Whether you are waiting for December LSAT results or already have the elements you need to apply to law school, following a systematic approach with applications can make the submission process less overwhelming.
Remember, most law schools review applications on a rolling basis. Aim to submit your applications while admissions committees have plenty of spots to fill.
Here’s a week-by-week guide to help you apply to law school before the end of this year.
[Learn whether now is the time to apply to law school.]
— Week 1: Start with universal application components. The Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service manages your applications. Register for CAS and submit all required transcripts. You’ll need to allow LSAC time to process your applications, though, so prioritize this step to avoid delays.
Next, brainstorm topics for your personal statement to identify what experiences you plan to write about and what accomplishments recommenders could potentially cover in letters of recommendation.
Then identify three or four recommenders who can discuss academic and professional achievements. Let them know your submission goal, and give them as much time as possible — ideally a month — to draft so that you receive strong letters.
Also during this week, update your resume. Note that some law schools ask for estimates of how much time you spent on each activity per week. This information helps admissions committees assess the depth of your commitment and how well you managed extracurricular and professional responsibilities alongside your coursework.
[Discover 10 tips to build a strong law school application.]
— Week 2: Divide and conquer. Now it’s time to download applications and create a list of additional materials you will need to submit as well as any formatting requirements. Then divide your list of schools into thirds.
You can prioritize applications by your top choices. Apply first to schools you are most enthusiastic about and work your way down the list.
Another organizational approach is to bundle schools with similar application and formatting components. For example, the University of Chicago Law School and the University of California–Berkeley Law School both allow personal statements that are up to four pages. Applicants can also submit an optional one-page diversity statement.
Stanford University Law School, the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor Law School, Georgetown University Law Center and Pepperdine University Law School, for example, provide optional prompts that will require additional thought and time to complete. By tackling the most straightforward applications first, you will expedite your submission process.
Beyond prioritizing your applications, use time this week to draft your personal statement and diversity statement, if applicable. Do not overlook the importance of revising your essays either — allow yourself several days to draft and then revise.
Complete the application forms for your first batch of schools. Follow instructions carefully and be sure to disclose any required character and fitness issues. Then draft addenda, when appropriate. Before submitting any applications, proofread all forms and essays.
— Week 3: Adjust formatting and draft optional responses. If your personal statement is three to four pages, you may need to make additional revisions for schools with stricter formatting requirements. Harvard Law School, for example, requests applicants to limit personal statements to two pages.
Rather than cut entire paragraphs, comb through your essay and streamline language. To tighten up the text, look for widows — one or two words that appear on a new line at the end of a paragraph — and cut words earlier in a paragraph.
During this week, make appropriate formatting adjustments to your diversity statement and any addenda.
[See three responses for law school optional essays.]
Next, focus your attention on optional responses. These are an opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Only submit thoughtful answers that help illuminate a compelling facet of who you are and how you see the world that you haven’t already addressed elsewhere in your application.
Some optional prompts can be quite playful. For example, Pepperdine allows applicants to submit one to two pages or a one- to two-minute video response to one of four prompts, including one that asks who you would take on a one-year road trip and why.
Take playful prompts seriously. These responses will be evaluated alongside the rest of your application materials and should help convey why you are suited to the study of law.
— Week 4: Complete remaining and supplemental applications. With 2018 on the horizon, use this final week to make sure your recommendation letters and transcripts are on file with CAS. Even if you have already applied to some schools, admissions committees won’t consider your application complete until they have received the minimum number of recommendations and until your transcript is processed into your law school report.
In addition to completing the remaining applications on your list, you may have discovered some specialized programs or scholarships you want to apply for. For example, Georgetown’s Global Law Scholars Program requires a separate application by the general application deadline. New York University Law School also offers a several scholars programs that require an additional essay or application component.
Save these supplemental materials for last once you have perfected your primary application. After all, you cannot be selected for a specialized program or scholarship unless you have been accepted to the law school.
Have questions about submitting your applications before the end of the year? You can reach me at lawadmissionslowdown@usnews.com.
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Pull Together Law School Applications Before Year-End originally appeared on usnews.com
