Pre-Law Timelines

• 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!)