Personal Statement (750 word limit) - UW Law aspires to be the best public law school in the nation and one of the world's most respected centers for interdisciplinary legal studies. We strive to be leaders by shaping and defending just and sustainable laws and policies through our scholarly discovery, ethical advocacy, inspired teaching, and generous public service.

The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic, professional, and leadership promise; have a strong desire to attend UW Law; are committed to generous public service and ethical advocacy; and who have backgrounds and experiences that will enrich the law school educational environment. We encourage applicants to share any information that may help us better understand their background and describes their potential contributions to our vibrant community.

Many applicants use the Personal Statement to provide a fuller picture of their academic, professional, or personal journey. This can include, but is not limited to: meaningful leadership experiences or potential; involvement in advocacy, public service, or community-based work; a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage; unusual or challenging circumstances that may have impacted your academic path; experiences that reflect resilience, perseverance, or growth; disability; prejudice or discrimination; studying or living abroad; foreign language skills; special talents; unique life experiences; or geographic diversity. This is not an exhaustive list. Please feel free to share anything you believe is important to your story or may help the Admissions Committee reach a thoughtful and informed decision. We value your voice and welcome the opportunity to learn more about you and your interest in attending law school.

(Optional) Supplemental Statement (500 word limit) - Applicants may supplement their personal statement by including a response to one (1) of the following optional questions:

1. What life events or experiences have had the greatest influence in shaping your character and why?;

2. Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership, whether in a classroom, workplace, organization, or personal context. What did you learn from that experience, and how will your leadership skills contribute to our law school community and the legal profession?;

3. What is a strength, trait, or experience you possess that might not be immediately visible in your application but is essential to understanding who you are?

Please note: The option to write a "Why UW" statement has been moved to the actual application and should not be submitted as a supplemental statement.

(Optional) Please use this space to indicate why are you interested in pursuing your legal education at the University of Washington? Note: you should not submit a supplemental essay indicating "Why UW." This text box is the appropriate space for that type of essay. (maximum characters 3000)

Please provide a résumé detailing your employment history, extracurricular or community activities, volunteer work, honors, awards, foreign language skills, and military service. Include employers, job titles, dates of employment (mm/yyyy), locations, the number of hours per week devoted to such activities, or other information that you believe the University of Washington School of Law should consider in evaluating your application, such as skills that translate to law school success. Your résumé may not exceed three (3) pages.

UW Law understands that questions about involvement in legal proceedings can be stressful. These application questions are intended to focus on your record of conduct and provide you an opportunity to explain any conduct disclosed in your application materials including how you addressed the behavior or what you learned from the experience. What is important is your current character and fitness. Please read the application questions carefully and respond as completely and accurately as possible. Applicants are encouraged to provide documentation of pending matters or final disposition of closed matters in order to facilitate the review of your application. UW Law reserves the right to require documentation as necessary to facilitate review of your application. Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or other serious crime are eligible for admission into the School of Law and may not be automatically or unreasonably denied admission based on an their criminal history. If the answer to either question below is yes, you must explain fully on a separate attachment. Note: For criminal matters, the entry of an expungement or sealing order does not relieve you of the duty to disclose the matter. You may indicate the existence of such an order in your explanation.

It is the applicant's duty to notify the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid immediately of any and all circumstances and events that may occur from the date the application is submitted to the first day of enrollment that may change the initial response to either of the following questions. All students also have a continuing obligation to disclose immediately to the law school any and all circumstances and events occurring after the first day of enrollment until the date of their graduation which may bear on their character and fitness to practice law.

1. Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on academic or scholastic probation, placed on disciplinary probation, expelled, requested to withdraw, or allowed to withdraw in lieu of discipline from any college or university, or otherwise subjected to discipline by any such institution or requested or advised by any such institution to discontinue your studies there? (This question is similar to questions that will appear on state bar applications.) *NOTE: If the answer to the question is yes, you must provide a full explanation (name of the institution, date, and reasons for the action) under Attachments.

