Information for UCLA Law J.D. program applicants (2024)

We invite you to apply to the youngest top law school in the nation – UCLA School of Law. The Office of Admissions is available to help you experience a smooth and successful application process. Applications for Fall 2025 will be available through the LSAC online application service on September 3, 2024. Applications will be due by January 31, 202​5.

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Steps to Applying to the First Year Class

  • A. Application Requirements

    Please note that by the time of enrollment, applicants must have abachelor’s degree that has been awarded by an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.For students educated outside of the United States, the undergraduate degree must be from an institution that is equivalent in quality to that of institutions accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.If you have any questions about educational prerequisites, please emailadmissions@law.ucla.edu.

    All applicants for Fall 2025 should follow these application procedures:

    Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) no later than January 31, 2025, if applying regular decision. Note the cut off dates for the LSAT and GRE are different for students applying Early Decision, for the Distinguished Scholars Award and for the Achievement Fellowship (see below). Complete information regarding the Standardized Test Requirement is below.

    1. Register withLSAC'sCredential Assembly Service (CAS).
    2. Submit the following:
      1. Completed application.
      2. Personal statement (use an electronic attachment).
        • Separate essay not to exceed two double-spaced typed pages.
        • No less than 11-point font.
        • Discuss any matters relevant to your ability to succeed in law school and the practice of law, and any attributes, experiences, or interests that would enable you to make a distinctive contribution to UCLA Law or the legal profession.
      3. Current résumé (use an electronic attachment).
      4. Two letters of recommendation (no more than two) submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service are required.
      5. Official transcripts sent directly to LSAC. Applicants should not wait for fall grades before sending transcripts to LSAC. However, applicants must submit work completed after the initial registration to LSAC, as updated reports will be forwarded to the Law School Admissions Office. Accepted applicants will be required to have their undergraduate institution submit directly to UCLA School of Law a final transcript showing the award of a baccalaureate degree before classes begin in the fall semester.
      6. Nonrefundable application fee of $75. You may submit your application and pay the fee electronically via LSAC. You may also pay by check, money order, or international money order payable to the Regents of the University of California and include it with your signed Certification Letter.
      7. David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy Application, if applying to that program.
      8. Early Decision Program Agreement, if applying to the Binding Early Decision Program. The priority Early Decision deadline is November 15, 2024. Students applying priority Early Decision must take the LSAT or GRE by October 31, 2024. Applicants will be informed of their admissions decisions by the end of December 2024. Students applying Early Decision after November 15 must take the LSAT or GRE by January 31, 2025and will receive decisions on a rolling basis.
      9. Distinguished Scholars Award Agreement, if applying for the Distinguished Scholars Award. The deadline is November 15, 2024and applicants must take the LSAT or GRE no later than October 31, 2024.
      10. If applying to the Achievement Fellowship Program, applicants are required to include an additional one page essay describing in detail the obstacles they have overcome in life and why they are a strong candidate for the program. The deadline to apply to the Achievement Fellowship is December 16, 2024and applicants must take the LSAT or the GRE no later than November 30, 2024. However, applicants taking the LSAT or GRE after these dates may still apply and be considered for any remaining Achievement Fellowships that are available.
    3. We do not require a dean's certification.
    4. The use of any artificial intelligence tools to assist in the completion of this application is prohibited.
    5. Applications must be submitted on or before January 31, 2025.
  • B. Standardized Test Requirement

    UCLA requires that students take a standardized test for admission—either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Records Exam (GRE). The LSAT or GRE must be taken no later than January 31, 2025 for students applying to the regular JD program.

    Those applying Early Decision or for the Distinguished Scholars Award must take the LSAT or GRE no later than October 31, 2024. Applicants to the Achievement Fellowship must take the LSAT or GRE no later than November 30, 2024.

    Though we anticipate that most applicants will continue to apply with an LSAT score, UCLA Law does not have a preference in the admissions process for one test over another and will evaluate all applications holistically regardless of the test taken.

    Students may choose which test to take; however please note the following guidelines:

    1. An applicant who takes both the LSAT and the GRE is required to submit all LSAT test scores from the last five years but may choose whether or not to submit their GRE score(s). However if the applicant elects to submit a GRE score in addition to the LSAT, the applicant must submit all GRE scores from the last five years.
    2. An applicant who only takes the GRE and not the LSAT must also submit all GRE scores from the last five years.
    3. GRE scores should be submitted directly to UCLA Law by the Educational Testing Service ("ETS"—the organization that administers the GRE) using UCLA Law's ETS school code 4837 and the department and major field code 5201.
    4. Applicants applying only with a GRE score are still required to subscribe to and utilize the LSAC Credential Assembly Service for the submission of transcripts and letters of recommendation.

