Candidates to Columbia Law School are required to submit a personal statement supplementing required application materials. We are curious about your interests, goals, and aspirations and how the J.D. program at Columbia can help you achieve these. You are encouraged to think about the contributions you hope to make to both the Columbia community and the legal profession while considering your personal, intellectual, and professional experiences and any relevant information that you may not have conveyed through your other application materials. Please note that the personal statement should be double-spaced and approximately two pages in length. This statement should be attached electronically.

Optional Supplementary Statements. Please note that these questions are completely optional and if an applicant chooses not to submit a response to any of these questions, it will not have any impact on their admissions decision. Applicants should choose no more than one supplemental statement, which should be no longer than 500 words double spaced. Kindly note that supplemental statement may be shorter than 500 words.

1. A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's collaborative community.

2. Describe a time when you engaged with someone whose beliefs or experiences differed from your own. What did you learn, and how did it shape your perspective?

3. We recognize that many applicants have faced adversity in myriad ways and to varying extents throughout their lives. Tell us about an example of adversity or a challenging circumstance in your own life and describe how you overcame it and how that experience has shaped your life and your own perspective.

4. Columbia Law School aims to prepare its students to be advocates as well as effective leaders. Tell us about an example of leadership in your own life whether in an educational, professional, or personal setting and how those leadership skills and qualities would contribute to your legal education and the profession.

5. Columbia Law School's mandatory pro bono program requires that every student devote at least 40 hours to public interest law service during their time in law school. Tell us about your own commitment to public service and describe how volunteer work, advocacy, community service, pro bono work, and/or extra-curricular activities have shaped who you are today and how you want to continue serving the public good during law school.

6. Tell us why you are applying to Columbia Law School and how the Law School's programs, faculty, curricular and extra-curricular offerings, location, and/or community would be a good fit for your legal education given your own academic, professional, or personal goals.

Candidates may add additional brief statements they believe will enable the Admissions Committee to make a fully informed decision on the application. Should you have multiple addenda, please combine (on separate pages, if necessary) these into one document and upload in the attachments section.

1. Have you previously applied to this law school?

2. Were you offered admission? If "yes," you must provide an explanation regarding your decision not to matriculate in the "Attachments" section of the application.

3. Are you applying under the Early Decision Plan? If you answer "Yes," you must attach a signed Early Decision Contract in the "Attachments" section of the application.

4. Are you deferring matriculation at a law school that requires you to abstain from applying to other law schools? If you answer "Yes," you must attach an explanation and have a Dean or administrative officer forward a statement expressly granting you permission to apply to Columbia Law School.

5. For informational purposes only, kindly answer if you are simultaneously applying for admission to another graduate program at Columbia University or the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs with the intention of pursuing a dual or joint degree; or are you currently enrolled in another graduate program with the intention of pursuing a dual or joint degree?

6. If you answered "Yes" to Question 8.5 please specify the school and program, as well as your current status at the school (e.g., applicant, admitted student, current student, etc.). (maximum characters 500)

7. Do you intend to apply for a need-based financial aid grant? If you answer "Yes," you must complete the FAFSA (https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa) and the C.S.S. Profile Application to the College Board (https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/). The recommended deadline is February 15, 2027.

8. I have attached a statement to be considered for the Bridge to Opportunity Scholarship.

9. I have attached a statement to be considered for the Greene Public Service Scholarship/Public Interest Fellowship.

10. Do you plan to apply for the Columbia Law School Academic Scholars Program? To learn more about the Program, please visit our website.

11. Are you an international student (i.e., non-U.S. citizen and non-Permanent Resident)? If you answer "Yes," you must submit a statement that discusses your reasons for wishing to study in the United States.

12. Optional: In the space below, feel free to share any "fun facts" about yourself (hobbies, interests, special talents, and accomplishments, etc.) that the Admissions Committee may not be able to glean otherwise from your application. Please note that whether you choose to answer the question or not, there will be no impact on your admission decision. (maximum characters 1000)

13. In the space below, please list any languages with which you are familiar and the corresponding level of fluency (e.g., intermediate, professional, fluent, native, etc.). (maximum characters 1000)

14. Please select your top two areas of interest. The information in this section will not be used for the purpose of determining admission to the Law School. To the extent possible, the information will be used to connect admitted students with members of the community who share similar interests; however, the question is optional.