2. Have you ever been cited for, arrested for, charged with, or convicted for any violation of any law including any cases resolved in juvenile court? Include matters that have been sealed or dismissed, expunged, pardoned, subject to a diversion or deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside. Omit traffic violations. (This question is simiar to questions that will appear on state bar applications.)
   *NOTE: If the answer to the question is yes, you must provide a full explanation (date, nature of the offense, location, and disposition of each matter) under Attachments.

Policies for J.D. Admissions To be considered for admission, applicants must follow the application instructions, register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and demonstrate that they have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian university, or the foreign equivalent whose program has been deemed comparable to that of a four-year baccalaureate degree, prior to registering for the first academic quarter at UW Law.

Official communication regarding the status of an application will be sent via email. Applicants may also access their Applicant Status Online (ASO) for application updates. Please note that updates to the ASO are not automated and therefore not made in real time. Applicants should add lawadm@uw.edu to their safe senders list to ensure they do not miss important information.

Regular Decision and Early Decision: Important Application Dates September 1 - Applications open for incoming first-year JD students (Regular and Early Decision). December 1 - Early Decision Program application deadline. March 1 - Priority application deadline for incoming first-year JD students. April 15 - Deposit Deadline for Regular Decision ($500, non-refundable). June LSAT - Final LSAT exam accepted for Fall 2027 admission. July 15 - Regular Decision application deadline for Fall 2027 (application must be complete by this date). These deadlines are non-negotiable.

Note: UW Law offers a number of named scholarships (Gates, Gregoire, Barer, etc.) with their own eligibility requirements and deadlines. Please refer to our website for important dates and deadlines related to these and other awards.

Admissions Policy The primary goal of the University of Washington School of Law (UW Law) admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience will enrich the learning environment of the law school. As the state's public law school, we have a responsibility to educate lawyers who will serve the legal needs of all members of society, through the practice of law, the formulation of public policy and other law-related activities. Our admissions policy is designed to identify individuals who will help fulfill this responsibility.

We invite applicants whose first-choice law school is UW Law to consider applying through the binding, Early Decision Pathway. Applicants who are not prepared to apply under a binding program should apply through the Regular Decision Pathway.

In measuring academic potential, we evaluate candidates holistically, balancing multiple considerations in selecting a cohort of students for each incoming class. No single factor is dispositive for admission. Factors we consider include but are not limited to: the rigor of the applicant's undergraduate curriculum; the nature and attainment of an advanced degree; the applicant's pre- and post-college experience as it relates to the applicant's academic and professional potential; the quality and strength of recommendations which address the applicant's academic and professional potential; variations in the level of academic achievement over time; any other indicators that may aid in the determination of academic and professional potential.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to read full details here before submitting an application.

Nondiscrimination Policy UW Law provides for a holistic admission process with the objective of attracting students who demonstrate the strongest prospects for high quality academic work. This selective admission process shall assure that the University's educational opportunities shall be open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. The process of admission shall be mindful of the need for diversity in the student body and for highly-trained individuals from all segments of the population. For more information, please visit here.

Applicant Responsibility and Accuracy of Information Applicants are under a continuing obligation to notify the law school immediately of any and all circumstances and events that may occur from the date an application is submitted to the first day of enrollment that may change any of the responses to their application. UW Law reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if, at any time, the candidate fails to maintain satisfactory scholastic standing for work in progress, if final records fail to show completion of courses and/or degrees required for admission, or if the admission decision was based on incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading information furnished by the applicant. In addition, the law school may also report its findings to LSAC's Misconduct and Irregularities Committee. All students also have a continuing obligation to disclose immediately to the law school any and all circumstances and events occurring after the first day of enrollment until the date of their graduation which may bear on their character and fitness to practice law.

