Undergraduates thinking about heading to law school should take steps in their junior year of college by following a carefully planned schedule.

“Doing so will ensure organization throughout the admission process, therefore inducing peace of mind in those stressful times,” said Valerie D. James, assistant dean of admissions at UALR’s William H. Bowen School of Law.

Here is a timeline guide she suggests for undergraduates to follow to prepare to get into law school:

Junior Year – Fall Semester

During the fall semester, juniors should start communicating with their advisers about law school, as well as begin researching schools and taking campus tours. This is also a good time for aspiring law students to sign up for a Law School Admission Council (LSAC) account at lsac.org. Students should begin considering which professors or mentors should provide their letters of recommendation.

Junior Year – Spring Semester

During the spring academic semester, juniors interested in attending law school should start preparing for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) the following June. This time is also good for students to begin developing a list of law schools they are interested in. Also work in an internship position in the legal field if one is available; this will look great on your transcript when the time comes to apply.

Junior Year – Summer Semester

During the summer semester of their junior year, undergraduates interested in going to law school should take the June LSAT and pursue legal internship opportunities. Any student who does not take the test in June should immediately start preparing for the October LSAT. They should also begin drafting personal statements and other essays required for the admissions process.

Senior Year – Fall Semester
Seniors interested in going to law school should start researching and finalizing a list of law schools they are interested in during the fall semester. After this is done, seniors should request or download applications, as well as decide whom they will ask to write recommendation letters.

September is a good month for seniors to do a bit of networking. Students should subscribe to the Credential Assembly Service and register for the LSDAS, as well as have all required documents forwarded to the service as soon as possible. Seniors should also begin completing and submitting applications to the law schools they chose.

During the winter months, seniors should start finalizing a number of things, including adequately preparing and taking the LSAT if they have not done so already. This is also a good time for students to contact schools to verify that all necessary documents have been received and processed.

Senior Year – Spring Semester

During the spring semester, senior undergraduates must complete the necessary financial aid documents at fafsa.gov. They should also tour schools and start networking with law students and members of faculty and staff. Finally, seniors should be mindful of seat deposit deadlines so they do not lose their space in an incoming class.