Pre-Law Timelines

Pre-law timelines for students and alumni

One of the most popular questions the pre-law team receives is related to timelines and students “staying on track.” MANY candidates decide later during their academic program or after they graduate to apply to law school- in fact, over the past 5 years, 3/4 of candidates from USC took at least one year off!

Taking time off before law school can be a big decision, and it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.

Some Pros of Taking Time Off Before Law School

Gain Valuable Work Experience: Time off can give you a chance to work in a legal setting or another field that interests you. This experience can provide practical skills, deepen your understanding of the profession, and make you more attractive to law schools and future employers.
Personal Growth and Reflection: Taking a break allows you to mature, explore your interests, and clarify your reasons for pursuing law. You can return to school with a stronger sense of purpose, which can be motivating when the workload intensifies.
Financial Benefits: Earning money before law school can help reduce the financial burden of tuition and living expenses. You can save up, pay down existing debt, and enter law school with less financial stress.
Avoid Burnout: After years of intense undergraduate study, a break can refresh you mentally and emotionally. This rest can help you enter law school energized and ready to take on new challenges.
Networking Opportunities: During your time off, you can build a professional network that could be beneficial during law school and after graduation. Meeting people in the legal field can provide insights and opportunities that will serve you well in your career.

Some Cons of Taking Time Off Before Law School

Loss of Academic Momentum: After being in school for so long, it can be difficult to get back into the rhythm of studying. Some students find it challenging to re-adapt to the academic environment after a break.
Delayed Career Start: Taking time off means delaying your entry into the legal profession. This might not be ideal if you’re eager to start your career and achieve long-term goals like becoming a partner or a judge.
Peer Progression: Your college friends and peers might start law school and careers before you, which can sometimes create a sense of falling behind. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s path is unique, and success isn’t a race.
Potential Loss of Motivation: If the time off isn’t used purposefully, you might lose the motivation to go back to school. It’s crucial to have a plan and stay focused on your goal of attending law school.
Possible Misalignment with Life Goals: Life circumstances can change during a gap year, such as relationships, job opportunities, or personal responsibilities, which could make it harder to return to school.

Taking time off before law school can be incredibly beneficial if used wisely. It offers opportunities for personal and professional growth, financial savings, and a well-needed break. However, it’s important to stay focused on your long-term goals and ensure that the time off doesn’t derail your plans. Whether you decide to take a break or go straight to law school, the key is to make the choice that feels right for you and aligns with your values, goals, and current life situation.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong decision—just the one that fits best with your personal journey. Trust yourself, and know that whatever you choose, you’ll find your way to success.

Included below is information on timelines for those considering attending law school right after undergraduate or graduate school, those taking time off from school before attending law school as well as law school deferral programs.

Timeline for Current Students

Click here for a timeline for current students

Timeline for Alumni

Click here for a timeline for alumni

Choose a major that represents your own academic interests. Be serious about your studies. Your grades are a very important part of your law school applications. Find the right balance between academic coursework and extracurricular activities. Pursue your interests outside of class, but not at the expense of your grades. If you start struggling academically, USC offers ample support. Don’t wait – take advantage ASAP.

Take courses that will enhance your writing, reading comprehension, and analytical skills.

Familiarize yourself with the resources listed in the Pre-Law advising website.

Join a Pre-Law group or other organizations related to your unique interests.

Attend Pre-Law related events and workshops .

Attend the annual USC Law Fair (usually in late October) and talk with law schools about what they look for in candidates, advice for what you could be doing now to be the most competitive candidates.

Work on developing your logical reasoning ability and increasing your awareness of human institutions and social values through coursework, student activities and community service.

Explore legal careers that might be a good fit for your interests, value, and skills down the road.

Look for opportunities to obtain law-related experience, talk with lawyers about their work and ask them about the highlights and challenges of their career.

Build relationships with your faculty through class and office hours. Eventually you will need to ask several professors to write letters of recommendation for law school so it is mutually beneficial to start connecting early on.
Watch recorded Fall seminar/workshop to talk about timelines.

Take the free LSAT Diagnostic test through Khan Academy and receive their recommended study plan based on your performance

Sign up for your complimentary LSAC LawHub account

Start connecting with law school representatives at the annual USC Law Fair and learn more about their programs and the qualifications they are looking for in successful candidates.
Take a free practice LSAT through Khan Academy to see your initial score and receive a tailored study guide

Start studying for the June or August LSAT. Plan accordingly: multiple sources recommend studying the 250-300 hours– the equivalent of 20-30 hours/week for 3 months

Start generating ideas for the personal statements and addenda
STUDY FOR THE LSAT!