Character and Moral Fitness Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or other serious crime are eligible for admission into the School of Law and may not be automatically or unreasonably denied admission based on their criminal history; however, because some state bar associations may prohibit persons with criminal records from being admitted to the bar even if they successfully complete law school, it may be impossible for such individuals to practice law in some states.

In addition to the 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.

If you have questions about whether your past history may be a barrier to getting licensed as a lawyer, be sure to contact the state bar where you intend to practice.

Evaluative Interview The Admissions Committee may, at its discretion, invite candidates to interview for admission and/or scholarship. Interviews are by invitation only and candidates may not request an interview.

Application Instructions An application is complete and ready for evaluation when the following items are received:

Application - applications to UW Law must be submitted electronically through LSAC. Paper applications will not be accepted.

$60 Application Fee - The application fee will be collected through LSAC. Select students may qualify for a fee waiver. Please see our website for information.

Personal Statement (750 word limit) - UW Law aspires to be the best public law school in the nation and one of the world's most respected centers for interdisciplinary legal studies. We strive to be leaders by shaping and defending just and sustainable laws and policies through our scholarly discovery, ethical advocacy, inspired teaching, and generous public service.

The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic, professional, and leadership promise; have a strong desire to attend UW Law; are committed to generous public service and ethical advocacy; and who have backgrounds and experiences that will enrich the law school educational environment. We encourage applicants to share any information that may help us better understand their background and describes their potential contributions to our vibrant community.

Many applicants use the Personal Statement to provide a fuller picture of their academic, professional, or personal journey. This can include, but is not limited to: meaningful leadership experiences or potential; involvement in advocacy, public service, or community-based work; a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage; unusual or challenging circumstances that may have impacted your academic path; experiences that reflect resilience, perseverance, or growth; disability; prejudice or discrimination; studying or living abroad; foreign language skills; special talents; unique life experiences; or geographic diversity. This is not an exhaustive list. Please feel free to share anything you believe is important to your story or may help the Admissions Committee reach a thoughtful and informed decision. We value your voice and welcome the opportunity to learn more about you and your interest in attending law school.

(Optional) Supplemental Statement (500 word limit) - Applicants may supplement their personal statement by including a response to one (1) of the following optional questions: What life events or experiences have had the greatest influence in shaping your character and why?; Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership, whether in a classroom, workplace, organization, or personal context. What did you learn from that experience, and how will your leadership skills contribute to our law school community and the legal profession?; What is a strength, trait, or experience you possess that might not be immediately visible in your application but is essential to understanding who you are? Please note: The option to write a "Why UW" statement has been moved to the actual application and should not be submitted as a supplemental statement.

Résumé - Please provide a résumé detailing your employment history, extracurricular or community activities, volunteer work, honors, awards, foreign language skills, and military service. Include employers, job titles, dates of employment (mm/yyyy), locations, the number of hours per week devoted to such activities, or other information that you believe the University of Washington School of Law should consider in evaluating your application, such as skills that translate to law school success. Your résumé may not exceed three (3) pages.

Credential Assembly Service Report - The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report will include: (1) the applicant's transcript(s) from each institution of higher education attended; (2) Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score(s); (3) LSAT Writing Sample; and (4) two letters of recommendation. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that LSAC has received all necessary materials to complete the CAS file. You are advised to confirm that your CAS file is complete; LSAC will not send the law school a CAS report until then.

Letters of Recommendation - Two (2) Letters of Recommendation are required and must be submitted through LSAC's Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree are encouraged to include at least one letter from a faculty member or other individual qualified to evaluate their academic abilities. Strong recommendations come from professors or academic professionals who are familiar with the applicant's work and can provide a detailed assessment of their potential for success in law school. Applicants who have been out of school for an extended period may submit professional and/or character references in place of academic letters. Applicants may submit up to three (3) Letters of Recommendation; however, once two are received, the application will be considered complete and sent to review unless the applicant requests the application be held for the final Letter.

PLEASE NOTE: All records become part of the official file. They will not be returned or duplicated.