Admissions Policy
UCLA School of Law seeks to admit students of outstanding intellectual ability who will bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to the classroom and the legal profession. Through long experience, the faculty has concluded that the quality of the education of each student is affected in significant ways by the presence of vital, diverse viewpoints. Indeed, students of all backgrounds choose to come to UCLA in significant part because of the School of Law's outstanding achievements in creating a highly diverse educational environment.
In evaluating each applicant, the School of 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 Record Examinations (GRE) scores. We also recognize in our evaluation that other factors and attributes contribute greatly to a person's ability to succeed as a law student and lawyer. When assessing academic promise and achievement, the applicant's entire file will be considered, including whether economic, physical, or other challenges have been overcome; scholarly achievements such as graduate study, awards and publications; the rigor of the undergraduate educational program undertaken; and letters of recommendation.
The School of Law also considers attributes that may contribute to assembling a diverse class. We place special emphasis on socioeconomic disadvantage in our evaluation. We also consider work experience and career achievement, community or public service, career goals (with particular attention paid to the likelihood of the applicant serving underrepresented communities), significant hardships overcome, the ability to contribute to law school programs and specializations, evidence of and potential for leadership, language ability, unusual life experiences, and any other factors (except those factors deemed inadmissible by applicable law) that indicate the applicant may significantly diversify the student body or make a distinctive contribution to the School of Law or the legal profession. We do not consider an applicant's race or sex. Many of the subjects we address on the application help us to assess the non-numeric aspects of the applicant's achievements that may also contribute to the strength of our educational environment and to the quality and leadership potential of our graduates.
UCLA School of Law has as one of its central purposes the training of attorneys who will attain high levels of professional excellence and integrity and who will exercise civic responsibility in myriad ways over long careers.
Admission to the First-Year Class
Applicants for admission to the professional curriculum of the School of Law, leading to the degree of Juris Doctor, must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college of approved standing before they begin their work at the School of Law.
Students are admitted for the fall semester only. UCLA offers a three-year, full-time course of study. Evening, summer, or part-time programs are not offered.
Additional information on the law school and admissions criteria are available on our website at https://law.ucla.edu/admissions/jd-admissions.
Full Tuition Scholarship Programs
This section provides a brief overview of the full tuition scholarships available to applicants. For additional information on the terms and criteria for each scholarship, please review the information on the websites listed after each description. For an overview of all scholarship opportunities at UCLA Law, please visit: https://law.ucla.edu/admissions/jd-admissions/financial-aid.
The UCLA Law Distinguished Scholars Award is a binding early-decision program providing full tuition for three years to exceptionally qualified students ready to commit to UCLA Law. The deadline to apply to this program is November 16, 2026. Applicants must also take the LSAT or GRE no later than October 31, 2026 and must sign and submit the Distinguished Scholars Award Agreement included in the application. For more information, please visit: https://law.ucla.edu/admissions/ jd-admissions/apply-now/full-tuition-programs#distinguished.
The UCLA Law Achievement Fellowship is a non-binding program that provides full tuition for three years to high-achieving students who have also overcome significant obstacles in life, such as socioeconomic disadvantage, disability, being the first in their family to attend college, attending under-resourced schools, or other major hardships or challenges. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is December 15, 2026. Applicants must also take the LSAT or GRE no later than November 30, 2026. To apply, applicants are required to include an additional one-page essay (by uploading it to their application) describing in detail the obstacles they have overcome and why they are a strong candidate for the program. For more information, please visit: https://law.ucla.edu/admissions/jd-admissions/full-tuition-programs#achievement.
The Graton Scholarship is a three-year, full tuition scholarship for students interested in pursuing legal careers in Native American law. For fall 2027 admission, the application deadline is February 1, 2027. However, awards are made on a rolling basis and applicants are highly encouraged to apply early. To apply, candidates should express their interest in the scholarship by including a maximum 1000-word addendum with their application for admissions, setting forth their record of personal or academic commitment to advocating on behalf of Native Nations, as well as further explicating their career aspirations in the field. In the past both Native and non-Native students have been awarded the Graton Scholarship. Tribal members are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit: https://law.ucla.edu/admissions/jd-admissions/full-tuition-programs#graton.
First-Year JD Application Requirements
All applicants for fall 2027 should follow these application procedures:
- Take the LSAT or the GRE no later than January 31, 2027. Note the cutoff dates for the LSAT and GRE are different for students applying to the Early Decision, Distinguished Scholars and Achievement Fellowship programs (see below).
Students may choose which test to take; however, please note the following guidelines:
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.
