Top Law Schools

Dates to Remember:

September 1
Application for Admission filing period begins.
On-campus interviewing begins.
September 10
Skype interviewing begins for LLM, LLM/Kellogg, and LLM IHR programs.
November 15
Deadline for completion of mandatory on-campus interviews for Early Decision candidates.
December 1
Deadline for receipt of completed Early Decision application.
Deadline for requesting off-campus interviews.
December 15
Deadline for completion of interviews for Accelerated JD candidates.
January 4
Early Decision candidates notified of decisions.
January 15
Deadline for receipt of completed Accelerated JD application.
Deadline for receipt of completed ALLM Application.
Deadline for receipt of completed LLM / Kellogg Application.
Deadline for receipt of completed LLM and LLM in Human Rights Application.
February 15
Deadline for receipt of JD applications.
February 28
On-campus interviewing period ends.
March 1
Deadline for receipt of completed Two-Year JD Application.
For applicants requesting financial aid, deadline for receipt by the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the Need Access Application.
June 1
Application for transfer filing period begins.
July 2
Deadline for receipt of completed transfer applications.

A completed application to Northwestern University School of Law consists of a number of parts that are sent to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid by the applicant, the Law School Admission Council, and recommenders:
- A personal statement
- One letter of recommendation
- The Law School Data Assembly Service Law School Report
- Law School Admission Test results
- Resume
- A nonrefundable application fee payable by check or money order to Northwestern University

Applicants who have thoroughly researched their law school options and who have identified Northwestern as their first choice law school may wish to apply for Early Decision. Northwestern's Early Decision program is binding. If admitted through the Early Decision program, you must commit to matriculating at Northwestern and submit a nonrefundable $750 seat deposit by the date indicated on your letter of admission. You also must withdraw all of your applications to other schools and refrain from initiating any new applications if and when you are notified of your acceptance through the Early Decision program. You may not be an Early Decision candidate at more than one law school.

To be considered for Early Decision, your application must be complete, including your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report, by December 1. (Accordingly, in order to make sure your application is complete by the December 1 deadline, it would be in your best interest to submit your application by November 15 if you are applying through LSAC.) The October LSAT administration is the last acceptable score for consideration as an Early Decision candidate.

An on-campus interview is mandatory for Early Decision candidates. Off-campus interviews are not accepted. Your interview must be completed by November 15 to be considered for Early Decision. You are encouraged to sign-up for your interview as soon as possible to ensure that there are appointments available, as all on-campus interview appointment slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

You must sign and return the Early Decision Certification (Supplemental Application) with your Application for Admission directly to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Your Early Decision Certification will not be transmitted by Credential Assembly Service. You will be notified of the Admissions Committee's decision by the end of December.

Applicants who are admitted in December 2012 to the three-year JD program through binding early decision and who matriculate in Fall 2013 will receive a $50,000 merit scholarship per year for three years.

-What is your least favorite thing about your undergraduate coursework?
-What is the biggest/most important document you have written?
-What is the most difficult decision you have made?
-What is the most significant project you have managed?
-Tell me about the worst boss you have worked for and how you resolved issues.
-How would your professors describe you?
-Why NU?
-Why law school?
-Have you been to Chicago during the winter?
-Why did you choose your undergrad school?
-What would you change about your undergrad experience if you could?
-How will you define success in your career?
-How do you deal with conflict?
-Tell me about your most significant experience speaking in front of other people.
-What would you do if you didn't get into any law schools?
-If you were accepted to all of the schools how would you decide where to go?
-What was your favorite class? What was you most difficult class?
-What do you do for fun?
-What kinds of extracurricular activities were you involved in?
- What do you think is important to being a leader?
- What traits do you have that make you a successful leader?
- Who or what inspired you to attend law school?

Sillygoose31 wrote:Greetings all! Can someone elaborate on the ED binding acceptance with the $50,000 per year attached? Is this automatic if accepted through ED? Thanks and best of luck to all.

NU Admissions wrote:Applicants who are admitted in December 2012 to the three-year JD program through binding early decision and who matriculate in Fall 2013 will receive a $50,000 merit scholarship per year for three years.

Crowing wrote:This is the one T-14 that I haven't decided 100% whether to apply or not. I understand their numbers are pretty splitter friendly and more forgiving in general, but I only have 3 months FT WE at this point and it's not at any sort of impressive job either.

Crowing wrote:This is the one T-14 that I haven't decided 100% whether to apply or not. I understand their numbers are pretty splitter friendly and more forgiving in general, but I only have 3 months FT WE at this point and it's not at any sort of impressive job either.

BuckeyeGirl wrote:Possible Number 1 choice...have been consistently nothing but impressed with NU and know I would be very happy there. Hard to not be excited...

shinton88 wrote:I've applied as well. I'm flying out to Chicago next weekend for an on-campus interview. Should be fun.

shifty_eyed wrote:

Crowing wrote:This is the one T-14 that I haven't decided 100% whether to apply or not. I understand their numbers are pretty splitter friendly and more forgiving in general, but I only have 3 months FT WE at this point and it's not at any sort of impressive job either.

No harm in applying. You should be able to get a fee waiver.

Nickg415 wrote:Just got my status checker and signed up for an off-campus interview with an alumni. Anyone have information on these interviews (Importance, what they are looking for, tips, ect.)

onionz wrote:The off campus interviews can be a little less predictable, but I found the questions from the first post generated from this thread were pretty spot on: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4&start=75. Be prepared to talk about management/team experience, especially if still in Ugrad or recently out of uGrad.