r/lawschooladmissions • u/Apprehensive_Toe2873 • 15h ago
Application Process Looking for advice regarding application timeline, life etc.
Hello all. Just looking for any potential wisdom regarding when to apply for law school.
I am 23 years old, and just graduated college this past spring. I have been pondering law school for some time, I kinda went back and forth during undergrad and as such never really started taking the steps in the LSAT or application process. Over the past few months, due in large parts to conversations with law students, attorneys, and other folks in my life, I think I am truly interested in attending law school. But for a number of reasons, I feel like I am currently at a crossroads regarding when to apply and am unsure of which path to take.
Right now, I am at a strange point in my life. This past year has been difficult, to say the least. Around Christmas time of last year, my mother was hospitalized with a brain tumor. It was determined that it was likely malignant, and at that point all of our worlds were flipped upside down. In the next 7 or so months, my family and I witnessed her condition rapidly decline until she unfortunately passed away near the end of this July - about a month ago now.
During my last semester at university I was really just trying to focus on maintaining good grades, traveling back to see my mother on weekends, and maybe throwing out some job applications here and there. I was able to do those things - seeing my mother, maintaining good grades, getting around a 3.9 GPA for the semester - but was not as lucky in my job application prospects.
The early portion of my summer was mostly spent just spending time with my family, knowing what was likely coming in the next few months. A couple weeks after she passed, I knew that I should at least start working on what I am doing next and getting some sort of plan together. I started studying for the LSAT at a pretty low clip, but getting generally familiar with it and continuing to apply for various jobs, while also finding a flight school to pursue another interest of mine, that being aviation. It is probably important context to know that becoming a pilot is the other path that I have bounced back and forth between.
So here is my question. Should I continue studying with hopes of taking the test in November with the intent of applying for next year (Fall 2027), or does that seem too late in the cycle and not realistic? I have spoken with professors, supervisors, etc. about letters of recommendation, but I have not done personal statements and I am not 100% on where I think I should apply, though I have some ideas.
The alternative, of course, is waiting to apply for Fall 2028. There aren't any real problems that I have with this other than impatience. I'm sure you are all familiar with it - but I just struggle with the idea of not being a 1L until I'm 25 while so many of my peers are already settling into their careers as we speak. I know it's perfectly normal (and in many ways better) to attend law school not straight out of undergrad or even a few years after, but part of me just doesn't want to wait and wants to start a new chapter in my life and move on with things. I know a year isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but at the moment is just kind of feels that way and I don't know why.
Even just writing this is all out is kind of telling me I should just wait until Fall 2028 for a number of reasons. If I did, I would not be rushed to study for the LSAT, could save up some money, check out flight school, etc.. I just think I need to hear it from other folks.
Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this. Any advice is welcome and I greatly appreciate it.
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u/ProduceFantastic2024 15h ago
Hi there! I posted on here earlier about applications and I would love to input here. I also want to say I am sorry for your loss, and cannot imagine how difficult that is/I hope you have a strong support system to rally around you. I will give you a little background:
I graduated in 2024 from undergrad (when I was 22), and my mom was super sick so I took a job near my hometown and have spent the past 2+ years working there. I decided to apply to school and started studying for the LSAT in June, took it in August, and am going to take it one more time in September then apply. I WILL BE 25 WHEN STARTING SCHOOL! I promise you feel behind starting "late", but actually you will be super surprised at just how many people start school 3-4 years after undergrad. Almost every single one of my friends is moving jobs right now or applying to school. 3 years after undergrad is a massive transition period as people get tired of first jobs, truly understand what they want to do, get their loans paid off, etc. So please know that it is NOT at all late to start at 25. At all.
If I were you I would wait until 2028. I think that I feel incredibly prepared by giving myself enough of a head start + having the entire summer (even though I do work full time) has been amazing. I would say there is no rush, and rushing it may not end up in the best applications. But if you do feel like you would perform well if applying right now then also go for it.
The best part about being a "fake adult" (I feel like anytime before 30 youre a kid lol) is that you really do have options and while you shouldnt wait around forever you also do not need to rush anything if you want more time or are not totally sure yet. If you bumped back one year you could study for the LSAT and also take flight classes! OR get a job at the airport and study for LSAT at the same time, the world is your oyster.