Are you applying to law school this cycle but are just now getting the ball rolling?

Better late than never!

I've noticed two really big developments this year among prospective applicants, to the point where it's almost binary:

• Group 1, Early Birds who started months ago: "I must submit my applications in September. I have an LSAT score I'm happy with but I haven't gotten any other balls rolling and I'm ready to go." By this point they have their game plan, and they are either in the writing process or they already have 90% of their writing done. Once applications open up in September, they have everything teed up and ready to go, and they have some cushion in case life gets in the way.
  ​

• Group 2, just showing up now: "I must submit my applications in September. I don't even have an LSAT score yet, I haven't started anything yet and I don't know how any of this works, but I'm ready to go."

Note to both groups:

You do not have to submit in September.

Really.

I'm not sure where you all are getting that from (Reddit? Somewhere else? Please let me know!). Probably from some platform of well-meaning people who know very little about how law school admissions actually works. If you're on one of the subreddits, I'll point out that in most cases, that's the equivalent of fourth graders teaching third graders about sex ed. Be wary of Good Idea Fairies.

OK. Even if you don't have to submit in September, you do want to aim for submitting completed apps in October/November, and there is a lot of planning and other work you can and should be knocking out now even if you haven't taken the LSAT yet.

Otherwise you'll be in a serious crunch. (Just one example: That recommendation you want to ask for? There's a good chance your recommender turns around and says "I'd be happy to, please send me your Personal Statement first." Gulp. Do you even know the right recommenders to ask?)

If you haven't watched a podcast I did earlier this year about application timelines with our friends at Law School Toolbox, have a look or a listen.

Audio is here.

Video is below.

Hit reply directly to this email with any questions! And if you're still feeling in the mood to procrastinate, let this serve as my friendly kick in the pants. 😘