Pepperdine does not provide a specific prompt or question for applicants to address in their personal statement. Instead, you are encouraged to write about something personal, relevant, and unique to you. This may include discussing a significant aspect of your background, a quality or trait that you believe defines you, a transformative experience or mentor, your motivations for pursuing law, or an interest that would allow you to make a distinctive contribution to the Pepperdine community. Write authentically and in your own voice.
We value clear and concise writing. The personal statement should be two to four pages, double-spaced in a 12-point font.

Optional Statements

You may choose to respond to either or both prompts below to provide the Admissions Committee with additional information about yourself and the contribution you would make to our unique Pepperdine Caruso Law community.

#1 Christian Mission

Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Pepperdine Caruso Law?s dedication to our Christian mission drives our deep desire to embody and imbue in our students the highest standards of ethics and morality. We are proud to have a strong Christian faculty that also includes several professors from other faiths. We welcome students of all faiths, as well as students who are not part of any faith tradition. Our complete mission and vision can be found here.

Please share with the Admissions Committee how you would contribute to the Christian mission as part of our unique Pepperdine Caruso Law community.

#2 Background, Life Experience, and Perspective

Pepperdine Caruso Law is a community of belonging with students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to creating a culture in which each person?s voice and convictions enhance our shared community.

Please share with the Admissions Committee how your background, life experiences, and perspective have shaped your courage, determination, and character and ability to contribute uniquely to the culture of the Pepperdine Caruso Law community.

OPTIONAL - Please use this space if you need to add supplemental information not already disclosed elsewhere in your application.

Scholarship Opportunities

Faculty Scholars Award

Full-tuition plus a $7,000 living stipend

Criteria: Suggested minimum GPA 3.80 and minimum LSAT 165.

A separate application and campus visit are required. You must submit the Faculty Scholars application with your complete Eapp and CAS report.

The Faculty Scholars Award application is a statement responding to the following:

• Pepperdine is deeply committed to its Christian mission and welcoming to students from all faiths as it prepares students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Caruso Law's mission encourages adherence to the highest moral and ethical standards. Please share how you would contribute to this unique community.

In addition, please highlight the following:

• Describe your two most significant extracurricular activities or honors received in college.
• Describe your most significant leadership experience.
• Describe your most significant employment experience.
• Describe your interest in law as a profession.

Please title the statement as Faculty Scholars Application. The Office of Admissions must receive a complete JD application and Faculty Scholars Award statement no later than December 15, 2025.

If you are selected as a Faculty Scholars Award finalist, you must participate in the Faculty Scholars event on the Caruso Law campus in Malibu for a weekend in mid February 2026 for final consideration.

Dean's Merit Scholarship

One-quarter to full tuition

Criteria: Minimum GPA 3.3 and minimum LSAT 164. All applicants are immediately considered upon acceptance; no separate application is required.

Caruso Scholars Award and Dean's Excellence Scholarship

Please attach a résumé including record of employment, scholastic honors, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

The following information must be completed before your file can be evaluated.

If you answer "YES" to any of the four questions, attach a statement or an electronic attachment giving details and return it with this application.

Should your response to any of the four questions change at any time during the course of your application, after you have been placed on the wait list, or after you have been offered admission, you must immediately inform the Office of Admissions in writing and update your application accordingly.

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.

1. Have you ever been subject to any academic or disciplinary action while in college, law school, or any other educational setting, regardless of the outcome?

2. Have you ever been charged, cited, prosecuted, or convicted of any crime for an offense other than a minor traffic violation? Include any instance of drunk driving, whether a felony, misdemeanor or minor traffic violation, regardless of the outcome.

3. Have you ever been a party to or are you presently a party to any civil action or administrative proceeding? (This does not include divorce or dissolution.)

4. Do you know of any matter which might otherwise adversely affect your admission to this school or the Bar?

To be eligible to apply, you must plan to receive a bachelor?s degree from an accredited college or university before enrolling at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.

Filing of Application

Complete the Application for Admission. Ensure that each question has been answered completely, as failure to do so will delay the review of the application.

You must complete the following:

• Character and Fitness
• Résume
• Personal Statement
• Optional Statements
• LSAT test scores through LSAC or GRE test scores through ETS
• Registration with the Credential Assembly Service. Your CAS must include your writing sample. Request your official transcript(s) and two letters of recommendation be sent directly to LSAC.

Application Deadlines

• Priority Deadline: February 1
• Final Deadline: April 1

Standardized Tests

Pepperdine Caruso Law accepts both the LSAT and the GRE as acceptable tests for admission consideration.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Applicants are encouraged to take the LSAT early, but by no later than April of the year in which admission is sought. LSAT scores are valid for five years. Applications for the LSAT and information regarding testing centers are available at LSAC.org.

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Test

Pepperdine only accepts official GRE score reports from ETS. Please indicate Pepperdine University as the recipient of your test scores and include our school code, 4371. Applicants are encouraged to take the GRE early but no later than April of the year in which admission is sought. GRE scores are valid for five years. Additional information regarding applying to Pepperdine with a GRE score can be found on our website here. GRE registration information and how to submit official score reports can be found on the ETS website.

Credential Assembly Service

LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Reports are requested upon receipt of the application. All applicants must register with the CAS through LSAC.org. Once registered, an official transcript from each educational institution you have attended must be sent to LSAC. Information on sending your official transcripts to LSAC can be found on LSAC.org.

Internationally educated applicants must use the Credential Assembly Service. All international transcripts must be sent to LSAC.

Letters of Recommendation

Pepperdine Caruso Law requires two letters of recommendation. Recommendations should be furnished by those individuals who can best assess your ability to succeed in law school. It is highly recommended that one letter be provided by a faculty member with whom you pursued your undergraduate studies. Pepperdine requires letters to be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. This service is included in the CAS registration. To use this service, follow the directions for submitting letters outlined on LSAC's website, LSAC.org.

Application Review Process

We admit students on a rolling basis, with decisions typically made between December and May. You will be notified of your decision via email. We do not have an admissions appeals process, but you may reapply in a subsequent year. Application files are maintained from previous years, so you should consider updating your personal statement and supplemental information. We recommend you submit at least one new letter of recommendation.

Accepting the Offer of Admission

Admitted students who accept our offer must make a non-refundable seat deposit(s) to Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Admitted JD students are required to make two non-refundable deposits. The first deposit of $400 is required by April 15. The second deposit of $600 is required by June 15. Applicants admitted after April 1 will be given a later first seat deposit deadline, and those admitted after June 1 will be given a later seat deposit deadline. Seat deposits are applied to the student's tuition in their first semester.

Official Undergraduate Transcript

After accepting the offer of admission, incoming 1L students must have an official transcript from each college or university that granted a degree, showing the degree and confer date sent to Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law directly. The transcripts must be on file by October 1st. All transcripts and documents become the property of Pepperdine University and are not returnable. A student's final admission to Pepperdine cannot be granted until such transcripts are on file.

Please note that transcripts sent to the School of Law via LSAC during the application process can fulfill this requirement only if the degree is posted on the transcript.