do law school applications have essays

Understand the Pieces of a Law School Application

Use this checklist when applying to law school to ensure you complete all application components.

Overview of the Law School Application

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Applicants can use the supplemental parts of their applications to highlight individuality, address anomalies and support their candidacy.

Many prospective students are beginning to think about applying to law school this fall. Any new endeavor can be seem overwhelming at first, and the law school application process is no exception. But even the most seemingly daunting project or foray into uncharted waters can be broken down into manageable parts.

Below are the key components of a law school application, separate from the online application form, which you can use as a personal checklist. This list can also serve as a starting point for effective time management to ensure that you complete all application pieces in accordance with your goals.

Law school applications are comprised of two main categories: objective components and subjective components.

Objective Components

• Undergraduate GPA: It is important to show academic excellence in college through superior grades and a high GPA.

The achievement of a strong GPA indicates to law school admissions committees that you are diligent, hardworking and committed to excellence. Your academic performance in college is viewed as a strong predictor of success in law school and beyond.

Note that a high LSAT and/or significant work experience in between college and law school can offset a relatively low GPA , particularly if the subjective components of your law school applications are compelling. That said, the GPA remains an important factor in law school applications and admissions.

• LSAT and/or GRE: The LSAT remains important in the law school landscape, is still viewed as a strong predictor of success in law school and will likely be needed, unless you wish to apply only to schools that accept the GRE in place of the LSAT.

You should research thoroughly to determine what is needed from a testing standpoint for all the schools to which you intend to apply.

Consider the potential value in taking the GRE, as well as the LSAT, particularly if your GRE score is better than your LSAT score. Regardless of which test you use to support your candidacy, your goal should be to get your best score in the least number of attempts possible.

• Transcripts: You will need to submit transcripts to the Law School Admission Council's Credential Assembly Service from all relevant institutions, including, but not limited to, undergraduate and graduate institutions as well as community colleges and other institutions.

If you are still enrolled in school, be mindful of the breadth and difficulty of courses you choose, in addition to your grades, as admissions committees evaluate transcripts in a sophisticated and nuanced way.

Also, make sure to request transcripts from institutions early enough so that you're not scrambling at the last minute, since schools require processing time.

Subjective Components

• Personal statement: Law schools typically require a personal statement . Your objective is to craft a compelling essay about an event or life experience that reflects meaningful character attributes that position you for success in law school.

Consider that the personal statement is the key platform through which to highlight your individuality and make your case for admission. Make sure to brainstorm strong topics and create multiple drafts in order to generate a powerful and polished statement to support your candidacy.

• Resume: Key sections of a law school resume include education; honors and awards; experience; and skills and interests, or similar.

Use consistent fonts and formatting, and make sure to proofread. Your resume should be visually pleasing, polished, professional and clear. Law schools often use resumes as a jumping-off point for interviews, so become conversant in all of the areas covered in your resume.

• Letters of recommendation: The majority of law schools require at least two letters of recommendation as part of your application.

Ideally, you should have at least one academic recommender who can write on your behalf. If you've been out of school for a number of years, you should aim to secure a professional recommendation as well.

• Other essays: You may have the opportunity to provide supplemental essays to support your candidacy. Generally these essays fall into three categories: a diversity statement, an addendum and school-specific supplemental essays.

Not all law schools provide the option to write a diversity statement, and some schools' prompts are more specific than others. Ensure you have an appropriate topic and that your essay aligns with the prompt.

You can write an addendum if there are any aberrations in your candidacy. The addendum is your opportunity to succinctly address any anomalies.

Other supplemental essays are school-specific, such as the 250-word essay that Yale Law School requires as part of the application or the "why this law school" essay option offered by many schools, including Duke Law School and the University of California—Berkeley .

Ensure that all supplemental essays work in concert with the rest of your application and present new and important perspectives to round out your candidacy.

As you begin applying to law schools, use this checklist to budget your time and strategize your preparation in ways that minimize stress and make the process more manageable.

Tags: education , graduate schools , students , law school , LSAT

About Law Admissions Lowdown

Law Admissions Lowdown provides advice to prospective students about the law school application process, LSAT prep and potential career paths. Previously authored by contributors from Stratus Admissions Counseling, the blog is currently authored by Gabriel Kuris, founder of Top Law Coach , an admissions consultancy. Kuris is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has helped hundreds of applicants navigate the law school application process since 2003. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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LSAT Clarity

The Law School Application Timeline: Everything You Need to Know

posted on September 9, 2022

Studying for the LSAT is just one part of preparing to become a lawyer. Your law school application timeline will include many steps, only one of which is your very important LSAT score. 

This article will cover all of those steps and give you insight into the paperwork, recommendations, submissions, and deadlines you need to get into law school.

Originally published on September 3rd, 2020, this article was updated, fact-checked, and republished on September 9th, 2022.

When Do Law School Applications Open?

Top 20 law schools (and most other law schools) typically open for applications between early August and early September. Some won’t open until early October, but that is later than average. 

The typical range in which to submit an application will be August 1 to December 1.

If you have your plan together, you should be able to submit any time in the open window. Most commonly, application windows will close between February 1st and June 1st.

Most schools use rolling admissions, which means that you can apply any time within the window. That said, you may have a better opportunity for a favorable review if you apply in the early days of admissions eligibility, when there are more open spaces. 

While most admissions department officials admit that they don’t review any applications during September (which is a month of recruitment), you could still be prioritized if you get in early.

Some people opt to apply for “early decision” if their top choice law school offers it. Applying for an early decision is a binding commitment to attend that school if you are accepted. It also means your entire application packet has to be ready and sent in much earlier than the regular deadline.

Typically required by November or December, applying for an early decision can shorten your law school application timeline significantly. 

How to Apply to Law School: The Full Timeline

When are law school applications due? Law school application deadlines are super important and you should start the process way before decision day. A lot of serious-minded students start preparing a year in advance. 

If you know you want to get into law school , you can reverse-engineer a timeline that ensures you check all the boxes. Here are the steps at each stage.

Initial Research: 10-15 Months Before Deadlines

Law school applications are serious business that require you to collect paperwork, pick schools, get a respectable LSAT score, and ask for personal recommendations. All of this takes time. 

People who are in it to win will get a huge lead on the process. Getting into law school is the last thing you want to scramble for. Here are some steps to take if you are a year or so out from applying to law school.

Research Suitable Law Schools

First, do research on the law schools you want to apply to. There are a lot of options that fall within different categories. Some law schools are top-rated, some are known for specialties, and others for different kinds of alumni networks. 

Both official info and unofficial info can be helpful for this. Look on the law schools’ websites (here’s the official list from LSAC ) and do “official content” research, but also check out online forums or places students provide real life feedback. Both of these will be helpful as you decide what law school to pursue.

When looking at law schools, each school has a percentile range of LSAT score and undergraduate GPA. If you are an undergraduate student, consider what your GPA will need to be in order to get into a target school along with an adequate LSAT score. If you are past undergrad and your GPA is set in stone, you should focus on getting the best LSAT score possible. Having a goal GPA and a goal score will make your application journey much more clear cut. 

Begin Your LSAT Exam Preparation

The LSAT is an incredibly difficult test that will be unlike anything you’ve ever taken. It is not a concept-based test. It is about skills. Preparing for the LSAT takes a lot of time and effort. Start looking into online LSAT review courses and pick one that works for you. Most of them will give you 3-6 month study timelines, so you’ll want to start early.

Learn more about a month by month LSAT study schedule .

Start Browsing Through Pre Law Groups And Forums Online

In addition to checking out the reputation of individual law schools, you can start getting a feel for how other people are choosing law schools. This will give you a social context and even some people to answer your questions. Pre Law groups and forums can be a huge help from peers who are on the same path.

Getting the Proper Scores: 7-8 Months Before Deadlines

Registering, studying, and writing the LSAT is the most time-consuming task you’ll do for your law school application. There are a few key factors in this process you need to know to meet all of the right deadlines. 

You don’t want to wait until the last minute to study for, schedule, or take your LSAT. This isn’t a test you wing. It requires careful study and preparation. Number one priority is to choose the best online LSAT prep course for you. Then, make sure you understand the timeline considerations.

LSAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

As you lay out your LSAT study plan, be sure you know the typical timeline for LSAT registration deadlines and LSAT test dates. Here are the 2022-2023 dates LSAC has released, which will follow a similar pattern most years:

As you can see, you will need to register for the LSAT considerably in advance of your LSAT test date. Your scores will then take at least a couple of weeks to be uploaded to your LSAC account. The official scores the LSAT sends with your law school application will need to include your writing sample and could take a little longer than that to order.

Take the June LSAT Exam

If you are applying to law schools in the fall (which is most common), it would be wise to elect the June LSAT exam to be your fist exam. This ensures that all of your scores and paperwork are in and can be assembled by LSAC to send with your law school application.

Retaking the LSAT?

Another reason it’s advisable to take the exam early is in case you get a low score and want a second run at improving your LSAT score . If you score lower than an LSAT admissions threshold or just lower than you want, you have the opportunity to retake the LSAT in the next testing window and still make law school application cutoffs.

Register for CAS

Your law school application is assembled by LSAC. This is done through something called the Credential Assembly Service, or CAS . The CAS fee has some costs:

• $195 for an account 
• $45 each for law school reports

Your CAS will include:

• E-processing of ABA-approved law school applications (and some non-ABA approved schools)
• Creation of each law school report
• Transcript summaries plus authentication for international students
• Processing your letter of recommendation

You will set up your account and send all of your documents in to LSAC. They will then generate the law school application packets for each school.

Finalize Your Law School Shortlist

While you are still a few months out, you should take all of that law school research you did earlier and make a shortlist. This narrows down the list of law schools you are interested in. Since each application takes time, effort, and extra costs , most students limit them to a reasonable number. From your shortlist, you can dive deeper and assess pros and cons before making your final decisions.

Try to Get a Few Recommendation Letters

Early on, you should know that you will be required to submit letters of recommendation. Depending on how recently you were in school, it’s important to start reaching out to your network as soon as possible. You want to leverage great professional and academic connections to get high-quality letters of recommendation.

Final Preparation: 5-6 Months Before Deadlines (August-September)

Once you hit the six-month mark in your law school application timeline, you need to turn your attention to final tasks. This is the final sprint before you actually send in your law school applications. Here are all of the final logistics you need to settle so you can be ready to roll once the law school application deadlines arrive.

Write Your Personal Statements

Your personal statement is an important part of your law school applications. Because the legal profession is about expression, interpretation, and higher-thinking, it’s important that you showcase your abilities and personal values. This may or may not weigh in heavily when a law school entry board reviews your application, but it should be spot-on and well-polished. It is optimal to begin drafting your personal statement as soon as possible to make sure that it’s perfect. Law school applications are competitive, and this is how you can make yourself stand out from other applicants. 

Prioritize Your Law School Shortlist

You should already have done some solid research to get your list of desired law schools down to a shortlist. Now, you should take that shortlist and prioritize:

• Pick 2-3 law schools that are achievable and desirable
• Pick 1-2 law schools that are ambitious
• Pick 1-2 law schools that are safety options

Start Writing School-Specific Essays and Entry Letters

Once you’ve got that prioritized law school shortlist, you can draft school-specific content. This includes essays and entry letters that appeal to that law school admissions board directly.

Best Time to Apply to Law School

While some law schools start accepting applications early, the early-October timeline is most common. All applications are assessed on a rolling basis, so you don’t have to be too ambitious about getting everything in right at the opening. That said, if you aim to have all of your applications finalized and submitted by December, you’ll still be in good shape.

Get the world's l argest LSAT question bank, score guarantees, official LSAT content, and in-person or virtual courses.

Law School With Spring Admissions (Optional)

Most law schools accept applications between October and December. If for some reason you missed this deadline or have a disruption in your plan, there are some schools that will allow you to join mid-year. While most law school application dates align with fall admissions, there are some spring options.

For first-year students, here are some law schools with spring admissions:

• John Marshall Law School in Chicago
• Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
• Baylor Law School
• Florida Coastal School of Law
• South Texas College of Law
• Pace Law School
• The John Marshall Law School
• Golden Gate University
• University of New Hampshire School of Law
• California Western School of Law
• University of La Verne College of Law
• Washburn University School of Law
• Glendale University
• University of San Diego School of Law
• Western State College of Law
• Coastal Law
• Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
• Drake University Law School
• University of Toledo College of Law

If you have your eye on a specific law school, you can reach out to them directly to learn if they make admissions exceptions.

Law School Application Timeline FAQs

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about a law school application timeline.

Is There an Advantage to Applying on the First Day Possible?

Law school admissions departments do rolling reviews of applications. This means that submitting your law school application the first day you can doesn’t get you to the top of the pile or make you stand out. Sending in your law school application before the deadline is the only specific requirement.

Can You Apply to Law School Before You Have an LSAT Score?

An LSAT score is required before you can submit an application to any law school. LSAC is the organization that puts together your law school applications and administers the LSAT.

Can You Retake the LSAT After You Have Sent in Your Application Materials?

Yes, you can retake the LSAT after you have submitted your application materials.

How Long Is the Law School Application Process?

While it can take up to a year to prepare your law school application, take the LSAT, and get all of the paperwork together, admissions boards will start reviewing applicants pretty fast once the law school application window opens. Once the window has closed to apply to a law school, it will probably take 2-4 weeks to know if you are accepted.

When Are Early Decision Deadlines for Law School?

Priority or early decision applications to law schools are usually about a month before the normal deadline. This will vary from school to school and based on whether you apply in the fall or are pursuing a spring exception. You will want to contact the law school admissions department you are applying to in order to get a reliable early decision date.

Interested in going to school on the west coast? Check out our post on the top law schools in California .

About Vincent Gullo

As a Kaplan Teacher, Vince Gullo has helped countless LSAT students reach the top 10%. There is not a one-size fits all strategy for LSAT, so Vince works to maximize the skills of each student but also develop weaknesses.

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A Definitive Guide to the Law School Application Process

The law school application process can feel overwhelming and complicated. When should you start, and what do you have to do? 

This guide breaks down how to apply to law school and provides tips and resources on creating a well-executed law school application.

The Law School Application Timeline

18-24 months before law school.

Your law school application timeline can start nearly two years before you attend law school, mainly due to the time it takes to prepare for the LSAT. If you are an undergraduate student, this would be in the fall semester of your junior year. However, if you don’t have this much time to prepare — don’t worry. You’ll still have time to get everything done! You may just have to compress this timeline to fit your schedule.

There are several steps you can take early on to ensure a smooth application process.

• Take a practice LSAT : Establish your baseline so you can know what you need to focus on in your preparation, and create a plan to study for the LSAT .
• Request info from law schools : Most law schools have the option to request a booklet or pamphlet (print or digital). Now’s the time to download those PDFs and stock up on those glossy brochures so you can be armed with information before narrowing down where you want to apply.  Sometimes your best fit for law school is not the law school you initially envisioned, so be open to the possibilities.  
• Create an LSAC account : The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is where you register to take the LSAT. 
• Investigate financial aid : It’s never too early to familiarize yourself with the costs of law school, assess your savings and borrowing ability, and conduct research on financial aid, scholarships, and student loan options.