In order to apply for a Greene Scholarship/PIF, you must attach a supplemental statement that addresses your public interest and/or public service experience and motivations, your career goals and aspirations in the public interest/public service field, and the ways in which a law degree from Columbia Law would advance those goals. As recipients of the Greene Scholarship/PIF gain automatic admission into the Berger Public Interest/Public Service Fellows Program, please also identify what you hope to contribute to the Berger Fellows Program and the broader public interest/public service community at Columbia Law School. Your statement should be no longer than 800 words double spaced and clearly identified as the "Greene Scholarship/PIF Statement."

In order to be considered for the Bridge to Opportunity Scholarship, you must attach a statement that addresses the contributions you will make to the Columbia Law community and beyond as a first generation college graduate. Statements should be no longer than 500 words.

In addition to answering the preceding questions, please also submit a copy of your résumé via electronic attachment.

If you answer "Yes" to questions 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, or 9.6 in the "Character and Fitness" section, you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful written explanation in the "Attachments" section of the application. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary. Should you have questions about whether or not to report an infraction, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions for clarification. If you answer "Yes" to question 9.1 and/or 9.2, please have the dean or administrative officer in charge of student records forward a detailed explanation of the incident to the Columbia Law School Office of Admissions at deanscerts@law.columbia.edu. Please read the application instructions for additional information.

1. Have you ever been on academic probation or subjected to disciplinary action for scholastic or other reasons by any college, university, graduate school, or professional school you have attended? This should include matters that have been expunged. In addition to attaching a written explanation in the "Attachments" section of the application, kindly have the Dean or administrative officer in charge of student records forward a detailed explanation of the incident.

2. Are there any disciplinary charges pending or expected to be brought against you? In addition to attaching a written explanation in the "Attachments" section of the application, kindly have the Dean or administrative officer in charge of student records forward a detailed explanation of the incident.

3. Have you ever been cited, charged with, indicted, convicted or tried for, or pleaded guilty to, the commission of any felony or misdemeanor or the violation of any law, except minor parking violations? Please note that you should have available and be prepared to submit or exhibit copies of police and court records regarding any matter you disclose in reply to this question. You may answer "No" if your record has been expunged or sealed; if your conviction was vacated; if you were the subject of a juvenile delinquency or youthful offender proceeding; or if you have received a pardon. If you answered "Yes," you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful explanation, including a statement of the charge(s), the disposition thereof and the underlying facts. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary.

4. Are there any criminal charges pending or expected to be brought against you?

5. Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action or discharge by a professional organization, e.g., an employer, certifying agency, or accreditation board?

6. Will you be enrolled in an undergraduate program on or after August 1, 2027?

7. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

General Information

Please note that applications to Columbia Law School must be submitted electronically through LSAC. Paper applications will not be accepted. Applicants may not apply to the J.D. program at the same time as the LL.M. program, the 3-Year JD/MBA program, or one of the international dual degree programs at Columbia Law School.

Kindly note that any application materials must be submitted directly by the applicant to LSAC or to Columbia Law School - as applicable in accordance with our instructions - not through an agent or third-party vendor. This requirement does not apply to letters of recommendation, which must be submitted directly from the recommender, nor to dean's certifications or academic transcripts, which must be submitted directly from an official university registrar or other administrator (please continue reading below for additional information regarding these requirements). In addition, the applicant will be required to attest to the accuracy and authenticity of all information and documents submitted to LSAC and to Columbia. If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@law.columbia.edu.

Columbia Law School expects that all applicants submit work that is their original writing and/or work product. Assistance in completing any components of your Columbia application, including but not limited to using the services of an agent, third-party vendor, educational consultant, or artificial intelligence (AI) tool or service is strictly prohibited. If dishonesty in this regard is discovered, it is grounds for immediate rescission of an admission offer and, if already enrolled, disciplinary proceedings (possibly leading to expulsion or, if later discovered, revocation of the degree earned).

To avoid any confusion or delay in the processing of your application, please ensure that you enter your name consistently throughout your application materials, and keep us informed of any mailing address, telephone number, or email address changes during the application process, and write your LSAC account number on all correspondence with the Office of Admissions.

Method of Application

Early Decision Plan For Early Decision candidates, the law school application process is simplified and expedited considerably. Early Decision candidates must complete their applications by November 15, 2026 and are generally notified of the Admissions Committee's decision in December. Candidates applying on an Early Decision basis commit themselves to matriculate at Columbia if admitted. Successful Early Decision candidates may not initiate any new law school applications, must immediately withdraw other applications once notified of their Columbia acceptance, and must decline any acceptances they may have received prior to admission to Columbia under the Early Decision Plan. Failure to honor these commitments will result in Columbia revoking its offer of admission.

Some Early Decision applicants not offered admission will be reviewed again in April as part of the Regular applicant pool; others will be informed that their application for admission has been denied and will not be evaluated again that year.

