Please present yourself as a prospective law student by writing a personal statement. You may write about any topic that you feel will help readers of your application get a sense of you as a person and as a prospective law student, such as your motivation to pursue law; your personal and professional goals and interests; or your thoughts on engaging the intellectual, experiential, and professional resources and opportunities that law school and the legal profession offer.

This attachment is required. Please use double-spaced formatting, standard one-inch margins, and 12-point font. The quality and vibrance of the educational environment at Vanderbilt Law arise from enrolling a student body with a broad mix of individual backgrounds, experiences, skills, knowledge, and interests. Please tell us about any aspects of your background and experience that you believe would contribute to the educational environment.

This attachment is optional and user-defined but must adhere to the same guidelines as the two required essays i.e. double-spaced formatting, standard margins, 12-point font, and only 2 pages in length.

You are welcome to use this attachment to provide any other information that you would like to make available to readers of your application. This includes but is not limited to

addressing any variance in LSAT scores of 5 points or more,

discussing any circumstances that may have impacted your studies/academic record,

explaining any gaps in employment,

describing any additional information not already covered in your application that would provide the Admissions Committee with greater insight on your capacity to be successful at Vanderbilt Law. This can include but is not limited to personal attributes, skills, hobbies, or achievements.

In addition to your employment responses on the application form, please attach a résumé.

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. You must answer the following questions fully and truthfully regardless of any contrary advice that you may have received from others. If you answer "yes" to any of the questions below, please explain in the text box. If you are unsure whether a particular incident should be disclosed, you should contact the Admissions Office.

1. Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action for any academic or behavioral misconduct or violation of an honor or ethical code, or are you currently under investigation or in an appeal process for any academic or behavioral misconduct or violation of an honor or ethical code, at a current or prior academic institution? You should answer "yes" even if those matters have been dismissed or "expunged" or your current or prior academic institution would no longer report about them due to the passage of time.

2. Have you ever, either as an adult or minor, been charged with or convicted of any crime, or charged with or found to have committed any offense (whether or not defined as a crime), or received anything other than an honorable discharge from the military? You should answer "yes" even if charges were dismissed or deferred; a conviction was expunged, sealed, or otherwise required by law or ordered by a court to be kept confidential; you received a pardon/commutation; your civil rights have been restored; or you received legal advice that the offense will not appear on your criminal record.

3. Are any charges pending or charges that you reasonably expect will be brought which would require you to answer "yes" to either question above?

4. Have you ever experienced any professional disciplinary action, including suspension, termination, or involuntary separation from a role, position, or organization?

Thank you for considering Vanderbilt Law School. We look forward to working with you during the application process.

Please read the application instructions in their entirety.

Vanderbilt is recognized among the nation's leading law schools for its faculty of renowned scholars; its talented student body, drawn from across the nation and around the world; its rigorous curriculum, with an array of joint-degree, specialized, experiential, and interdisciplinary programs; and for its graduates, located throughout the U.S. and abroad. Vanderbilt Law has established itself as a leader in designing innovative programs that connect outstanding theoretical training to real-world skills, information, and experience necessary for effective law practice in the 21st Century. A legal education that combines the best scholarly research and policy analysis with effective lawyering skills provides an immediate advantage to Vanderbilt graduates upon entry to the profession.

We intentionally limit the number of students we enroll each year. Our small class sizes enable us to deliver a personal and customizable approach to legal education, a collegial environment that blends challenging intellectual inquiry with an accessible and distinguished faculty, an atmosphere of respect for individuals and ideas, and an exceptional environment for intellectual and professional training.

With an average of more than 80% of each graduating class taking employment out of state, Vanderbilt Law graduates obtain top-tier employment outcomes while enjoying national geographic mobility, supported by the school?s global alumni network and longstanding relationships with legal employers from coast to coast.

