Pre-Law Timeline and Checklist

First and Second Years

___ Seek internships, shadowing opportunities, or jobs that expose you to lawyers at work.  Find out as much as possible about the life of lawyers to decide whether to become a lawyer.

___ Get to know at least one professor well each semester. They are all potential letter writers!

___ Seek leadership positions in organizations with which you are involved.

___ Find opportunities during summers that will set you apart from your classmates and help you learn more about law as a career.

Third Year

___ Practice for the LSAT.

Fall Semester

___ Start researching law schools online

___ Attend law school fairs and information sessions.

Winter Break and Spring Break

___ Visit law schools.

Spring Semester

___ Take LSAT practice tests.

___ Register for the LSAT.

June

___ Take LSAT.

___ Start working on a personal statement.

___ Bring personal statement to pre-law advisor, professors or Writing Center for help.

July/August

___ Receive LSAT score.

___ Locate web-based applications on LSAC or law schools' web sites.

___ Begin to complete applications, if they are available.

___ Complete second draft of personal statement and seek feedback.

Fourth Year

September

___ Complete application materials, the earlier the better, especially for financial aid.

___ Ask professors or supervisors to write letters of recommendation.

___ Request transcripts from every college you ever attended and send to LSAC.

October

___ Take the LSAT if you did not take it in June. It is better to take it in October than in December!

___ Complete last draft of personal statement.

___ Submit application materials as early as possible.

___ Thank professors for writing letters.

November/December

___ Check to be sure applications are complete.

January

___ File financial aid applications.