Regular Admission Candidates for Regular admission should submit their applications as soon as possible after September 1, 2026. Applications are not evaluated by our Admissions Committee until all required materials have been received and are generally evaluated in the order in which they are completed. Every effort is made to notify all applicants of the Admissions Committee's decision by the end of April, provided that their files are completed by February 15, 2027 - Columbia's application deadline for Regular admission to the J.D. program.

Please note that candidates who have completed at least one year of an ABA-approved J.D. program in the three years prior to the intended semester of matriculation or the LL.M. program at Columbia Law School are not eligible to apply for regular admission and must apply as transfer candidates. Graduates of all other ABA-approved LL.M. programs at U.S. institutions must apply for regular admission and are not eligible to apply as transfer candidates.

Three-Year JD/MBA Program Candidates applying to our Three-Year JD/MBA Program must complete the joint application through Columbia Business School and complete the JD/MBA supplemental form on LSAC.org. Applicants to the Three-Year JD/MBA Program should not complete this application for regular or early decision admission to our J.D. program. The deadline to be considered for the Three-Year JD/MBA Program is February 15, 2027.

LEAD Fellowship Program Candidates applying to the Leadership Experience Admission Deferral (LEAD) Fellowship Program must complete the LEAD Fellowship Application, which will be available in mid-April. Applicants to the LEAD Fellowship Program should not complete this application for regular or early decision admission to our J.D. program and may not be considered for both programs in the same application cycle. The deadline to apply for the LEAD Fellowship Program is June 15, 2027.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)/Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

All applicants are required to submit scores from the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) to be considered for admission to Columbia Law School.

The LSAT and the GRE are administered in many locations throughout the world. Your application will not be considered without the results of the LSAT or GRE. For additional information about the LSAT, contact LSAC at 215.968.1001 or visit www.LSAC.org. For additional information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866.473.4373 or visit www.ETS.org.

Candidates who submit scores from more than one LSAT administration and/or GRE administration are strongly encouraged to provide a brief addendum that explains their testing history.

LSAT

All LSAT scores from administrations within the last five years will automatically be forwarded with a candidate's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report. LSAT scores earned prior to July 2021 are not valid and will not be considered. Regular decision applicants must take the LSAT no later than January 2027. Early Decision applicants must take the LSAT no later than October 2026.

GRE

Candidates applying for admission to the 2027 entering class planning to submit GRE scores are required to have ETS send all GRE scores from exams taken within the last five years using Columbia Law School's ETS code, 4046. Candidates applying for admission to the 2027 entering class as regular applicants may submit GRE scores from tests taken between July 1, 2021 and February 1, 2027. Early Decision applicants must take the GRE no later than November 1, 2026.

GRE scores submitted to Columbia Law School prior to September 1, 2026 must be resubmitted during the application process to be considered complete.

Note: As per the American Bar Association, if you sat for an LSAT test administration during the aforementioned period, you must submit any and all LSAT test scores, even if you also plan to submit one or more GRE test scores. Candidates with multiple GRE scores, applying on the basis of the GRE, must submit all GRE scores on file from test administrations within the last five years, including tests taken after the application for admission to Columbia Law School has been submitted.

Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

All applicants are required to participate in the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) for processing of transcripts, whether you are submitting LSAT or GRE test scores. For more information about the CAS, please call 215.968.1001 or visit www.LSAC.org.

U.S. Transcripts Applicants must request that the registrar of each college (and each graduate and professional school, if applicable) attended send an official transcript to the CAS for processing. If you have participated in summer sessions or studied abroad, you must send these transcripts directly to the CAS, unless such courses and corresponding grades are also included on the other college transcripts being forwarded to the CAS. Transcripts from institutions at which you earned a degree must include the degree conferral date in order to be considered valid. Please forward updates of your transcripts to the Office of Admissions as soon as they become available. In particular, candidates enrolled in a degree-granting program at the time the application is submitted are strongly encouraged to forward their fall 2026 transcripts as soon as they become available. Unofficial transcript copies that include fall 2026 grades may be submitted to admissions@law.columbia.edu.

International Transcripts Applicants who have completed more than one academic year of post-secondary work outside the United States and Canada are required to submit such transcripts to the CAS for processing. Such transcripts must be submitted in their original language with an official English translation, if the original language is not English. Please forward updates of your transcripts to the Office of Admissions as soon as they become available. In particular, candidates enrolled in a degree-granting program at the time the application is submitted must also forward their fall transcripts as soon as they become available.

