Most law schools operate on a rolling admissions basis. Applications open in early fall (usually late August through early October) and law schools make offers of admission on a rolling basis thereafter. All applications for law school are submitted through LSAC. Students should apply to law school in the fall (preferably by the end of October or early November) of the year before they want to start law school. Most law schools only accept new students in the fall semester. 

In competitive admissions cycles, applying earlier matters more.  Since it is difficult to predict competitive cycles, applying earlier in the cycle (think October) is recommended when possible.  

Click here for the Law School Preparation and Application Timeline. This timeline assumes a student plans on attending law school immediately after college. Adjust the timeline as necessary if you plan to take time off between college and law school.