The T14 law schools make up the top institutions in the US law school rankings. In terms of academic excellence and career opportunity, these schools are considered the best of the best among the 200 law schools in the US. While getting accepted to any of these schools is a huge accomplishment, it is possible. In this blog, we’ll cover the T14 law schools, their admissions data and reputation, plus advice on how to get into any of these top institutions.
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List of T14 Law Schools
Below we’ve listed the current T14 law schools, including law school acceptance rates and admissions data.
1. Stanford Law School
- Ranking: 1 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- Median GPA: 3.92
- Median LSAT: 173
- Top Law Concentrations: Intellectual Property Law, Criminal Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Constitutional Law
- Tuition: $66,924
2. Yale Law School
- Ranking: 1 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 5.7%
- Median GPA: 3.96
- Median LSAT: 175
- Top Law Concentrations: Constitutional Law, International Law, Clinical Training, Business/Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Health Care Law
- Tuition: $71,425
3. University of Chicago Law School
- Ranking: 3
- Acceptance Rate: 14.2%
- Median GPA: 3.91
- Median LSAT: 173
- Top Law Concentrations: Business/Corporate Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Tax Law
- Tuition: $74,607
4. University of Pennsylvania (Carey)
- Ranking: 4
- Acceptance Rate: 9.7%
- Median GPA: 3.92
- Median LSAT: 172
- Top Law Concentrations: Corporate/Business Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law
- Tuition: $73,008
5. Duke University Law School
- Ranking: 5 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 10.7%
- Median GPA: 3.87
- Median LSAT: 170
- Top Law Concentrations: Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Law, Tax Law, Constitutional Law, Environmental Law
- Tuition: $72,632
6. Harvard University Law School
- Ranking: 5 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 10%
- Median GPA: 3.93
- Median LSAT: 174
- Top Law Concentrations: Business/Corporate Law, Constitutional Law, Dispute Resolution, Criminal Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, International Law, Health Care Law, Environmental Law
- Tuition: $71,734
7. New York University Law School
- Ranking: 5 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 15.6%
- Median GPA: 3.9
- Median LSAT: 172
- Top Law Concentrations: Criminal Law, International Law, Tax Law, Intellectual Property Law, Environmental Law, Business/Corporate Law
- Tuition: $76,290
8. Columbia Law School
- Ranking: 8 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 11.9%
- Median GPA: 3.87
- Median LSAT: 173
- Top Law Concentrations: Business/Corporate Law, International Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Criminal Law
- Tuition: $78,278
9. University of Virginia Law School
- Ranking: 8 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 12.9%
- Median GPA: 3.94
- Median LSAT: 171
- Top Law Concentrations: Constitutional Law, Tax Law, Criminal Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Business/Corporate Law, International Law
- Tuition: $68,500 (in-state, full-time); $71,500 (out-of-state, full-time)
10. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
- Ranking: 10 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 15%
- Median GPA: 3.89
- Median LSAT: 171
- Top Law Concentrations: Tax Law, Clinical Training, Dispute Resolution, Contracts/Commercial Law
- Tuition: $72,212
11. University of California, Berkeley Law School
- Ranking: 10 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 12.5%
- Median GPA: 3.87
- Median LSAT: 170
- Top Law Concentrations: Intellectual Property Law, Environmental Law, Business/Corporate Law, Constitutional Law, Contracts/Commercial Law
- Tuition: $59,306 (in-state, full-time); $67,816 (out-of-state, full-time)
12. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Law School
- Ranking: 10 (tied)
- Acceptance Rate: 13.5%
- Median GPA: 3.85
- Median LSAT: 171
- Top Law Concentrations: Legal Writing, Contracts/Commercial Law, Constitutional Law, Clinical Training, Business/Corporate Law
- Tuition: $66,808 (in-state, full-time); $69,808 (out-of-state, full-time)
13. Cornell University Law School
- Ranking: 13
- Acceptance Rate: 17.4%
- Median GPA: 3.9
- Median LSAT: 172
- Top Law Concentrations: Constitutional Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Business/Corporate Law
- Tuition: $74,183
14. University of California, Los Angeles Law School
- Ranking: 14
- Acceptance Rate: 15.5%
- Median GPA: 3.92
- Median LSAT: 170
- Top Law Concentrations: Environmental Law, Tax Law, Trial Advocacy, Contracts/Commercial Law, Intellectual Property Law, Business/Corporate Law
- Tuition: $53,910 (in-state, full-time); $64,417 (out-of-state, full-time)
What Are the T14 Law Schools?
The T14 law schools are the top-ranked law schools in the US. A majority of these institutions are private law schools and Ivy League law schools, and they can boast that they offer some of the best legal educations not just in the US but in the world.
