Applying To Law School

Deferral Programs

Deferral programs allow college students to apply to law school during the spring or summer of their junior or senior years but require them to defer their matriculation for at least two years after graduation from college. The application cycle for deferral programs is quite expedited and applicants will have an admission by the end of the summer during they applied. Deferral programs are ONLY for students who are committed to doing something else (e.g., working, pursuing a Master’s degree, volunteering in the Peace Corps, etc.) in between college and law school. You should NOT apply simply in an attempt to get a law school admission expedited admission decision and, if unsuccessful, apply in the subsequent fall application cycle.

 There are currently two deferral programs:

• Columbia Law School's Leadership Experience Admission Deferral (LEAD) Fellowship Program
• Harvard Law School's Junior Deferral Program (JDP)

Below is a summary of important details about each program.