14-18 Months Before Law School

A year and a half or so before you start law school, or the spring semester of your junior year, you should focus on the following to make sure you head into summer with everything you need. 

• Study and take the LSAT : If you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to take the LSAT or retake it if you aren’t happy with your previous score. If you take it now, you’ll have plenty of time to retake it, if needed. If you are retaking it, study strategically based on your weak spots. There’s something to be said about not taking the LSAT too many times , and you can only take it three times in a single testing year.
• Research potential law schools : Now’s the time to start compiling a list of law schools you want to apply to. You can use your LSAT scores as a guide to know which law schools are more of a “reach” versus which ones would be more “safe.” 
• Start working on recommendation letters : Reach out to who you’d like to request recommendation letters from to let them know about the timelines and what to include in your letter. Getting them on board now will save you stress later!  

12-14 Months Before Law School

Over a year before law school, or the summer before your senior year, you should start gathering everything for your application. 

• Take or retake the LSAT : If you haven’t already taken the LSAT, you should take it now. Also, you still have time to retake it.
• Start your personal statement and essays : Think about why you want to go to law school, and what can distinguish you as a candidate. 
• Update your resume : Many law school applications require your resume, so you should spend some time tailoring it to your law school application requirements.
• Visit law schools : When planning your campus visit , make sure you check out the surrounding area and speak to students, faculty, and staff if possible.  There are great law schools all over, but focus on where you think you could be happy and can do you best work.

8-12 months before law school

You’re less than a year away from law school! (Or in the fall semester of your senior year.) How exciting. This is when it starts to become crunch time, as applications are opening up and applying early offers many advantages. This is when all of the final application details come together. 

• Take or retake the LSAT : The October LSAT is ideal for retaking it so that you can still get your applications in early.
• Finalize your list of law schools : You should have your final list of schools that you want to apply to at this stage.
• Visit law schools : If you haven’t already done so, you should schedule your law school visits to narrow down your list and confirm your interest.
• Register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) : CAS handles your transcripts, LSAT scores, and other application documents. 
• Fill out your applications thoroughly : Give yourself the time to fill out your applications to ensure you don’t make any errors. 
• Finish your personal statements and application essays : Have you avoided these common mistakes in your personal statement ? Have you included anything that you shouldn’t have ? Make sure your personal statements and any other application essays (like addendums) are pitch-perfect by spending plenty of time on them yourself and asking other people to review them for you.
• Start submitting transcripts and letters of recommendation : Start requesting and submitting transcripts and letters of recommendation to CAS, with the goal of having this done by August or early September.
• Start submitting your applications if possible : Many applications have rolling admissions that open up in the fall. Submitting your applications before the holidays is a great way to avoid stress and provides you the many benefits of submitting your application early .
• File the FAFSA : The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a must-do before starting law school. 
• Search for scholarships and grants : While you may receive scholarships and grants from law schools, you can also search for opportunities from external sources like law school associations, professional organizations, and nonprofit groups.

3-8 months before law school

If you’ve already submitted your applications, this is when you should start to receive some admissions decisions to consider your options. If you’re an undergraduate student, this is in the spring semester of your senior year, so it’s the perfect time to evaluate your choices and see what will work best for you not just in terms of the school itself, but also the financial aid and scholarship packages they are offering you. Don’t be afraid to negotiate scholarship offers in this time period, especially if your LSAT and GPA are in the higher range of the school’s student profile.

• Investigate housing options : If you are going to move, you should start looking at on and off-campus housing options.
• Submit applications : If any schools have later application deadlines, now is the time to finish up those applications.
• Attend events : Student open houses, orientations, or other events for admitted students are typically held in this window, which can help you finalize your decision if you haven’t already.
• Send a continued interest letter : If you’ve been waitlisted, but you’re still interested in the school, send a continued interest letter to demonstrate your position.
• Update transcripts : If you are still in school and have your senior year grades, submit an updated transcript to CAS to reflect those grades. 

After you’ve gone through all of these steps, it’s decision time. Make your final choice and pay the deposit. 

1-3 months before law school

It’s the summer before law school, which is the perfect time to relax. However, there are a few small details you'll want to take care of to set you up for success in the fall. 

• Check all enrollment requirements : Make sure you’ve met all the requirements for enrollment, including deposits and any other paperwork. 
• Attend events : If you haven’t already, attend events for admitted students.
• Finalize housing : Whether you’re living on or off-campus, confirm the details of your housing and start moving in.
• Confirm financial aid: Check with your law school’s financial aid office to verify all financial aid and scholarship details.
• Give thanks : A lot of people have helped you along the way, including everyone from the people who wrote your recommendation letters to the family and friends who helped you study for the LSAT and review your personal essays. Thank them for their support. 
• Get ready : Prepare yourself for law school by completing any recommended or required readings and assignments, as well as studying up on note and test-taking tips.  Being organized will make all the difference.  

How to Apply to Law School: Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to apply to law school .

As we’ve shown with our timeline, it can take over a year to prepare your law school application. You can even start earlier than that. LSAT preparation alone can take 2-4 months or longer, if you wish to retake it. However, the actual application process can be shorter — if you have a year before law school, you can compress the timeline above. It is just a guideline and a way to help you have plenty of time to submit your applications. 

How long does it take for a law school to process your application?  

Law schools typically review applicants fairly quickly once the application window opens, and it can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to know if you are accepted depending on the admissions process.  Applying earlier can lead to a faster decision.

When can you start applying to law school? 

Typically applications open up starting in September. Law schools with early decision options have deadlines as early as November, so submitting early can raise your odds of acceptance due to the rolling admissions cycles. 

Stetson’s Law School Application Process

If you are interested in applying to Stetson Law, we’re here to help. Our admissions blog is full of tips on the law school application process, and our admissions team is available to answer any questions you may have. Learn more about our J.D. application instructions here .

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JD Application Process

Step by step to sls.

If you are applying for admission to Stanford Law’s JD program for Fall 2024, mark these three important dates on your calendar:

September 15, 2023  — When the application becomes available.

December 1, 2023 — The date your application must be received and deemed complete (last eligible LSAT test administration is November 2023) by SLS if you are applying for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program . We strongly suggest that applicants take the LSAT prior to the November test administration so that all application deadline requirements are met. If you opt to submit a GRE score in lieu of the LSAT, plan accordingly so that we receive your score from ETS by the stated deadline.

February 15, 2024, 11:59 PM PST — The deadline for submitting your application.

Explore these key steps in the application process — then get started.

Application Process at a Glance

The first step to admission to Stanford Law is a thoroughly completed application. It is your responsibility to make certain that all items arrive at the Office of Admissions. We will consider your application complete and proceed with an admissions review as soon as we receive all required documents. Unless stated otherwise, any updates to your application must be submitted via e-mail to the Office of Admissions at [email protected] .

• Application for Admission.  You must complete the entire application form and submit it electronically through LSAC.
• Application Fee. Your nonrefundable application fee of $85 must be submitted by credit card through LSAC. If you are unable to pay the fee, please review the 2024 SLS Application Fee Waiver Instructions , complete the Fall 2024 SLS Application Fee Waiver Form , and submit it to the Office of Admissions as soon as possible so that we may process your fee waiver request. You must submit your fee waiver request prior to submitting your SLS electronic application. Allow 5-7 business days for a decision and factor in this timing to ensure you adhere to the application deadline. Please note that our fee waiver criteria and process are distinct from that of LSAC.  
• Resume.  Stanford requires a one-to-two page resume describing your academic, extracurricular and professional activities. The resume must be submitted electronically with your electronic application. Please do not include a photo. If you have already submitted your resume and have included a photo, note that we have redacted that photo. No further action is required on your part and that original submission will not impact our review process.
• Personal Statement. Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests, and character would help you make a distinctive contribution to Stanford Law School. The personal statement must be submitted electronically with your electronic application. Your statement should be approximately two pages in length.
• Optional Essay . At Stanford Law School, we value the ability to communicate constructively across differences – even when the stakes are high or the differences significant. Please discuss a time when you encountered a viewpoint that contrasted with your own and explain how you responded. Would you do anything different if the same thing happened today? Your essay should be approximately one to two pages in length.
• Optional Short Essays. From a list of four essay questions, you may provide up to two responses of 100 to 250 words each.
• Two Letters of Recommendation.  Stanford requires that at least two and no more than four letters of recommendation be sent directly through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service . Letters sent directly to the Office of Admissions will not be accepted. Recommenders should be instructors who have personal knowledge of your academic work, preferably those who have known you in a seminar, small class, tutorial program or the like. If you have been out of school for a significant period you may substitute one letter from an employer or business associate. Sometimes these applicants find it difficult to obtain even one academic recommendation; in that case, you may submit two nonacademic letters. Please advise recommenders that should you choose to apply for a joint degree and/or other programs at Stanford University, the letters of recommendation may be forwarded to that program for review.
• Right of Access to Recommendations. Federal law provides a student, after enrollment, with a right of access to, among other things, letters of recommendation in the student’s file (if maintained). This right may be waived, but such a waiver may not be required as a condition for admission to, receipt of financial aid from, or receipt of any other services or benefits from Stanford Law School. Please indicate your choice by checking the appropriate box on the LSAC Letter of Recommendation form before giving them to your recommenders.
• Standardized Tests. All applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. If you have one or more valid LSAT scores, they must be reported as part of your application. If you also take the GRE, you may submit all valid GRE scores, but you may also choose to submit only LSAT scores. The only circumstance where you may apply without providing us with an LSAT score is if you have only taken the GRE. If you are admitted to the Law School with a GRE and, after admission, take the LSAT, the Admissions Committee will consider this new LSAT score and will re-evaluate our offer of admission. LSAT. If you choose to apply with the LSAT, you must take the LSAT no later than January 2024. This deadline is based on the time needed by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to get your scores to us by our application deadline of February 15, 2024. LSAC will report scores directly to us. If you do not indicate the January 2024 test date on the application but plan to take that test at a later date, you should notify the Office of Admissions in order for the score to be considered. Scores received on tests taken prior to June 2018 will not be considered valid. Note that all applicants using the LSAT are required to submit at least one writing sample. This sample can either be taken at the time of the LSAT examination or at a later date. If taken at a later date, note that it may take several weeks for LSAC to process and report your writing sample so plan accordingly keeping our February deadline in mind. GRE . If you choose to apply with the GRE, you should take the exam no later than February 1, 2024. This deadline is based on the time needed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to get scores to us by our application deadline of February 15, 2024.  You must arrange with ETS to have all valid GRE scores sent directly to us. Log into your ETS account and select Stanford Law School as a recipient of GRE results using the school code 4993 . Scores received on tests taken prior to June 2018 will not be considered valid.
• Credential Assembly Service Report.  Transcripts from each college or university you have attended should be forwarded to LSAC, which will prepare and transmit a Law School Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report to Stanford Law School. To register for the CAS service, please visit LSAC . The report furnished to the school will include copies of all transcripts sent to LSAC. If you have received academic credit for coursework taken abroad while enrolled as a full-time student, and if grades for that period of study are not clearly indicated on your home transcript, you must send that foreign study transcript directly to LSAC or to Stanford Law School. All non-US/Canadian transcripts listed during registration for the Credential Assembly Service are forwarded to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), where they will be authenticated and evaluated, except in cases where it is clearly marked on the home campus transcript. This service is included in the CAS registration fee. The data is assembled into a credential evaluation document that contains AACRAO’s summary, copies of the transcripts and translations (where applicable), and will be sent to the Office of Admissions. Any updated transcripts must be sent directly to LSAC. Please note that should you choose to apply for a joint degree and/or other programs at Stanford University, the CAS report may be forwarded to that program for review.

When the documents described above have all been received, your application is considered complete. However, until the application has been finally acted upon (and until the first day of attendance, if you are accepted and enroll), you are obligated to advise the school of any changes in the information previously furnished. In particular, you should promptly report to the school any additional grades received and any other facts that would have required a different answer to the questions asked in the application. Such changes may be reported informally by e-mail to the Office of Admissions; if official verification is required, you will be so advised. You must have received, or expect to receive by the Summer of 2024, a bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) from an approved college. All offers of admission are conditional upon graduation.

Reapplication Procedure

If you wish to reapply for admission you must submit the following:

• New application
• Application fee
• Updated resume
• Updated personal statement
• New letter of recommendation to LSAC utilizing the Letter of Recommendation and Evaluation Service
• Updated transcripts showing conferral of degree
• New LSAT scores through LSAC if available

Please note that recommendations already on file need not be duplicated. Applications for the Fall of 2021, 2022, and 2023 have been retained.

Application Status Check

To keep you apprised of your application status, we provide an online status page. To view the status of your application, please click on the link below to access our password-protected online status page. Please note that bookmarking may make it difficult to access the page.

CHECK YOUR STATUS ONLINE

The Admissions Committee does not grant interviews as part of the admissions process. However, we encourage you to visit the school and arrange to meet with a member of the admissions staff.

Notification of Acceptance

Stanford Law uses a rolling admissions process, acting upon applications throughout the admissions season as they are completed. However, some applications are held until the committee has reviewed the entire applicant pool. This second review generally occurs in April, at which time the class will be filled. (A small number of applications will be held for possible use in filling vacancies that may occur during the summer.)

The Office of Admissions will make every effort to send applicants a first response (accept, deny or wait list) by April 30.

To secure a place in the entering class, applicants accepted for admission must pay a deposit.

If you are offered admission, Stanford reserves the right to withdraw that offer of admission (even after enrolled attendance) if: 1) you show a significant drop in academic performance or fail to graduate from your current program; 2) there has been a misrepresentation in or a violation of any of the terms of the Stanford Law School (SLS) application process; 3) we learn that you have engaged in behavior prior to the first day of enrolled SLS attendance that indicates a serious lack of judgment or integrity; or 4) you reserve a place in our entering class and make an enrollment commitment or make a deposit at another law school. Stanford further reserves the right to require you to provide additional information and/or authorization for the release of information about any such matter.

Acceptance Deferral Policy

Stanford Law School grants a limited number of requests for one-year deferrals. Any admitted applicant granted and accepting deferred admission is required (1) to submit a nonrefundable deposit that will be applied to tuition; and (2) to sign a statement that deferred status is not also held at another law school, that all prior applications to other law schools have been withdrawn, and that new applications will not be made to other law schools. Persons admitted from the wait list are ineligible for deferment.

Additional Matters

International Student Visas

In order to register as students, Stanford University requires all those who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. registered permanent residents to obtain and maintain an appropriate visa status for their stay in the United States. For more information, please visit the Bechtel International Center website .

