Hey all!
With the November LSAT looming, I've begun thinking a bit more about admissions timelines. I have heard many varying opinions about submission timing and was wondering if anyone would be able to clarify / give a bit more clear of a timeline for what is considered early v. on time v. late!
im taking the november lsat and applying once my score comes out (ll be applying as soon as scores drop because i already have a score im okay with on an official test. however, i'm still hoping to move it up a few pts.) since score release date is 12/2, im planning to have my first round of apps in by the end of that week. is this vastly too late for scholarship money? is this considered a "late" application?
if there's more specific info. that I can provide that would clarify these answers, I'm more than happy to!
Thanks in advance:)
5 comments
It really depends on the schools you're targeting (and I know it's not satisfying to ask for clarity and hear "it depends")!
T30: Best is before Nov 1, ok is before Thanksgiving, "we're beginning to get into the danger zone from last year" by mid-December, and "shoot your shot" from Christmas onwards.
For schools ranked below that, you get a little more wiggle room but it just really depends on the school - the smaller its applicant pool is, the more grace there is.
So applying in Early December isn't too late for anyone. However, just really be sure you get your apps in during that window. After you take the November LSAT, use the next few weeks to get your app docs done and polished. If you wait until you get your score back, you probably won't have enough time to get this done.
I hope that helps! Fingers crossed!
@JacobBaska If you're waiting on a second letter of rec, is applying now to a school that only requires one smarter than waiting until next week? As in, better to apply pre-Nov 1 and risk someone reading the file without that second letter (in this case, my academic one)?
@JacobBaska Hi! It does thank you! If you're able to shed some light given additional details I'd really appreciate it! I have 3.93 CAS GPA and a 170 official from April 2026 (had to take time off from law school prep due to a loss in the family.) Im hoping to see a 172 in November. Would that additional 2pts be worth the wait for schools with a 171 median or does the application timing totally cancel it out?
Thanks again!:)
@incordeipsius If it's just a difference of one week AND if you're sending this second letter to the school that only requires one letter, then it's ok just to wait a week.
@munchkin Sure - if you can add two more points on the Nov LSAT and if that moves you from below to above a school's median, then that's worth the calculated risk. You just need to be ready to submit those apps ASAP once your score comes back because there were T30 schools for whom a mid-December submission last year was a danger.