JD Application Information
Application Requirements & Timeline
At WashULaw, we look for strong academics, diverse backgrounds, personal and professional integrity in every candidate. If you are committed to pursuing a legal education, we encourage you to apply now to begin a conversation with us.
If you have any questions or concerns about the application process or requirements, please contact the Admissions Office at (314) 935-4525 or at applylaw@wustl.edu.
- What Credentials Do I Need to Apply to the JD Program?
The minimum requirements for admission are:
- Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university
- Capacity for the study of law demonstrated by a strong undergraduate record
- Superior performance on the Law School Admission Test, GRE, or JD-Next
- Can I apply without an LSAT?
- If you are a student at Washington University, the ABA may allow admission without an LSAT, GRE, or JD-Next score. Please contact the Office of Admissions to apply through this program.
- What Application Materials Should I Submit?
We want your application materials to fully represent you to the Admissions Committee. In addition to the application, we recommend you submit:
- Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report through LSAC. *If you are applying with ONLY a GRE score, you should send a copy of your GRE score report directly to the admissions office. All transcripts should be submitted to the LSAC.
- Personal Statement (2-3 pages in length)
- Resumé
- Letters of Recommendation
- Addenda regarding lived experiences, financial need, character and fitness, grades, and other parts of your story, as appropriate.
- Character & Fitness
We take the character and fitness section in your LSAC materials very seriously. Carefully and thoroughly complete all questions on the LSAC application. You may submit any additional materials to supplement your answers.
There are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar for every state. Prior to matriculation, applicants are encouraged to identify such requirements in the state(s) in which they intend to practice.
- When Should I Apply?
WashULaw accepts applications on a rolling basis. We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
- Application Status Check
You can check the WashULaw Application Status Check page with your LSAC login to confirm the receipt of specific application materials. If you don’t have an LSAC account, you can create one here.
- Visiting Campus
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- Early Decision Program
Our Early Decision Program is a highly competitive and binding admittance program designed for candidates who have researched law schools carefully. The admissions committee considers strong credentials, as reflected in LSAT or GRE scores; undergraduate performance; and a wide variety of skills and experiences that will enrich our diverse community and enhance the classroom discussion. Applicants admitted through the Early Decision Program are awarded the strongest scholarship available to them as part of the entering class.
Early Decision Program applicants will receive a decision and, if admitted, notification of any scholarship award within two weeks of submitting their application, resume, personal statement, and transcript(s), as well as completing a personal interview (if requested by the Admissions Committee) with the Office of Admissions. Applicants admitted through the Early Decision Program are granted two business days to accept their offer of admission and any scholarship award. After accepting their offer, Early Decision Admitted Students are required to withdraw all applications at other law schools and may not initiate any new applications.
Applicants not admitted through the Early Decision Program are transferred to our Regular Decision Program. If applicants have questions about applying to the Early Decision Program, they can schedule a consultation.
- When are Deposits Due?
- April 21, 2025, 5 p.m. Central Time – First non-refundable tuition deposit of $500 due to reserve your seat in the incoming class and accept any scholarship award. This deposit will be applied to tuition and fees.
- June 2, 2025, 5 p.m. Central Time – Second non-refundable deposit of $500 due to reserve your seat in the incoming class and accept any scholarship award. This deposit will be applied to tuition and fees.
- Final Transcript Needed
If you have not received your undergraduate degree at the time of your acceptance, your acceptance by the School of Law is conditional pending satisfactory completion of work in progress and the fulfillment of the baccalaureate degree requirement for admission.
- All matriculating students must provide an official, final transcript (including degree earned and date of award) to the law school by August 1 preceding the start of classes.
- How Do I Reapply?
Please email us to reactivate your application.
How We Evaluate Applicants
WashULaw’s highly selective admission process results in incoming classes made up of students with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. In order to achieve this, we take a holistic approach to admission decisions, considering many unique qualities candidates offer in addition to the traditional credentials, such as LSAT and GPA. Candidates may be asked to interview or provide additional information or documentation. All aspects of a candidate’s application are considered when being reviewed. We encourage all applicants to submit any additional materials that might shed light on the following areas of assessment.
- Academic Credentials
Standardized test performance, undergraduate and graduate records, and educational rigor are all considered when evaluating applicants: the median undergraduate GPA for the Class of 2027 was 3.96, and the median LSAT score was 173. When the GRE or JD-Next is taken in lieu of the LSAT, strong performance on the GRE or JD-Next may also lead to admission. Additionally, strong personal qualities and the interview process feature prominently in admissions decisions, as we do not have a GPA or a score cutoff. Our admissions team takes a well-rounded approach to evaluating which students would be the best fit for WashULaw.
- Cultural, Economic, & Geographic Diversity
We value a varied set of cultural, economic, and geographic experiences in our admissions process to ensure each class is highly diverse and uniquely talented. The class entering in 2024 represents over 150 undergraduate institutions, 38 states and Washington D.C., and 14 countries: Belgium, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, India, Korea, New Zealand, Nigeria, Rwanda, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the USA. 47.5 percent of the students in this class are students of color.
- Letters of Recommendation
We encourage you to select recommenders who can speak to the strengths and qualities you will bring to the law school classroom and community. Academic recommendations may be from your undergraduate or graduate school, from a professor, instructor, or teaching assistant. Individuals who have supervised your work may also provide useful letters of recommendation.
- Personal Statement & Resume
In addition to LSAT or GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and undergraduate transcript, all applicants are also encouraged to submit a two- to three-page personal statement with an updated resume. Successful applicants often write about formative experiences or sources of personal motivation to provide helpful background and insights for our admissions team.
- Interviews
Applicants may be invited to complete an interview with Admissions staff. The Admissions Committee determines who will be interviewed based on factors in the application.