Law School Application Process & Timeline

The first thing to note when it comes to law school is that you do not need to go to law school directly after graduation. In fact, 2/3 of applicants decide to pursue a gap year before they make the journey back to the classroom. According to the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), the average age of a 1L (first year) law student is 24 years old. Speak with your pre-law advisor to determine what the best timeline might be for you. Spoiler alert: it’s different for everyone!

Another fact that might be surprising is that law schools are not looking for one specific major. The American Bar Association (ABA) is the governing organization that accredits all law schools in the United States. They have expressly stated that they do not endorse one major over another. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline. They do, however, highlight skills that each student should strengthen before they attend law school:

  • Problem solving
  • Critical reading & thinking
  • Writing and editing
  • Oral communication and listening
  • Research
  • Organization and management
  • Relationship-building and collaboration
  • Public service and promotion of justice

For a complete list of courses available at Villanova that can help you strengthen these skills, please see this handout for reference.

You can choose from a pool of majors that are considered traditional preparation for law school, such as:

  • History
  • English
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Business

Or you could focus on a more diverse array of subject matter, such as the arts, music, or sciences. The best advice we have when it comes to picking a major? Choose something that you are interested in. If you have a genuine interest in your academic subject matter, it will naturally reflect in your grades when it’s time to submit your transcripts.

  • Explore majors and minors – choose one that interests you!
  • Get involved on campus
    • Join one of the 3 pre-law student groups on campus: Pre-Law Society, Black Pre-Law Student Association, Mock Trial
    • Join organizations that interest you and will help you build various skills
  • Create a Resume
    • Use the resume samples on the Career Center website to help you develop your resume
    • Stop by drop-in hours (12-2pm Mon-Thurs, Virtual on Fridays) at the Career Center to get help with your resume

  • Meet with your pre-law advisor
    • Discuss your goals and begin planning for junior year – schedule in Handshake
  • Focus on Academics
    • Choose a major and take classes of interest – you have until Spring semester to decide on a major
    • Maintain a good GPA (3.0+)
  • Get Experience & Exposure
    • Attend pre-law events on campus (check Handshake)
    • Get involved on campus if you have not already
    • Land an internship, fellowship, research opportunity, study abroad, shadowing experience related to build relevant skills – network when possible! (novanetwork.villanova.edu)
  • Explore Law Schools
    • Create a free LSAC account & search for law schools that interest you (lsac.org)
    • Visit and tour law schools that interest you – sit in on a law school class
  • Update your Resume – see samples on the Career Center website

Prepare for the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)

  • Take a practice LSAT to get a baseline score (Khan Academy and LSAC Law Hub)
    • Scoring: 120-180 (national average 151)
  • Two options:
    • Option 1: Study Spring Semester (Junior) and take LSAT in Summer
    • Option 2: Study Summer (Junior) and take LSAT in Fall (Senior)

Explore Law Schools

  • Create a free LSAC account & search for law schools that interest you (lsac.org)
  • *create by April to register for June LSAT
  • *Take this questionnaire to explore law school options: https://xplorejd.org/
  • Attend Law School Fair(s) and LSAC Forums to visit and tour law schools that interest you

Consider who to ask for Letters of Recommendation

  • Consider who to ask for Letters of Recommendation (2-3)
  • Should have 2 academic (professor) reference; choose someone who can speak to your strengths, skills, and positive character traits to reaffirm your success in law school
  • Ask over the summer – send an email and then once they agree, set up a meeting to discuss

Know Your Costs

  • Explore and calculate potential costs for law school (use accesslex.org to get started)

Get Experience and Expand your Network

  • Attend pre-law events (check Handshake and the Career Connections calendar)
  • Get involved on campus if you have not already
  • Land an internship, fellowship, research opportunity, study abroad, shadowing experience related to build relevant skills – network when possible! (novanetwork.villanova.edu)!

Update Your Resume

  • 2 pages is okay; add academic projects; all college experiences; no objective statement; no high school experiences

Meet with your pre-law advisor

  • Discuss your goals and steps needed for the law school application process 

Create your timeline

LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)

Explore Law Schools

  • Consider the criteria you are seeking in a law school (take this fun quiz: https://xplorejd.org/ )
  • Develop target, safety, and reach schools in which to apply (see your chances of admission: https://7sage.com/predictor/ )
  • Create a free LSAC account & search for law schools that interest you
  • Attend Law School Fair(s) and LSAC Forum (Fall)
  • Visit and tour law schools that interest you – sit in on a law school class

Request your Letters of Recommendation

  • Send requests late summer/beginning of the semester. See this sample on how to do so
  • Consider meeting with your recommenders to help them brainstorm content for your LOR
  • Be prepared to send your writers your resume, transcript, and/or personal statement
  • Should have 2 academic (professor) reference; choose someone who can speak to your strengths, skills and positive character traits to reaffirm your success in law school, preferably from two different academic disciplines

Write/Finish Your Personal Statement

  • EDIT! Get it reviewed by Writing Center, Pre-law Advisor, and letter of recommendation writers
  • It should be 2-3 pages, double spaced, and should focus on something unique about you – your goals/experiences/values/talents – be specific – doesn’t have to focus just on why law school

Know Your Costs

  • Calculate potential costs for law school (use accesslex.org to get started)
  • Apply for financial aid, FASFA and scholarships if needed (FAFSA opens October 1st)

Finalize Your Resume

  • Tips: Can have a 2 page resume; no high school content; write detailed, results-oriented bullet points for experiences; include academic projects; no objective or summary statement at the top

Request your official transcript on Villanova’s Registrar’s website

Consider writing optional essays (for law schools you are most interested in) and any addenda you may want to attach (to explain any irregularities in your application like fluctuation in LSAT scores or withdrawn courses)

APPLY (by January) – pay all fees associated with application

  • The Credential Assembly Service
  • Law School Report Fees

  • Application Fees

DECIDE (Spring Semester)

  • Meet with your pre-law advisor to help with law school scholarship negotiations