Of around 200 ABA-certified law schools in the US, these top 14 law schools are considered the best of the best. In general, these rankings don’t shift much from year to year, especially in the top 10. As we can see from the list above, there are quite a few schools tied for their place, too. All of these schools are highly regarded, so it’s not easy to say which one is the best. Even lower-ranked schools, such as the easiest law schools to get into, aren’t necessarily bad, they’re just less selective than the T14 schools.
So, if you’re wondering how to get into law school and asking if you should apply to the top 14, the truth is that it depends. Attending a t14 law school has definite advantages, but it’s not a requirement for you to have a great legal career.
Employment opportunities at t14 law schools generally are much more favorable. Big law firms and corporations frequently hire graduates from these top law schools, and graduating from one of them may give you some edge over your competition. T14 law schools are considered to have the best faculty and resources for student success, leading to more job opportunities, higher-paying jobs in the legal field and more professional connections.
Of course, this also means the top law schools are harder to get into, since the competition is fierce. On average, students accepted to these institutions have very high GPAs and LSAT scores, which are tough criteria to meet on top of the law school requirements for admission.
The bottom line, ranking isn’t everything. Each one of the law schools in the US will offer you an excellent legal education, but each school may have a different specialty within the law, a unique learning environment and culture and different curriculums. To choose the right program for you, consider what your professional goals are, your own educational needs are and what you hope to gain from law school. Look past the law school rankings at the programs themselves and consider them on their merits, not their reputations!
Even so, a T14 law school may be the best fit for you and your goals. If this is the case, you’ll need a strong start in crafting an application that gets you accepted. To find out how to get into T14 law schools, read on!
How to Get Into T14 Law Schools
To get into the T14 law schools is no easy feat. Looking at the admissions data, it’s easy to think that earning a high GPA and LSAT score is the key. And while both are certainly recommended for your best chance of acceptance, a 3.9 GPA and 175 LSAT score is not a guarantee of getting in.
Law school admissions are about more than your academic performance, and with so few spots open in most programs and thousands of applicants to choose from, you truly need to stand out from the crowd.
To do this, your law school application should be personalized and tailored to the schools you are applying to, as much as possible.
These institutions know they are top-ranked, and they expect applicants with impressive academic records and polished resumes. To increase your chances of getting in, it’s your mission to show the admissions committees at these schools that you’ve done your homework on their programs and that you are an ideal fit not just academically but on a deeper level. These schools want students who will succeed in their programs and add something to their communities.
Next, we’ll give you some tips on how to personalize your law school application and get into these T14 schools!
#1 Maintain a High GPA
The top-ranked law schools typically accept students who have a strong academic performance. The median GPA of accepted students at these law schools is usually 3.8-3.9 out of a 4.0 GPA. Your GPA is usually one of the first things a law school admissions committee will look at to determine if you will be a successful law student. Law school is academically demanding, so they want to know you are equipped for the challenge.
While it is possible to get into law school with a low GPA, a GPA lower than 3.7 will likely mean your chances of getting into a top law school are diminished. To maintain a high GPA in your undergraduate years, do what you can to get help with your studies when you need, remain disciplined and create a strong study schedule for yourself.
#2 Score High on the LSAT
Similarly to your GPA, you should aim to score very well on the LSAT to demonstrate that you have the skills and thinking of an ideal legal student. On average, students accepted to the T14 law schools have a 170 LSAT score, placing them in the 98th percentile of scorers, which is quite high!
Scoring above the 170 mark on the LSAT takes considerable effort. You’ll need not only a firm grasp of what is on the LSAT but a good LSAT study schedule and plenty of practice to master the LSAT’s question types.
If you’re struggling to improve your LSAT score on practice tests, there are essential LSAT reading comprehension strategies you can use to improve your skills, or you can hire an LSAT prep service to help you pinpoint what your weaknesses are and how to overcome them. To test yourself, try some LSAT practice questions!
#3 Invest in the Best Experiences
Here is where the personalization of your application starts. Some law schools may prefer candidates with one type of experience or background over another, and some have certain special interests within the law. For instance, Stanford has a focus in intellectual property and criminal law, while Yale leans more towards constitutional and international law. A student with a strong interest in criminology may be a more attractive candidate for the former, while an applicant with work experience at an international firm may be more likely to be accepted to the latter.
This is why it’s important to carefully craft your law school extracurriculars and what goes onto your law school resume. You want to highlight the experiences, accomplishments and awards that best reflect what the specific school is looking for and what is most meaningful to you. If your goal is to get into Yale law school, and you have an interest in a degree in international law, highlight any work or volunteer experience you have with international organizations, or experience you have with other cultures and communities.
#4 Write Awesome Essays
Your law school personal statement and any law school essays you need to submit are another opportunity for you to stand out. Primarily, you want to address the question “why this law school”, and have a very strong reason aside from that it’s one of the top-ranked schools. Your personal statement should speak to why you are applying to law school, why you’ve chosen a specific school and why this institution is a good match for you.