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Undocumented Applicants

Inclusion and nondiscrimination are core values held by the University and this extends to all members of our community regardless of citizenship or nationality. Therefore, SLS remains firmly committed to the principle that citizenship is not a condition for admission to any of our programs. Individuals who have been granted DACA status at the time of application are eligible to apply and matriculate at SLS. In addition, individuals who have met all other admission requirements and are otherwise undocumented are permitted to apply and matriculate at SLS.

Stanford has actively supported the DREAM Act legislation since its introduction in 2001, which would enable undocumented students to continue their education and apply for U.S. citizenship. Stanford also supports DACA, which has allowed some undocumented individuals who entered the United States as children to remain in the country without fear of deportation. Stanford is among the more than 600 colleges and universities that have signed a letter in support of DACA.

https://immigration.stanford.edu/

Nondiscrimination Policy

Stanford University admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or marital status to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. Consistent with its obligations under the law, in the administration of the University’s programs and activities, Stanford prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law; Stanford also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence. This policy applies to Stanford programs and activities both on and off-campus, including overseas programs.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding this nondiscrimination policy: Stanford’s Director of the Diversity and Access Office, Krista Martinelli, Kingscote Gardens, 419 Lagunita Drive, Suite 130, Stanford, CA 94305-8550; (650) 723-0755 (voice), (650) 723-1791 (fax),  [email protected]  (email). Stanford’s Title IX Coordinator, Stephen Chen, has been designated to handle inquiries regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence: Kingscote Gardens (2nd floor), 419 Lagunita Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, (650) 497-4955 (voice), (650) 497-9257 (fax),  [email protected]  (email).  Individuals may also file complaints directly with the Office for Civil Rights, within the United States Department of Education, by following the information on this website:   https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html

Last revised September 13, 2023 .  For the most recent policy, please visit the  Diversity and Access Office .

Campus Security

Stanford University complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. Stanford’s policies and statistics under this act are posted on the Department of Public Safety website at  https://police.stanford.edu/security-report.html . A paper copy can be obtained by calling the Stanford Department of Public Safety at (650) 723-9633 or by sending an email to [email protected].

Application Toolkit: Written Statements

On this webpage, you will find our advice and guidance for approaching the two written statements in the application.

Beginning with the application for Fall Term 2024 enrollment, we now require that all applicants submit a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective. Although it is no longer an application component, much of the advice we shared about the personal statement may still be useful to applicants as they develop their Written Statements. We have preserved that information on this toolkit for your reference.

Changes to the J.D. Application Components

Instructions

Every applicant must submit both a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective, responding to the prompts below. Each Statement must be one to two pages in length, using double-spacing, one-inch margins, and a font size that is comfortable to read (no smaller than 11 point). We expect every applicant to use at least one full page for each Statement.

Statement of Purpose : What motivates you to pursue law? How does attending law school align with your ambitions, goals, and vision for your future?

Statement of Perspective : The Admissions Committee makes every effort to understand who you are as an individual and potential Harvard Law School student and graduate. Please share how your experiences, background, and/or interests have shaped you and will shape your engagement in the HLS community and the legal profession.

Blog Advice

• Visit the Admissions Blog
• View All Written Statements Blog Posts

Changes to the J.D. Program Application Components

August is here, and that means the J.D. Admissions Office is finalizing our application for the 2023–2024 cycle before it opens on September 15. One exciting change for this year: we have reworked our essay requirements and prompts.

August 4, 2023

Should you include a “why Harvard” statement in your application?

Each year at this time, we receive questions about how applicants should express interest in Harvard Law School. Include a “Why Harvard” essay? Talk about HLS in the personal statement? Maybe an addendum on this topic? The answer to all these questions is the same: no, that’s not necessary.  Let’s start with the separate “why

December 2, 2022

Overrated/Underrated Part 3

Continuing our Overrated/Underrated series, this week, we shift our focus to highlight some of the overrated approaches that we recommend applicants avoid as they craft their applications. 

November 17, 2021

Overrated/Underrated Part 1

The J.D. Admissions team recently came together to offer their thoughts on some underrated and overrated approaches that applicants might take towards their HLS application. We hope you’ll find some of these nuggets useful.

September 9, 2021

Real Talk: The Personal Statement

For our first entry in the Real Talk series, Associate Director Nefyn Meissner shares advice on approaching the personal statement.

August 6, 2020

Personal Statement Advice

The personal statement is “an opportunity to give the Admissions Committee a better sense of who you are as a person and as a potential student and graduate of Harvard Law School.” But what does that mean to us?

November 6, 2018

Podcast Advice

Navigating law school admissions with miriam & kristi.

Miriam Ingber (Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Yale Law School) and Kristi Jobson (Assistant Dean for Admissions at Harvard Law School) provide candid, accurate, and straightforward advice about law school admissions — direct from the source. They will be joined by guest stars from other law schools to discuss application timing, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and more.

• View All Episodes

Written Statements Workshop

Our Statement Workshop provides applicants with straightforward advice on how to craft essays with a reflective activity and guiding questions to consider.

We do understand mistakes happen. You are more than welcome to upload an updated document through your status checker. We will review the new material alongside what has been previously received.

Note that when you complete your application and hit “submit”, the information contained in your application may not be altered or deleted in any way by you as an applicant or by us as an admissions team.

Yes. Reapplicants will need to submit new written statements with their application.

We ask that transfer candidates also address the reason(s) for applying for transfer enrollment. Please visit our Transfer Applications Components for more information.

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Tracking the 2024 Application Cycle

By  Susan L. Krinsky

Every year around this time, once most law schools have opened up their applications processes, LSAC publishes an interactive website that serves as a resource for schools, prelaw advisors, students, and many others who are interested in understanding the 2024 admission cycle.

The site is updated daily, and provides detailed information on the overall number of applicants and applications; you can filter the information by geographic region, race/ethnicity, gender, LSAT score band, and other criteria.

You can always find the latest information at https://report.lsac.org/VolumeSummary.aspx .

Starting the 2024 Cycle

This year’s cycle started slower than last year but is picking up steam. This may be in part because some schools opened their applications later this year, given the need to take additional time to review and update admission processes and materials in response to the June 29 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. As more applications opened in recent weeks, we’ve seen the year-over-year gap narrow rapidly. In addition, the unfortunate technical and proctoring issues with the August and September LSAT administrations may be delaying some applications. While the vast majority of affected test takers were able to retest and receive their scores as scheduled, there are some affected test takers who opted to test in October or later. Despite the issues, we’ve actually had 2,296 more test takers complete their tests this August and September than last year, but that number would have been even higher without the technical and proctoring issues. Registrations for the October and November LSATs combined are currently running about 6,900 test takers ahead of last year at this time, which bodes well for strong testing and application cycles.

That said, it’s too early to make any meaningful projections about the 2024 application cycle. At this point, we typically have only about 13% of the total number of applicants and about 9% of the total number of applications. As we have seen in recent years, early trends often change dramatically.

With those cautions in mind, here are some very early, initial numbers for the 2024 cycle.

Early Applicant Volumes

As of today, the early applicant volumes for 2024 are running about 6.8% behind the early applicant numbers for this same date in 2023. As noted above, there are some short-term factors that may be contributing to this early decline, but we are seeing the gap close rapidly, now that nearly all schools have opened applications. The five-year comparison shows 2024 lower than 2021, 2022, and 2023, but already higher than 2020.

Early Application Volumes

Looking at applications, we see the same trend. So far, 2024 is lower than 2021, 2022, and 2023, but higher than 2020, and climbing as schools open their applications.

Diversity in the Applicant Pool

The proportion of applicants of color is slightly above last year. Currently, about 37.3% of applicants identify as a person of color, compared to 36.3% at this time last year. The proportions of women and gender-diverse applicants are very much in line with last year; currently, about 54% of this year’s applicants identify as women, and just over 1% identify as gender diverse. We will continue to monitor the diversity trends closely in the weeks and months ahead.

Other Indicators

Beyond the applicant and application volumes, there are several other data points that we watch closely.

• Test taker volume : As noted earlier, despite the technical and proctoring issues, we have had approximately 2,300 more completed tests in August and September of this cycle than last cycle. October currently has about 3,300 more registered test takers than last year’s October test at this time. And this year’s November LSAT currently has almost 3,600 more registrants than last year’s November test at this time. So we are seeing very strong demand for the LSAT, which generally translates into solid applicant and application volumes.
• First-time test takers : We had 770 more first-time test takers complete this year’s August and September tests than last year’s. And compared to this time last year, we currently have about 1,400 more first-time test takers registered for this year’s October LSAT and nearly 1,000 more first-time test takers registered for this year’s November LSAT.
• CAS accounts : We have had 670 more CAS accounts created between July 1 and today as we had during the same period last year.

We will continue to monitor these and other trends in the testing and admission cycle, and provide periodic updates.

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Susan L. Krinsky

General Applicant Questions

Visting campus, can i visit campus.

Check out our visits and events  page for the most up-to-date information about campus visit opportunities.

Is the Admissions office open?

The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is open to visitors from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, with the exception of University holidays and breaks. The admissions team is available to answer any questions you may have about the application process. You are welcome to contact us at [email protected]  or 617.373.2395.

Application Materials & Requirements

when should i submit my jd application.

The School of Law begins to receive applications in September for the next year’s class (about a year prior to enrollment). There are several application deadlines.

• Early Decision (Binding): December 1
• Early Action (Non-binding): December 1
• Regular Decision Priority Deadline: March 1

Applications submitted after March 1 will continue to be reviewed on a space-available basis.

When will I receive an admissions decision?

Apply Early Decision by December 1, receive a decision by the end of December.

If you submit your Early Decision JD application by December 1, and take the LSAT no later than November, your decision will be posted on your  application status checker  by December 31. You will be notified via email when your decision is available. You may be admitted, denied or placed on the waitlist.

Apply Early Action by December 1, receive a decision by mid-February.

If you submit your Early Action JD application by December 1, and take the LSAT no later than November, your decision will be posted on your  application status checker  by February 15. You will be notified via email when your decision is available. You may be admitted, denied or placed on the waitlist.

Apply by March 1, receive a decision by mid-April.

You will be notified via email when your decision is posted on your  application status checker by April 15. You may be admitted, denied or placed on the waitlist.

JD applications received after the March 1 deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis throughout the spring and summer.

How will I receive my admissions decision?

JD Applicants will receive an email notification when their admissions decision has become available on the  application status checker .

What are the median LSAT score and GPA for enrolled students?

For the incoming Fall 2023 class, the median LSAT score was 163, and the median GPA was 3.72 as of October 5, 2023.

What do I need to submit to make my JD application complete?

You must submit a completed application form, résumé and personal statement. You may also choose to provide a response to one of our optional essay topics. Once the law school receives your application, we will contact the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) in order to obtain copies of your transcript(s), LSAT score(s), letter(s) of recommendation and any other information you have sent to LSAC. After we have received these materials, your application will be reviewed. Please keep track of your application and contact Admissions if you are concerned about your status. Applicants must contact the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) directly for any issues with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report.

Is there a preferred format for application materials?

Yes, please adhere to the following formatting requirements:

Personal Statement The personal statement should be two pages, double-spaced in 12-point font.

Résumé Applicants are encouraged to limit their résumé to one page in 12-point font. A second page will be accepted for applicants with significant work experience.

Optional Essay Optional essay responses should be one page, double-spaced in 12-point font.

Addendum/a Addenda should be no more than one page in length in 12-point font.

What should I write about in my personal statement?

In short, anything! Our application instructions state that you must provide a personal statement on any topic. A hallmark of a Northeastern University School of Law education is the freedom to pursue the areas of law that interest you, both in and out of the classroom, and we are granting you the same freedom in deciding what topic(s) to cover in your personal statement. This is your chance to help us get to know you in a more personal way. Our only requirements are that your essay should be no longer than two pages, double-spaced and in 12-point font.

How many letters of recommendation are required? May I submit additional letters?

Northeastern University School of Law requires one letter of recommendation submitted via LSAC's  Credential Assembly Service (CAS) . We will not accept more than two letters of recommendation.

What transcripts are required?

Please submit all undergraduate and graduate transcripts (if any) via LSAC's  Credential Assembly Service (CAS) .

Undergraduate Transcripts Transcripts for all colleges and universities previously attended must be sent directly to CAS. If you receive additional grades, you should submit an updated transcript to the Credential Assembly Service, so they can send updated information to the law school. While an undergraduate transcript without a date of conferral can be submitted with your initial application, the transcript is not considered final without the date of degree conferral.

Graduate Transcripts Transcripts for graduate work should be submitted to CAS.

What are the optional essay topics? Is there a page limit?

We encourage you to respond to one of our three optional essay questions. Your response must be in your own words, one page, double-spaced in 12-point font. The optional essays provide a space for you to showcase your writing abilities and share additional information with us. The essay prompts are as follows:

1. Over the past few years, most law schools have come to recognize the importance of hands-on legal experience. At Northeastern, we have been incorporating practice directly into the curriculum since 1968. Ranked #1 in Practical Training by the  National Jurist , our signature  Cooperative Legal Education Program  (co-op) guarantees you nearly a year of full-time work experience in the areas of law that interest you, anywhere in the world.  What field(s) of law would you like to pursue on co-op and why?

2. Northeastern is a nationally recognized leader in public interest law with a strong reputation for producing accomplished leaders in the field.  What specific social justice issue are you most passionate about and how have your professional or personal experiences influenced your interests?

Applicants may submit this essay to bolster their candidacy for the Public Interest Law Scholarship (PILS). If you would like this essay to be considered for your candidacy for the PILS, please label your essay as a PILS essay in the heading section of the document. 

3. At Northeastern University, diversity is about excellence and inclusion. It's about the way in which we engage with the world, the opportunity to learn from new perspectives, a core value for the University, an essential element of contemporary life, an expression of cultural pride, and a reflection of our campus, community, and global partners.

Northeastern University School of Law, in keeping with the mission of Northeastern University, is committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community of faculty, students, and staff that welcomes and respects all persons, regardless of race, gender identity or expression, family structure, socio-economic status, or ability status. We strive to develop an open and respectful environment that draws on talent from every sector or society and engages the global community. We are dedicated to the integration of multiple, divergent perspectives, and to the principle that a diverse and inclusive community not only supports innovation and creativity, but also creates and promotes cultural understanding throughout Northeastern's community. With these guiding principles, the School of Law aspires to promote a thriving society built on equal opportunity and social justice.

How has your background shaped who you are today or your future aspirations, and how will your presence enhance the Northeastern community?

If I would like to provide additional explanation on a certain component of my application, may I submit an addendum?

Yes, you are welcome to submit an addendum to address anything in your application that might require further explanation, such as a gap in schooling or employment. Please be specific but brief. An addendum should be no more than one page in length.

May I submit additional, supplemental materials such as my senior thesis?

