In this comprehensive guide, we explore the top law schools that do not require the LSAT for admission, offering alternative pathways to a successful legal career. Learn about the advantages of attending these law schools, the application process, and tips for a strong application. If you chose not to learn how to prepare for the LSAT, then you must double down on your other application components, like law school personal statement and law school letters of recommendation to boost your chances of acceptance. By following the tips and advice in this guide, you can increase your chances of getting accepted into a prestigious law school without the LSAT requirement and set yourself on the path toward a fulfilling legal career.
>>Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here.<<
Article Contents
8 min
read
Do You Really Need to Write the LSAT?
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a significant component of the law school application process in most law schools in the US and Canada. However, some prospective law students may be looking for alternatives due to various reasons, such as a low original LSAT score, financial constraints, time constraints, or test anxiety. Thankfully, there are law schools in Canada and the US that don't require the LSAT for admission. In this guide, we'll discuss the top law schools that do not include the LSAT as one of the law school requirements, the benefits of attending these schools, and tips for submitting a strong application.
Important note: while it is possible to become a lawyer without writing the LSAT, this does limit your choice of law schools. Most law schools do list the LSAT as a necessary requirement, and therefore the pool of schools available to you becomes significantly smaller.
Top Law Schools That Don’t Require the LSAT
1. Harvard Law School: Yes! One of the best law schools in the world gives you the option to avoid the LSAT. Applicants can submit the GRE or the LSAT, or a combination of both. The law school has stated that it does not have a preference between the GRE and LSAT, and that both tests are considered equally in the admissions process. However, applicants should keep in mind that the LSAT is still the more commonly accepted test for law school admissions. So you can avoid the LSAT by writing the GRE, which is usually considered a slightly less intimidating test.
2. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law: You can complete an interview instead of submitting an LSAT score, so be sure to start practicing your interview skills with sample law school interview questions. The interview is conducted by a member of the law school's admissions committee and is used to assess the applicant's potential for success in law school.
3. Georgetown University Law Center: If you have earned a graduate degree in a related field, such as business or public policy, you can submit a personal statement, resume, two letters of recommendation, and transcripts instead of the LSAT. This alternative requirement applies to applicants who have earned a graduate degree within the past five years, and who have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
4. University of Iowa College of Law: Offers an alternative admission program that does not require the LSAT for applicants who have strong academic records and demonstrated potential for success in law school – which means that it is not a great choice for those who are trying to figure out how to get into law school with low GPA. The program requires applicants to submit two law school optional essays and participate in an interview with a member of the admissions committee.
5. University of Wisconsin Law School: The University of Wisconsin Law School accepts the LSAT and GRE for admission. You must submit a personal statement, resume, two letters of recommendation, and transcripts. The school uses a holistic review process, considering factors such as academic achievements, leadership potential, and work experience.
6. Wake Forest University School of Law: Wake Forest takes a holistic approach to admission, evaluating applicants based on academic achievements, personal qualities, and potential for success in law school and the legal profession.
7. St. John's University School of Law: St. John's Law accepts LSAT and GRE scores, with required materials including a personal statement, resume, two recommendation letters, and transcripts. The school assesses candidates based on academics, individual qualities, and professional potential, with a focus on public service commitment.
8. University of Maryland Carey School of Law: The University of Maryland Carey Law accepts LSAT, GRE, and GMAT scores. Using a comprehensive review process, the school considers academic achievements, work history, and leadership skills. This is where your law school extracurriculars will really help make a good impression. The program requires applicants to submit an additional essay, two letters of recommendation, and participate in an interview with a member of the admissions committee.
9. University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law: The William S. Richardson School of Law permits LSAT and GRE scores. Admissions value academic success, individual qualities, and diverse experiences, with an emphasis on public service commitment and understanding Hawai'i's unique legal context.
