Is applying to law school in February too late?

Asked by: Gust Kuhic  |  Last update: November 14, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (60 votes)

For some of you, you can apply in February and be okay. For some of you, applying in February is not setting you up for a very successful cycle and you should consider waiting until the next cycle.

Is February LSAT too late for fall admission?

Feb LSAT was the latest LSAT accepted last cycle. The Law School recommends that you take the LSAT early (in or prior to September). However, the Law School will consider the June LSAT for fall admission.

Is applying for law school in January too late?

Any application submitted between the beginning of December and the end of January is generally considered “on time.” For some schools, especially schools with a lower median GPA or LSAT scores, applying in February is also considered on time. Applying after February is definitively late in the application cycle.

Is it bad to apply to law school late?

The general rule of thumb: “the early bird gets the worm.” It's always better to apply earlier to law school than later. Most law schools (even those with application deadlines) have rolling admissions, where seats in the incoming class are assigned as soon as they start receiving applications.

Is December 1 too late to apply to law school?

Most law schools don't open their applications until the fall. Usually, applications open between early August and early September, with some opening in October. The majority of students aim to submit their applications between late August and late December.

Is February Too Late to Apply to Law School? | S. Montgomery Consulting (2023)

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What is the best month to apply to law school?

The best time to apply.

Most law schools start to accept applications by early October and evaluate them on a rolling basis. There are more open spots at the beginning of the season, so early applicants have an advantage. That said, you shouldn't rush.

What is the latest month to apply to law school?

Many law schools employ a rolling admissions process that heavily favors candidates who submit their applications as early as possible. You should aim to submit all of your applications, regardless of deadlines, by late November or early December, if not earlier.

Is it bad to take the LSAT in January?

For most nationally ranked law schools, the January LSAT date will be the latest date accepted in order to apply to start law school in the fall. If your application shows a pending LSAT date, law schools will put your application on hold until the score comes in.

Does it look bad to take a gap year before law school?

Is It Good To Take a Gap Year Before Law School? If students use their gap year to make themselves better candidates through a higher LSAT score or a richer resume, then yes! A gap year can help them get into law school easier and can also give them time to fulfill other goals they have.

What is too late to apply to law school?

It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under 25, roughly 20% are 30 or older, according to the Law School Admission Council.

When should you commit to law school?

Students should apply to law school in the fall (preferably by the end of November) of the year before they want to start law school. Most law schools only accept new students in the fall semester.

Are law school admissions declining?

14% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -14%, With Biggest Decline (-25%) Among The Top 160-180 LSAT Band (Oct. 10, 2022) 25% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -11%, With Biggest Decline (-21%) In The 165-169 LSAT Band (Nov. 7, 2022)

Is the February LSAT harder?

Let's be perfectly clear about this: the February LSAT IS NOT HARDER than any other LSAT given. Certainly the fact that it is undisclosed makes it less appealing; however, there is absolutely no data to suggest that it is in any way more difficult than any other LSAT test.

Is the February LSAT easier?

Bottom line: When it comes to question difficulty, no particular month's LSAT is consistently easier or harder than another's. Even if it were the case, it wouldn't matter. Take the LSAT when you're ready.

What is the easiest month for LSAT?

Since the difficulty of the LSAT is carefully calibrated and curved, no test date is easier than another. Popular times like June and September may fill up early, but that is merely a reflection of the academic calendar since many test-takers are in school and have the most time to focus on the test during the summer.

What is the toughest year of law school?

Most students consider the first year of law school to be the most difficult. The material is more complex than they're used to and it must be learned rapidly. What's more, the way students are taught and tested is very different from high school or undergrad.

What percentage of law students take a gap year?

In fact, only approximately one-third of law students nationwide go straight from college to law school. That means two-thirds, a decisive majority, take some amount of time between college and law school.

Which year of a law degree is the hardest?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

What months are the hardest for the LSAT?

Using that data, you'll find that the December exam consistently has the easiest "curve," and the June exam consistently has the hardest.

Which month is best for LSAT?

If you are still in college and plan to go to law school right after graduation, you should take the LSAT in the summer after your junior year or the fall of your senior year. For the balance of 2023, the test will be offered in June, August, September, October, and November—the full list of dates for 2023-24 is here.

Can I take the LSAT in January and still apply?

Some law schools consider the January LSAT as the final LSAT you can take and still submit an application for admission in the fall because their application deadlines fall in early February.

How quickly do law schools make decisions?

While most law schools issue the bulk of their decisions by early March, the most prestigious law schools, like Yale Law School and Stanford Law School, typically make decisions relatively late, in March or even April.

Are more people applying to law school in 2023?

The good news is that 2023 law school admissions cycle application trends reflect a 14% decrease in total applications compared to the 2021 cycle.

What is the average LSAT score?

Data Summary. The average LSAT score for first-time takers was 151, according to scores tracked from 2006-2013. During this period, second-time test takers had the highest LSAT average score of about 152. The average national LSAT score for full-time, first-year JD enrollees for fall 2022 was about 159.