We kindly ask that you refrain from submitting additional, supplemental materials, including, but not limited to, senior theses, works of art, creative writing, publications, reports, videography, music or other materials. We encourage applicants to include information about such work in their applications if applicable — in résumés, personal statements or, if necessary, application addenda — but we strongly discourage applicants from sending extraneous material directly to our office.

What are the character and fitness requirements?

Northeastern asks applicants to answer a series of character and fitness questions. Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose an act or event can lead to more serious consequences than the act or event itself. Failure to provide truthful answers, or failure to inform the School of Law of any changes to your answers in advance of matriculation or during school enrollment, may result in revocation of admission or disciplinary action, or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek bar admission.

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners .

I applied before and was waitlisted/denied. How do I reapply?

The School of Law welcomes applications from candidates who have previously applied. If you applied to Northeastern in a previous year, you are encouraged to include an updated résumé, personal statement, letter(s) of recommendation and/or an optional essay, though these are not required. Your LSAT score must be no more than five years old as of the date of your new application.

Financial Aid

How do i apply for financial aid.

All students interested in being considered for need-based financial aid must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at  fafsa.ed.gov . Northeastern's federal institution code is 002199.

When should I apply for financial aid?

Please refer to the  Financial Aid section of our website for important information about applying for aid. The priority filing window for the FAFSA is October 1 through February 15. You should submit the FAFSA before February 15 even if you have not yet received an admission decision.

When will I receive my financial aid package?

The financial aid office typically sends out award letters in mid-March to admitted students who submitted their FAFSA by the priority deadline. If you are admitted after mid-March, you will receive your financial aid award letter about a week to a week and a half after you receive your acceptance letter, provided that you have filed your FAFSA before the priority deadline.

Merit-based Tuition Scholarships

As a first year jd applicant, when will i find out if i have been awarded a merit-based tuition scholarship.

Applicants will typically be notified about merit-based tuition scholarships within three weeks of receiving an offer of admission. Merit-based scholarships can only be applied to tuition.

How do I apply for the Public Interest Law Scholars (PILS) Program?

Northeastern’s most generous and prestigious scholarship program is the Public Interest Law Scholars (PILS) Program . This program offers full tuition to students with strong social justice and public interest backgrounds and is renewable each year so long as the student remains in good standing. All applicants to the law school, whose applications are received by March 1, are automatically considered for this scholarship.

Students who wish to bolster their candidacy for PILS may respond to the optional essay question asking about a specific social justice issue they are most passionate about. This essay should be labeled as a PILS essay in the heading of the document and should be submitted with their application materials via  LSAC.org .

For more information on the selection process for the PILS Scholarship, check out the PILS webpage .

What are the conditions for renewing my merit-based tuition scholarship?

Our merit-based tuition scholarships are guaranteed for three years; a student automatically keeps their merit-based tuition scholarship as long as they maintain status as a full-time student in good academic standing, and abide by university policies, including the University Code of Student Conduct and our academic policies and procedures. There are no GPA or class rank requirements. Northeastern University School of Law firmly believes that students work best, and learn best, in a cooperative and collaborative community environment. As such, we neither rank our students nor calculate a GPA for them.

My scholarship requires I remain in good academic standing. What does this mean?

As long as a student is enrolled and has not been dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons, they are in good standing. However, no student may receive institutional aid (merit or need-based) beyond the standard time necessary to complete the JD degree.

Do I need to take any action to accept my scholarship offer?

By paying your enrollment deposit, you are accepting your merit scholarship award. There is no additional action you must take.

After I receive my scholarship offer, can I negotiate for additional assistance?

We do not negotiate merit scholarship awards. The School of Law reviews every application in detail, and merit-based scholarships are awarded to students based on their individual applications. It is our policy to be fully upfront with our merit scholarship offers. With such a deep and talented applicant pool, we are required to make some very difficult decisions about the limited merit aid we are able to award, and, unfortunately, not every admitted student receives a merit scholarship due to the competitive nature of our pool. We are therefore unable to provide additional merit scholarships after admission. All students are strongly encouraged to visit our Financial Aid webpage  to learn more about need-based aid, loans and grants. Additionally, all admitted students are invited to make an appointment to speak with our Financial Aid staff to discuss funding their legal education.

Are international students, applying as first year JD applicants, eligible for merit-based scholarships?

Yes, international students who apply as first year JD applicants are eligible for merit-based tuition scholarships. These scholarships can only be applied to tuition.

General Questions About NUSL

I heard that northeastern doesn't have grades. how does the evaluation system at the law school work.

That's true. When the law school re-opened in the 1960s, the program was designed to replace the typical adversarial law school environment with a spirit of teamwork and collaboration. In order to do this successfully, student rankings and letter and number grades were replaced with written evaluations of students’ work in class and on co-op. This system:

• Allows you to work with classmates without worrying that you are giving away the opportunity to be at the top of a grading curve.
• Gives you a more thorough review of your work by professors, so you know where you are doing well and where you need to improve your performance.
• Teaches you, before you go out on co-op and begin your career, how to work well on teams and get more out of your work because others depend on it.

Rather than a number or letter grade, you will receive a narrative evaluation from your professor for each class you take throughout your law school career as well as from your supervisor for each of your co-ops. Copies of all of these evaluations are included in your law school transcript. There are no class rankings or GPAs. Students may also receive Honors or High Honors designations for strong performance in academic courses.

What resources are available for students with immigration issues, including DACA policy updates?

Visit  northeastern.edu/executive-orders  for information and resources regarding immigration issues.

Does Northeastern offer a part-time or evening program?

Yes, the law school offers a hybrid  FlexJD .

I’m interested in working while I attend law school. Is that possible with the full-time program?

Due to the rigor of law school studies, especially in the first year, we strongly advise against working while enrolled in the full-time JD program. Students frequently take on part-time employment after completing the first year. If you are interested in maintaining full-time employment throughout law school, we encourage you to explore our FlexJD program.

What is a typical class size at Northeastern?

First-year class sections can range from 40-80 students for Property, Torts, Contracts, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law and Criminal Justice. For our first-year Legal Skills in Social Context program, students work in teams of 12-15 students. The size of our upper-level classes varies.

Does the law school offer any academic support programs?

Yes, the Academic Success Program  is here to support you with workshops, teaching assistants, study groups and more, particularly as you are making the transition into law school during your first year.

What clinical programs does the law school offer?

Northeastern offers students the opportunity to engage in advocacy on behalf of individuals and community organizations often unacknowledged or underrepresented by the justice system. Together, our clinics, institutes and special programs reflect and fulfill a commitment to social and economic justice that distinguishes Northeastern as one of the nation's foremost public interest law schools. Students can participate with faculty and staff in the work of the following outstanding research and service centers. Visit the  Clinics section of our website for more information about the different offerings.

What dual-degree programs does the law school offer?

Northeastern offers a number of dual-degree programs. Visit the  Academics section of our website for details on each program offered.

What is co-op and how does it work?

Northeastern's unique approach to training law students for a career in the legal profession is known as  Cooperative Legal Education . This program ensures that you will graduate in three years with nearly a full year of practical legal experience gained through terms of full-time work ("co-ops"). You will complete a traditional first year of academic study. Then, during your second and third years, you will alternate between full-time classes and full-time legal work. The successful completion of cooperative work program is a graduation requirement for all Northeastern law students.

The co-op application process begins in the fall of your first year with an information session with the Center for Co-op and Career Development to introduce the co-op program. Students who will be going out on their first co-op in the summer will have subsequent trainings through the fall covering the co-op application process, policies and procedures, résumés, cover letters and other topics. Students who will be going out for their first co-op in the fall will participate in these same sessions the following spring.

Students receive a weekly newsletter from the Center for Co-op and Career Development listing all new co-op positions and will receive regular reminders for all deadlines for the quarters during which they will be going on co-op. Co-op advisors are available to meet with you to review résumés, cover letters, and other application materials; to help you choose the right co-ops to apply to; to discuss or practice for interviews; to help you weigh offers and choose how to respond; and to work with you on any other professional development goals.

Will it take longer to earn a JD because of the co-op program?

No. You will be able to complete Northeastern’s JD requirements in the same three years as your counterparts at other law schools. Not only will you complete your JD in three years, you’ll gain nearly a full year of legal work experience while doing so.

Why is Northeastern considered a premier public interest law school?

Nationally recognized for its commitment to  public interest law , Northeastern University School of Law is a dynamic institution for service as well as learning. Whether they are representing indigent clients, combating discrimination, working with survivors of domestic violence, advocating for equal access to health care or ensuring fair treatment for immigrants, Northeastern students, graduates, staff and faculty are on the front lines, making the world a more humane and compassionate place.

You’ll find that social justice is a theme in your law school courses and discussions throughout your career at Northeastern. As a first-year student, you’ll complete Northeastern’s year-long  Legal Skills in Social Context program , where you’ll develop legal research, writing and advocacy skills and put those new skills to use in a social justice project on behalf of a real-world nonprofit or community-based organization. Furthermore, you’ll fulfill a  public interest requiremen t before you graduate by going on a public interest co-op, participating in a law school clinic, completing uncompensated legal work in a public interest setting or on a pro bono project at a firm, or doing a public interest independent study.

What support does Northeastern offer to students and alumni who work in the public interest sector?

Northeastern’s most generous and prestigious scholarship program is the full-tuition  Public Interest Law Scholars (PILS) Program .

A variety of  endowed scholarships  are also awarded annually to upper-level students; some of these scholarships have very specific eligibility criteria.

In addition, students undertaking public interest co-ops may also be eligible for co-op stipends. The Cooperative Income Sharing Program (CISP) is a student-run and student-managed organization dedicated to increasing awareness of, and student participation in, public service. CISP provides approximately $24,000 annually to students accepting unfunded co-ops with public interest employers. Stipends have allowed students on co-op to represent immigrants seeking political asylum, tenants fighting to prevent eviction, women seeking shelter from domestic violence, children trying to obtain educational services, mothers seeking child support payments, inmates challenging overcrowded prison conditions and more.

Alumni who enter public service after graduation may be able to have student loans forgiven through Northeastern’s  Loan Deferral and Forgiveness Program  and/or through the federal  College Cost Reduction and Access Act

Is the law school diverse?

Yes! Visit the  Class Profile page of our website to see the makeup of our current 1L class. Northeastern seeks a student body with a broad set of interests, backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives. Our students represent various political ideologies as well as religious, cultural and social backgrounds, including a large number of LGBTQ+ students.

Is the law school faculty accessible to students?

Absolutely! Most professors have open door policies, meaning that if they are in the building, students are free to come by to say hello, ask questions or get help with difficult course material. Professors also have designated office hours and are widely available via email. Finally, professors are very involved on the campus through student organizations, social events and other activities that allow students to get to know them on a personal and professional level.

Is on-campus housing available?

University housing will not be available to new or returning law students at this time.

I do not currently live in the Boston area. How can I find an apartment off-campus?

Most students prefer to live in an apartment off-campus. There are many apartments available near the school, and even more apartments in surrounding areas close to public transportation. The most popular neighborhoods for students to live are Jamaica Plain (a 15-20 minute commute on the Orange Line or bus), Cambridge (especially Central Square - a short commute on the #1 Bus or Red/Orange Lines), and the Fenway area (a 10-15 minute walk). Northeastern is accessible via two lines of the  MBTA  subway system, the Orange Line and Green E-Line, as well as multiple bus lines. Students are encouraged to utilize the resources provided by  Off Campus Housing and Support Services , which include access to apartment listings and information about the various neighborhoods near campus.

Foreign-Trained Lawyers Program Applicant Question

What materials do i need to submit to apply for admission to the foreign-trained lawyer program.

You must submit a completed application form, résumé and personal statement. You must submit your transcript(s) and letter(s) of recommendation through the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Once the law school receives your application, we will contact the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) in order to obtain copies of your transcript(s), letter(s) of recommendation and any other information you have sent to LSAC. Additionally, applicants whose foreign degree program was not taught in English must submit a TOEFL score report directly to Northeastern University School of Law (institution code 3658). Alternately, Northeastern University School of Law will accept an official IELTS score report.

Do I need an LSAT score?

You are not required to submit an LSAT score if you hold a law degree from a non-US law school. If you have an LSAT score, it will appear on your CAS report and be considered as part of your application.

Do I need a TOEFL?

If your foreign degree program was not taught in English, you will need to submit a TOEFL score report directly to Northeastern University School of Law (institution code 3658). Alternately, Northeastern University School of Law will accept an official IELTS score report.

When is the application deadline for the Foreign-Trained Lawyer Program?

Your application and supporting documents should be received by Admissions by March 1 of the year you would like to enter. The later you apply, the fewer seats will be available in our class. If you will require a visa to study in the United States, please submit your application before July 1 to ensure enough time to secure your visa.

How will my credits be evaluated for advanced standing?

Once you have been granted admission to the JD program, Academic and Student Affairs will review your transcript and evaluate you for advanced standing.

Are international students applying as foreign-trained lawyers eligible for merit-based scholarships?

No, international students who apply under the Foreign-Trained Lawyer Program are not eligible for merit-based tuition scholarships.

Are international students eligible for loans?

International students may apply for loans from private student loan lenders; however, these loans typically require a creditworthy co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident. US federal student loans are not available to international students.

Once I am an advanced standing student, what will the length of my program be?

Students admitted with advanced standing typically complete the JD program in two years. Although situations may vary, students with advanced standing usually enter in late August with the incoming first year JD class and graduate in August two years later.

Transfer Applicant Questions

What materials do i need to submit to apply for admission as a transfer student.

To apply as a transfer student, submit an application, Dean's letter of good standing, résumé, transfer statement, and current CAS report that includes LSAT score(s), two letters of recommendation (one of which must be from a law school faculty member), and all required transcripts.

When is the application deadline for transfer applicants?

There are two transfer options available:

Early Transfer: March 1 Deadline If accepted, early transfer students will begin upper-level coursework when the summer term commences at the beginning of May.

Regular Transfer: July 1 Deadline* If accepted, regular transfer students will begin upper-level coursework in the fall term.

*This is the priority deadline for transfer students. Applications received after July 1 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

What does Northeastern University School of Law look for in a transfer applicant?

We will focus primarily on your performance in your first year of law school, but we will also consider your undergraduate work, LSAT score, outside activities and connection to the mission of Northeastern University School of Law. You should have enrolled in the following classes in your first year in order to be eligible for admission as a transfer student.

Civil Procedure Constitutional Law Contracts Criminal Justice/Criminal Law Property Legal Writing Torts

If you have not or will not complete these courses in your first year, please contact Academic and Student Affairs at  [email protected]  or 617.373.5147.

I am attending a law school that is not ABA-accredited. Can I transfer to Northeastern?

Unfortunately not. In order to transfer to Northeastern, you must have completed your first year at another ABA-accredited law school.

How many transfer students enroll in a given year?

It varies from year to year; we typically enroll a small class of transfer students.

Assuming that I am accepted, will all of the credits from my first year at my current law school transfer?

