Applying Early Hype
There’s a lot of buzz about applying early. Everywhere you look online blasts the same mantra: “Apply as early as you can, apply today! Apply yesterday! If you don’t all hope is lost.” To be honest, having your applications ready to go on day one is not a bad idea. But, that’s for reasons wholly unrelated to whether or not it improves your admissions chances.
First of all, getting things done sooner rather than later gives you breathing room. Who knows what might happen a week from now that will prevent you from getting that application finished? If you have the time now, use it. Secondly, it’s a great way to spend that anxiety-ridden period between taking the LSAT and getting the results. You no longer have control over your score, so why not focus on something you can control ? But on to the question at hand. Does applying early actually have any effect on whether or not you’ll gain admissions to a given law school?
Why It’s Important
The answer to that question, as is so often the case in life, is that “it depends.”
T14 vs T100
Law School Numbers compiles data from applicants applying to law schools in the US News and World Report‘s top 100. Applying earlier is much more important if you’re gunning for the top 14 law schools and far less important if you’re not. Controlling for a variety of other factors we might expect to affect admissions outcomes, T14 applicants, on the whole, see about a 34% increased chance of admission for each earlier month they apply. September application vs. October application, for example. The effect outside the T14 is statistically insignificant when considering the rest of the T100 law schools as a whole.
Your Application is King
Even for schools where applying earlier gives an advantage, applicants should make sure their applications are the best they can be before hitting “send” on them. In other words, rushing through an application and doing a poor job with it in order to get yourself a boost by applying earlier is unquestionably a bad strategy. While this analysis can control for factors such as LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs, it cannot control the overall quality of the application. Law schools take all components into consideration, like the personal statement and recommendations. The last thing you want to do is send an application with a poorly written personal statement because you wanted to get it in earlier.
Your LSAT Score is More Important
Another important point regards LSAT retakes. Some test takers may consider foregoing a retake in order to get their application in earlier. Our recommendation is not to do that. An earlier application might give you a boost, but that boost is often offset by as little as one extra point on the LSAT. So, if you know that you can improve your LSAT score and still get your application in for the cycle, then you should absolutely do that.
Stay tuned for a more in-depth analysis of the T14and the rest of the T100, as well as numbers for schools outside the T14 where applying earlier does appear to make a difference. We also include the odds of admission for each additional LSAT point, so you can compare that boost with the earlier application boost.
Top 14 Law Schools
Of the Top 14 law schools, the data for all schools except Yale (whose admissions process is very unique) demonstrate an advantage to applying earlier rather than later. That’s right: 13 out of the T14 seem to provide a boost for applying earlier. This is probably the natural result of rolling admissions processes at schools with highly competitive admissions criteria and many more applicants than available spots. As spots fill up, fewer spots remain, and the competition gets a bit stiffer as the cycle progresses. In any case, the following table lists those schools in descending order of boost, along with the school’s LSAT boost.
Table 1: Increased Chances of Admission for Earlier Applications, T14
| School: | % Increase for Each Earlier Month Applied | % Increase for Each Additional LSAT Point |
| University of Chicago | 129% | 64% |
| UC Berkeley | 47% | 28% |
| University of Michigan | 44% | 43% |
| University of Virginia | 41% | 56% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 39% | 55% |
| Northwestern | 33% | 69% |
| Cornell | 30% | 74% |
| Stanford | 23% | 41% |
| Harvard | 22% | 65% |
| Georgetown | 21% | 83% |
| New York University | 20% | 103% |
| Columbia | 20% | 77% |
| Duke | 14% | 120% |
Controlling for other factors, the increased chances of admission for a September vs. October application (or October vs. November, etc.) ranges from 14% at Duke to a whopping 129% at Chicago. Getting that application in earlier to these schools can get you a bit of an edge in terms of acceptance. However, at all schools except Chicago, Berkeley, and Michigan, even a 1 point increase on the LSAT will have a greater effect on your chances than applying a month earlier. While it’s great to get your application in as early as possible, if you think you could raise your LSAT score a few points on a retake, it definitely offsets any delay in applying.
The Rest of the Top 100
For the vast majority of the schools in the T100 outside the T14, there is no statistically significant advantage to applying earlier. In contrast, each of the schools do show a statistically significant advantage to higher LSAT scores and GPAs. Of the 75 schools* for which we had sufficient data to analyze, only 6 schools demonstrated any kind of advantage for applying early (8%, compared to 93% of T14 schools), and five schools actually seem to disadvantage earlier applications! The following table mirrors the table from above for the rest of the T100 schools which show some effect, positive or negative, of earlier applications.
