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Law school deadlines are set individually by each ABA school, usually falling from winter into early spring, with earlier priority and early decision dates. Because most schools admit on a rolling basis, the real target is submitting well before the posted date. Track every school's dates in one calendar. each school's current deadline (see its admissions page)
By Ali Unar, JD candidate at Georgetown Law and founder of Lovare Institut. Last updated August 2026. Figures on this page were verified in August 2026 or point readers to the current source.
Every ABA-approved law school posts its own application deadlines on its admissions page, and those pages are the only authoritative source. Third-party lists can lag a cycle behind, so confirm each date against the school directly. Note that a single school often lists more than one deadline, including priority, regular, and early decision dates. each school's current deadline (see its admissions page)
Build one master list that captures every date that affects your cycle, not just the final one.
each school's early-decision terms (see its admissions page)
Missing a deadline can close the standard application path, but the effect depends on the school. Rolling-admissions schools sometimes keep reviewing complete files after the posted date, while schools with firm cutoffs will not consider a late submission. Even where late applications are accepted, you compete for fewer remaining seats and less scholarship money, so a missed deadline usually costs you more than a day. see the linked source (see the linked source)
Start from the earliest date on your list and work backward, leaving weeks for CAS to process transcripts and letters before any deadline you care about. Set personal target dates ahead of each official deadline so rolling admissions works in your favor. Keep one shared calendar with every school's dates, and check the admissions pages again mid-cycle in case a school updates them. each school's current deadline (see its admissions page)
You can find law school application deadlines on each school's official admissions page, which is the authoritative source. LSAC's directory also aggregates school information. Avoid relying on outdated third-party lists, and confirm each priority, regular, and early decision date directly with the school. each school's current deadline (see its admissions page)
If you miss a deadline, check whether the school reads on a rolling basis, since some continue accepting complete files afterward, while others enforce a firm cutoff. Even when late applications are accepted, you face fewer seats and less aid. Contact the admissions office to confirm your options before assuming the cycle is closed.
Yes, every ABA-approved law school sets its own deadlines, and they can differ by weeks or months. Most schools also list multiple dates, such as priority, regular, and early decision deadlines. Track each school's specific dates in one calendar rather than assuming any shared national deadline. each school's current deadline (see its admissions page)
Take the LSAT early enough that your score is released before your earliest target deadline, ideally with a fallback test date in case you want to retake. Because scores take time to report and rolling admissions rewards early files, testing in the spring or summer before you apply gives the most flexibility. roughly three weeks after the test date
Verified August 2026.
August 21, 2026
August 21, 2026