Prospective students who visit campus discover that Vanderbilt's hometown is a great place to attend law school. Nashville is vibrant and progressive, with wide-ranging cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities. It has every advantage of a big city, on a highly accessible scale, and serves as a major center of legal and economic activity that provides an array of opportunities in law firms, state and federal courts, public agencies, nonprofits, and corporations.

Prospective students are welcome to contact the Admissions Office at 615.322.6452 or admissions@law.vanderbilt.edu for information about visiting Vanderbilt Law. You may also wish to explore our website at law.vanderbilt.edu for a schedule of virtual information sessions and other opportunities to connect with us.

Binding Early Decision Option

We designed our Binding Early Decision option specifically for prospective J.D. students who have thoroughly explored a range of law schools and determined that Vanderbilt clearly stands out as the best personal fit for their legal education. If Vanderbilt Law School is your clear first choice, consider expediting the application process by applying under this option. Binding Early Decision candidates must sign a Binding Early Decision Agreement through which they fully commit to attend Vanderbilt if admitted under Binding Early Decision.

To apply under Binding Early Decision, you must submit the Vanderbilt J.D. application and all required materials to LSAC no later than 11:59 pm CT on November 1. The Law School will render decisions on Binding Early Decision applications by mid-December. Applicants may be accepted, held for further review, or denied. Candidates may not apply to a binding early decision program at another law school while applying under Binding Early Decision at Vanderbilt.

If accepted, Binding Early Decision applicants must promptly confirm their intent to enroll at Vanderbilt and withdraw all applications to other law schools. All candidates accepted under Binding Early Decision will receive an annual scholarship not less than $40,000 per academic year over three years ($120,000). Offers of admission under Binding Early Decision are for Fall 2027 entry only; we will not approve requests for deferred enrollment.

Some Binding Early Decision applications may be held for further review and will subsequently receive an offer of admission during the regular admission cycle. In those cases, the Binding Early Decision Agreement is no longer binding on the applicant.

Application Information Applications may be submitted from September 1, 2026, through April 1, 2027, and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Documents required to complete a file include the application form, LSAC's Credential Assembly Service Law School Report (CAS report), two letters of recommendation, all required attachments, and an $85 non-refundable application fee. Candidates must pay online using a credit card and must certify their applications electronically.

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to Vanderbilt Law's J.D. program, you must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or the equivalent from an international institution) or have completed the equivalent of six semesters and expect to graduate during the current academic year prior to the start of law school in Fall 2027.

International Applicants

International applicants applying to Vanderbilt's J.D. program must meet the English language requirement if you have completed a bachelor's degree at an institution outside the United States (including its territories) and/or Canada. If your native language is not English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. Please request that ETS send your TOEFL score directly to LSAC using code 0058 for inclusion with your CAS report.

However, if English is the language of instruction at the foreign institution conferring your bachelor's degree, then you may be exempt from this requirement. Reach out to the Office of Admissions for information on how to request a waiver.

Financial Aid Information Law School Scholarships (varying amounts) All admitted applicants are automatically considered for Law School scholarships, which are awarded in varying amounts based on an individual's full application for admission in the context of the admitted pool. While we provide Law School scholarship decisions as soon as possible following an offer of admission, timing will vary in individual cases.

Need-Based Awards & Educational Loans February 1, 2027, is the suggested priority filing date for the CSS Profile and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms necessary for need-based grant consideration and educational loans. To submit the CSS Profile, you must complete and file the digital application directly through the College Board CSS Profile Homepage, listing Vanderbilt Law School code 5130. You must complete both the student and parent sections of the form regardless of age or marital status. To apply for federal student loans, complete the FAFSA form, listing Vanderbilt University?s Title IV code 003535. Decisions concerning loan packages are made on an ongoing basis. Recipients are notified as decisions are made.

Decisions concerning Law Scholar Merit Awards, Vanderbilt Law School Merit Scholarships, need-based awards, and loan packages are made on an ongoing basis. Recipients are notified as decisions are made.

Law Scholars Merit Awards (full tuition) Each year, Vanderbilt provides several merit awards valued at full tuition to admitted applicants through a competitive selection process. The scholarship committee may request an interview.