Academic and Student Affairs determines which credits transfer on a case-by-case basis. First-year students at Northeastern take seven courses (Civil Procedure, Property, Torts, Criminal Justice, Constitutional Law, Contracts and Legal Skills in Social Context). Transfer students are not required to take Legal Skills in Social Context, but must complete a first-year legal writing course. If you have any questions as to which courses will transfer, please contact Academic and Student Affairs at  [email protected]  or 617.373.5147.

Waitlisted Applicant Questions

When are decisions made regarding waitlisted students.

The waitlist is monitored throughout the summer. When we are able to extend offers to waitlisted students, it is usually done between early May and Orientation, which occurs in late August.

How will I be contacted if I am selected off of the waitlist?

If and when we are able to extend an offer of admission to a waitlisted candidate, an admissions staff member contacts the student directly (via phone or email). Those who are admitted from the waitlist have a limited window of time to respond to an offer of admission.

Is the waitlist ranked?

No, we do not rank our waitlist. Should we activate the waitlist, we will give every file consideration. If you are interested in attending Northeastern, we encourage you to submit a letter of continued interest and keep us updated on your status throughout the summer.

I'm a waitlisted student, can I set up an interview to meet with an admissions representative?

Unfortunately, we do not interview or formally meet with applicants, but we have staff on hand to answer any questions you may have. You are welcome to schedule a meeting with an admissions counselor.

Can I submit updated documentation?

Yes, you may submit additional materials to your application, including an updated resume, letter of continued interest, or any other relevant update to  [email protected] . We ask that you refrain from submitting materials such as theses, works of art, creative writing, publications, reports, videography, music, or other similar materials.

Will I be eligible for scholarship funding?

Students admitted from the waitlist are not typically awarded merit scholarships. It is also our policy not to negotiate scholarship aid. You are encouraged to submit a FAFSA to be eligible for need-based loans. If you have any questions regarding financial aid, please contact our Financial Aid office at [email protected] or 617.373.4620, or schedule a meeting here .

If I'm selected from the waitlist, can I defer?

No, we do not allow students admitted from the waitlist to defer entrance to the law school.

2023 Law School Application Changes Compiled

In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions , we have seen more law schools making changes to their application components and instructions this cycle than in any other we can recall.

For easy reference, we will be compiling these changes below, adding new schools as their applications and instructions are posted.

Please note that, even though all of the below have been announced officially by the law schools, these questions are subject to change prior to the actual application opening date. You can find a list of all law schools' application opening dates here .

Updated October 2, 2023

Fall 2023 Law School Application Essay Changes

Yale law school.

Prior to this 2023-2024 cycle, Yale Law School's application required a Personal Statement and a 250-word essay on a subject of the applicant's choice. Applicants were also offered the option to write a Diversity Statement. This year, the application still requires a Personal Statement and 250-word essay, but in lieu of the Diversity Statement, there are now four different options for Optional Essays to write. Full instructions below.

New Yale Law Optional Essay Instructions: Source

Applicants may choose to submit an essay in response to one of the four questions below, each related to a value that is central to the Law School community. This is an opportunity to provide readers with relevant information that may not be found elsewhere in your application. If you choose to answer one of these questions, your essay should focus on your relevant personal, professional, and/or academic experiences and not on specific reasons why you wish to attend Yale Law School.

The optional essay should be approximately one page double-spaced. The prompts for the optional essay are as follows:

• Option 1: The Law School has a strong tradition of public service and encourages its students to contribute to the community in a wide variety of ways. Describe a community that has been particularly meaningful to you. Discuss what you have gained from being a part of this community and what you have contributed to this community.
• Option 2: The Law School encourages its students and alumni to be leaders, innovators, and changemakers across many different sectors. Describe one of your most important accomplishments and explain why it is important to you. Discuss how you demonstrated leadership, helped innovate, and/or drove change as part of that accomplishment.
• Option 3: The Law School values determination and resilience and recognizes that these traits are critical to success at the Law School and in the legal profession. Describe a significant challenge, disappointment, or setback that you have faced. Discuss how you approached this experience and what you learned from it.
• Option 4: In order to succeed at the Law School and in the legal profession, you must be able to have discussions across difference and be open to changing your mind. Describe a time when you changed your mind on an important topic after discussing it with a person with whom you disagreed or learning additional information. Discuss what you learned from this experience.

Harvard Law School

Prior to this year, Harvard Law required one two-page Personal Statement and gave applicants the option to submit an additional Diversity Statement. This year, HLS has replaced both with two required essays: a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective. Instructions below.

New Harvard Law Essay Instructions: Source

Every applicant must submit both a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective, responding to the prompts below. Each Statement must be one to two pages in length, using double-spacing, one-inch margins, and a font size that is comfortable to read (no smaller than 11 point). We expect every applicant to use at least one full page for each Statement.

Statement of Purpose: What motivates you to pursue law? How does attending law school align with your ambitions, goals, and vision for your future?

Statement of Perspective: The Admissions Committee makes every effort to understand who you are as an individual and potential Harvard Law School student and graduate. Please share how your experiences, background, and/or interests have shaped you and will shape your engagement in the HLS community and the legal profession.

University of Chicago Law School

Prior to this cycle, UChicago Law gave applicants the option to write a Diversity Statement. This year, they have removed that statement and now include the below prompt as an optional Addendum.

New UChicago Law Addendum Prompt Source: UChicago Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

UChicago Law aims to train well-rounded, critical, and socially conscious thinkers and doers. Describe how your background or experiences will contribute to the UChicago Law community. Example topics include: lessons you have learned; skillsets you have developed; obstacles you have overcome based on your background or upbringing; or topics you have become passionate about studying in law school based on your lived or educational experiences.

Columbia Law School

Prior to this 2023-2024 cycle, Columbia Law School asked for a traditional Personal Statement and gave applicants the option to write a Diversity Statement. This year, applicants will have the option to submit one Supplementary Statement from five options, which are included below.

New Columbia Law Supplementary Statement Options: Source: Columbia Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Optional Supplementary Statements. Please note that these questions are completely optional and if an applicant chooses not to submit a response to any of these questions, it will not have an impact on their admissions decision. Applicants should choose no more than one supplemental statement, which should be no longer than 500 words double spaced. Kindly note that supplemental statement may be shorter than 500 words.

• A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s diverse and collaborative community.
• We recognize that many applicants have faced adversity in myriad ways and to varying extents throughout their lives. Tell us about an example of adversity or a challenging circumstance in your own life and describe how you overcame it and how that experience has shaped your life and your own perspective.
• Columbia Law School aims to prepare its students to be advocates as well as effective leaders. Tell us about an example of leadership in your own life whether in an educational, professional, or personal setting and how those leadership skills and qualities would contribute to your legal education and the profession.
• Columbia Law School’s mandatory pro bono program requires that every student devote at least 40 hours to public interest law service during their time in law school. Tell us about your own commitment to public service and describe how volunteer work, advocacy, community service, pro bono work, and/or extra-curricular activities have shaped who you are today and how you want to continue serving the public good during law school.
• Tell us why you are applying to Columbia Law School and how the Law School's programs, faculty, curricular and extra-curricular offerings, location, and/or community would be a good fit for your legal education given your own academic, professional, or personal goals.

NYU School of Law

Prior to this year, NYU Law offered applicants the option to submit an Underrepresented Group statement. This year, that statement has been replaced by an Optional Additional Information attachment with the below prompt.

New NYU Law Optional Additional Information Prompt: Source: NYU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

New York University School of Law seeks to enroll a student body from a broad spectrum of society. The Committee on Admissions encourages you to provide any information that may be helpful to us in reaching a thoughtful decision on your application. While the choice as to whether and what information to submit to the Committee is entirely yours, any information you provide will be used to give the Committee a more complete understanding of your academic, professional, and personal background; to help the Committee reach an informed decision on your application; and to aid the Committee in selecting a student body with a range of experiences.

This is an opportunity to share with the Committee information about how your background will enable you to contribute to the NYU Law community. Information that has been helpful in the past includes but is not limited to meaningful leadership experience; significant community involvement; personal/family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage or unusual circumstances which may have affected academic performance and how you exceled despite those circumstances; and skills you have developed to overcome adversity. This list is not all-inclusive, but we offer it for you to think about as you consider whether such information might be relevant in your case, and to assure you that it is quite appropriate.

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Prior to this year, Penn Law gave applicants four choices for optional essays—one on diversity (wording changed this year, see below); one on core strengths, goals, and values (same this year); one asking, "What do you find valuable (or challenging) about a collaborative environment?" (removed this year); and one on reasons that the applicant's academic record or test scores do not accurately reflect their aptitude (i.e., a GPA/LSAT addendum) (same this year). This year's new prompts are below.

New Penn Law Optional Essay Prompts: Source

• Penn Carey Law is committed to achieving an expansive and inclusive law school community that brings a diverse range of ideas, experiences, and perspectives to our classrooms. Tell us how your lived experience informs who you are today.
• Describe a significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge.
• What strength or quality do you have that most people might not see or recognize?
• What don't we see in your application file that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee?

University of Virginia School of Law

UVA Law added an optional "Why UVA Law" statement to their application this year (prompt below).

New "Why UVA Law" Statement Instructions: Source: UVA Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Why UVA Law (optional) (suggested page limit: two pages double-spaced in 12pt font)

We recognize that some applicants have personal reasons for applying to UVA Law. Such reasons might include, but are not limited to, being a child of someone who graduated from or works for UVA Law, being a descendant of ancestors who labored at UVA, prior participation in other UVA programs, specific interest in our academic offerings, and/or a personal connection to the Charlottesville area. If these reasons are not already addressed elsewhere in your application, you are welcome to include that information here. Please note this question is optional.

Duke University School of Law

Prior to this year, Duke Law required a Personal Statement and gave applicants the option of submitting either or both of two additional essays, a diversity statement and/or a statement of interest in Duke. This year, in addition to the Personal Statement and optional statement of interest in Duke, they are requiring applicants to write 1-2 short essays from a group of six prompts/options, all of which are listed below.

New Duke Law Short Answer Essay Instructions: Source

Short Answer Essay(s) (required): Our admissions process is guided by the view that a law school class that includes actively engaged students who possess a variety of skills, personal qualities, and life experiences helps to advance the Law School's mission, improves the learning process, and enriches the educational experience for all. Please write one or two short essays from the list below. Be sure to label the essay(s) you are answering and use only one attachment even if you submit two short answers. Please limit your answer(s) to approximately 250-500 words per essay.

• What does the rule of law mean to you, and what special background or experience do you have that may help you contribute to its advancement or that underscores its importance to you personally?
• The promise of equal justice is fundamental to our legal system. Why is equal justice important to you personally, and what personal experiences or knowledge do you have that may help you become an effective advocate for equal justice under law?
• Exposure to a diversity of perspectives and experiences can enhance one's ability to deliver effective professional services. Please describe any opportunities you have had to serve clients or your community, either through work or on a volunteer basis, and how your own exposure to different perspectives and experiences helped you.
• Lawyers are members of a learned profession, and are often called to serve the public in a variety of ways. Please describe your interest in public service and any experience that you have had to prepare you for a life of service in the public interest.
• Please describe your interest in learning the law in an open, rigorous, and collaborative environment. Why is a commitment to the free expression of ideas so important in the learning process?
• What does ethical leadership mean to you? Please provide examples of how you have prepared yourself to become an ethical leader.

University of Michigan Law School

Prior to this year, in addition to a Personal Statement, Michigan Law gave applicants the option to write 1-2 additional essays from a selection of prompts. Some of those prompts have been updated this year; full list below.

New Michigan Law Supplemental Essay Instructions: Source

Supplemental essays allow you an opportunity to provide us with relevant information that you were not able to include elsewhere in your application materials. If you think writing on any of the topics suggested would help us get a better sense of who you are, we encourage you to consider submitting your responses to one or two (but no more) of the following topics. Each essay should be between one and two pages. For ease of reading, please use double-spacing and at least an 11-point font. Please be sure to include the number of the prompt you are addressing at the top of your essay.

• Essay One: Say more about your interest in the University of Michigan Law School. Why might Michigan be a good fit for you culturally, academically, or professionally?
• Essay Two: Describe a challenge, failure, or setback you have faced and overcome, whether long-term and systemic (e.g., socioeconomic, health, or complex family circumstances) or short-term and discrete (e.g., a workplace scenario or a particularly demanding course). How did you confront it? What, if anything, might you do differently?  
• Essay Three: How has the world you came from positively shaped who you are today?
• Essay Four: Describe a quality or skill you have and discuss how you expect it will help you in your legal career.
• Essay Five: Tell us about a time in the recent past when you changed your mind about something significant.
• Essay Six: We seek students who are encouraging, kind, and collaborative, even when it is not convenient or easy. Describe a recent experience where you exhibited these characteristics.
• Essay Seven: One of the goals of our admissions process is to enroll students who will enrich the quality and breadth of the intellectual life of our law school community, as well as to expand and diversify the identities of people in the legal profession. How might your experiences and perspectives contribute to our admissions goals?
• Essay Eight: Think of someone who knows you, but doesn't know you well (i.e., not a family member or a close friend). How would they describe you? Would their description be accurate? Why or why not?
• Essay Nine: If you could have dinner with any prominent person, living or dead, who would it be and why? What would you discuss?

UC Berkeley School of Law

This year, UC Berkeley Law added some additional language to their diversity-focused essay prompt and added a new optional statement on applicants' interest in the legal profession. The latter prompt also gives applicants the option to record a video submission in lieu of a written statement.

New UC Berkeley Law Optional Statement Prompts (including Kira video submission) Source

Perspective and Experiences:

How will you (your perspective, experience, Voice) contribute to diversity in our classrooms and community? Feel free to address any factors or attributes you consider important and relevant. In the past, applicants have included information about characteristics such as: race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic background, first generation college or professional school student, student parent, re-entry student, geographic diversity, ideological diversity, and others. (500 word maximum)

Interest in the Legal Profession (Video Submission Option):

Please share more about why you are applying to law school by answering one or more of the following questions:

• What about you (your experiences, your values, your perspective, etc.) calls you to law school?
• How will you use your law degree with integrity, vision, creativity, and/or to innovate?
• What makes you hopeful, optimistic, or excited about entering the legal profession?
• How do you see yourself contributing to or advancing the public good as a lawyer, scholar, or advocate?

(4 minutes or 500 words maximum)

For the optional statement, “Interest in the Legal Profession,” applicants are invited to complete this statement in an alternative modality: video submission. This is not an interview. It is another opportunity to share insight into your potential for study at Berkeley Law, and it gives you an additional tool (video recording) for the communication and presentation of that information. You may also choose to complete this statement in written format.

Optional video statements, as with all statements, are unscored and intended only to augment your application. While we will consider the information shared and will use it within our holistic review of your application, no value will be assigned to whether you choose the written or video format.