Candidates who studied abroad for one academic year or less are strongly encouraged to submit official copies of their transcripts if the grades do not appear on the home institution's transcript. If candidates run into difficulty having these transcripts sent from institutions abroad, then an unofficial copy of the transcript (PDF format preferred) may be uploaded in the "Addendum" section of the application. In most instances, the Admissions Committee prefers to consider a candidate's performance in study abroad courses, and requesting transcripts can often slow down the review process.

Letters of Recommendation

Requirements Columbia requires two letters of recommendation to complete your application.

Candidates completing or having completed their undergraduate degrees in 2025, 2026, or 2027: We require applicants currently in school or recently graduated (i.e., applying within less than approximately two years of receiving their degree) to submit two academic letters from faculty who can provide insight about their candidacy. Academic letters must come from individuals who have taught applicants in the classroom or have evaluated applicants in a significant academic capacity (e.g., an independent study project or thesis advisor). Candidates who completed their undergraduate degrees in 2024 and earlier: Applicants with substantive work experience who are not recent graduates are strongly encouraged to submit one professional letter and at least one academic letter of recommendation. Candidates who believe they may jeopardize their employment status by requesting professional letters of recommendation may submit an academic letter of recommendation instead and should include a brief addendum explaining why they have not included a professional letter of recommendation.

While the Committee will accept up to three letters of recommendation, we suggest that applicants use discretion when determining the appropriate number of letters to submit. Kindly note that your application will be deemed complete after we have received two letters unless we are notified otherwise in question 9.2.

Suggested Content Recommenders should address matters of significance that speak to the ability of the applicant to thrive in an intellectually stimulating academic environment. For example, recommenders may address the strength of the applicant's overall intelligence, analytical skills, independence of thought, problem-solving skills, effectiveness of oral and written communication, motivation, self-confidence, concern for others, emotional maturity, personal initiative, judgment, leadership ability, and organizational skills.

Submission of Letters of Recommendation Columbia Law School strongly prefers that letters of recommendation be sent through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. LSAC regularly sends Columbia letters of recommendation as soon as they are processed. Therefore, please do not send duplicate letters directly to Columbia Law School.

Supporting Documents

Applicants must submit electronically through LSAC the following documents:

Application Form Applicants are required to complete and submit the application for admission.

Personal Statement Applicants must submit a personal essay or statement. It must be electronically submitted at the time of the initial application, and should be double-spaced and approximately two pages in length.

Résumé Applicants must submit a résumé, detailing significant full- or part-time employment positions they have held. This may include internships, summer employment, and community service. In addition, the résumé should include a summary of written scholarship, presentations, principal extracurricular activities, and any honors or awards received. It must be electronically submitted at the time of the initial application. Applicants may submit résumés longer than one page in length but should exercise discretion when determining résumé length.

International Student Statement International students must submit a statement that discusses their reasons for wishing to study in the United States. It must be electronically submitted at the time of the initial application.

Optional Supplemental Statements Applicants, if they wish, may submit a brief supplemental statement that will provide useful information to the Admissions Committee in evaluating the application. Please refer to Section 15 - Supplemental Statements for additional information. Please note that these questions are completely optional and if an applicant chooses not to submit a response to any of these questions, it will not have an impact on their admission decision.

Optional Addenda Candidates may add additional brief statements they believe will enable the Admissions Committee to make a fully informed decision on the application. Should you have multiple addenda, please combine (on separate pages, if necessary) these into one document and upload in the attachments section.

Dean's Letter, if applicable If you answered yes to question 9.1 and/or 9.2, please have the dean or administrative officer in charge of student records forward a detailed explanation of the incident to the Columbia Law School Office of Admissions. Should you receive an offer of admission and ultimately matriculate at Columbia Law School, you are also required to submit a completed Dean's Certification Form, which will be made available to you by the Office of Admissions at a later date. These forms must be emailed from an official university address to deanscerts@law.columbia.edu (strongly preferred method) or sent in hard copy form (faxed copies cannot be accepted) to the Office of Admissions. Please note that sending a hard copy directly to Columbia Law School may cause a delay in our receipt of such documents and should only be done if necessary.

Application Fee The application fee is $85 (U.S. funds only) and must be paid online with a credit card when submitting the application through LSAC unless an applicant has received an applicable fee waiver.

Submission of Additional Materials

Applicants are expected to be diligent in providing all necessary information for review of their candidacy prior to the completion of their applications. Once an application in complete, please do not submit additional materials unless they convey essential information, as there is no guarantee such materials will be placed in your application prior to its evaluation and may potentially slow down the review of your candidacy. Applicants may submit address changes and letters of continued interest (Hold or Reserve applicants only) through our online upload portal. Notification of events that are responsive to questions 9.1-9.6 must be emailed to admissions@law.columbia.edu.

