Top Law Schools

Hey guys, So I'm still trying to refine my timetable and wanted a little more help. So I will be graduating from UCLA, Spring 2016. I'm too late to prep for June LSAT so I will study hard this Summer for the October test. That's the right move, right? I shouldn't cram for June right? I dont want to waste a shot.

My plan is to obtain CAS registration info now, study this Summer for 3-4 months straight, while requesting recommendation letters. Then begin applications in September and take LSAT in October. Sound right?

Lastly, If I have all my transcripts sent to LSDAS in September, then that should count all of my grades through Spring 2016, correct, considering spring ends in June? If the time-frame to send transcripts is September, then how do schools know my gpa when I'm applying in August?

Thanks for answering all the questions.

Definitely do not take the June test. I basically wasted a try by cramming. Give yourself PLENTY of time, and if you're not in shape for October (which could happen, if you have a hard time with the test), don't waste that try either. Otherwise, timing looks fine, though you'll probably want to wait for the October LSAT results before sending applications, so you can tailor apps/schools to your score. By that point (November?) you'll need to submit immediately, and for some schools it's even better to apply in October.

So get everything in order so you can hit send as soon as the LSAT scores come out.

Ok, great. Then I'll follow the consensus of getting out applications by Thanksgiving and not start sending them out in September, like I originally thought. Thanks for the help!

So the only quarter that I'll miss when they determine my gpa will be summer quarter then? They will have my gpa through spring 2016?

They won't have grades from your senior year at all. Apparently some schools may ask for them to be updated before giving a decision, but it didn't happen to me.

ETA: When you see everyone posting on here about having submitted the first day, it will feel like you're late getting them in by Thanksgiving, but that's still very early. Your timeline looks good, unless you have to retake the LSAT, in which case you can still submit, but ask for schools to hold your app until December scores come out. Cross that bride when you get to it, though.

Thanks man, great tips.

So what about rolling applications, do LS's take Spring entrances too? I'd hate to wait a full year, but I need most of my senior year to count toward my GPA.

Spring is too late to apply. Better plan is to work for a year (or 2-3 even!) and apply in September when you're ready.

You go to ucla but your avatar is OJ?

Red, I meant, do LS's admit L1's in Spring too, or just Fall? That would at least mean I could apply 6 months early, instead of a year later.

Last questions, promise, lol. How does lsac calculate P/NP courses? Also, do they disregard classes that were academically renewed from community colleges? Lastly, is there a minimum amount of units completed needed at time of application?

O.J. wrote:Red, I meant, do LS's admit L1's in Spring too, or just Fall? That would at least mean I could apply 6 months early, instead of a year later.

No, there's only one admissions cycle. It starts in Sept and ends in Feb, for a start of classes the following fall.

Get a job in the fall instead via UCLA's on campus recruiting and don't waste time studying for the LSAT while you're in school. When you graduate and are working, study and take the test if you still decide law school is for you after experiencing the marketplace.

I'm fully aware this will fall on deaf ears. I studied for the LSAT summer after my junior year of college and took the test in October too. Of course, after that I waited and retook it after graduating. But hindsight is 20/20.

No deaf ears at all, it's sound advice and I plan to follow it. I'm going to take the year off and spend it working and studying for the LSAT. Thanks guys.

O.J. wrote:Lastly, If I have all my transcripts sent to LSDAS in September, then that should count all of my grades through Spring 2016, correct, considering spring ends in June? If the time-frame to send transcripts is September, then how do schools know my gpa when I'm applying in August?

Whenever you end up applying, make sure you start having transcripts sent at least a few weeks before you plan to submit your apps. They can take a ridiculously long time to be processed.

Some Law schools do have spring admissions cycles but none in the T14