Candidates will submit this statement via a free, third-party platform called Kira. Kira will allow you to respond to the prompt either via video recording or in writing and provides comprehensive support and trouble-shooting. Please only submit your response through Kira; written or video “Interest in the Legal Profession” statements sent separately will not be considered.

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Prior to this year, Northwestern Law offered one Optional Essay prompt asking about diversity. This year, they are offering applicants four different Optional Essay prompts, allowing applicants to respond to any or all of them.

New Northwestern Law Optional Supplemental Essay Instructions: Source: Northwestern Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Responding to the following questions is entirely optional and should not be viewed as required.  You may include responses to as many of the four optional essays as you wish or none at all.  These are intended to give you an opportunity to provide additional information that you were unable to include in other portions of the application.  Please limit your response to each essay that you complete to 1-2 pages, double-spaced, and at least an 11-point font.

• Describe your interest in attending Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
• Describe any experiences in your life or unique qualities you think would benefit Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and/or your classmates.  (Relevant information may include but is not limited to financial hardship, educational adversity, special talents, work or community service experience, first generation or immigrant experience, an unusual rural or urban upbringing, foreign residence, military background, or unique family and/or personal circumstance.)
• What does public service mean to you and how do you see yourself engaging in public service or pro-bono work to meet the needs of the underserved?
• Did you face any particular challenges we should know about when considering your academic history or test scores?

Cornell Law School

Prior to this year, Cornell Law School offered an optional Diversity Statement. They have removed that prompt this year and added additional instructions to their personal statement (below). They also used to have a question in their application about reasons for applying to Cornell with a 600-character limit and the option to attach a longer essay. This year, they have made a one-page "Why Cornell" essay required.

New Cornell Law Personal Statement Prompt Source: Cornell Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

RESPOND TO AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS (required). YOU MAY RESPOND TO AS MANY AS YOU WISH, BUT DO NOT EXCEED A TOTAL OF FIVE (5) PAGES.

• We aim to train excellent lawyers. GPAs and test scores have some predictive power, but they don't tell the whole story. Please describe any significant challenges you have overcome, including but not limited to economic hardship, discrimination, trauma, or disability, and/or significant accomplishments of which you are proud.
• In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra's vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a law school learning community devoted to "...any person...any study." We encourage you to think broadly about what you will contribute to a law school class and eventually to the legal profession, including bu not necessarily to expertise you have, experiences you can share, and how communities of which you have been part have shaped your perspective.
• From its founding, Cornell Law School has not only focused on producing excellent lawyers, but "lawyers in the best sense." A law school education teaches you a craft, and prepares you for a great career, but law is also a calling, and a lawyer in the best sense is one who will, in some way, serve justice. If your career goals include representing under-served populations or otherwise vulnerable individuals or groups, please tell us about those goals and how you hope to pursue them.
• Is there anything else you wish the Admissions Committee to know about you beyond what you have revealed in other parts of your application? You can describe a formative experience, or your motivation to go to law school, or a story that reveals your character, personality, or strengths, or whatever else you think is relevant.

Georgetown University Law Center

Georgetown Law updated their "Diversity Statement" to an "Optional Statement" this year. Additionally, they updated their (separate) Optional Response prompts, as they have many times in the past. All of the new prompts are below.

New Georgetown Law Optional Statement & Optional Responses Prompts: Source: Georgetown Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Optional Statement:

If you would like to share any additional personal perspectives, reflections, or experiences – whether positive, challenging, a combination of both, or something else entirely – that have contributed to who you are as a person and as a future legal scholar and lawyer, we invite you to do so in an additional statement.

Optional Responses:

• What’s the best (or worst) piece of advice you ever received?
• If you could “uninvent” one thing, what would it be?
• Tell us about a moment in your life that you regret.
• Describe your perfect day.
• Share a top ten list with us.
• Prepare a one-minute video.

University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law

UCLA Law slightly altered the wording of their optional "Challenges Addendum" this year. The updated prompt is below.

New UCLA Law Challenges Addendum Prompt: Source: UCLA Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Please share any information about adversity or challenge that you would like us to consider about your personal life experiences. This may include socio-economic challenges; educational challenges; health issues; disability; immigration status; surviving abuse; or complex family circumstances like an incarcerated parent, homelessness, living in foster care, or others. This is not an inclusive list, but simply an opportunity, if you wish, to share any additional aspects of your background that may give us a deeper sense of your strengths and who you are.

The University of Texas at Austin School of Law

Prior to this year, UT Law required a Personal Statement and gave applicants the option to submit a Statement of Economic, Social, or Personal Background. This year, they are giving applicants the option to write responses to one or both of two prompts, below.

New UT Law Optional Statement Instructions: Source

Applicants may submit one or more of the following optional statements to provide to the Admissions Committee additional insight when reviewing their application. Each optional statement may not exceed one (1) double-spaced page with a minimum 11-point font size and 1-inch margins.

• Please address any information that you believe your application would be incomplete without and that sheds more light on your unique potential to succeed in the J.D. program and contribute to the University community and the field or profession.
• Civil dialogue and reasoned debate over contested ideas are core values both for the practice of law and in legal education. In light of this, Texas Law is interested in learning about experiences you may have had engaging with ideas with which you disagreed, and how such experiences have impacted you.

Boston University School of Law

BU Law modified the language in their diversity-focused optional essay prompt this year. New language below.

New BU Law Optional Essay Prompt Source: BU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Consistent with the American Bar Association, Boston University School of Law believes that knowledge about bias, cross-cultural competency (ability to understand people from different backgrounds and engage with them effectively), and racism are central to the legal profession. Please tell us how your education, training, or lived experience has deepened your knowledge about bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism and/or prepared you to explore these topics at BU Law.

Vanderbilt Law School

Prior to this cycle, Vanderbilt Law allowed applicants to submit an optional diversity statement. This cycle, a Lived Experience Statement (full prompt below) is required from all applicants.

New Vanderbilt Law Lived Experience Statement Prompt: Source: Vanderbilt Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

The quality and vibrance of the educational environment at Vanderbilt Law arise from enrolling a student body with a broad mix of individual backgrounds, experiences, skills, knowledge, and interests. Please tell us about any aspects of your background and experience that you believe would contribute to the educational environment.

University of Florida Levin College of Law

Prior to this year, UF Law included a Diversity Statement prompt that they have removed this year. Source: UF Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

George Washington University Law School

GW Law altered their optional Identity Statement prompt this year—new prompt below.

New GW Law Identity Statement Prompt: Source: GW Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

We are proud of the perspectives brought to the GW Law community by individuals from around the United States and the world. To that end, how has your identity contributed to the person that you are today? Examples might include, but are not limited to, lived experiences, obstacles overcome, areas of intellectual or professional interest, background/upbringing, and service.

University of Georgia School of Law

UGA Law has kept their optional Diversity Statement this year. The slightly altered prompt is below.

New UGA Law Diversity Statement Prompt: Source: UGA Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

The School of Law believes the overall educational environment of the law school may be enhanced by life experiences that significantly add to the academic, cultural, geographic, or socioeconomic diversity of the student population. You are invited to explain how your own life experiences would significantly add to the diversity of the student population and enhance the educational climate of the law school. This may also include discussion of your status as a first-generation college graduate or veteran.

Notre Dame Law School

Notre Dame Law has updated the wording of their Different Kind of Lawyer Statement prompt this year—full text below.

New Notre Dame Law Different Kind of Lawyer Statement Prompt: Source: Notre Dame Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

The mission of Notre Dame Law School is to educate a "Different Kind of Lawyer" - one who sees the law as more than just a profession, but as a service to others. Students are encouraged to explore not only the moral and ethical dimensions of the law but also their unique roles in furthering the cause of justice.

Following the murder of George Floyd, Dean G. Marcus Cole wrote an open letter to the Notre Dame Law Community in June 2020 in which he stated the following:

One thing that each and every one of us can do is to end the cycle of hate by ending the separation that leads to it.... Each of us needs to get to know people who differ from us. We must all make a conscious decision and effort to expand our circles.

Considering the mission of Notre Dame Law School, Dean Cole's open letter, and his call to action, please provide a response to one or both of the following:

• What experiences, hardships, or adversity have you faced that have shaped your perspective on law and justice?
• How has your own circle, culture, and community inspired you, your morals and ethics?

The "Different Kind of Lawyer" statement must be the applicant's own work in their own words. It should be no more than two double-spaced pages. If an applicant plans on providing this statement, it must be included with their application at the time of submission. The statement's header must include the applicant's name, LSAC account number, and be titled "DKL Statement."

University of Minnesota Law School

Prior to this year, Minnesota Law offered applicants the option to write a one-page Diversity Statement. This year, applicants will have the option to submit a one-page Supplemental Statement answering the below (similar) prompt.

New Minnesota Law Supplemental Statement Prompt: Source: Minnesota Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Applicants may attach additional statements to highlight or discuss any of the following: Unique backgrounds and lived experiences; demonstrated commitment to racial justice/equity; obstacles or adversity overcome; absences or breaks in academic history; or other matters that may be of importance to the Admissions Committee. Each additional statement should be no more that one-page, double spaced.

USC Gould School of Law

USC has updated their Diversity Statement this year to be a "Diversity of Background and/or Experience Statement"—prompt below. They also removed the prompt for a "Why USC" statement that had previously been an optional essay.

New USC Law Diversity of Background and/or Experience Statement Instructions: Source

USC Gould's admissions process is guided by the view that an individual student that reflects the broad and rich diversity of our society provides a superior educational environment for all law students. The primary goal of our admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience will enrich USC Gould's educational environment or enhance the diversity of our student body or the legal profession.

• Based on the above, we invite you to discuss any ways in which your lived experiences offer a unique ability that you may contribute to the Gould School of Law. Examples include (but are not limited to) students who:
• Have overcome racial discrimination if that is tied to the student's courage and determination.
• Have been motivated by your heritage or culture to assume a leadership role or attain a particular goal.
• Have struggled against prejudice, economic disadvantage, family or personal adversity, or other social hardships (perhaps as a result of disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation or religious affiliation)
• Have lived in a foreign country or spoke a language other than English at home
• Have unusual career goals, employment history (perhaps military or law enforcement experience) or educational background (including graduate study)
• Demonstrate unusual extracurricular achievement (including school or community service)

Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

ASU Law added a new "elevator pitch video" to their application this year.

New ASU Law Elevator Pitch Video Instructions: Source: ASU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

You may submit an optional elevator pitch video as part of your ASU Law application in addition to your written materials. The elevator pitch is a concise and compelling summary of yourself that shows your oral advocacy skills. The video should be no longer than 30 seconds. You may only submit one video.

University of Illinois College of Law

Illinois Law added seven Supplemental Essay prompts to their application this year.

New Illinois Law Supplemental Essay Options: Source: Illinois Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Supplemental essays allow you an opportunity to provide us with relevant information that you were not able to include elsewhere in your application materials or that did not fit thematically with your personal statement.  If you think writing on any of the topics below would help us get a better understanding of what you individually bring to the law school class, we encourage you to consider submitting your responses to one or two (but no more) of the following topics.  Your response to each essay should be less than 500 words. Please use a minimum of 11 point font and double space your responses.  Please be sure to include the number of the prompt you are addressing at the top of your essay.

Essay Prompt #1

Describe a challenge, failure, or setback you have faced and overcome, whether long-term and systemic ( e.g., socioeconomic, health, or complex family circumstances) or short-term and discrete ( e.g., a workplace scenario or a particularly demanding course).  How did you confront it?  What, if anything, might you do differently?

Essay Prompt #2

Describe a quality or skill you have and discuss how you expect it will help you in your legal career.

Essay Prompt #3

Tell us about a time in the recent past when you changed your mind about something significant.

Essay Prompt #4

Our law school culture is one of encouragement, cooperation, and collaboration. We actively seek out students who exhibit those characteristics, even when it is not convenient or easy.  Describe a recent experience when you exhibited any or all of these characteristics.

Essay Prompt #5

One of the goals of our admissions process is to enroll students who will enrich the quality and breadth of the intellectual life of our law school community and the legal profession.  How have your lived experiences and perspectives positively shaped who you are today in a way that contributes to our admissions goals?

Essay Prompt #6

Think of someone who knows you in an academic or professional setting, but doesn't know you well ( i.e., not a family member or a close friend).  How would they describe your work ethic, written or oral communication skills, and/or professionalism?  Would their description be accurate?  Why or why not?

Essay Prompt #7

Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with varied perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and [sic].

University of North Carolina School of Law

Prior to this cycle, UNC Law required two written statements—one essentially asking "Why law?" and the other "Why UNC?"—and gave applicants the option to submit two additional statements—one on diversity and one functioning as a place for an LSAT/GPA addendum.

This year, the optional diversity-related prompt has been removed, but the required "Why UNC?"-type prompt (Statement Topic 2 in the application) has been updated to include new language asking about how applicants will "contribute to the breadth of perspectives" at the law school. Full prompt below.

New UNC Law Statement Topic 2 Instructions: Source: UNC Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

What is your reason for choosing the University of North Carolina School of Law? How does the institution meet your educational and/or your professional goals? Please include how your academic background, personal qualities, and life experiences inform your pursuit of legal education at Carolina Law and how you will contribute to the breadth of perspectives in the law classroom and broader law school community.

Florida State University College of Law

Prior to this year, FSU Law gave applicants the option to submit a Diversity Statement. That statement has been removed this year, and an optional Seminole Statement has been added—prompt below.

New FSU Law Seminole Statement Instructions: Source: FSU Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

Located within the heart of Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida, Florida State University College of Law is surrounded by a vibrant legal community.  As Florida has the third largest economy of any state in the United States, there are ample opportunities to practice law in a rich variety of settings – law firms, state government, local and municipal government, courts, associations, non-profit organizations, business settings, and more – which work to serve the legal needs of a diverse clientele made up of a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds.  Florida State University College of Law is a values-based and purpose-driven law school that embraces all perspectives, backgrounds, and students.  FSU College of Law is consistently ranked one of the top schools in terms of student satisfaction – and that is due to the emphasis on creating a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.

In no more than two typed pages (double-spaced, using a 12 point font), please feel free to submit a Seminole Statement to provide the Admissions Committee with insights and examples from your life to share a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability that you possess to describe how you would uniquely contribute to the academic and student communities at the Florida State University College of Law.

Wake Forest University School of Law

This year, Wake Forest Law added a required Imagining Your Future statement and updated the language of their Optional Statement. Both prompts are below.

Source: Wake Forest Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

New Wake Forest Law Imagining Your Future Statement Prompt:

Upload a brief descriptive statement of a job, in terms of the job title and responsibilities, you envision holding (or hope to hold), a decade after graduating from law school and being admitted to the bar.

New Wake Forest Law Optional Statement Prompt:

You may upload an optional statement describing any other information about yourself that you wish to share that is not included in your personal statement.

