When should I expect to hear back from law schools?

Asked by: Esta Pollich  |  Last update: December 24, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (39 votes)

Most law schools will start sending out decisions around 2 months after an application is submitted, but this time may be shorter or longer depending on the school, and the time of year you submitted the application.

Do law schools send acceptance emails?

Most (but not all) law schools will send an e-mail with a link to an online status checker. This allows you to monitor the progress of your application as it moves from “complete” to “in review,” and finally, when a decision has been made.

Do law schools send rejection letters?

Law school applicants receive one of four different responses after they submit their application package. Law schools send letters to accept applicants, place applicants on their waitlist, decline applicants, and place applicants on hold.

What to do while waiting for law school decisions?

The following tasks can move your candidacy forward while you wait for decisions to arrive:
  1. Confirm your applications are received.
  2. Consider sending updates.
  3. Apply for financial aid.
  4. Prepare for interviews.
  5. Visit target law schools and attend information sessions.

Do law schools defer acceptance?

Not every school allows deferrals, but the good news is that most law schools do. It's essential to keep in mind that schools don't have to accept your request. Don't assume you will receive a deferral because there is a chance that your college will deny your request.

How long does it usually take to hear back from law schools?

41 related questions found

What is the likelihood of failing law school?

“The flunk-out rate for law students is in the range of 12-25%” says Lisa Blasser, a Claremont-based attorney, and author of “Nine Steps to Law School Success: A Scientifically Proven Study Process for Success in Law School.” So, what explains someone failing? “They simply are not taught how to study.

What are the odds of me getting into law school?

Admission to law school is competitive. Of all people who apply to law school, about 55 to 60 percent are accepted at one or more schools. In other words, about 40 percent of all applicants to law school aren't able to go because they aren't admitted anywhere.

How quickly do law schools make decisions?

Most law schools will start sending out decisions around 2 months after an application is submitted, but this time may be shorter or longer depending on the school, and the time of year you submitted the application.

Why is my law school decision taking so long?

While a long wait may drive you up the wall, it is not necessarily a bad sign. Admissions officers may hesitate to issue final decisions until they have a full picture of their applicant pool. For example, imagine you are an applicant with a strong background in science and technology.

Is it common to be waitlisted for law school?

However, you should try your hardest to not obsess over being on a waitlist, as this, combined with constantly contacting the admissions office, will likely have a negative effect on your admissions chances. Many law school applicants are placed on a waitlist, so take comfort in the fact that you are not alone.

Why haven't I heard back from law school?

If you haven't heard back from a law school that means you are still in consideration for a spot, but you aren't at the top of their list. They are waiting to hear back from others that they have accepted. As they have a better sense of how many vacant seats they have, they will get back to you.

Can I reapply to a law school that rejected me?

It will not count against you to you reapply to a law school that previously rejected or deferred you, as long as your application shows positive changes, additions, and growth. This can be in the form of additional course work and improved grades or continuous employment or internship experience.

Do employers look at law school GPA?

There's no doubt about it — your law school GPA is important for your first job (or two) after law school graduation. If you review job ads (which are a fantastic research tool), you'll often see law firms and other employers demanding top academic credentials.

How long are law school applications under review?

Remember to thank them for their time and consideration; it should be super friendly and respectful. Typically, the process takes somewhere between six and ten weeks on average for your file to go under review.

How do law schools determine acceptance?

Each law school combines your cumulative GPA with your LSAT score to come up with an index score. This index score is the most important admissions factor, and it is used to benchmark you initially against other applicants.

What if I get rejected from law school?

Consider waiting another year.

Even though you will not attend this year, your application gets reviewed again next year without prejudice. Many schools and employers value students with work experience so don't feel compelled to rush into attending law school if you're not ready.

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 law school is the hardest to get accepted?

The 12 Hardest Law Schools to Get Into
  1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. ...
  2. Stanford University. ...
  3. Harvard University. ...
  4. University of Pennsylvania. ...
  5. University of Virginia. ...
  6. Columbia University. ...
  7. University of Chicago. ...
  8. University of Southern California.

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.

Does applying early decision to law school increase your chances?

As we discussed above, applying early decision can increase your admissions chances if you have a certain set of scores. For most law schools, your chances of admissions are greater if you are a “splitter student” — a student with a high LSAT score and a lower GPA or vice versa.

Is getting an A in law school hard?

Note that because the first year of law school is graded on a curve, very few students receive A's. So, it is a bit of a different story than undergrad, where professors are not limited in how many A's they can give. The key to getting all A's in law school is not to be the smartest. Nor is it to study 24 hours a day.

Is the first year of law school really that hard?

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.

Is a 3.5 GPA good enough for law school?

Among the 191 ranked law schools that submitted grade data to U.S. News in an annual survey, the average median GPA of entering law school students in 2021 was 3.55. But at the 20 highest-ranked law schools, the average median GPA is much higher – 3.86.

What is a good LSAT score 2023?

If you achieve a 160 on the exam, you'll have performed better than approximately 80% of test takers. A score of 160 is perhaps the most agreed upon number for a “good” LSAT score and could be compared to achieving above an 1800 on the SAT (or 25 on the ACT).

What major has the highest acceptance rate to law school?

Some of the most popular are chemistry, biology, ecology, animal sciences, natural sciences, and others. Applicants who've majored in these courses have a law school acceptance rate of around 80 percent (but it can vary anywhere from 76% – 90% depending on the science).