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I've read quite a bit about the advantage to applying early, but what constitutes early? I'm beginning my LSAT prep and debating between an abbreviated study plan of 2.5 months for June or a more comprehensive 6+ month study plan for October, both while working full time.

Is applying on September 1 worth taking less time on the LSAT? Or is applying during the first week in November still considered early?

September & October are considered early. Once November hits, everyone and their brother starts doing their apps. And by Thanksgiving, some schools have more than half their apps. So even if you take the Sept/Oct LSAT, have your apps in *before* that, so you'll have a jump on all the people who wait until after they get their scores.

Check out what Dean Tom at UC Berkeley has to say about it in his TLS interview:

One of the most important pieces of information Dean Tom had to offer was that it is very important to apply early. He said, “You must apply early. Even though we don’t have an early decision program, the early bird does catch the worm here. And by early I’m talking about October, mid-November at the latest. Even if you’re taking the December LSAT, you should send in your application to us ahead of time.

This is from: http://www.top-law-schools.com/boalt-hall.html

gymboree wrote:September & October are considered early. Once November hits, everyone and their brother starts doing their apps. And by Thanksgiving, some schools have more than half their apps. So even if you take the Sept/Oct LSAT, have your apps in *before* that, so you'll have a jump on all the people who wait until after they get their scores.

Check out what Dean Tom at UC Berkeley has to say about it in his TLS interview:

One of the most important pieces of information Dean Tom had to offer was that it is very important to apply early. He said, “You must apply early. Even though we don’t have an early decision program, the early bird does catch the worm here. And by early I’m talking about October, mid-November at the latest. Even if you’re taking the December LSAT, you should send in your application to us ahead of time.

This is from: http://www.top-law-schools.com/boalt-hall.html

I agree - however:

LSAT Score > Applying early(er). If you can produce a better LSAT score in September, wait...

TUP wrote:I've read quite a bit about the advantage to applying early, but what constitutes early? I'm beginning my LSAT prep and debating between an abbreviated study plan of 2.5 months for June or a more comprehensive 6+ month study plan for October, both while working full time.

Is applying on September 1 worth taking less time on the LSAT? Or is applying during the first week in November still considered early?

Take as much time on the LSAT as necessary. A stronger LSAT score is infinitely more important than the date you submit your apps (but I'd try to submit by Thanksgiving, or at least by Christmas).

Applying in September or October is totally unnecessary.

Check out this graph provided by Blueprint's MostStronglySupported blog: http://moststronglysupported.com/blog/l ... -the-fall/

It shows that 40% of all apps are generally submitted by the first week of January.

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TUP wrote:I'm beginning my LSAT prep and debating between an abbreviated study plan of 2.5 months for June or a more comprehensive 6+ month study plan for October, both while working full time.

My thoughts would be to take it in June and retake in Oct if you aren't happy with the result. However, waiting until the October test results are out won't kill you if you want to wait and just take it once.

Sangiovese wrote:

TUP wrote:I'm beginning my LSAT prep and debating between an abbreviated study plan of 2.5 months for June or a more comprehensive 6+ month study plan for October, both while working full time.

My thoughts would be to take it in June and retake in Oct if you aren't happy with the result. However, waiting until the October test results are out won't kill you if you want to wait and just take it once.

I agree 100%. If you feel like the prep has gotten you to a confident, consistent place in time for June - go for it. You can bat cleanup on the Oct administration.

Where/when do we get the applications? I am in the same boat as the OP and this is great information! If we can turn the applications in early (even w/o LSAT score) when can we do that? And is this done through LSAC or web-based from each actual school?

Basically, where do we get an application and when should we submit it? I am trying to be very early to take advantage of any possible perk.

Thanks!

2807 wrote:Where/when do we get the applications? I am in the same boat as the OP and this is great information! If we can turn the applications in early (even w/o LSAT score) when can we do that? And is this done through LSAC or web-based from each actual school?

Basically, where do we get an application and when should we submit it? I am trying to be very early to take advantage of any possible perk.

Thanks!

