So, you’ve decided to become a lawyer. You might be wondering if February is too late to apply to law school this cycle.
You likely fall under two groups. Either you took the LSAT in January or earlier, but haven’t hit your target LSAT score. (Don’t worry—you’ll get there!) Or maybe you couldn’t take the LSAT sooner and your day of reckoning is upon you.
Enter: the February LSAT!
Although schools have a rolling admissions process, the sooner you can apply before priority deadlines, the better. While you wait for your LSAT score, gather the rest of your law application materials. Cross your t’s and dot your i’s. Time is of the essence!
Wait, what? You’re not ready to submit your applications as soon as scores are released? Never fear.
Even if you haven’t started your law school applications, we’re going to help you navigate the admissions puzzle so you can apply ASAP.
A Step-by-Step Guide: Applying to Law School in February
Step 1: Start With Your Letter of Recommendations
Ask several professors or employers (or anyone who can speak to your academic potential) to write you a Letter of Recommendation. You need to get those in ASAP, but writers can be slow, especially this late in the year.
Stay on top of the people writing your recommendations without being pushy. However, make sure you use every weapon in your polite pressure arsenal to get them submitted promptly. LSAC says it will take a few days to a week for your letters to get processed and as mentioned before, time is a luxury!
More Help
💌 How to Get Letters of Recommendation (And What to Do if People Say No)
📝 Building Your Law School Application: Letters of Recommendation
Step 2: Finish All Your Essays
You already know about the personal statement, but you also need to decide if you’re going to write an addendum or diversity statement. Additionally, check to see if the law school requires any additional essays. Most schools at least want short answers to several questions. You might also consider writing a statement of perspective or essay about why you want to go to one particular school.
Make sure to check if a law school has any word count or page limits. Don’t wait until the last minute to throw something together. Regardless if February is too late to apply to law school or not, you must always ensure that these soft factors are top-notch to get into your top choice.
More Help
📝 Quick Tips for a Quick (But Effective) Personal Statement
Step 3: Actually Fill Out The Applications
You can’t forget about this obvious step: fill out your applications. Most ABA-accredited law schools use the CAS. Once you have filled out one, the answers you have provided should auto-populate for other schools.
However, that is no guarantee, and filling this out often takes a few hours. This step is probably the most straightforward, so why not have it done before scores are released? (That’s a rhetorical question; don’t answer it. Just go fill out the apps.)
Step 4: Craft An Academic Resume
An academic resume is not wildly different from a typical job resume. However, there are a few key differences. Most notably, don’t include a statement of purpose. It looks silly.
Your law school resume should include academic accomplishments. Highlight what a great writer and student you are. Tell the admissions committee about your notable publications, academic awards, and even making the Dean’s List.
In addition to academic accomplishments, show off your impressive work experience from undergrad and beyond. Describe your work experience in a manner that highlights experiences that will translate to law school: e.g. research, writing, analytical skills, etc.
More Help
Bonus: Update Law Schools
Finally, a few notes for those of you who have already submitted your applications inclusive or are on waitlists/hold. Log on to your LSAC account, and make sure that every school to which you want your February LSAT score reported is marked as such.
When your score is released, LSAC will automatically send it to each of these schools, giving you a precious few-second jump on the competition who have not applied.
If you have your heart set on starting law school this fall but haven’t applied, don’t despair. February is not too late to apply to law school, but you will need to get the rest of your application together beforehand. Your missing puzzle piece at this point should be your February LSAT score.
Alternatively, if you decide to wait to apply until the next cycle to strengthen your application, that’s a fine option too! Our Law School Admissions Consultants can help transform you from a good applicant to a competitive one.
In the meantime, download our free Guide to Getting Accepted to a T14 Law School to help set yourself apart from your peers!