Table 2: Increased Odds of Admission for Earlier Applications, the Rest of the T100
| School: | % Increase for Each Earlier Month Applied | % Increase for Each Additional LSAT Point |
| Indiana University – Indianapolis | 82% | 80% |
| SUNY Buffalo | 45% | 46% |
| Arizona State University | 42% | 94% |
| Lewis & Clark | 32% | 40% |
| University of Denver | 32% | 56% |
| Washington & Lee | 18% | 53% |
| George Washington University | -10% | 61% |
| Boston College | -16% | 41% |
| University of Maryland | -20% | 44% |
| Pepperdine | -26% | 70% |
| Chicago-Kent | -30% | 72% |
Again, for every school except SUNY Buffalo, the advantage of applying in an earlier month is more than offset by a 1 point increase in the LSAT score. In terms of why earlier applicants seem to be disadvantaged for some schools, we can only speculate that some schools may end up overestimating the quality of any given year’s applicant pool, and as the cycle goes on, criteria loosen up a bit. That, again, is only speculation. One thing to note about this is that we controlled for whether applicants applied as binding early decision (ED) candidates. So, the effects of an earlier application and an ED application are independently measurable.
General Takeaways
- No matter what, make sure the application you send is your best. Don’t skimp on any part of the application to get it in earlier!
- If you feel that you could score better on an LSAT retake, prioritize that over applying earlier.
- Once you have a full application package that is top notch, including your recommendations and personal statement, send it as early as possible to any schools you’ll be applying to in the T14, as well as any schools from Table 2 that demonstrate an advantage to applying earlier.
- Regarding the schools that seem to disadvantage earlier apps: if you’re already an otherwise strong candidate for these schools, we doubt sending the app earlier will be a deal breaker. Perhaps if you’re a more borderline candidate, though, waiting a bit later in the cycle might be helpful.
Data and Methodology
The data we use in this analysis comes from applicant-reported data from Law School Numbers for the 2009/10 through 2015/16 application cycles. Keep in mind that applicants submit this data, not the schools themselves. Although we did our best to clean up the data and eliminate clearly erroneous or fraudulent entries, any reading of this analysis must take into account the imperfect nature of the data.
The analysis is for each earlier month applied, as opposed to each month earlier applied. In other words, we compare September vs. October applications, October vs. November, etc., and not the effect of applying 30 days earlier. Meaning, we treat applications sent on September 1 and September 30 as September applications, and applications sent on October 1 and October 31 as October applications, etc.
We analyzed the effects of earlier applications by running logistic regressions, treating a decision outcome (acceptance or rejection) as the dependent variable (we eliminated all applications for which the ultimate status was unknown from the data). In running these regressions, we controlled for an applicant’s LSAT score, undergraduate GPA, underrepresented minority status, nontraditional status, sex, and whether or not the applicant applied through an early binding decision process. We did not, and based on the data could not, control for other important factors, such as the overall quality of the application, applicants’ resumes, or the quality of an applicant’s undergraduate institution.
* There were insufficient data to perform analysis for the following schools: BYU, Villanova, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, St. Louis University, the University of New Hampshire, the University of Arkansas, Rutgers – New Jersey, the University of Hawaii, the University of South Carolina, Wayne State, the University of West Virginia, and Florida International University.
Anna says
Hi Dave!
First, thank you for everything you do for LSAT takers. I have a question about admissions to my top choice. I’m planning to apply ED to Georgetown for the fall of 2021. After getting back my October score, I was disheartened because it was below my average PT. While I know that this is mostly due to my “burnout” with excessive prepping in the weeks before, I was hoping that you could offer insight on what I should do in regards to timing and when to take the LSAT again.
I am currently registered for the November LSAT Flex, but because its rapidly approaching, I’m not confident that I can bring up my score substantially in this short amount of time. I am very confident that if I were to reschedule it for the January Flex that I could increase my score substantially, given that I plan to hire a tutor and pace myself more over the next three months. I know that because GULC is T14 it’s important to apply early, but I think that the fact I’m applying ED with a projected much higher score, my chances would actually be better if I did this. Should I even bother taking the November flex and just take January instead? I was on an information session with the Dean and Admissions of GULC and they said that taking the LSAT too many times can be a red flag. Thanks and let me know!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Anna,
Thanks for the message! This is a bit tough since I don’t have any hard info here, like your score or if this was your first attempt. Those make a difference, so I can’t be all that specific regrettably.