You can do everything through LSAC. When the applications become available for each cycle depends on the individual schools. You can build a "school list" on the LSAC website and it will tell you when the cycle starts for each of them.

It seems like the December LSAT score release date is the deadline between early and late.

Take the LSAT in Sept/Oct and be ready to retake in Dec if need be.

Get your LOR ready now. And after your LSAT, start working on apps. Have them ready to be sent the day you get your score back.

Agree with everything above re: applying early. But I'd say getting most of your applications in before Thanksgiving is generally recommended. Think of it this way -the earlier you get your apps in, the sooner you'll start hearing back from schools (at least most of them). This makes the planning process for law school a lot easier.

On applying before taking the LSAT: I'd say to wait until you get your LSAT score for several reasons. First, after you get your score you can make a realistic assessment of where you should be applying (T14 vs. TTT etc.). Second, a lot of law schools send application fee waivers after LSAT scores are released - this may save you hundreds of dollars. (this cycle i saved $800 because of application fee waivers).

On prep of applications: I did all of the prep simultaneously - studied for the LSAT, requested recommendations, worked on my personal statement (i recommend spending a lot of time on this), sent transcripts, etc. Thus, when my LSAT score was released everything was set to go.

2807 wrote:Where/when do we get the applications? I am in the same boat as the OP and this is great information! If we can turn the applications in early (even w/o LSAT score) when can we do that? And is this done through LSAC or web-based from each actual school?

Basically, where do we get an application and when should we submit it? I am trying to be very early to take advantage of any possible perk.

Thanks!

Everything will be available on the LSAC site -- when apps are available, they'll pop up when you click on them. If they're not available, LSAC will list the release date (if they have it), otherwise it will just give a "not available" message.

But you could also ask people from last year to send you their applications (if you know anyone comfortable doing this) because apps are largely the same. You could go to school websites NOW and download any applications which are available -- they don't change that much year to year, if at all.

Desert Fox wrote: Get your LOR ready now.

This is often overlooked and is a major source of delay and frustration when you're trying to finish apps if you don't do it ahead of time. (Just search the boards and it's easy to see the panic when people are trying to get apps in and it takes LSAC a week or more to process a lor that was mailed in.)

You can't control how long it takes for your lor writers to get it done... and it takes LSAC quite a while to process them during peak season.

It is never too early to get your LORs started!

Great info. Thanks for the help. It would be great if this site could start a database of blank (old) apps so people like me could at least get an idea of what is needed. I will take the advice on here and see if schools still have old apps available? Either way, I now have an idea of where to begin. Thanks.

2807 wrote:Great info. Thanks for the help. It would be great if this site could start a database of blank (old) apps so people like me could at least get an idea of what is needed. I will take the advice on here and see if schools still have old apps available? Either way, I now have an idea of where to begin. Thanks.

Even if you can't find the actual applications, schools usually put their essay questions in their FAQs. Also, I'm going to agree with everyone regarding LORs...my apps were held up for about a month by a very slow recommender. Don't let that happen to you.

OP here, thanks for the advice. I'm working my way through the LGB and will probably skip the other bibles if I go for June and only have time for ~25 PTs. I initially thoughtthis would be enough, but with how much prep I've read about people doing in the LSAT forum I've been reconsidering my strat.

TUP wrote:OP here, thanks for the advice. I'm working my way through the LGB and will probably skip the other bibles if I go for June and only have time for ~25 PTs. I initially thoughtthis would be enough, but with how much prep I've read about people doing in the LSAT forum I've been reconsidering my strat.

Answer this question honestly these questions to your self. Are you naturally very intelligent? Do you understand logic well? Have you always done well on standardized tests?

If yes to all the above, read the LGB and then just do a PT every other day.

Long studying is for people who have to fight to get every question correct.

2807 wrote:when do we get the applications?

IIRC, most become available on LSAC around late September.

2807 wrote:Great info. Thanks for the help. It would be great if this site could start a database of blank (old) apps so people like me could at least get an idea of what is needed. I will take the advice on here and see if schools still have old apps available? Either way, I now have an idea of where to begin. Thanks.

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