While the LSAT is the most well-known component of the law school application, there are several other components that a student should familiarize themselves with before they reach the application stage. Students should start preparing for the LSAT, as well as researching prospective schools and building relationships with admissions officers and pre-law advisors early in their academic career.

Students in the preparation stage will need to ensure that they understand the timing of the application cycle. Every law school sets their own application opening and closing dates. Generally speaking, applications open early in the fall months and can close anywhere between February and late summer. However, most law schools have rolling admissions, so it is advisable to aim for submission around the middle of October.