Is it late to apply to law school in January?
Asked by: Vicente Spencer | Last update: July 26, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (6 votes)
As early as winter, around early-December, your admissions odds begin to decrease. Applying to law school in December, January, or February may not be a death sentence, but such late applications can leave you with outcomes that are less than ideal. You may consider whether it would be worth waiting for the next cycle.
How late is too late to apply for law school?
It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40.
Is applying to college in January too late?
Regular Decision Deadlines
Most students apply during regular decision. These deadlines commonly fall in December or January. Typically, you'll hear back from prospective schools in March or April and must follow up with your decision about whether to enroll no later than May 1 or you risk losing your spot.
Is January a good time to take the LSAT?
Yes, taking January slightly disadvantages you, but it is negligible in the grand scheme of things. If you have a score from January that is competitive, you will get admitted, albeit in the February, March, or later rounds.
Can you still get into law school if you apply in February?
Keep in mind that even if a school allows February LSAT results, your chances of admission may still be lower than if you had applied earlier. Schools often prioritize applicants with earlier submissions since they've already started filling their classes and allocating scholarships by this time.
Is January Too Late to Apply to Law School?
Is January too late for law school?
As early as winter, around early-December, your admissions odds begin to decrease. Applying to law school in December, January, or February may not be a death sentence, but such late applications can leave you with outcomes that are less than ideal. You may consider whether it would be worth waiting for the next cycle.
Is the February LSAT too late?
The LSAT should be taken no later than February of the year for which the applicant is seeking admission and enrollment; testing earlier is recommended.
Which LSAT month is the hardest?
There isn't one specific month that is the easiest or hardest to write the LSAT, and if there was, it would change each year since the students writing the LSAT change each year! The hardest test will be the one you haven't fully prepared for, regardless of the month!
Are they getting rid of the LSAT in 2025?
The ABA's House of Delegates will vote on the Council's proposed change in February 2023. If the House votes to nix Standard 503, the standardized-test requirement won't go away until 2025. So, the LSAT isn't definitely going away, and it's definitely not going away until 2025.
What month do most people take LSAT?
- Schedule your LSAT test early enough that your scores will be available by your first law school application deadline. ...
- Typically, students applying for regular fall admission take the test during June or September/October of the previous calendar year.
Does applying late hurt your chances?
Will Applying Late Hurt My Chances for Admission? Yes, it very well might. There's a good chance your application will not be considered if submitted late. If it is considered, it may be given secondary priority, and scholarship opportunities could be jeopardized.
Is January too late to apply for scholarships?
Although scholarships are offered year-round, the vast majority of scholarship application deadlines occur from September through May. What does this mean for you? It means you have most of the summer to research college scholarships and get a head start on the application process.
Is it bad to submit a college application late?
Other than potentially missing the opportunity to attend the college or university of your choice, the big disadvantage of submitting a late application is that it could mean that you get a reduced financial aid package than you otherwise would have (and that's if the college accepts your late application).
Is it worth applying to law school late?
If you are ready to submit your application earlier than that, go for it. You may receive a decision sooner. Apply late in the cycle only if waiting will help you significantly strengthen your candidacy. For example, some applicants plan to retake the LSAT to aim for a better score.
Do law schools reject quickly?
In rare cases, some applicants may receive an answer within a few weeks, but the process typically takes 2–4 months. If your application is placed on hold or if you are placed on a wait list then it may take several additional months to receive a final decision.
Is 25 too old for law school?
Law schools don't have an age limit on who can gain admission to their programs.
Can I go to law school without taking the LSAT?
Yes, you can. Many law schools in the U.S. (including prestigious ones) don't have an LSAT requirement. However, they require the GRE, an exam taken to apply to grad school. If you're not keen on writing the dreaded LSAT, consider adding these schools to your list of top choices!
Has the LSAT gotten harder over time?
No. The LSAT changes for each session that it is offered. While it may change in difficulty, that does not affect a student's ability to get a high mark.
What is the average LSAT score over the years?
Mean LSAT scores by year are as follows: 156.63 in 2008, 156.44 in 2009, 156.55 in 2010, 156.71 in 2011, 156.76 in 2012, 156.45 in 2013, 155.81 in 2014, 155.30 in 2015, 154.60 in 2016, and 154.18 in 2017.
Is the January LSAT easier?
One of the most common questions I get from you guys new to the LSAT is: "Which LSAT's month is the easiest/hardest?" Anyone who knows anything will tell you, "They're all the same. No month's LSAT is particularly easy or difficult."
What year in law school 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.
How hard is it to get a 172 on the LSAT?
So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.
Is it okay to apply to law school in January?
It is not too late to apply to law school in January. Even though most law schools tend to begin accepting applications in the fall for the next year, applying in January does not mean you will be rejected or considered ineligible.
What is the most popular month for the LSAT?
LSAT Admissions Cycle
June, July, and September test dates are most popular for that because they allow for plenty of time to get scores back before applications need to be turned in.
Can I get into law school if I apply in February?
As you should know by now, law school admissions is rolling. This means that from the day that applications open or that they begin reviewing, they will continuously review and accept students as they come in. If they are very selective schools, you are not doing yourself any kind of favor by applying right now.