSAT, early July for August LSAT, late July for September LSAT, late August for October LSAT)
- Take the test (June, August, September, or October 2022)
*NOTE: As of June 2022, there are at least 80 law schools that accept the GRE for admission. Please check the relevant law school websites for more information and visit our page on deciding between the two admissions tests.
Recommendations
- Identify possible recommenders (Spring 2022)
- Talk with recommenders to confirm (Spring 2022)
- Confirm recommenders’ Fall 2022 location/contact info (Spring 2022)
- Provide LSAC links to recommenders (September 2022)
Transcripts
- Request transcripts from UMass registrar (September or October 2022)
- Request transcripts from other undergraduate institutions attended (September 2022)
Applications
- Start exploring schools through ABA/LSAC guide and other reliable sources (Spring 2022)
- Purchase LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) (no later than September 2022)
- Draft personal statement(s) (September – October 2022)
- Spruce up resume (September – October 2022)
- Complete and submit online applications (by Thanksgiving-ish 2022)
Dean’s Letters
- Request Dean’s certification letters for all schools that require them—note that very few schools do still require these (October 2022)
Financial Aid
- Fill out each school’s financial aid application (with online applications, or in January 2023, depending on school’s procedure)
- Complete the FAFSA online (January 2023)
Final Steps
- Do a lot of waiting (Spring 2023)
- Weigh admission and scholarship offers (April – May 2023)
- Make final choice (May 2023)
- Pay seat deposit (May 2023)