Completion of an Application

An application is considered complete when all required application materials have been received by Columbia, including receipt of the candidate's LSAC Law School Report. In taking steps to ensure that the application to Columbia is completed before the appropriate deadline, an applicant should factor into planning the few weeks that it will take the Law School Admission Council to produce the LSAC Law School Report.

Candidate Interviews

Some candidates may receive an invitation to participate in an interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. We understand that many of our applicants will want to interview, and we appreciate your enthusiasm, but interviews are by invitation only.

Admission to the JD Program and Selection Criteria

Columbia Law School's admissions process is designed to identify and select individuals who have demonstrated exceptional promise for distinguished performance at the Law School and, subsequently, for high service to the legal profession and community.

The Law School takes a holistic approach when assessing applications. We do not rely on mechanical comparisons and truly believe in the value of thoroughly reviewing each candidate on an individual basis when determining admissibility.

To assess intellectual and academic qualifications and aptitude for legal study at Columbia Law School, we rely on a candidate's body of undergraduate (and, if applicable, graduate) coursework, and pertinent standardized test scores, such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). While these components are significant, there is no minimum test score or GPA requirement, and no standardized test score and GPA combination alone can solely determine admissibility. In reviewing a candidate's academic record, we undertake a comprehensive analysis of a candidate's transcripts and track their academic journey while considering (among other factors) course selection and rigor, involvement in experiences outside the classroom, including volunteer or pro bono activities, co-curricular activities, work and/or family obligations, special honors and awards, fellowship opportunities, research, publications, and trends in performance.

We look beyond the quantitative criteria of test scores and grade point averages to assess the unique contributions each applicant can make to our community and the legal profession. Our admissions process is designed to be inclusive, seeking applicants with varied perspectives and life experiences. In doing so, we take into account a range of factors (within the confines of the law), including demonstrated leadership qualities and having overcome significant challenges or adversity, such as socioeconomic disadvantage. In addition, we consider how candidates have chosen to commit their time, energies, and talents through community service, civic activity, public service, volunteer work, advocacy, and other meaningful work experience.

Our goal is to assemble a class which is academically outstanding, ready to act as conscientious citizens, and excited about careers in the law and the future of the legal profession.

Undergraduate Preparation

Applicants to Columbia Law School must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent by the time they matriculate at the Law School. (Note: this does not apply for applicants to our Accelerated Interdisciplinary Legal Education (A.I.L.E.) Program.)

Columbia Law School subscribes to the curricular guidelines provided by the Association of American Law School's "Statement on Prelegal Education." These guidelines recommend a prelaw program involving education for "comprehension and expression in words, a critical understanding of the human institutions and values with which the law deals, and creative power in thinking." A review of undergraduate majors of recently enrolled students indicates that approximately 20 percent have backgrounds in political science and government, 11 percent in economics, 11 percent in pure science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, 9 percent in other social sciences such as anthropology and sociology, 8 percent in history, 7 percent in international relations, 6 percent in philosophy, and 5 percent in finance and business. Other concentrations include humanities, literature, and policy studies.

Selectivity

Competition for admission to Columbia Law School is exceptionally keen. In recent years, over 8,000 applicants have applied for approximately 400 spaces in each year's entering class. And, in any given year, the majority of applicants to Columbia are highly qualified academically. In addition, admissibility to Columbia is difficult to predict because, as previously described, personal accomplishments, professional achievements, and other nonquantifiable factors that serve to enrich the student body, affect an applicant's chance of admission. Thus, although Columbia is among a handful of the most highly selective law schools in the country (as measured by grade point averages and LSAT statistics), it is not possible to predict with precision the probability of admission using those numerical indices alone.

Accepting an Offer of Admission

An admitted student who wishes to accept Columbia Law School's offer of admission may secure a seat by submitting a non-refundable $600 deposit on or before May 1, 2027. The deposit must be paid electronically through the Admitted Student Website. Only candidates who decide after submitting the seat deposit not to attend Columbia Law School are eligible for a deposit refund of $150 if the written request is submitted by July 1, 2027.

Dean's Certification

A Dean's Certification Form (as distinct from the Dean's letter referred to in the application) or an equivalent certification of good standing will be required from all students after admission and prior to matriculation at Columbia Law School.

