Law school applicants often wonder when the best time is to submit their law school application. The timeline question focuses often on strategy and choices. In an earlier post “Best Time to Submit Law School Applications,” we discussed that, since most law schools have rolling admissions, those inside admissions offices say it is best to get your application in “early,” and “early” means between Thanksgiving and New Years. But is it better to get your application completed in this time frame or should you re-take the LSAT, polish that Personal Statement, or include the latest awards or achievements? What about applicants for part-time programs? Do the same strategies apply there?
We spoke today with Anne M. Richard, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at George Washington University Law School. She tells us “early is good, but stronger is better.” Dean Richard and the Admissions Committee at GW Law consider thousands of law school applications each year. And while it makes sense to get a strong application in early, she recommends that you take the time you need to make sure your application reflects the strongest, best case for admission that you can possibly make, rather than just rush to get it in now. If a little time might give you the chance to strengthen certain aspects of your application, it’s worth taking that time to give yourself and your application the best chance possible with the admissions committee.
What about applicants to part-time law school programs? Does the same timeline strategy apply to law school applicants applying to part-time programs? Dean Richard tells us, “yes” and explains that, since most law schools consider part-time applications at the same time in the admissions process as applications for full-time programs, the same advice holds here as well — “early is good, but stronger is better.”
Tune in to our show, “Law School Application Strategy: What You Can Do Now To Help You Get Accepted” to hear more from Dean Richard on how to make your law school application stand out!