Law school admissions statistics can be pretty intimidating, considering the highly competitive nature of US law schools. But despite the selective nature of these schools, it is possible to craft a winning application to any of them. If you’re interested in applying for law school in Canada, take a look at some law schools in Canada statistics and admissions requirements. You can also familiarize yourself with the OLSAS application, as many of Canada’s best law schools are located in Ontario. In this blog, we’ll explore how competitive admissions are at US law schools, selection factors, how to improve your chances of getting accepted, and some tips on how to prepare for law school applications.
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How competitive are law school admissions?
Law school admissions is notoriously competitive in the US, and law school admissions statistics reflect this. The median acceptance rate for all law schools in the US sits at 40.8%, which is already a fairly competitive rate. The top 15 law schools in the US, with acceptance rates below 15%, are even more selective. Their median acceptance rate sits at 11.1%. The toughest law school to get into, Yale Law School, has an acceptance rate of just 6.9%. Conversely, the easiest Ivy League schools to get into are Cornell Law School, Dartmouth University’s law program and UPenn Law School.
To get accepted to law school, you’ll need an excellent application and good scores. To start, you’ll also need to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The average accepted LSAT score is 150, but to get into the top law schools, you’ll want to score above 162 out of 180. If you score below 145 on any practice tests, work on improving your score before you take the real exam. Or you can retake the test to submit stronger scores on your law school application. A law school advisor can help guide you on the law school requirements. They can help you figure out how to study for the LSAT, too.
On average, students will need a relatively high GPA to get accepted to law school as well. Students should aim for a GPA of 3.6 or higher to get into the best law schools. Some law schools will accept students with lower GPAs, but realistically, you’ll need a GPA of at least 2.5 to have a fair shot of getting accepted to less selective law schools.
The table below summarizes the latest admission statistics data for US law schools.
Getting into law school in the US is undeniably challenging, but it is possible. With many excellent law schools to choose from, including some of the most well-known such as Harvard Law School, Stanford Law and Columbia Law School, there are many opportunities for students to get accepted. If you’re concerned about how to get into law school with a low GPA or below average LSAT score, don’t worry. Students can also take the LSAT multiple times without hurting their chances or take courses to improve their GPA. With good preparation, a strong application and high scores, students stand a fair chance at getting into any of the law schools in this list. Below, we’ll look at some eligibility and selection factors for US law schools to see what it takes to create a winning application.
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How to increase your chances of getting into law school
As we’ve seen, US law schools’ admissions is extremely selective, and law school admissions committees are looking for the best of the best in applicants. For the best chance at getting accepted, you’ll need a well-rounded application. This means a respectable LSAT score, the highest GPA possible, and a compelling law school personal statement. Having a good balance of all application components is best, but a weak point in your application can be overcome by a solid whole. The written sections of your application will need to be very well constructed. The highest GPA and LSAT scores won’t be enough to get you into the best law school if your written essays are underwhelming. Many students struggle with the written sections of an application, particularly essays, and plenty of students hire a grad school essay tutor for this reason. Reading examples can be an excellent way to prepare for this step, too. Try reading some Harvard Law School personal statement examples for inspiration on writing stellar personal statements.
There are also some important ways to set yourself apart as an applicant or add something extra to your application package that may turn the tables in your favor. These are supplementary parts of your application but can be highly effective tools.
How to prepare for law school applications
The application package is only part of preparing for law school. There are other elements you’ll need to prep for, including the LSAT and the law school interview. Your preparation for law school should include a holistic strategy where you can get ready for each aspect of the admissions journey. Below we've included some tips on what to prepare for and how you can do it to give yourself the best chance of getting accepted.
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Conclusion
No matter your application timeline or education budget, it’s always better to take the time to prepare yourself fully and create the strongest application possible. Getting into law school is not easy, but you increase your chances of getting in the first time around by being well prepared. In the long run, you save a lot of time and money. And you get to go to the law school of your dreams!
FAQs
1. What law school has the highest acceptance rate?
Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University is the law school with the highest acceptance rate in the US at 85%.
2. What law school has the lowest acceptance rate?
Yale Law School has the lowest acceptance rate of all US law schools at 6.9%. Yale Law School is also the top-rated law school in the US, and is one of the famed Ivy League schools.
3. What GPA do I need to get into law school?
To get into most selective law schools in the US, you should aim for a GPA of at least 3.59. If your goal is to get into a top 10 law school, you should aim to get a GPA of 3.7 or above.
4. What LSAT score is needed to get into law school?
The average LSAT score is 150, but to get accepted to the most competitive law schools in the US, you should try to score at least 162 and higher. If you want a good shot at getting into any law school, you should try to score over 150 at least.
5. How hard is it to get into law school?
Generally speaking, it is difficult to get into law school in the US. The average acceptance rate of all US law schools is around 40%, so they are quite selective. However, it is possible to get accepted, even to a competitive program, with a strong application and good preparation.
6. What is the easiest Ivy League law school to get into?
The easiest Ivy League law schools to get accepted to are the University of Cornell, Dartmouth University and University of Pennsylvania law school programs.
7. What is the most popular US law school?
The Georgetown University Law Centre receives the most applications of any other law school in the US. The program has consistently been called the country’s most popular law school over the years.
8. Can I get into law school with a low GPA?
Yes, it is still possible to get into law school with a low GPA, but you will need to strengthen the rest of your application to make up for it. The lowest score GPA with which you can still realistically get accepted to law school is 2.5.
9. Can I get into law school with a low LSAT score?
Yes, you can still get accepted to law school with a lower LSAT score. If you’re consistently scoring lower than 145, however, you should consider retaking the LSAT and trying to get a higher score. Retaking the LSAT, even more than once, will not hurt your application, but you can also explain the reason for your retakes in a law school addendum.
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2 Comments
Azell
Do you know if any of these schools are waiving the LSAT’s requirement due to covid
Replydkeil
Acceptance rate is number of accepted / number applied, not number enrolled / number applied...
Reply