This Form will be mandatory from each educational institution where you are currently enrolled in a degree program; from which you have already earned a degree; and at which you were matriculated toward a degree (regardless of whether a degree was conferred). Please note that it is not necessary that the dean or other administrator responsible for such certification know you personally. The dean or other administrator may complete the Dean's Certification Form (or equivalent certification) on the basis of official records. Please note that for the Dean's Certification to be deemed complete, all questions on the form must be answered. This form must be emailed from an official university address to deanscerts@law.columbia.edu (strongly preferred method) or sent in hard copy form to the Office of Admissions. Please note that there may be delays in processing of hard copy documents sent to the Office of Admissions.

Deferred Admission

An admitted student who wishes to defer matriculation for one or two years should submit a request, in writing, to the Office of Admissions after having been offered admission, but prior to the deadline set forth in your admissions packet. This request should include a general statement explaining how the intervening time will be spent, as well as whether the student desires a one- or two-year deferral. Please note that all deferred candidates must accept the offer of admission (including payment of the seat deposit) on or before the deposit deadline of May 1, 2027, as applicable.

Withdrawal of an Offer of Admission

Columbia Law School reserve the right to withdraw an offer of admission if an applicant: (1) shows a significant decline in academic performance or fails to graduate; (2) misrepresents any matter in dealing with the Office of Admissions, Office of Financial Aid, or any other representative of Columbia Law School; (3) behaves in a manner that indicates a serious lack of judgment, sincerity, or integrity; or (4) reserves a place in our entering class and simultaneously commits to enroll at another law school or submits a deposit to another law school. Columbia Law School further reserves the right to make the continuing validity of an offer of admission contingent upon an applicant providing further information or authorizing the release of information from other parties in connection with any matter relevant to the foregoing.

Significant Decline in Academic Performance

A significant decline is a material deterioration in an admitted student's academic performance when compared with the academic record upon which the admission decision was based. Factors that may indicate a significant decline include, but are not limited to:

a substantial decrease in overall or term academic performance; one or more failing or markedly low grades;

multiple grades substantially below the student's prior level of performance;

a pronounced downward trend in grades;

failure to complete successfully coursework that was in progress or planned when the application was considered; failure to complete a degree, prerequisite, or other academic requirement represented in the application; or

other changes in the academic record that, individually or collectively, materially alter the academic credentials considered in making the admission decision.

Tuition, Financial Aid, and Housing

Tuition

Tuition for 2026-2027 is $88,996. There are additional mandatory fees for health services, student activities, and University services and support, which are $3,198 for 2026-2027. Insurance for hospital care and standard medical coverage is also required ($5,823) unless U.S. students can show proof of comparable coverage. To help ensure that international students have access to the highest quality of care on- and off-campus, Columbia University requires all international students to enroll in the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan. For details regarding this requirement, please visit the Columbia Health website. The total budget for the nine month academic year, including tuition, fees, housing, food, books and supplies, and personal expenses is $130,724. Expenses are adjusted annually.

Financial Aid

Admission decisions at Columbia Law School are made without regard to an applicant's financial need. Therefore, grant applications are reviewed only after a student has been admitted. If you are interested in grant assistance, you must complete your application as early as possible so that it can be evaluated soon after you have been admitted. Students admitted under the Early Decision Plan are reminded that they should not expect to be notified of their financial aid package before the end of March, at the earliest. We strongly recommend that applicants file the required forms by no later than February 15, 2027, even if they have not yet received an offer of admission. Admitted candidates who submit the required forms after February 15, 2027 may be considered for need-based grant assistance contingent upon availability of funds.

The Law School awards grant assistance primarily on the basis of demonstrated financial need. However, there are a number of fellowships that are awarded by the Office of Admissions. Each year a portion of the entering class receives a Law School grant, which is in the form of a partial tuition waiver. However, by far the largest form of financial aid for all law students is educational loans, with most students borrowing to finance a part, or all, of their educational expenses. To assist JD graduates pursuing public interest and public service careers manage what might be a significant educational loan burden, the Law School provides continuing financial support through its Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).

U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may be eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. In addition, several private educational loan programs are available to provide financing for law students. Since these programs require applicants to be creditworthy, you are strongly advised to obtain a copy of your credit report to determine if there are any problems that might make you ineligible for such loans. If you have an adverse credit history, and are unable to correct it, you may not have access to important sources of loan funds. If this is the case, you will need to have others borrow on your behalf or find other means to finance your education. Law School funds will not be available to replace unavailable credit-based loans.

International students (not U.S. citizens and not those holding a U.S. permanent resident visa) are eligible to apply for Law School grants and for loans from private educational loan programs. They are not eligible for federally guaranteed assistance programs. In addition, they typically need to provide a U.S. cosigner in order to apply for private educational loan programs. Please visit our website for additional loan information. Since there are no fully funded fellowships for law students in Columbia's J.D. degree program, international students needing to finance their education may need to arrange for cosigners for each of the three years of law school.

