Guide to Application Timelines

Should You Apply Early? (First, Why Would You?)

Law school applications open in the fall and stay open for about half the year. You may find yourself wondering if you should submit on the earlier side, foregoing months that you could spend perfecting your application. Why would you do that?

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Here are some things no one told us (current law school students) about the law school application timeline that we wish we knew at the beginning of our processes. These are the true benefits of applying early -- you just have to decide if you care. Maybe your personal circumstances make these factors unimportant. But maybe you didn't know that applying early could potentially affect, for example, your housing options.

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Increased Acceptance Odds: Law schools typically have rolling admissions, meaning they review and accept applications as they are received. By applying early, you're entering the pool at a time when all, or almost all, of the available spots in the incoming class are still open. This means that your application will be considered for its stand-alone merits more so than if you applied at the end of the cycle. Closer to the application deadline when classes are almost filled, you're competing with many other strong applications for fewer slots. How your credentials compare to others', rather than the quality of those credentials on their own, becomes more of a factor.

• Demonstrates Strong Interest: Another reason that applying early can increase your admissions chances is that it shows your enthusiasm for the school and your commitment to attending. Admissions committees often value applicants who express genuine interest in their institution, and while you might express your interest in written components of the application, an early application showing you prioritized their school is an action that may speak louder than words. 

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To understand how heavily you should weigh this factor when evaluating how early you should apply, make use of 7Sage's Admissions Predictor. This will help you understand how your chances of acceptance change at your target schools if your application date changes, based on your stats. 

Maximized Scholarship Opportunities: Many law schools allocate scholarships based on merit and availability, and scholarship funds may be more abundant earlier in the admissions cycle. So, for the same reasons that your chances for admissions are slightly higher when you apply early, you'll likely be eligible for a wider range of scholarship options if you do.

Decision Timeliness: The earlier you apply, the earlier you'll get your decision, usually. (Schools process applications at different - sometimes vastly different - rates.) Knowing your options earlier can provide you with more time to plan and prepare for the next steps, like going to Admitted Students Days, securing loans, and getting housing.

• Earlier Housing and Logistics Planning: If you're relocating for law school, applying early can help you secure housing and plan logistical details well in advance. If you're applying for on-campus housing, this may be especially important. You'll likely have to submit a seat deposit at the school you intend to attend before you can enter the housing pool. The date on which you enter the housing pool can affect your chances of getting access to housing and your options for on-campus housing. Make sure you understand the housing processes for your target schools and whether or not on-campus housing is allocated on a rolling basis; this will help you decide whether or not applying early makes sense for you. 

• More Time for Financial Planning: If admitted, applying early gives you more time to research and plan for financial aid options, student loans, and other financial aspects of attending law school. Additionally, keep in mind that after you receive your admissions decisions, you may want to negotiate your tuition with schools. This is a very common practice. Applying early will increase the chances that you'll have aid offers to leverage during your negotiations and expand your timeline for negotiations, which must be completed before seat deposit due dates. 

• Ability to Plan Visits: Receiving your admissions decisions sooner will give you more time to plan visits and make informed decisions about where to attend. Often, schools will host admitted students' days that take place even before applications close (in addition to later dates). Receiving your admission offer earlier will give you more options for attending an admitted students' day, or visiting the campus on your own. 

Deferred Admissions: In some cases, if you're not immediately accepted, applying early can increase your chances of being offered a deferred admission for the following year, allowing you to reapply without the need for reevaluating your application from scratch.

Peace of Mind: Once your application is submitted, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you've taken a proactive step toward pursuing your legal education.