10. Southern Illinois University School of Law: Southern Illinois University School of Law allows LSAT and GRE submissions. Prospective students must provide a personal statement, resume, two recommendation letters, and transcripts. The school evaluates candidates based on academic accomplishments, personal characteristics, and legal career potential, encouraging applicants to showcase public service commitment and unique experiences.
Working on your personal statement? Check this out:
Full List of Law Schools that Do Not Require the LSAT
Here's a more comprehensive list of law schools that either waive the LSAT requirement or accept alternative tests such as the GRE. Keep in mind that the list is subject to change and may not be exhaustive, as law schools may update their admission requirements over time.
- Harvard Law School
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
- Georgetown University Law Center
- University of Iowa College of Law
- University of Wisconsin Law School
- Wake Forest University School of Law
- St. John's University School of Law
- University of Maryland Carey School of Law
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa - William S. Richardson School of Law
- Southern Illinois University School of Law
- Yale Law School
- Columbia Law School
- New York University School of Law
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- University of Virginia School of Law
- University of Chicago Law School
- Cornell Law School
- Duke University School of Law
- Stanford Law School
- University of Michigan Law School
- University of Southern California Gould School of Law
- George Washington University Law School
- University of Texas at Austin School of Law
- University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
- Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
- Emory University School of Law
- University of Florida Levin College of Law
- University of Colorado Law School
- Boston University School of Law
- University of California, Irvine School of Law
- Fordham University School of Law
- University at Buffalo School of Law
- Texas A&M University School of Law
- University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
- University of Dayton School of Law
- University of Massachusetts School of Law
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law
- Vermont Law School
- Suffolk University Law School
- St. Thomas University School of Law
- University of Akron School of Law
- University of Baltimore School of Law
- University of San Francisco School of Law
- New England Law | Boston
- Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
- University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law
- CUNY School of Law
- University of St. Thomas School of Law - Minneapolis
- California Western School of Law
- Southwestern Law School
- Golden Gate University School of Law
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- Western State College of Law
- Whittier Law School
Please note that it's essential to check each school's specific requirements as some law schools may waive the LSAT requirement only under certain conditions or for specific applicant categories. Additionally, some law schools may accept GRE scores alongside the LSAT but not entirely waive the LSAT requirement.
To ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information on law school admission requirements, consult the schools' websites and contact their admissions offices if you have any questions.
How to Avoid Writing the LSAT
As you can see in our list, some law schools have increasingly accepted alternative standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT, or allow students to supplement the lack of the LSAT score with extracurriculars, essays, and interviews. Here’re the top alternative ways to get into law school without writing the LSAT.
Other Standardized Tests
Research whether your chosen law schools accept other standardized tests like GRE or GMAT. The GRE is a widely accepted test for graduate school admissions and is now accepted by several top law schools. The test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. Some law schools may require a minimum GRE score for admission, so be sure to research each school's requirements. Alternatively, you can choose to write the GMAT. The GMAT is primarily used for MBA applications but is now accepted by a growing number of law schools. The test measures analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. Similar to the GRE, some law schools may require a minimum GMAT score for admission.
Essays
If you want to avoid standardized tests altogether, consider law schools that require the submission of supplemental essays instead of an LSAT score. As you could see, some law schools can ask for optional essays like the law school diversity essay, or “why out law school?” essay. Research which of the schools you want to pursue offer this substitution.
Interviews
Research whether your top-choice law schools will offer an interview to replace an LSAT submission. Most law schools invite applicants for interviews, but if you are trying to avoid the LSAT and you get invited to an interview instead of submitting an LSAT score, be ready to discuss why you wanted to skip this test.
Getting ready for a law school interview?
