Pre-Law Advising

Law School Application Timeline

Freshman

• Focus on earning good grades: GPA is second the second most important component of law school applications.
• Become involved on campus: Biddle Law Society, athletic teams, student government, whatever interests you. Be a doer, not just a joiner.
• Attend prelaw events, meet attorneys, consider a co-op in a law firm, government agency or corporate legal department.
• Get to know Drexel's prelaw advisor (Grant Keener).
• Develop solid consumer credit.
• Stay out of trouble.
• Decide whether you really want to attend law school.

Sophomore

• Focus on earning good grades: GPA is second the second most important component of law school applications.
• Become involved on campus: Biddle Law Society, athletic teams, student government, whatever interests you. Be a doer, not just a joiner.
• Attend prelaw events, meet attorneys, consider a co-op in a law firm, government agency or corporate legal department.
• Get to know Drexel's prelaw advisor (Grant Keener).
• Develop solid consumer credit.
• Stay out of trouble.
• Decide whether you really want to attend law school.

Pre-Junior

• Focus on earning good grades: GPA is second the second most important component of law school applications.
• Become involved on campus: Biddle Law Society, athletic teams, student government, whatever interests you. Be a doer, not just a joiner.
• Attend prelaw events, meet attorneys, consider a co-op in a law firm, government agency or corporate legal department.
• Get to know Drexel's prelaw advisor (Grant Keener).
• Develop solid consumer credit.
• Stay out of trouble.
• Decide whether you really want to attend law school.

Junior

(Printable Junior/Senior Checklist)

• Continue to focus on grades, building credit and staying out of trouble!
• For fall/winter co-op students:
  • Begin LSAT preparation: use actual, previously-administered tests (available at www.LSAC.org).
  • Attend mock LSAT(s).
  • Meet with prelaw advisor to discuss LSAT preparation and grades.
  • Order ABA/LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools (availalbe at www.LSAC.org).
  • Begin considering which law school attributes are important to you.
• For spring/summer co-op students:
  • Continue LSAT preparation.
  • Decide whether you wish to take the June or October LSAT (either is usually fine, some Early Decision/Early Action programs may require the June test).
  • Begin considering who you will ask to write your letters of recomendations; approach prospective letter writers late in the spring.
  • Register for LSAT and LSDAS (www.LSAC.org)
  • Submit transcript requests to ALL undergraduate schools attended.
  • Attend LSAC's Washington DC recruitment forum (July).

Senior

(Printable Junior/Senior Checklist)

Fall Term

• Take LSAT if not taken previously.
• Meet with prelaw advisor to discuss application process and formulate a plan.
• Determine topic for personal statement, submit draft(s) to prelaw advisor for comments.
• Finalize application list of 5 to 8 law schools (safeties, middles and stretches).
• Submit applications by late-November/early-December (watch earlier deadlines for ED/EA programs).
• Check online LSDAS file status regularly to monitor applications.
• Attend LSAC's New York recruitment forum and/or Philadelphia Law School Fair.

Winter Term

• Retake LSAT in December and/or February (if necessary).
• Continue to monitor LSDAS file status to keep abreast of status of applications.
• Promptly respond to all supplemental requests for information from law schools.
• Keep prelaw advisor informed as schools issue decisions.
• Reevaluation list of schools as appropriate/consider submitting additional applications if necessary.

Winter/Spring Term

• Plan visits to law schools.
• File FAFSA after submitting previous year's federal tax return (www.fafsa.ed.gov).
• Evaluate financia aid packages.
• Narrow choices.
• Make decision.
• Pay seat deposit on or before deadline.

Spring / Summer term

• Secure law school housing.
• Summer reading list.
• Apply for student loans.
• Make certain law school has current contact information.
• Graduate from Drexel.
• Enjoy your summer - RELAX