In general, the rule — as we often talk about on our podcast — is that it is better to apply later with a higher LSAT score than earlier with a lower LSAT score. The highest score gets reported to the ABA; your application date does not. And, as Yale says: “Under our review process there is no advantage, in terms of the likelihood of admission, to applying earlier in the application cycle.” In other words, your chances of admission remain constant regardless of when you submit your application. Your LSAT score is critically important and probably the most influential factor in your app, so anything you can do to make it as good as possible is key, and that is especially the case at the T14 where numbers are so coveted.
Now, with your ED app I will say that if your LSAT is subpar for Gtown’s expectations, ED won’t overcome that and so it might be very useful for them to see a January score coming on the horizon 🙂
Bottom line: I’d skip November and focus on January. Maximize your score and that will give you the overall best chances for admission and an improved financial package!
Thanks!
Wala says
Hi!
I have my application all ready to be sent but I am waiting on a rec letter from a professor. I already have two ready and I really wanted to submit before October to increase my chances. I’m just wondering if it’d be better for my application to wait for the rec letter or better for my application to submit before the end of September?
Thank you!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Wala,
Thanks for your comment! It really depends on how many recommendation letters the school requires and your rapport with the recommender you’re waiting on. If the school requires two and you have two solid LORs, send it in. If they require more, naturally, you should wait.
Please keep in mind that Admissions Committees aren’t impressed by names, titles, or accomplishments—they are impressed by heartfelt, radiant endorsements from people that have taught you, known you, or worked with you, and can unwaveringly testify (with concrete, anecdotal examples) that you will be an exceptional addition to their school. So no matter what, make sure the application you send is complete and your best. Don’t withhold any part of the application to get it in earlier. Even for schools where applying earlier gives an advantage, applicants should make sure their applications are complete and their absolute best before hitting “send” on them.
Thank you!
Ken says
I’ve heard that they would be busy doing recruiting such as info sessions in September, but that doesn’t preclude certain ad com from reading from the start. I agree with you that there’s no reason to delay reading and therefore there might still be an advantage of applying in September rather than October. I just thought it wouldn’t be as significant as described in the article because the estimates might mostly be capturing the effect of applying in November vs. October or December vs. November or January vs. December.
Ken says
Hi Dave,
Thanks for responding and all your help in other forums. I meant that the conventional wisdom, at least from my understanding, is that applying in the absolute earliest possible month in September is not going to give one a significant boost over applying in a slightly later month in October, since most ad com do not start reading apps in September. But as you go past October, when ad com do start reading apps, into November or December, then the advantage of applying earlier becomes significant. For that reason, I think that the % increase for each earlier month applied is mostly capturing the effect of applying in a later month (November, December, and January) vs in an earlier month (September and October), rather than the isolated effect of applying in October vs September. In other words, if the data had just been limited to people who applied in October and September, there might not be a statistically significant difference. Is that fair to say?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Ken,
I know a lot of adcomms that look at apps in September, so I’m not aware of any conventional wisdom that says they don’t? That group of people tends to be highly organized and efficient, and there’s no reason to delay reading once the completed apps start coming in. Especially because the crush never ends, so many of them like to hit the ground running.
Thanks!
Ken says
Is the % increase capturing September v. October specifically? Or is it capturing the averages across each pairs of comparison: September v. October, October v. November, November v. December… etc. Hard to imagine that a September application would get such a significant boost over a October application, going against most conventional wisdom about when ad com actually start reading the apps. Is the reported figure not just capturing the effect of September v. October but rather the averages across all pairs of months?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Ken,
I did not write this article, but I believe it attempts to control across all pairs prior to January.
But, it doesn’t go against conventional wisdom if you look more deeply: the vast majority of schools (all except a small handful) are ones where having the higher score is more important than applying early. A few exceptions doesn’t overturn the general rule here, especially when a school like Berkeley is well-known to be less reliant on the LSAT than other schools 🙂
Thanks!
Andy says
Hi! I am not worried about my LSAT score, but I am wondering if I should send in my application for this cycle using my current GPA of 3.68 (up to Spring 2020) or wait until I finish the Fall 2020 semester and send that GPA. I predict that the Fall GPA will be higher (up to 3.75).