Grants and scholarships awarded by the Law School remain in effect as long as you make satisfactory academic progress toward your degree and maintain good academic and disciplinary standing at the University and Law School.

Recipients of named merit awards are notified by the Office of Admissions and require a signed agreement accepting the terms of the award. Merit award agreements not signed by the designated date will be considered invalid. Merit awards are valid only for the intended recipient and must be verified upon receipt--or in any case, prior to submitting an enrollment deposit--against the full name and other identifying information (e.g., address, UNI, PID, LSAC#, date of birth) on the award notification document(s), as applicable.

How to Apply for Financial Aid for 2027-2028

The following is a summary of application procedures for the various types of financial aid. For detailed information on financial aid policies and procedures, costs, budgets, and various loan programs, please review the Financial Aid website.

Before completing any financial aid forms, it is important first to decide which types of aid you are seeking: (1) loans and Columbia Law School grants or (2) loans only.

(1) Loans and Columbia Law School Grants

Submit the following by February 15 to ensure timely consideration for a Law School grant. Do not wait to receive an offer of admission before filing the FAFSA and CSS Profile Applications:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor (U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens) CSS Profile application to The College Board Columbia Law School Financial Aid Questionnaire to the Office of Financial Aid (admitted students only) 2025 Federal income tax forms for student, spouse, and parents to the College Board using the Institutional Documentation (IDOC) Service (admitted students only: by February 15 or immediately after admission) Loan application(s) to the Office of Financial Aid (admitted students intending to enroll, preferably by mid-May) (2) Loans only

Submit the following by no later than mid-May to ensure timely processing:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor (U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens) Columbia Law School Financial Aid Questionnaire to the Office of Financial Aid (admitted students only) Loan application(s) to the Office of Financial Aid (admitted students only) Deciding the type of aid will determine which forms you will need to submit, and when. If you are uncertain about whether you should apply for a Law School grant, please refer to the section entitled "Scholarship Grants" within the section "Applying for, Receiving, and Repaying Aid" on the Financial Aid website.

Financial Aid Deadlines

Loans and Columbia Law School Grants - February 15, 2027

Loans Only - May 15, 2027

Financial Aid Forms

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Completed by all U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens applying for financial aid and submitted to the federal processor to establish eligibility for federal student aid. Apply online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. CSS Profile Application: Required of all applicants who are seeking consideration for Columbia Law School grants. Financial information must be submitted for the applicant, both of the applicant's parents, and, if applicable, the applicant's spouse. Apply online at https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org. For questions, call 844.202.0524. Columbia Law School Financial Aid Questionnaire: Admitted students receive this form shortly after their offer of admission. Admitted students applying for ANY type of financial aid must send the completed form to the Office of Financial Aid. 2025 Federal income tax forms: Admitted students applying for a Law School grant must submit complete copies of federal income tax forms for the applicant, both of the applicant's parents*, and, if applicable, the applicant's spouse to the College Board using the Institutional Documentation (IDOC) Service. If 2025 returns are not available by February 15, 2027, admitted students should submit complete 2024 returns by February 15 for a preliminary award decision, and complete 2025 tax returns by the end of April for grant confirmation. Loan Application(s): Admitted students intending to enroll at the Law School should submit complete loan applications to the Office of Financial Aid, preferably by mid-May in order to ensure timely processing and the availability of loan funds at the start of the school year. *Columbia requires financial information from both parents to be submitted when you are requesting financial aid. Exceptions to our policy are made on an individual basis, usually when there is only one parent in your life. In situations where both parents are living, an appeal for a waiver must be made, in writing, to the Director of Financial Aid and accompanied by a written statement from a third-party (e.g., an attorney, clergyperson, employer, social worker, counselor, etc.) or court documents, detailing the nature of the relationship.

The Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Columbia Law School's Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) supports Columbia J.D. graduates who pursue public interest and public service careers by providing them with financial assistance to service the educational debt owed for institutionally approved and certified loan programs they assumed while at the Law School. In addition to the traditional LRAP, participants may elect to participate in both the Columbia Law School LRAP and the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Finally, several fellowships for public interest have been established, and fellowship recipients may receive assistance for all loan payments on their Law School debt borrowed up to the standard cost of attendance. A full description of our LRAP can be found on the Financial Aid website, or may be requested from the Office of Financial Aid.