The semester before you start applying to law schools, ask professors to provide letters of recommendation

Start crafting your personal statement. Learn more in the “Application Process And Support section” of this website.

Begin to consider how you will finance your legal education

Register for your LSAC/CAS (fee waivers might be available!)

Register for LSAT

If you need LSAT accommodations- ask for them early!
Take multiple LSAT practice tests to determine where you need to fine tune your studying

Register for and take the June or Aug LSAT. Why so early?! Taking it June or August gives you time in case you need to retake the LSAT AND gives you time to focus on your personal statement once the new year’s application cycle opens up in September/October. NOTE: Most LSAT registration dates are 5-6 weeks before the test is administered. TEST AND SCORE RELEASE DATES

Become familiar with the services offered by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)

Sign-up for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

Research law schools and prepare a preliminary list of target schools

Start finalizing your personal statement
Most law schools have rolling admission policies meaning the sooner you apply, the sooner you will probably receive a decision from the law school admissions department. At the very latest target applying by November 1 for the next academic year.

Take the LSAT again early in the Fall semester if necessary TEST AND SCORE RELEASE DATES

Review your list of law schools and make sure your choices are realistic

Attend the Pre-Law workshops

If certain law schools are asking for a letter from the Dean’s office regarding your standing as a student, please email the Vice President of Student Affairs’ office with the following two documents attached in the same email:

1- A completed FERPA release form

2-The law school’s form requesting the letter.

Make sure the directions on how/where to send the letter are included. Please use the following for your subject line: Dean’s letter request for [insert your name]. The process to get the letter to the law school should take less than five business days.

Attend the annual USC Law School Fair (usually in October) to connect with schools of interest

Know the CAS submission open date

Develop the final draft of personal statement in early Sept latest

Submit final application materials:

Request to have letters of recommendation submitted through CAS

Transcript to CAS (CAS sends it to the law schools on your behalf)

Resume

Addenda (optional)

Diversity statement (optional)

Additional essays as requested

Dean’s letter if required

Interview prep (if necessary)
Complete financial aid applications, including the FAFSA, soon after January 1st (The earlier the better!)

Expect to receive admissions decisions anytime from December through late spring.  Patience is necessary!

Managing stress during this challenging time is critical. If your anxiety and stress surrounding the law school application process start to affect your day-to-day functioning, please do not hesitate to utilize resources through the Engemann Center. They provide targeted workshops and are also available for one-on-one sessions

Please know that acceptances AND rejections are part of this process- just like getting into undergrad. If you start receiving rejections, don’t panic.  Remember- law school applicants are drawn from the waitlist until the beginning of the school year.  Start talking to the law schools about their waitlist process, start thinking about back-up plans, gap years, etc.
Look at this page for more information on Getting Ready for 1L.

Once you are accepted, CELEBRATE. Then start looking at preparing for law school.

Attend any admitted student events available to help you decide which school to commit to

Research and negotiate funding and scholarship options

Make school admissions commitment deposits

Research and secure living arrangements as needed(don’t forget about health and car insurance!)

Make sure you are familiar with the services offered by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)- it is literally impossible apply to law school without using LSAC services

Sign-up for LSAC LawHub as soon as you decide law school is for you

Sign up for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) at least 3 months before you want to apply to law school

Research law schools, and prepare a preliminary list of target schools (visit our “Researching Law Schools” section).

Review your list of law schools and make sure your choices are realistic based on your LSAT score and GPA

Start preparing for the LSAT test at least 15 months prior to starting law school.

Take multiple LSAT practice tests to determine where you need to fine-tune your studying

Register for and take the LSAT with enough time to re-take it if needed before you apply. Most LSAT registration dates are 5-6 weeks before the test is administered. TEST AND SCORE RELEASE DATES

Start finalizing your personal statement, resume, and any addenda you might be submitting More info

Ask recommenders to write letters for you and submit through the CAS provides

Attend the annual USC Law School Fair (usually in October, in 2023 it is planned for October 26) to connect with schools of interest
Most law schools application cycles start between September 1 and October 1. Most have rolling admissions policies which means your chances are greater for acceptance the sooner you apply.

Make sure your Letters of Recommendation have been submitted into CAS

Order your transcript through CAS via the Parchment platform

If certain law schools are asking for a letter from the Dean’s office regarding your standing as a student, please email the Vice President of Student Affairs’ office with the following two documents attached in the same email:

1- A completed FERPA release form

2-The law school’s form requesting the letter.

Make sure the directions on how/where to send the letter are included. Please use the following for your subject line: Dean’s letter request for [insert your name]. The process to get the letter to the law school should take less than five business days.
Begin to consider how you will finance your legal education

Complete financial aid applications, including the FAFSA, soon after January 1st (The earlier the better!)