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Andy,
Thank you for your comment! In the vast majority of cases, we recommend that you should not wait: send in your applications as soon as you have your best LSAT score. Many Law schools practice rolling admissions, so, generally speaking, the sooner you submit your application, the better your chances of admission. You can simply apply early, and update the schools with your Fall semester grades when you know them.
The overall rule is: better to apply later with a higher LSAT score than earlier with a lower one, but GPA updates can be added later.
Thank you!
Max Hirsch says
Hi, you mention a lot of examples of October and earlier. I know that the last LSAT date for many T14 schools is January, but is that seen as a late admission? Does this model still apply there? Considering pushing off November LSAT to January but worried that it will impact my chances! Thanks!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Max!
In recent years, the application windows have been staying open later and later, and the old adage that you have to apply as early as possible has become less and less true. Interestingly, your question comes up enough that we compiled a list of available data, which can be found here: Top 100 Law School Application Deadlines: 2020 Edition.
Please note that you’ll want to take the test when you feel ready. And by ready, I mean not just feeling prepared and knowledgeable about how to attack the test, but confident and calm enough to focus and use the best process you can to answer the questions. If you think waiting to take the exam in November will result in you scoring higher on your LSAT, it would probably be in your best interest to do just that.
Thank you!
Angel says
Hi!
I’m currently applying for this cycle and I was wondering if my graduate GPA will be looked at at all during the admissions process? I graduated undergrad in 2017 and went straight to graduate school. My GPA is significantly higher now with a 3.8 then it was in undergrad with a 3.0. Do you think this will have any impact at all on an admissions decision?!
Jon Denning says
Hi Angel – thanks for posting! It will absolutely be looked at, and the fact that it’s trended up is certainly an asset, but because there’s so much variability in grad school grading/rigor, because most applicants don’t have grad school on their resume, and because law schools don’t have to report that GPA (thus it’s not a factor in rankings or prestige the way other numbers are), I’m sad to report that it’s a pretty minor factor in the grand scheme of things.
It will help you—it demonstrates favorable academic achievement—but ultimately it’s going to be an undergrad GPA and LSAT game in nearly every instance. Put another way: it could be a soft factor that sways an admissions committee’s confidence *just enough* to push you from borderline to accepted…but it isn’t going to erase or supercede the two key numbers they focus almost exclusively on. I’ve always felt it should matter far more, but then I’ve never been in the presumably uncomfortable position of selecting an incoming law class every year…I just relay how it’s done :/
Don’t let this discourage you though! The main thing is to crush the LSAT and offset that 3.0, and then consider splitter-friendly schools as discussed here: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/which-law-schools-are-splitter-friendly/
Sebastian says
Hi! Just curious, would having a summer doing undergraduate research unrelated to law or other of my extracurricular activities be better than an internship at say a DA office? Or would it be best to do research consistent with my other ec’s
Dave Killoran says
Hi Sebastian,
Thanks for the message! There’s no right answer here, to be honest. There are pros to each option, and so I don’t think you can go wrong. Legal experience is certainly worthwhile, but you also want to build a up a resume of activities that are consistently in related areas. As we often say in Admission Consulting sessions, build a profile for yourself that is deep in specific areas, and avoid being broad but shallow. So, to make an assessment in detail, we’d have to see everything else you’ve done in order to place it into context.But you can also do that for yourself here fairly easily!
Thanks!
Jess says
I read in some places that only Puerto Rican and Mexican Hispanics got that boost. Is that true or are all Hispanics URM?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Jess!
That’s not something we’ve come across, and to our knowledge any Hispanic will receive the URM boost. Per LSAC, “Law schools seek qualified African American, Latino, Asian, and Native American students, as well as other students of color, to enrich the learning process for all students.” Feel free to read their entire statement on Racially/Ethnically Diverse Applicants here: https://www.lsac.org/discover-law/diversity-law-school/raciallyethnically-diverse-applicants
Thank you!
Jess says
Hi! I was curious whether the URM boost decreases or increases for different Hispanic groups? Like do Hispanics in general get roughly the same boost or do certain groups get it more.
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Jess!
The short answer is yes! Almost every school we cover shows an increased chance of admission to URM applicants, with higher boosts for higher-tiered schools. Feel free to check out our blog covering the topic in greater detail here: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/do-underrepresented-minority-urm-applicants-have-a-law-school-admissions-advantage/
Thank you!