First-Year, Sophomore, and Junior Years

    • Specify your interest in law on your Handshake account by clicking “Your Career Interests” –> “Which industries interest you?” section. This will ensure you receive Pre-Law specific opportunities.
    • Decide if either a career in law or a career in another field in which a JD may be an asset (e.g., politics, government, public policy, etc.) is right for you. Explore law and policy-related opportunities through CarlsChats, externships, and internships.
    • Participate in informational interviews, job shadowing, volunteering, or individual advising with alumni working in law or attending law school.

    18 Months Before 1L (First-Year Law Student): 

    • Create LSAC.org account
    • Consider eligibility for LSAC Fee Waiver
    • Create a personal plan and begin studying for the LSAT (preferred) or alternative standardized test
    • Reflect on your personal and professional goals, research law schools

    12-15 Months Before 1L:

    • Register for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
    • Begin thinking about essay prompts, create outlines
    • Consider writers for letters of recommendation, reach out to them
    • Take the LSAT or an alternative standardized test
    • Request transcripts
    • Identify safety, target, and reach law schools
    • Review law schools’ deadlines and required application package components

    9-12 Months Before 1L: 

    • Retake LSAT or alternative standardized test
    • Continue to research law schools, attend information sessions, and tabling events
    • Prepare a résumé of your academic work, work experiences, and relevant activities
    • Complete and compile application package components
    • Submit completed applications

    6-9 Months Before 1L: 

    • Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • Ask the Carleton Registrar’s Office to send winter term grades (if better or comparable to previous GPA, or if required); have other appropriate persons send in information about honors, etc.

    3-6 Months Before 1L: 

    • Follow guidelines for wait lists, and consider a Letter of Continuing Interest (LOCI)
    • Appeal scholarship, amount, term, or conditions through the scholarship reconsideration process
    • Submit deposit(s)

    0-3 Months Before 1L: 

    • Notify the Career Center of your application decisions
    • Find housing, move
    • Take time for leisure