An applicant who only takes the GRE and not the LSAT must also submit all GRE scores from the last five years.
GRE scores should be submitted directly to the Educational Testing Service ("ETS" - the organization that administers the GRE) using UCLA Law's ETS school code 4837 and department and major field code 5201.
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.
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.) 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.
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Register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
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Submit the following:
Completed application. All application materials submitted by the applicant should use no less than 11-point font.
Personal statement (use an electronic attachment).
Separate essay not to exceed two double-spaced typed pages.
No less than 11-point font.
In the "Attachments" tab, under "Personal Statement," please upload this separate essay. In this essay, you may 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.
Current résumé (use an electronic attachment).
Two letters of recommendation (no more than two) submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service are required.
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 Office of Admissions. Accepted applicants will be required to have their undergraduate institution submit a final transcript directly to the Office of Admissions showing the award of a baccalaureate degree before classes begin in the fall semester.
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 Payment Certification Form, which can be found under the "Forms" tab.
David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy Essay, if applying to the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy. Go to the "Attachments" tab to submit your essay.
Early Decision Program Agreement, if applying to the binding Early Decision Program. The priority Early Decision deadline is November 16, 2026. Students applying priority Early Decision must take the LSAT or GRE by October 31, 2026. Applicants will be informed of their admissions decisions by the end of December 2026. Students applying Early Decision after November 16 must take the LSAT or GRE by January 31, 2027 and will receive decisions on a rolling basis. Go to the "Forms" tab to access the agreement.
Distinguished Scholars Award Agreement, if applying for the Distinguished Scholars Award. The deadline is November 16, 2026 and applicants must take the LSAT or GRE no later than October 31, 2026. Go to the "Forms" tab to access the agreement.
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 15, 2026 and applicants must take the LSAT or the GRE no later than November 30, 2026. Go to the "Attachments" tab to submit the Achievement Fellowship essay.
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We do not require a dean's certification.
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Applications must be submitted on or before February 1, 2027.
Fee Waivers
Our fee waiver policy is outlined here.
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.
Internationally-Educated Applicants
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 registration fee. If you completed any postsecondary 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: 1.800.336.3982 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
UCLA School of Law will request the applicant's law school report with LSAT score(s), if any, 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).
Change of Contact Information
If there is a change in the applicant's contact information after filing the application, the Office of Admissions must be notified by sending an e-mail with the applicant's name and LSAC account number to: admissions@law.ucla.edu or by writing to:
UCLA School of Law
Law Admissions Office
71 Dodd Hall
Box 951445
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1445
Notification
Applicants will be notified by e-mail when:
the application has been received;
the application has been marked complete; and
when an admission decision has been made.
The Office of Admissions should be advised of any change to the applicant's e-mail address. The majority of applicants will receive an admission decision by the end of April 2026.
The School of Law considers requests to defer enrollment on a case-by-case basis. To apply, applicants should contact the Office of Admissions.
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. For more information on joint degree programs, click here.
All J.D./Ph.D. in Philosophy applicants are advised to take the LSAT or GRE by November 30, 2026 and apply by December 1, 2026.
Reapplication
Applicants who reapply for admission must comply with the following procedures:
Complete a current application.
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 personal check, cashier's check or money order payable to "UC Regents" and include it with your signed Payment Certification Form, which can be found under the "Forms" tab.
Have a valid LSAT or GRE score.
Reregister with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service.
Note: The original application materials, including letters of recommendation, will remain on file. It is strongly suggested that a reapplicant submit an updated personal statement and résumé.
For reapplicants applying with a reportable GRE score, official score reports from the original application will also remain on file. If the reapplicant elects to submit a GRE score in addition to the LSAT, the reapplicant must submit all GRE scores from the last five years. 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.
Fall 2027 Financial Aid Checklist for First-Year JD Applicants
UCLA School of Law requires that both the student's and parents' financial information be provided in order to determine eligibility for a need scholarship, with only few exceptions. Please review the detailed application instructions (under the Dean's Scholarships section) found here before submitting your applications. The student will need to fill out the Law School Financial Need Application in order to be considered.
All admitted students are considered for a Dean's Scholarship. In determining the scholarship amount, both merit and financial aid need can be considered. Once admitted, students will be provided access to the Need Application. Students who wish to apply for the need-based component must complete the Law School Financial Need Application before they can be considered for a Dean's Scholarship.
To gain access to federal student loans or a Dream loan, the FAFSA and CA Dream application priority filing date is March 2, 2027. Please use UCLA school code: 001315.
Ethan Madore