Benefits of Applying Law Schools Without LSAT Requirements
As we already mentioned, there is one major disadvantage of pursuing only schools that do not require the LSAT: they are the minority. Which means that you will be limited in the number of schools you can apply to. However, there are some significant benefits to avoiding writing the LSAT:
How to Maximize Your Chances of Law School Admission
Law school acceptance rates are insanely competitive! And if you’re trying to get into law school without writing the LSAT, then you must do extra work to be a string candidate. To increase your chances of admission to law schools that do not require the LSAT, focus on the following aspects of your application:
Know your chosen schools inside and out
Make sure you do thorough research into the schools you’re applying to in order to know exactly what they are looking for and what kind of experiences, skills, and event from your life to emphasize in the application and interview. You must convince the admissions committee that you are the perfect candidate for their school.
Strong academic record
Maintain a high GPA and demonstrate your intellectual capabilities through coursework, research projects, or academic awards. A high GPA can often overshadow a lack of an LSAT score or a low LSAT score. For most law schools, a competitive GPA typically falls in the range of 3.5 to 3.9 on a 4.0 scale. Top-tier law schools may have even higher median GPAs, while some schools may accept applicants with lower GPAs.
Relevant work experience
Gain experience in the legal field through internships, externships, or volunteering to show your commitment to pursuing a legal career. Remember that commitments that have nothing to do with law are just as important. In your application, make sure to emphasize the skills and lessons you learned that can be applicable in the legal profession.
Compelling personal statement
Write a strong law school personal statement that highlights your the reasons as to why you want to be a lawyer, your unique experiences, and your reasons for pursuing a legal education. Make sure to stick to the word count and follow any other requirements for the submission. You do not want your personal statement to get chucked because of inattention to detail.
Impressive letters of recommendation
Obtain letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or other professionals who can attest to your potential for success in law school and the legal profession.
Impress during your interview
if you are invited to an interview, despite not writing the LSAT, take this opportunity to really shine. This is the last step before admissions decisions are made, so make sure you prepare for the most common law school interview questions, like “tell me about yourself” and “why do you want to be a lawyer?”, as well as other questions that may come up during the interview.
FAQs
1. Do all law schools require the LSAT?
No, not all law schools require the LSAT. An increasing number of prestigious law schools are accepting alternative standardized test scores or waiving test requirements altogether.
2. What alternative tests do law schools accept?
The most common alternative test accepted by law schools is the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations). Some schools may also accept the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or other standardized tests.
3. Is it easier to get into law schools that do not require the LSAT?
Not necessarily. While these law schools may not require the LSAT, they still maintain a competitive admissions process. They may accept alternative standardized test scores, and they will evaluate applicants based on other factors, such as academic achievements, work experience, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.
4. Will not taking the LSAT affect my chances of admission?
It depends on the law school and its specific admissions requirements. Some schools may place a higher emphasis on the LSAT, while others focus on a more holistic evaluation. Research each law school's requirements and consider reaching out to their admissions office for clarification on their policy.
5. Do I still need to take a standardized test if the law school does not require the LSAT?
Some law schools may still require an alternative standardized test, like the GRE or GMAT, while others may waive testing requirements altogether. Check each law school's specific admissions requirements to determine what tests, if any, are required for admission.
6. Are there benefits to taking the LSAT even if it is not required?
Taking the LSAT can still be beneficial, as it is a widely accepted test, which means you will have more choice in terms of applications.. Additionally, a high LSAT score may make you more competitive for scholarships or financial aid at some law schools.
7. How do I choose between the LSAT and alternative standardized tests?
Consider factors such as your test-taking strengths, the specific requirements of the law schools you are interested in, and the potential benefits of taking a particular test. You may want to consult with a law school admissions consulting expert or take practice tests to determine which test is best suited to your abilities.
8. Is the GRE easier than the LSAT?
The difficulty of the GRE compared to the LSAT can vary depending on the individual test-taker. The GRE tests verbal and quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills, while the LSAT focuses on reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. Some students may find the GRE more manageable due to its broader range of content, while others may prefer the law-specific focus of the LSAT.
Like our blog? Write for us! >>
Have a question? Ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions!
Comments