Question About Application Deadlines

JPJ July2021

A few schools I'm applying to have a deadline of February 15, which also happens to be the day that January LSAT scores are released. Is it ok to apply on the day of the deadline or should I apply a couple days before? I need my January score and my November score is too low for the schools I'm considering. I just want to have all of my apps in on time.

Kermit750

I think it's okay to have your apps in before you get your score. Just notify the schools that you would like your app to be held until you get the January score.

MissChanandler

Yeah I wouldn't want to go through the additional stress of submitting applications on the deadline and getting your score back all at once.

JPJ July2021

I think I'm going to just apply a few days before scores release to be on the safe side. Does anyone know how long it takes for schools to receive your LSAT score?

eRetaker

It's based on the date of submission so your complete date can be after the application deadlines.

Example: Scroll to the "When does Harvard Law School begin accepting applications? When is the deadline to apply?" section of this page https://hls.harvard.edu/dept/jdadmissions/apply-to-harvard-law-school/the-application-process/admissions-faq/#faq-3-1

You can check the FAQ pages on the schools you're applying to and see if the language matches, but I suspect that deadlines are all based on date of submission rather than completion of applications.

eRetaker

@Emily2122 said:
I think I'm going to just apply a few days before scores release to be on the safe side. Does anyone know how long it takes for schools to receive your LSAT score?

Depends. For example, Chicago took 11 days from my date of submission to receive my score report while WUSTL processed it on the same day.

JPJ July2021

@eRetaker In that case I think I'll emails the schools to tell them to hold off on making a decision until they receive my January score. I just don't know what to say in the email.

eRetaker

@Emily2122 I almost forgot, these articles might also be somewhat of use to you in addressing that.
https://blog.spiveyconsulting.com/should-you-submit-your-application-after-you-take-the-lsat-or-once-you-get-your-score/
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/249313/Submitting-your-law-school-application-if-you-re-retaking-the-LSAT

As for the email, just tell them that you want the review to be done after your Jan score comes back.