Examples of optional statement topics include, but are not limited to:

• interest or preference in attending Wake Forest Law compared to other law schools;
• describe how the ethos of Wake Forest University’s motto, Pro Humanitate (“for humanity”), applies to your past experiences and your plans for the future as a law student and attorney.

Uploading an optional statement is not required. There is a separate optional upload for an addendum related to test scores and academic performance.

William & Mary Law School

W&M Law has modified their Optional Essay prompt and removed the description "Diversity & Inclusion Statement." The full updated prompt is below.

New W&M Law Optional Essay Instructions: Source: W&M Law Fall 2024 JD Application (LSAC)

You are invited to submit an essay that describes your life experiences with an emphasis on how the perspectives that you have acquired would contribute to the William & Mary Law School’s intellectual community and enhance the diversity of the student body. Examples of topics include (but are not limited to): an experience of prejudice, bias, economic disadvantage, personal adversity, or other social hardship (perhaps stemming from one’s religious affiliation, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity); experience as a first-generation college student; significant employment history (such as in business, military or law enforcement, or public service); experience as an immigrant or refugee; graduate study; or impressive leadership achievement (including college or community service).  Please be as concise as possible.

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You've taken the LSAT . You've sent off your college transcripts. You've filled out the required forms. You're almost done with the law school application process -- but not yet.

Now it's time to think about that other important part of your law school application: your essay. You've heard that the personal statement (as these essays are sometimes known) can make a difference, especially if your grades and test scores aren't at the top of the pack of applicants to your school of choice.

Most law schools use an index as part of the admissions process. They combine applicants' LSAT scores and grades, weighting them according to their believed importance. The lucky few at the very top of the index are likely to be automatically in; those at the very bottom are likely to be automatically out. But for the masses in the middle -- and even, sometimes, for someone near the bottom -- the personal statement can be what opens the door [source: Owens ]

Some law schools give all applicants a prompt for the essay. The admissions staff at those schools believes that if everyone has to write about the same thing, it will be easier to make comparisons. However, an increasing number of schools won't tell applicants what to write about. Their thinking is that leaving the subject open will produce creative essays that reveal more about their authors.

The latter approach puts more pressure on the applicant to think of a good subject and an angle. What to do? Search for information about law school application essays on the Internet and you'll be bombarded with a bewildering flood of information and commercial offers. Can you believe what you read? You really want to be accepted to law school. Is it worth the money to pay for sample essays, or to pay someone to help you write yours?

Read on for some insight.

Law School Application Essay Examples

Law school essay dos and don'ts.

It can be worthwhile to read examples of essays that have helped applicants win admission to law school. Seeing successful essays might give you a sense of what admissions committees are looking for. Reading what others have written might inspire you to think of an approach that will work for you. Knowing what has worked for other people might give you confidence -- and confidence makes for a better essay. But don't expect to find something that you can adapt a little and submit as your own.

Few law schools offer essay examples. That's because admissions officers want an applicant to write from his or her own experience rather than imitate what someone else has written. Melanie Nutt, the director of admissions for the Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, N.C., said she wishes applicants would stay away from blogs and books that offer essay advice and examples. Even worse, she said, are services that will "help" someone write an essay, for a fee. "I want applicants to write about something that they care about and have some passion for. Hopefully, by the time somebody is ready for graduate school, he [or she] might have an original thought," she said.

Examples abound for those who want them, however. An Internet search will take you to free sites such as top-law-schools.com that post and critique essays.

A number of books include essay examples and writing tips. They're likely available at your local library and on sale at bookstores for under $20. These books often include writing advice that most college-educated people already know, such as:

• Don't be vague.
• Use active rather than passive voice.
• Be accurate in spelling and grammar.
• Have a good beginning and ending that will interest the reader.

Many include comments from admissions officers at leading law schools (often, the same people appear in several books). And then there are the examples of essays by people who won admission to their law school of choice.

What does make a good essay? Read on for some enlightenment.

If the school asks for specific information -- why you want to be a lawyer , or what you see as your strengths -- you, of course, should follow instructions.

Some schools require an open-ended essay and allow an optional essay on some topic such as how you would contribute to increased diversity in the incoming class.

When it comes to writing an open-ended essay:

• Write what you would want to tell the admissions officers if you met them.
• Focus on something you care passionately about.
• Make yourself come alive as a person.
• Write about something that's unusual or compelling in your life.
• Draw on your professional and life experience. If you've been out of school for a while or are a single parent, use that insight.
• Write something that will make yourself stand out in the committee's minds.
• Relate the story you're telling about yourself to your passion for the lawi
• Be sincere and honest. Tell the truth, not what you think they want to hear.
• Use the essay to explain bad grades or low LSAT scores. Use an addendum for explanations.
• Rehash your awards and activities. The committee will know that information from your application forms and/or resume.
• Talk about how you've wanted to be a lawyer since you were a child. The committee has read that 1,000 times.
• Rely on gimmicks. That clever poem or joke will probably fall flat.
• Write about everything that's ever happened to you. Focus on one or two life-shaping experiences.
• Go on too long. The committee does a lot of reading. Two to 2 1/2 double-spaced pages are probably plenty.

Your goal should be to help the people who will be making the decision know you and understand why you want to attend law school.

Melanie Nutt, the Wake Forest University School of Law admissions director, said that one of the most memorable essays she's read lately was from a young man who said his mother was his hero -- and his inspiration to be a lawyer -- because she left an abusive relationship and raised him as a single parent. Another was by a young woman whose father is a mechanic. She wrote about "life lessons learned under the hood of a car."

What most of this advice boils down to is this: The best place to find a successful law school application essay is within your own life story.

Once you're written your story, that's the time to get help. Show it to a professor, counselor or editor for a helpful critique.

Need a bit more help with your law school applications? Take a look at the links on the next page.

Lots More Information

Related howstuffworks articles.

• How Becoming a Lawyer Works
• How Accelerated Law School Programs Work
• Where Can I Find a List of College Admissions Essay Questions?
• How College Admissions Works
• How Medical School Admissions Works
• How Ivy League Admissions Works
• Accepted.com. "Law School Admissions."         http://www.accepted.com/law/ (Feb. 27, 2010)
• "Admission Essay and Personal Statement Development Services." http://www.admissionsessays.com/ (Feb. 27, 2010)
• Bodine, Paul. "Perfect Phrases for Law School Acceptance." McGraw Hill, New York, 2009.
• Kaufman, Daniel; Chris Dowhan and Amy Burnham. "Essays That Will Get You Into Law School. Barron's Educational Services, Inc., Hauppauge, N.Y., 1998.
• Law School Admission Council. "Additional Admission Decision Factors." http://www.lsac.org/Applying/additional-decision-factors.asp (Feb. 16, 2010)
• Law School Discussion. "EssayEdge Admissions Essay Guide." http://www.lawschooldiscussion.org/essayedge.htm (Feb. 27, 2010)
• Nutt, Melanie. Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston-Salem, N.C. Personal interview, Feb. 26, 2010.
• Owens, Eric and the staff of "The Princeton Review." "Law School Essays That Made a Difference." Random House, New York, 2008.
• Princeton Review. "Tips for Your Personal Statement." http://www.princetonreview.com/law/personal-statement.aspx (Feb. 16, 2010)
• Stewart, Mark Alan. "Peterson's How to Write the Perfect Personal Statement." Peterson's, Lawrenceville, N.J., 2009.
• Top-Law-Schools.com. "Law School Personal Statements Advice."http://www.top-law-schools.com/statement/html (Feb. 16, 2010)

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Law school applications: “Optional” Essays and Addenda

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Many law schools offer students the opportunity to write so-called “optional” essays. Most often, the prompts ask why you’re applying to that particular law school, or how you might want to take advantage of some specific program at their school (e.g., Northeastern’s co-op program). Some are more creative and varied, like Georgetown’s “top ten list” or Michigan’s menu of nine (at last count!) possible essays. In Fall 2023, in response to the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision, there are a range of new and/or revised optional essay prompts that invite candidates to share how their background and experiences have shaped the perspectives and insights they’ll bring into the law school community.

There are also a handful of questions on every law school application that require elaboration in an attached statement, or addendum, if the applicant answers the question in the affirmative. The two most common addendum questions involve academic challenges and college conduct or criminal records (also known as Character and Fitness questions). As with the “optional” essays and the resume, these statements should be crafted in such a way as to supplement the remainder of the application, not duplicate it. (Addendum literally means “something added on.” The singular is addendum, the plural is addenda. Lawyers love Latin.)

It should be clear that the essays labeled “optional” are not entirely optional — if you don’t take advantage of one or more of the additional prompts, you may leave the committee members wondering why you declined to provide more information about yourself. That said, if you really don’t have anything to add in response to any of the prompts — especially the academic, character & fitness, and background questions — don’t try to shoehorn something only marginally relevant into the essay.

But let’s take each type of additional prompt separately:

First, the character and fitness questions . We have so much to say on these, that we have several additional pages of information and advice here .

Academic addendum

This question usually goes something like, “If there’s anything in your educational background that requires additional explanation, please do so here.” The addendum prompt may be even more open-ended—for example: “If there is anything about your application that you would like to address, you may submit an addendum.” Sometimes the question is clearly mandatory, for example, when you’ve answered yes to any questions about academic discipline. Regardless, this is where you can give the admissions committees additional context to help them understand your poor performance during a particular semester, your less-than-direct path to your undergraduate degree (for example, multiple transfers or significant gaps), or your history of standardized tests not predicting your academic performance. It is not  the place to explain away a single bad grade—one failed class will not doom your law school admissions (most law school admissions committee members will understand that Organic Chem is not for everyone).

In drafting an academic addendum, you’ll want to avoid sounding defensive or making excuses. The question in the reader’s mind is not a judgmental, “How could you let this happen??” but rather, “Help me understand what happened during that time.” If a family or personal crisis was going on, don’t hesitate to simply state as much and describe how it affected your ability to get your school work done. You do NOT have to go into great detail about the nature of the crisis if you do not feel comfortable doing so. If the bad semester happened during your first year of college, and had something to do with your adjustment period, know that you’re not alone. A significant number of students stumble their first year (and an even greater percentage of transfer students do so—this is often why students transfer). State the facts simply, and don’t feel that you have to have learned some grand lesson from the process. It’s enough to learn that college is harder than you expected and required more focus, or that a mistaken choice of college can be fixed by transferring, or that it’s hard to balance a demanding family life with college. If your poor academic performance is related to anything that might also raise concerns among some admissions officials about your ability to succeed in law school (drug or alcohol abuse, serious mental health issues, diagnosis with a learning disability, etc.), you should speak with the pre-law advisor about your situation and how you might address those concerns.

If you are writing an essay to support your claim that your LSAT does not represent your potential to succeed in law school, you will need to present convincing evidence in the form of a history of mismatched standardized test scores and academic performance. In other words, you will need to show that your college GPA far exceeded what your SAT/ACT would have predicted. Remember in drafting this essay that law students are most often graded, especially during the first year, based on a single timed test at the end of the semester (albeit an essay exam, not a standardized test), and that to become a lawyer, you will need to take a two- to three-day standardized test known as the bar exam. Admission committee members will want to understand how you hope to overcome these prior challenges in law school, on the bar exam, and beyond. An LSAT-related addendum is really only appropriate (and convincing) in extraordinary circumstances.  If you are thinking about an addendum to explain a single bad test-taking experience, the reader will want to know why you didn’t simply retake the test.

Optional essays about background, perspectives, commitment to diversity, etc.

The Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision ended the use of race as a standalone factor in admissions decisions. But the Court made clear that “nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.”  Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. ___ (2023). Accordingly, you should feel free to write about how your life experiences — race-related and not — have impacted your perspectives and your decision to become an attorney. The prompts inviting you to do so may take different forms than they have in the past, though, and you’ll want to pay careful attention to the wording of those questions to ensure that your answer is responsive.

If you believe that your background in any respect has given you a unique perspective, you should absolutely use this kind of prompt to describe it. You’ll want to demonstrate to the admissions committee how that aspect of your life has contributed to how you view the world. You should not however feel that you need to link your background to your future career. In other words, just because you’re a member of an oppressed minority, don’t feel you have to want to be a lawyer on behalf of that oppressed minority. You don’t even need to make the case that your background will shape how you perform as, for example a Black corporate lawyer or a queer criminal defense attorney. The law schools are most interested in knowing how your background will shape your contribution to the law school community — the insights and perspectives you’ll bring — not that there is some connection between your background and the legal career you aspire to.

You may find that there is some overlap between elements of your personal statement and this type of essay. Some overlap is fine. The key is to ensure that you’re using the additional space wisely, for example, to amplify a point you may have made in passing in your personal statement, and not to duplicate much or all of the statement.

Why our law school? Why this program?

For the most common prompt — some version of “Why our law school?” — do your research and identify specific features of the school that will further your educational goals and career aspirations. Are there specific faculty you want to work with, clinical experiences you want to take advantage of, programs you want to be a part of? General flattery of the school (e.g., “the best clinical programs in the country”) is not persuasive. Rather, you want to connect the dots between your biography and aspirations with the school’s offerings. Show why you’d be excited to attend not just any law school, but this particular one.

Similarly, if a school asks how you’ll take advantage of a particular program they offer, make sure there’s a coherent link between what you present here and what you’ve said elsewhere about your interests and aspirations. If you have no interest in public service, for example, don’t pretend otherwise based on the erroneous belief that it will make you look better. It will probably ring false, and that will not help your application.

Creative prompts

Some schools offer optional prompts that don’t look like any of the above, and are instead inviting you to share some more of your personality. Georgetown’s “Top Ten List” and Michigan’s “If you could have dinner with any prominent person…” are great examples. These are generally opportunities to provide the committees with a little more insight into who you are, and what kind of community member you’ll be at their law school. Often they’re a little less formal, but be cautious about how casual and/or humorous you pitch these — remember that tone doesn’t always carry over well in writing. Always make sure you have someone who doesn’t know you review essays of this nature to ensure you’ve hit the right notes.

In sum, think of optional essay(s) and addenda as additional opportunities to market yourself to the admissions committees. Choose prompts and topics that will allow you to expand about parts of you that would not otherwise be evident to the readers. Make sure they complement rather than duplicate your personal statement, resume, and other submissions. And then pay attention to any additional requirements or suggestions the school offers—page lengths, for example, or additional clarifications of what they’re looking for. If you have any questions whatsoever about the nature of the question and whether your topic “fits,” don’t hesitate to contact the admissions staff. They sincerely want to evaluate you based your best work, not the result of a misunderstanding.

And, of course, always feel free to run a draft by the pre-law advisor.

More about Statements, essays, resume, and addenda

See an overview of the entire application process

The University of Chicago The Law School

Program info, application requirements.

Thank you for your interest in the University of Chicago Law School. Each year, we receive roughly 5,000 applications for our entering class of approximately 195 students. The Admissions Committee reviews every completed application we receive. 