Of course, there are additional essays you can write to add something to your application. From law school optional essays to a law school letter of intent, there are many writing tools you can use to help personalize your application and convince an admissions committee to choose you. Explore the law school essay prompts carefully and start brainstorming early!
Here's a quick guide to law school optional essays!
#5 Secure Stellar Recommendations
Law schools may ask for a set number of law school letters of recommendation, and they may even ask for submissions from certain sources, such as an employer or faculty member. Even if you are allowed to choose your own referees, you need to be very selective here and consider how your reference letter writers can help improve your application.
This is one part of your application you won’t have much control over, but you can still set yourself up for success. Here’s an example. If you’re applying to a law school that values volunteerism, one of your recommendation letter writers should be a volunteer supervisor you worked with. Not only this, but you should also have a strong, positive relationship with this person, and they should be able to speak to your strengths and admirable qualities in their letter.
When picking your letter writers, first think about the law school’s requirements or recommendations, then what particular experiences they value. Then, think about the strength of your relationship with your writer and whether they are willing and enthusiastic about writing a recommendation for you.
Once you’ve asked for a recommendation, provide as much information as you can to your writer to help them. You can give them information about what qualities a law school prizes or what qualities you have that they should mention in their letter. It’s also a good idea for you to let them know what the application deadline is and how to submit their letter, if they need to do so. Remember to be patient and follow up with your writers as needed!
#6 Ace Your Law School Interview
The final leg of law school admissions is the interview. This experience can be quite intimidating, but it is crucial to your success. T14 law schools may use the interview to make final decisions on applicants or as “tie-breakers” when deciding which applicants should be given one of the limited seats in the program.
To beat your competition, it’s essential to invest in some law school interview prep. Just like taking practice tests to prepare for the LSAT, a law school mock interview allows you to rehearse the interview, and your responses to common questions so you are better prepared and more confident during the real thing.
Expert resources such as law school admissions consulting can give you professional feedback and advice on your interview performance, or you can ask a trusted friend or mentor to be your mock interviewer.
Conclusion: Is it Worth Going to a T14 Law School?
While there are definite advantages to attending a T14 law school, most notably the prestige and employability graduates of these institutions have, it’s also not a requirement to achieve your legal dreams. It’s in your best interest to look beyond the T14 label and weigh different law schools on their own merits. Choose the programs that best fit your career goals, educational needs, budget and desired graduate school culture. Just because a law school ranks highly, doesn’t mean it’s the right place for you.
If you do decide to apply to any of the T14 law schools, know that there is no magic solution or secret to applying to any of these schools. Each one is unique and your application should reflect this, too. Your application should include your personal experiences and qualities that are most suited to a specific law school and reflects what the admissions committee is looking for. These qualities aren’t something that can be found in law school rankings or admissions data, so it’s essential to do your research before applying!
FAQs
1. What are the T14 law schools?
The T14 law schools are the top 14 law schools in the US rankings. They typically include renowned institutions such as Stanford, Yale, Harvard and Chicago school of law.
2. What GPA do I need for T14 law schools?
The median GPA for the T14 law schools is usually above 3.8, even 3.9 for some of the top schools. The minimum GPA for most law schools hovers around 3.0 to 3.3.
3. What LSAT score do I need for T14 law schools?
The median LSAT score for the T14 law schools is 170 and above. For the best chance of getting into one of the top law schools, you should aim for an LSAT score of at least 170.
4. How hard is it to get into T14 law schools?
Getting into any of the T14 law schools is challenging, because of the high academic standards and low acceptance rates, but it’s not impossible. While the T14 law schools tend to accept students with very high GPAs and LSAT scores, this is not enough to get accepted. You will need a very strong application that demonstrates you are an ideal fit for a specific law school.
5. Do the T14 law schools change?
There isn’t a lot of change from year to year in the T14 law schools, although they sometimes drop or rise by a rank or two from year to year. The top 5 law schools tend to be fairly consistent, though.
6. How do I get into a T14 law school?
For the best chance to get into any of the T14 law schools, you will not only need a high GPA and LSAT score, but you will also need a stellar application and strong admissions interview. Every part of your application materials should be tailored to the specific school you want to get into, since the available seats are limited and the competition is intense.
7. Is it worth it to get into a T14 law school?
Getting into a T14 law school can certainly benefit you in finding a job after law school and will provide you with an excellent legal education. However, it is not necessary to get into a T14 school to launch a great legal career or receive a top legal education.
8. What are the top law schools in Canada?
Some of the best law schools in Canada are the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School, the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, Queen's law at Queen's University, University of Ottawa law school, University of Alberta law school and Western law.
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