    Note: The LSAT writing sample is not conducted at the same time as the LSAT exam—it is an on-demand writing exam administered online. (For full details please visit: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/taking-lsat/lsat-writing-faqs.) Applicants taking the LSAT should be aware that their application cannot be transmitted to UCLA Law for evaluation without an LSAC writing sample. Note that we will review applications as soon as they are complete and at least one LSAT writing sample has been submitted. Unfortunately, we are not able to wait to review your application if you decide to take additional writing sample tests.

  • C. Methods of Submitting Applications

    Applicants apply by completing UCLA School of Law's electronic applicationavailable through the LSAC. For more information, visit the LSAC website; call 215.968.1001; or e-mail: LSACinfo@LSAC.org.

  • D. Fee Waiver

    Please view our fee waiver policy.

  • E. Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

    The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) was developed to help participating schools collect and analyze data pertaining to the academic records of applicants. The law school report includes a year-by-year summary of units and grade-point averages (GPA), a cumulative GPA, LSAT score(s) (if applicable), and a copy of each transcript. All applicants, including those reapplying, those taking the GRE, and applicants from institutions that do not issue grades, are required to register with the Credential Assembly Service. A transcript from each college or university attended and listed on the registration form should be sent directly to LSAC's Credential Assembly Service in accordance with their instructions. The Credential Assembly Service will analyze and summarize the transcript(s). UCLA School of Law will request the LSAC Law School Report once the application is received.

    Applicants should not wait for fall grades before sending transcripts to LSAC. However, applicants must submit work completed after the initial registration to LSAC, as updated reports will be forwarded to the Law School Admissions Office. Accepted applicants will be required to have their undergraduate institution submit directly to UCLA School of Law a final transcript showing the award of a baccalaureate degree before classes begin in the fall semester.

    LSAT/Credential Assembly Service registration forms and other information may be obtained from the Law School Admission Councilwebsite or(215) 968-1001.

  • F. Letters of Recommendation

    UCLA School of Law requires that applicants submit two letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be from someone familiar with the applicant's academic work, if at all possible. The Law School strongly prefers that letters be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. This service is included with the Credential Assembly Service registration. Letters will be copied and sent to UCLA School of Law along with the LSAC Law School Report. To use this service, follow the directions for submitting letters outlined at LSAC.org.

  • G. Internationally-Educated Applicants

    The UCLA School of Law requires that your transcripts be submitted through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service subscription fee. If you completed any post-secondary work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcripts.

    To use the Credential Assembly Service, log into your LSAC.org account and follow the instructions for registering for the service. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it promptly to them. More time is usually required to receive international transcripts.

    Questions about the Credential Assembly Service can be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.

    UCLA School of Law will request the applicant's law school report, including any LSAT score(s), from LSAC. All internationally-educated applicants must take the LSAT or the GRE but are not required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

  • H. Change of Contact Information

    If there is a change in the applicant's contact information after filing the application, the UCLA School of Law Office of Admissions must be notified by sending an e-mail with the applicant's name and LSAC Account Number toadmissions@law.ucla.edu or by writing to:

    UCLA School of Law
    Law Admissions Office
    71 Dodd Hall
    Box 951445
    Los Angeles, CA 90095-1445

  • I. Notification

    Applicants will be notified by e-mail when:

    1. the application has been received;
    2. the application has been marked complete; and
    3. when an admission decision has been made.

    The Office of Admission should be advised of any change to the applicant's e-mail address. The majority of applicants will receive notification by the end of April 2025.

    The School of Law considers requests to defer enrollment on a case-by-case basis. To apply, applicants should contact the Office of Admissions.

  • J. Joint Degree

    Applicants to approved joint-degree programs must contact the appropriate graduate school or department to obtain its application and must meet that department's deadline. All J.D./Ph.D. in Philosophy applicants are advised to take the LSAT or GRE no later than November 30, 2024 and apply by January 4, 2025.

    More Information on Joint Degree Programs

  • K. Reapplication

    Applicants who reapply for admission must comply with the following procedures:

    1. Complete a current application
    2. Pay the nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $75. You may submit your application and pay the fee electronically via LSAC. You may also pay by check, money order, or international money order payable to the Regents of the University of California and include it with your signed Certification Letter.
    3. Have a valid LSAT or GRE score.
    4. Re-register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service.

    Note that the original application materials, including letters of recommendation, will remain on file. It is strongly suggested that a re-applicant submit an updated personal statement and résumé.

    For reapplicants applying with a valid GRE score, official score reports from the original application will also remain on file. A reapplicant will only need to request a new score report if there is a new reportable GRE score since submission of the original application from the prior year. Please see the Standardized Test Requirement section above for further details on submitting test scores.

