<p>Hey everyone - I've decided to take the LSAT's, but I'm very confused about the law school application process.</p>
<p>Right now I'm a Junior dual majoring in Industrial Engineering and Economics.</p>
<p>Questions:
-If I plan on going to law school starting Fall 2009, when should I take the LSAT's?
-If I plan on going to law school starting Fall 2009, when should I apply?
-I plan on self-prepping - what books would you recommend?</p>
<p>Sorry for the barrage of questions, but no one I know has gone through this process, and I've read some contradicting answers on various sites.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You should ideally take the LSATs in time to have a good sense of where to apply (or, if things go badly, to prepare to re-take them, or find something else to do in fall 2009) by late summer 2009. This means that the June 2008 exam would be ideal. Starting now would give you plenty of time to study for the June exam, if you were diligent about it. On the other hand, it's better to wait til the fall test dates and get a high score than to take it in June and do poorly or have to re-take it.</p></li>
<li><p>You should apply as soon as possible in fall 2008. Many schools are on rolling admissions cycles, and the sooner you apply the faster you're likely to hear. Please don't take my advice as a recommendation for pursuing the binding "Early Decision" programs some schools offer--that is a very different subject and such programs are generally only right for people who know exactly where they want to go and can afford to forgo a chance for merit scholarships.</p></li>
<li><p>Depends what subject areas you need to focus on. I liked the Logic Games Bible for that section. But the most important thing is to get copies of as many previously administered tests as you can (the more recent, the better) and take them under realistic conditions. Then really go over the ones you got wrong!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>LSAT scores remain valid for few years, so you can take the test anytime that you feel you're prepared (studying is recommended). I recommend not waiting until the last possible date, just in case something happens and you're unhappy with your score, can't make the test, etc. The last date accepted by most schools will be Dec. 2008 (for students planning to enroll in Fall 2009). The test is offered four times per year...June, Sept/Oct, Dec, and Feb. </p>
<p>Application deadlines vary...the earliest (for regular decision) will probably be due by the beginning of February 2009, the latest could be mid-summer of that year. When you apply, you'll use the LSAC website, which will tell you all of the deadlines. Most applications will go up between late summer and early fall and will start to be accepted around October (again, this will vary). Applications are dealt with on a rolling basis, so getting them in early is recommended.</p>
<p>Basically, the earliest you should think about taking the LSAT is this coming June, and the latest is next December. Start looking at schools, but don't worry about applying until next fall and winter. In the meantime, consider whether you'll really want to attend law school straight out of undergrad, or whether you'd prefer to take time off (as the majority of students do).</p>
<p>Your undergrad school should have a law advisor as well as a career office. Both of these should be good resources for you. A book like Princeton Review's "(Whatever #) Best Law Schools" will also contain sections on the application process, but I'm sure there are other books that do the same. Head to Borders and spend some time perusing :)</p>
<p>Those aren't US news rankings. I had them arranged according to employment rate at graduation in descending order, not by US news rankings. It's "raw data" as the website should suggest.</p>
<p>A caveat: some law schools employ their own grads who were unable to get jobs in low level jobs in order to boost their "employed at graduation" stats. Among the top schools, Northwestern has been singled out for doing this.</p>
<p>Would the "Saturday, October 4, 2008" LSAT be too late? I want to do some hardcore prepping for the test, and I'd rather not rush into the June exam....</p>
<p>Is it okay to take the October LSAT for Fall 2009 admission?</p>
<p>(big thanks for all those who have helped so far)</p>
<p>I personally would say it's better to wait and test in October than to feel rushed in June. Taking the test in October will still allow you to do your applications in plenty of time, even if you don't send them until after you have your test results.</p>
<p>One big caution. If you do wait until fall, that's fine. But while you research schools (presumably sometime before Oct.), be sure to familiarize yourself with those that are both more and less selective than you predict will be necessary. It's not possible to put together a final list until you have your LSAT score, and even if you've taken many practice tests, your actual test results might surprise you...could be significantly higher or lower than expected. Just don't let yourself get blindsided, having to scramble to research a whole new set of schools.</p>
<p>ETA: If you do end up wantingg to take the test a second time, December will still be early enough for Fall 2009 RD applicants. You'd be pushing the envelope, but if you really don't think you'll be prepared in time for June, I do think it's preferable.</p>