Bridge to Opportunity Scholarship ("BOS")

The Bridge to Opportunity Scholarship supports up to ten students from each entering class with financial need who are the first in their family to graduate from college. Recipients will receive a scholarship that covers the cost of tuition for full-time enrollment for three years (six semesters) at Columbia Law School. In addition to financial support, BOS Scholars will have access to peer mentorship from Columbia First Generation Professionals; academic support; a robust and diverse network of alumni working in the public, private, and non-profit sectors; and individualized financial aid counseling as well as financial literacy training. To be eligible to receive the BOS award, you must:

Identify as a first generation college graduate in accordance with Question 2.5 in the application;

Submit a statement (500 words or less) that discusses the contributions you will make to the Columbia Law community and beyond as a first generation college graduate; and Submit all documents necessary for the need-based financial aid application.

Kindly identify your attachment clearly as the Bridge to Opportunity Statement. You must submit all materials to be considered for the Bridge to Opportunity Scholarship at the time you submit your application.

All required application materials to the Law School and for the Bridge to Opportunity Scholarship must be received by January 15, 2027 to receive priority consideration.

Greene Public Service Scholarship ("Greene Scholarship")/Public Interest Fellowship ("PIF")

Columbia Law School has a long and proud tradition of preparing leaders in the public interest, government, and human rights fields. As part of that tradition, Columbia Law School awards five full-tuition scholarships for three years (six semesters) of full-time studies at the Law School to incoming 1L students who are committed to public interest or public service careers. Recipients must work in public interest, government, or human rights law for the entirety of their first and second summers at the Law School, as well as the first five years following graduation. In order to apply for a Greene Scholarship/PIF, you must answer "yes" to Question 8.9 and attach a supplemental statement to your Columbia Law application. In the statement, kindly address your public interest and/or public service experience and motivations, your career goals and aspirations in the public interest/public service field, and the ways in which a law degree from Columbia Law would advance those goals. As recipients of the Greene Scholarship/PIF gain automatic admission into the Berger Public Interest/Public Service Fellows Program, please also identify what you hope to contribute to the Berger Fellows Program and the broader public interest/public service community at Columbia Law School. Your statement should be no longer than 800 words double spaced and clearly identified as the "Greene Scholarship/PIF Statement." You must submit all materials to be considered for the Greene Scholarship/PIF at the time you submit your application. All required application materials to the Law School and for the Greene Scholarship/PIF must be received by January 15, 2027 to receive priority consideration. Priority will be given to applicants who have worked in a public sector role before entering law school. Please note that as an applicant for the Greene Scholarship/PIF, if you are admitted to the Law School, your entire application will be made available to the Greene Scholarship/PIF Selection Committee. Only applicants who are admitted to the Law School will be actively considered for the Greene Scholarship/PIF.

Academic Scholars Program ("ASP")

The Academic Scholars Program identifies and provides academic and financial support for incoming J.D. candidates with strong potential and ambition to become law professors. Academic support includes mentorship by a member of the faculty and support in entering Ph.D. studies, if that will advance the Scholar's career. In addition to the automatic admission to the Legal Scholarship Practicum and an annual research and conference stipend, Academic Scholars receive a half-tuition grant for all three years (six semesters) of full-time enrollment at the Law School for the J.D. program.

In order to apply for the Academic Scholars Program, you must answer "yes" to Question 8.10 and follow the instructions as outlined on the website.

Housing

Housing accommodations for Columbia Law students are excellent in terms of availability, quality, variety, convenience and, relative to other New York City law schools, expense. All admitted first-year law students who have secured their seat and who apply for housing by May 1, 2027, are prioritized to receive a housing selection appointment. All Law School student housing is in apartments owned and managed by the University, and most is located within blocks of the Law School. Rents are significantly lower than New York City market rates, because our housing is heavily subsidized by the University.

Detailed descriptions of the University housing programs are provided to prospective law students at the time of admission. General housing information is also available at the Columbia Residential website (http://residential.columbia.edu/).

Columbia University Non-Discrimination Policy

Columbia University does not discriminate on the basis of age, alienage or citizenship status, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender (sex), gender identity, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran or active military status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law, in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other university administrated programs.

International students applying to Columbia must submit a statement that discusses their reasons for wishing to study in the United States. Applicants should clearly label the attachment by writing "International Student Statement" at the top of the page.

1. List ALL educational institutions attended.

2. Have you ever attended any law school?

3. Did you leave the law school under less than good standing?

4. If you did not leave the law school in good standing, explain the circumstances. (maximum characters 500)

5. Has your education in college, university, or professional school been interrupted for one term or more for any reason?

6. If your education was interrupted, explain the circumstances. (maximum characters 500)