  • L. Fall 2025 Financial Aid Checklist for First-Year J.D. Applicants
    1. UCLA School of Law requires that both the student’s and parents’ information be provided on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the law school Financial Need Application, with few exceptions.Please review detailed guidelines here before submitting your applications.
    2. The FAFSA priority filing date is March 2, 2025.Once available, starting October 1, 2024, the application can be accessed here.Please use UCLA’s school code: 001315.
    3. All admitted students are considered for a Dean’s scholarship upon completion of the Dean's Scholarship Consideration Form (provided after admission).In determining the scholarship amount, both merit and financialneed can be considered. Eligible admitted students who wish to be considered for need must first complete the law school Financial Need Application (provided after admission) and the FAFSA.
Information for UCLA Law J.D. program applicants (2024)

FAQs

What is the acceptance rate for UCLA JD program? ›

The UCLA School of Law acceptance rate is 15.5%. Typically, UCLA Law receives around 6000-7000 applications and accepts just over 1000 students.

What is your top question for the JD Admissions Office? ›

Here are some good questions to ask admissions officers:
  • What is the school's teaching philosophy? ...
  • What is the student-to-faculty ratio? ...
  • What is the typical class size? ...
  • What opportunities are available for students to get involved in extracurricular activities or clinics?

Does UCLA Law interview applicants? ›

UCLA Law does not offer interviews as part of the admissions process. However, the Law School Admissions Committee may request an interview on a case-by-case basis.

What does UCLA look for in applicants? ›

Admission Considerations and Requirements

We seek students whose personal stories and rich experience bring the type of perspective and leadership that we value. We seek intellectually curious students who have grown through their academic work and are ready to both contribute to and benefit from the UCLA community.

What is the average starting salary at UCLA Law School? ›

UCLA Law is tied for #1 in terms of the median starting salary among graduates working in private practice as law firm associates ($180,000). UCLA Law is tied for #12 in terms of the median LSAT score (168) among those applicants granted admission who enrolled as full-time students.

What is the single most important thing admissions officers consider in an application? ›

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important for college-bound students to understand that grades are the most important factor that colleges will consider when evaluating applications.

What do admissions officers look at? ›

Admissions officers look at “hard factors — GPA, grades, and test scores — and soft factors — essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and demonstrated interest — to gain a full picture of applicants.

How can I impress my admissions officer in interview? ›

How To Impress Admissions Officers
  1. Be Prepared. Research the school beforehand. ...
  2. First Impressions Count. If you have an interview with an admissions officer, make their impression of you memorable. ...
  3. Take Academic Studies Seriously. ...
  4. Demonstrate Problem Solving. ...
  5. Highlight Your Uniqueness And Passions.
Aug 12, 2019

How prestigious is UCLA Law? ›

University of California--Los Angeles 2024 Law Program & Specialties Rankings. University of California--Los Angeles is ranked No. 13 out of 196 in Best Law Schools. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

Is UCLA Law School hard to get into? ›

In 2022, the rate is 15.43 percent, UCLA School of Law is quite competitive. It's important to take note of a law school's annual variations in acceptance rate because such differences are not always from factors that are under the school or student's control. At times, a factor is external.

What is the LSAT score for UCLA Law? ›

The 1L class at University of California—Los Angeles has a median LSAT of 170. The 25th percentile LSAT is 165 and the 75th percentile LSAT is 171. The median GPA is 3.92. The 25th percentile GPA is 3.72 and the 75th percentile GPA is 3.98.

What does UCLA Law look for in students? ›

In evaluating each applicant, UCLA Law places substantial weight on traditional measures of academic ability, namely grades and standardized test scores, specifically Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores and Graduate Records Exam (GRE) scores.

What is the waitlist acceptance rate for UCLA Law? ›

Hello! While the waitlist acceptance rate can vary from year to year depending on a variety of factors, including the number of applicants and the size of the admitted class, I can provide you with some general insights. Historically, UCLA's waitlist acceptance rate has ranged from around 5% to 20%.

How long does UCLA Law take to make decisions? ›

The majority of applicants will receive notification by the end of April 2025. The School of Law considers requests to defer enrollment on a case-by-case basis.

Is UCLA law school hard to get into? ›

In 2022, the rate is 15.43 percent, UCLA School of Law is quite competitive. It's important to take note of a law school's annual variations in acceptance rate because such differences are not always from factors that are under the school or student's control. At times, a factor is external.

What is the acceptance rate for JD law school? ›

Across the country, the median law school acceptance rate is 41%. Some schools even have acceptance rates of 65% or more. But the top 15 law schools – including Stanford and Yale – are far harder to get into, with an average acceptance rate of 12.6%. Keep reading to learn more about 2023 acceptance rates.

What GPA do you need for JD? ›

It is important to check the specific requirements of the law schools you are interested in applying to. In addition to an undergraduate degree, law schools typically require a minimum GPA and LSAT score. The GPA requirement varies by school, but it is usually around a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

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