Law School Application Check List
The Check List for Fall 2024 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 2023)
- Prepare, study, practice! (Spring or Summer 2023)
- Register for LSAT (by late April for June LSAT, late June for August LSAT, late July for September LSAT, late August for October LSAT, late September for November LSAT)
- Take the test (June, August, September, October, or November 2023)
*NOTE: As of June 2023, there are over 100 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 2023)
- Talk with recommenders to confirm (Spring 2023)
- Confirm recommenders’ Fall 2023 location/contact info (Spring 2023)
- Provide LSAC links to recommenders (September 2023)
Transcripts
- Request transcripts from UMass registrar (September or October 2023)
- Request transcripts from other undergraduate institutions attended (September 2023)
Applications
- Start exploring schools through ABA/LSAC guide and other reliable sources (Spring 2023)
- Purchase LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) (no later than September 2023)
- Draft personal statement(s) (September – October 2023)
- Spruce up resume (September – October 2023)
- Complete and submit online applications (by Thanksgiving-ish 2023)
Dean’s Letters
- Request Dean’s certification letters for all schools that require them—note that very few schools do still require these (October 2023)
Financial Aid
- Fill out each school’s financial aid application (with online applications, or in January 2024, depending on school’s procedure)
- Complete the FAFSA online (January 2024)
Final Steps
- Do a lot of waiting (Spring 2024)
- Weigh admission and scholarship offers (April – May 2024)
- Make final choice (May 2024)
- Pay seat deposit (May 2024)