Paperless Admissions Process

The Law School utilizes a paperless admissions process, which means we receive, process, and evaluate all applications electronically. All applicants to the JD program must apply through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Flexible Application, which is fully accessible to the visually impaired. All application materials will be available from LSAC and transmitted directly to the Law School.

We will not accept any paper application materials or paper updates to your application; please do not send them.  Any updates must be submitted electronically (please familiarize yourself with our policies on updating your application ).  

UChicago Law School Admissions Statement on Impact of COVID-19

The University of Chicago Law School takes a broad and holistic view of each law school applicant, believing that a simple formula cannot adequately measure an applicant's academic potential and contribution to the Law School community. In every admissions cycle, our Admissions Committee assesses a wide variety of factors using our holistic review process. As part of this process, our Committee has always considered applicants in the context of their individual situations. We will continue to use these processes with an additional understanding of the unique challenges presented by COVID-19 and its continuining impact.. We are aware of the disruptions that impacted not just academic coursework and grading systems, but also standardized test taking, research, travel, internships, employment, and many other activities. In light of the unprecedented challenges associated with COVID-19, UChicago Law will evaluate applicants in this upcoming cycle and in future cycles with these significant impacts in mind, including respecting decisions, whether made by institutions or individual students, to grade courses in 2020 with a Pass/No Pass or other basis. The Law School will also consider these significant impacts when evaluating standardized test results. Given the accreditation requirements of the American Bar Association, we will still require a LSAT or GRE for law school admission and a GMAT, GRE, or LSAT for admission to the JD/MBA program.  

Application

Applicants must complete all sections of the LSAC Flexible Application. There is only one application for applicants to the JD program. You will have the opportunity to indicate whether you are applying Early Decision (including through the Chicago Law Scholars Program) or Regular Decision in the application. You will also have the opportunity to indicate if you would like to apply to the Doctoroff Business Leadership Program . 

Applicants interested in the JD/MBA program should apply here  and complete the Supplemental JD/MBA Form through LSAC. Applicants interested in other dual degree programs apply for admission to UChicago Law and the other program through each program's application. For example, students interested in a JD/MPP will complete the LSAC Flexible Application and the Harris School of Public Policy's MPP application. 

Please read the Application Instructions available in the LSAC Flexible Application carefully before you begin your application. Applicants who have disabilities in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should contact the Admissions Office at 773-702-9484 or email [email protected] with their request.

Character and Fitness.  The application contains a section of questions relating to character and fitness to practice law. State Bar Associations may request a copy of your application, materials, and record, including answers to the character and fitness questions in this application, when determining your admission to the bar. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Contact information for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

An affirmative response to any portion of the Character and Fitness questions on the application will not automatically disqualify a candidate from admission. Rather, in those cases, the Dean of Admissions will review the affirmative response and determine if further review is necessary. If further review is necessary, the Dean of Admissions will convene a committee composed of the Deputy Dean, the Dean of Admissions, the Dean of Students, the Dean of Career Services and the Chair of the Faculty Admissions Committee. The committee will evaluate the facts, seek additional information as appropriate, and determine if the applicant may be considered for admission at the Law School. The Dean of Admissions may also consult as needed with the Office of the General Counsel.

All Undergraduate and Graduate School Transcripts

You must provide all undergraduate and graduate school transcripts reflecting a complete history of your academic performance in your undergraduate education and at any graduate schools. You must submit a transcript for any university you were enrolled at*, even if you withdrew and no credit was earned. We require all applicants to submit their transcripts through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Read our Frequently Asked Questions  (FAQs) to learn about how the Admissions Committee evaluates transcripts. 

*If you will be submitting foreign transcripts, please review our FAQs  about submitting foreign transcripts.

Standardized Test

Applicants have the option of submitting the Law School Admission Test   (LSAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) (if applicable - see below for details) as part of the Law School's pilot program.

We are accepting the LSAT-Flex, GRE General Test at Home, and GMAT Online Exam to satisfy the standardized test requirement. For the GMAT Online Exam, please see the details below.

You must have a current LSAT, GRE, or GMAT score (earned within the last five years) on file before the Admissions Committee will evaluate your application.

• LSAT : Submit LSAT scores (including any LSAT-Flex scores) to the Law School through LSAC. You must submit all LSAT scores earned within the last five years. Please note, you must have at least one LSAT writing sample on file (either from a previous paper examination or from the digital LSAT Writing) in order for your file to be marked complete. If you have not already done so, please remember to complete the LSAT Writing.   
• GRE : Submit GRE scores (including any GRE General Test at Home scores) to the Law School by designating the University of Chicago Law School as a recipient using Educational Testing Service (ETS) code 2577. You must submit all GRE scores earned within the last five years.   
• GMAT : If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Chicago and wish to pursue a dual degree in law with the University of Chicago Law School or if you are concurrently applying to pursue a dual degree with the University of Chicago Law School and a graduate program in another University of Chicago division, you may submit a GMAT score (including GMAT Online Exam scores) in lieu of the LSAT or GRE. Submit GMAT scores to the Law School by designating the applicable program: (1) The Law School – JD/MBA Booth School of Business Joint Degree (code H9X-2D-54), (2) The Law School – JD/MPP Harris School of Public Policy (code H9X-2D-58), or (3) The Law School – Joint Degree Programs (code H9X-2D-32). You must submit all GMAT scores earned within the last five years. 

Note : If you are admitted to the Law School based on an application with a GRE or GMAT score and, after admission, take the LSAT, the Admissions Committee will evaluate your new LSAT score and may re-evaluate your offer of admission.

Please review the FAQs to learn more about how the Admissions Committee evaluates standardized test scores and considers multiple scores.

We require a detailed resume containing your educational history, extracurricular activities, community and volunteer activities, and all full or part-time work experience. Please indicate the time spent each week on each activity or employment position . If your education or employment history has been interrupted for more than a normal vacation period, you should describe your activities during that time. You will be able to upload your resume in the “Attachments” section of the application.

Please see our FAQs  and video for more guidance on the resume.

Letters of Recommendation

We require two letters of recommendation, but we will accept up to four. You must submit your letters of recommendation through the CAS Letter of Recommendation Service. Your application will be considered complete once we receive two letters of recommendation, unless you request via email the Admissions Office wait until we have received any additional letters.

In reviewing letters of recommendation, the Admissions Committee is looking for insight into a candidate's academic promise, as well as personal qualities such as intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm, and commitment. We strongly recommend you submit at least one academic letter (e.g., from a professor, teacher's assistant, advisor) who can offer an informed assessment of your academic ability. We understand it may be difficult for candidates who have already completed their undergraduate education several years prior to applying to submit academic letters of recommendation. For more information on letters of recommendation, please review our FAQs .

Personal Statement

The personal statement is an essential part of every application, and it is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee. It should demonstrate your contribution to the Law School community beyond academics and should demonstrate your ability to communicate your thoughts effectively. The Admissions Committee often finds that a personal statement focusing on a unique personal attribute or experience is usually the most informative (as opposed to a restatement of your qualifications or resume).

For more tips and guidance on the personal statement, please review the FAQs .

Application Fee

The application fee is $90 (U.S. funds only), and you must pay the application fee by credit card when you submit your application through LSAC. Fee Waivers: Fee waiver requests are accepted starting September 1  when the application becomes available until the application deadline of March 1 each year.

We waive the application fee for the following JD applicants*: 

• Teach for America participants and alumni who completed service within the last five years,
• Those currently serving active duty in the U.S. military, U.S. military veterans, and members of the U.S. Reserves and National Guard,
• Peace Corps participants and alumni who completed service within the last five years and who provide a letter from their supervisor confirming completion of the 27-month commitment, undergraduate students currently enrolled at the University of Chicago,
• AmeriCorps participants and alumni who completed service within the last five years and who provide a letter from their supervisor confirming at least a 10-month commitment,
• Undergraduate students currently enrolled at the University of Chicago, and
• Applicants receiving fee waivers from LSAC.

To see if you qualify for a fee waiver from LSAC, please visit  LSAC's website . If you are eligible for a Law School fee waiver, please email  [email protected]  with your eligibility and request an application fee waiver code. If eligible, we will email you an application fee waiver code. You must use this code when you submit your application through LSAC.  Please do not pay the application fee. We will not be able to issue refunds to applicants who pay the fee .

* The Law School does not grant fee waivers to transfer applicants unless they receive an application fee waiver from LSAC.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

The University of Chicago requires all applicants to meet certain English language proficiency requirements. Applicants who do not meet the waiver criteria below must submit the  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)  internet-based test (iBT) or International   English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic  as proof of English language proficiency. Note, for the IELTS, applicants must take the Academic Reading/Writing test within IELTS, not the General Training Reading/Writing test.

Waiver Criteria

• English has been a primary language of communication and schooling for you since childhood; or
• Education in English-medium institutions in other countries or territories does not qualify for the exemption.

Note: High school or secondary school does not qualify an applicant for exemption; nor do part-time or research-based programs that did not involve full time coursework in English.

Minimum Scores

Applicants must score at least 104 total for the TOEFL. Applicants must score at least 7.5 overall and no less than 7.0 for each section for the IELTS.

TOEFL or IELTS score reports are valid for  two years . 

Sending Scores to UChicago Law

Please send your TOEFL or IELTS score through LSAC's CAS.

Please review the English Language Proficiency page to learn more about the requirements. 

Optional Materials

You may submit supplementary addenda to highlight particular topics you wish to bring to our attention. If you have already addressed the below topics in your Personal Statement, you do not need to submit a supplementary addendum on the same subject. The Admissions Committee typically finds one page or less is a sufficient length for most addenda. Please title addenda appropriately.  Examples  of supplementary addenda include: 

• UChicago aims to train well-rounded, critical, and socially conscious thinkers and doers. Describe how your background or experiences will contribute to the UChicago Law and Chicago Booth communities. Example topics include: lessons you have learned; skillsets you have developed; obstacles you have overcome based on your background or upbringing; or topics you have become passionate about studying in law school based on your lived or educational experiences.
• Undergraduate and/or Standardized Test Performance: If you do not think your academic record or standardized test scores accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, please tell us why. 

Doctoroff Business Leadership Program Statement (required for applicants applying to the Doctoroff Program)

The Doctoroff Business Leadership Program is a selective certificate-granting program that blends the best of the MBA curriculum into our prestigious, three-year Law School education, providing students with the analytical and business training they will need to thrive in today's complex business environment -- whether as corporate attorneys, in-house counsels, business leaders, or entrepreneurs.

As part of the certificate program, students are required to complete a core business curriculum taught at the Law School by leading faculty from UChicago's world-renowned Booth School of Business. In addition, students will be matched with an alumni business mentor, participate in a business internship during their 1L summer, and take part in enrichment and leadership development activities. 

Learn more about the Doctoroff Business Leadership Program here and through our Doctoroff Admissions video .  If you are a student who is passionate about pursuing a career at the intersection of business and law, you are strongly encouraged to apply to the Doctoroff Business Leadership Program.  

If you are admitted to the Law School and want to be considered for the Doctoroff Business Leadership Program,

• answer "yes" to the Doctoroff question in the application and
• submit a statement of interest that describes in 250 words or less why you want to participate in the Program and how earning the Doctoroff Business Leadership Program Certificate will help you achieve your career goals.

You may submit the statement in the Attachments section of the online application. 

JD/PhD Essay

If you have obtained a PhD, are completing a PhD, or if you are concurrently applying to a PhD program, we invite you to submit a one-page optional essay explaining your research and academic interests, your professional goals, and how completing a JD would help you improve your research and achieve your professional goals. 

If you choose to submit this essay, please attach it to the JD/PhD Essay in the Attachments section. 

Which program are you applying to?

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

June 29, 2017

Law School Admissions Tip #7: The not so optional “optional” essay

The Top 15 Things Every Law School Applicant Should Know is a series that will teach you the ins and outs of successful law school applications. Stay tuned for the remaining elements. This week we’ll discuss the not so optional “optional” essay.

Almost every law school will ask for a personal statement as part of your admissions application. These personal statements are an integral part of your application, but what about the optional essays ? Should you write these or not? After all, they do say “optional.” Here’s the scoop: If they give you another chance to show off your writing skills and endear yourself to the admissions committee, grab it. Not only are you taking advantage of another opportunity to sway the admissions decision in your favor, you are also demonstrating a proactive and determined attitude toward your application. This is something law schools like to see.

Here are a couple of examples of optional essays schools may encourage you to submit:

“You are welcome to supplement your personal statement with either or both of the following optional essays. Optional Essay I:  You may submit an essay providing additional information about why you have chosen to apply to law school in general and Duke in particular. We are interested in the factors that have prompted your interest in a legal career and the ways in which you think Duke can further that interest.  Optional Essay II:  You may submit an essay that describes how you will enhance the educational environment of the Law School and contribute to the diversity of the student body. Because we believe that diversity enriches the educational experience of all our students, Duke Law School seeks to admit students from a variety of academic, cultural, social, ethnic, economic, and other backgrounds. In this essay, you may tell us more about your particular life experiences with an emphasis on how the perspectives that you have acquired would contribute to the intellectual community of the Law School.”

• Georgetown:

“In the Office of Admissions, we take great pride in dispelling the myth that the admissions process is strictly a numbers game. While numbers are important, the Admissions Committee would like to give you the opportunity to express yourself, and us to get to know you, in another way. If you would like to provide us with additional information about yourself which the Admissions Committee will consider in evaluating your application, please feel free to choose  one  of the following five  optional responses. Your response should be limited to 250 words. Please be advised that the Committee will in no way hold it against you if you choose not to submit an optional response. 

•       Tell us about a time when you failed and what you learned .
•       What is the best advice you ever received and have you followed it?
•       Describe your perfect day. Ever have one?
•       How would your friends describe you? Did they miss anything?
•       Prepare a one-minute video that says something about you. Upload it to an easily accessible website and provide us the URL. (If you are using YouTube, we strongly suggest that you make your video  unlisted  so it will not appear in any of YouTube’s public spaces.) What you do or say is entirely up to you. Please note that we are unable to watch videos that come in any form other than a URL link.”

Note that in the case of Duke, one of their suggestions is specifically about diversity. Many schools will offer this up as one of their optional essays. The reality is that most everyone is diverse in one way or the other, so get creative and demonstrate how you are different from every other face in the crowd. After all, their description of diverse is, “… a variety of academic, cultural, social, ethnic, economic, and other backgrounds.” That’s a fairly wide range of experiences, so give it some thought.

For Georgetown, they offer applicants an opportunity to write both a diversity statement as well as one of the five optional essays above. Take advantage of the opportunity and write both.  Just think about it from an admissions officer’s point of view. If you have two applicants, and one has written only the personal statement, and the second, equally qualified applicant, has gone above and beyond and put together two supplementary, well thought out and articulated essays , which applicant are you more likely to endorse? We know it’s a lot of writing, and we know it is easier to submit only the personal statement, but if you were looking for easy, you wouldn’t be applying to law school! Consider the extra writing good preparation for the years ahead.

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