Suggested Timeline

Freshman Year - Begin taking the free, practice LSAT offered each semester by the office of Undergraduate Studies and Special Programs at JSU. Buy a practice test LSAT book and time yourself. LSAT preparation books are available at bookstores, online retailers, and from the LSAC (Law School Admission Council). Take these practice tests to prepare for the free, practice test administered by JSU. The only way to increase your LSAT score is to master this test and practice is required to do that.

Schedule an appointment to meet with the personnel in Career Services so they can assist you with a personality and interest inventory.

As you complete your core classes, take electives that you are interested in or are curious about to offer you a broader perspective on a major or minor.

Sophomore Year - Continue to take the free, practice test administered by the office of Honors and Special Programs and take practice tests on your own in a timed setting.

Zero in on your major if you have not already done so.

Junior Year - Continue to take the free, practice LSAT in the fall and spring. You should plan to take the official LSAT for the first time at the end of your junior year (usually the month of June). Taking the test in June will give you the opportunity to retake it in the fall, if needed. However, if you have not been preparing for the LSAT, you should not take it at this time as you need to seriously prepare for this test at least 8 to 10 months before you take the official LSAT. Check with your top choice law schools to see how they consider multiple LSAT attempts.

A free LSAC law school forum is held each fall in Atlanta with representatives from hundreds of law schools. The date of this forum will be posted on our Announcements page. Students must create an account with LSAC to register for the forum. There is no charge to create an account with LSAC and you will be required to create an account anyway once you begin the law school application process.

There is a free law school fair held each January or February at The University of Alabama which has representatives from law schools all over the country. The date of the law school fair will be posted on our Announcement page.

After you receive your LSAT scores from the June test, you can make arrangements to visit the law schools that you are interested in attending and that you have a realistic opportunity of being admitted. Pay close attention to the financial aid and scholarships offered at each institution and their priority deadlines. Be sure to complete the FAFSA for law school.  Just because you did not qualify for aid as an undergraduate student does not mean you will not be eligible for assistance for graduate school.

You will need to subscribe/open your Credential Assembly file through the LSAC during the summer after completing your junior year. Pay close attention to the various deadlines associated with the application process.

Senior Year - Draft your résumé and personal statement in August and September leading into your senior year. Resources are available in the office of Undergraduate Studies and Special Programs to assist you with this process.

Request letters of recommendation from recommenders during August and September leading into your senior year. Provide the recommenders with a résumé that profiles your academic, personal, and extra-curricular accomplishments. Suggestions on who to request letters from and what they should profile may be obtained from the office of Honors and Special Programs. All letters will be sent directly to the LSAC.

If you need to take the LSAT a second time to improve your score (talk to the Pre-Law advisor at JSU about your first LSAT immediately after you receive your first score) then you should plan to take it in September or December of your senior year.

Begin completing your law school applications in October and November.

Adhere to all scholarship and financial aid deadlines to improve your chances of receiving assistance.

Your application should be complete by mid-November of your senior year in order for you to be more competitive for scholarships and financial aid.

After you have been accepted to the law school of your choice, you should pay your seat deposit by the deadline and complete the student loan application process if you have not already done so.

Send thank you notes to individuals who submitted letters of recommendation for you and be sure to share your law school acceptance news with those who sent letters of recommendation for you.