Expect to receive admissions decisions anytime from December through late spring.  Patience is necessary!

Managing stress during this challenging time is critical. If your anxiety and stress surrounding the law school application process start to affect your day-to-day functioning, please do not hesitate to utilize resources in the community and/or through your health insurance to support you.

Please know that acceptances AND rejections are part of this process- just like getting into undergrad. If you start receiving rejections, don’t panic.  Remember- law school applicants are drawn from the waitlist until the beginning of the school year.  Start talking to the law schools about their waitlist process, start thinking about back-up plans, gap years, etc.

After you are accepted, CELEBRATE! And then start investigating financial aid, housing, etc.!
Look at this page for more information on Getting Ready for 1L.

Once you are accepted, CELEBRATE. Then start looking at preparing for law school.

Attend any admitted student events available to help you decide which school to commit to

Research and negotiate funding and scholarship options

Make school admissions commitment deposits

Research and secure living arrangements as needed(don’t forget about health and car insurance!)

Helpful Videos

Law School Application Timeline Breakdown

Taking time off

Taking Time Off Before Law School

Understandably not all students feel ready to go to law school right after graduation.  Nationally only one-third of all students attend law school right after their undergraduate programs- the average age to start law school in the United States right now is 24 years old.

Reasons for taking time off

The decision to take time off before law school is highly personal. Typical reasons include the following:

Wanting a mental break before starting law school
Seeking practical related experience in your career field of choice
Wanting more time to reflect on your interests and values
Getting finances in order
Needing more time to prepare for the LSAT
Taking time to travel, take care of family, etc.

Use your time off wisely

While taking time off is common, we suggest you strategize using the time in a way that will provide value to your future law school application. Taking time off for the sole purpose of studying for the LSAT is not impressive to law school admissions representatives. Law schools are looking for authentic and diverse candidates that will add to the law school classroom and make great lawyers one day. Take advantage of the time to explore different industries you might be interested in while rounding out your life experiences.

Time to reflect!

Think about what you might want your resume to look like for the law school admissions team and think about ways that you can explore the field(s) you enjoy while getting experience that will strengthen your resume. The law schools understand that you want to attend law school to learn about law. They are expecting that candidates have a strong sense of your interests, values, and passions. Taking the time to explore what you are passionate about in will prove invaluable to the law school application process.

During your time off, don’t forget to take note of application, financial aid and scholarship deadlines ahead of time. It’s easy to lose track of the months when you’re not in school! This way, you will have plenty of time to get your application materials prepared, and apply  whenever you are ready!

Deferral programs

Law school deferral programs

Law school deferral programs, also known as deferred admission or deferral options, allow admitted students to postpone their enrollment in law school for a specified period, typically for one year. These programs are designed to give applicants the opportunity to pursue other personal or professional interests before beginning law school.

Here’s a general overview of law school deferral programs:

Purpose: Law schools offer deferral programs to accommodate students who have compelling reasons for delaying their legal studies. Common reasons for seeking a deferral include pursuing a unique work opportunity, engaging in public service or volunteer work, dealing with personal or family issues, traveling, or participating in other educational pursuits.
Application and Admission: Unless you are applying specifically to a law school deferral program, applicants must first apply and be admitted to the law school before they can request a deferral. Admissions decisions are typically made on the regular application timeline, and once admitted, students can inquire about the deferral process.
Deferral Process: Each law school may have its own specific deferral policies and requirements. Students interested in deferring their admission usually need to submit a formal deferral request to the admissions office. The request should outline the reasons for the deferral and the planned activities during the deferral period.
Approval: Approval for a deferral is not automatic and is subject to the discretion of the law school’s admissions committee. Generally, strong and compelling reasons are more likely to be approved. However, some law schools might have limited spots available for deferral applicants, which could make the process more competitive.
Deposit and Tuition: Some law schools may require students to submit a deposit upon accepting their offer of admission, which may be non-refundable if the student eventually decides not to attend. Additionally, some schools may require students to pay a deferral fee to hold their spot for the following year.
Potential restrictions: Deferral programs may have restrictions on what students can do during the deferral period. Some schools may not allow students to enroll in another degree program during the deferral, while others may permit it. Some schools may also prohibit students from applying to other law schools during the deferral period.

Prospective law students considering deferral programs need to thoroughly research the deferral policies of each law school they are considering and to communicate openly with the admissions office about their intentions and reasons for seeking a deferral. As mentioned earlier, each law school may have its own unique approach to deferral programs, so students should check the specific requirements and guidelines of the schools they are interested in.

ABA-suggested application timeline

ABA suggested application timeline

Preparing the summer before starting law school

Pre-Professional Video

Pre-Law Timelines