To be considered, admitted applicants must complete the Application for Law Scholars Merit Awards contained in the Vanderbilt Law School Application Status Portal. The deadline for submitting Law Scholars applications is January 10. Decisions concerning Law Scholar Merit Awards are made on an ongoing basis. Recipients are notified as decisions are made.

Raymonde I. Paul Scholarship in International Legal Studies (varying amounts) The Law School awards a scholarship in memory of the late Raymonde I. Paul, who developed a diverse practice in international law and participated extensively in the International Federation of Women Lawyers.

To be considered for the Raymonde I. Paul Scholarship, applicants must complete the form in the Vanderbilt Law School Application Status Portal by January 10, 2027.

Access2VLS Need-Based Grants (varying amounts) Through the generosity of Vanderbilt Law alumni, Access2VLS need-based grants provide targeted financial assistance that facilitates enrollment and helps reduce borrowing for students with demonstrated financial need. The Access2VLS grant request form is available in application portals through April 10, 2027, the final Access2VLS closing date. It is strongly suggested you submit the CSS profile form and the Access2VLS form by the March 20, 2027, priority deadline regardless of whether you have received a decision on your application for admission.

Verification of financial information provided on the CSS PROFILE is required. You will receive separate instructions on how to submit federal tax forms, non-filer forms, and other tax documents to Dynamic Forms. DO NOT SEND TAX RETURN DOCUMENTS TO VANDERBILT.

The Access2VLS Need-Based Grant priority deadline is March 20, 2027, for submitting the grant request form located in the applicant portal. The CSS PROFILE suggested filing date is February 1, and verification documentation should be submitted prior to the March 20 priority deadline. Applicants submitting J.D. applications after the March 20 priority deadline should submit the grant request form no later than April 10, 2027.

Checklist for J.D. Applicants: Vanderbilt Law School Important Dates:

September 1, 2026: Application opens.

November 1, 2026: Early Decision deadline.

January 10, 2027: Deadline for Law Scholars Merit Awards and Raymonde I. Paul Scholarship in International Legal Studies. We will consider applications submitted after that date when possible.

February 1, 2027: The suggested filing date for the CSS PROFILE AND FAFSA forms to receive priority consideration for need-based grant assistance and loan processing.

March 20, 2027: Access2VLS Need-Based Grant priority deadline.

April 1, 2027: Application closes.

The following items must be submitted to complete your electronic application:

1. Application form: complete as instructed. Please attach required statements and other attachments as described below.

2. Credential Assembly Service Law School Report (CAS report): you must register with LSAC for the Credential Assembly Service at LSAC.org to create your CAS report. Your CAS report will include your LSAT score(s); LSAT writing sample; photocopies of your academic transcripts from all your undergraduate institutions (and graduate schools, if applicable); and a transcript analysis.

If you received your undergraduate degree from an educational institution outside the United States, its territories, and Canada, you are also required to register with the Credential Assembly Service and have your transcripts and any other required documentation sent to LSAC for processing and evaluation. LSAC will then forward your complete CAS report to the Law School. International transcripts often take more time; please allow for this when requesting and transmitting the transcripts.

Your Vanderbilt electronic application forms will be "bundled" with your law school report and sent to our office International students applying to Vanderbilt?s J.D. program must meet the English language requirement.

3. Two letters of recommendation: letters should be from people who have worked closely with you and who know you well. Letters from faculty members who have taught you tend to provide information most relevant to you as a prospective law student and most helpful to readers of your application. Faculty members who have served as your advisors, research supervisors, or have taught you in more than one course are often good choices. Letters from employers who know you well also provide helpful and relevant information for your law school application. You must submit your letters through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service.

4. An $85 non-refundable application fee. You must pay online by credit card.

Our holistic application review process includes consideration of a broad range of information about each prospective student. We review each file in its entirety for evidence of engagement with educational opportunities, community service, and employment responsibilities, as well as indicators of intellectual curiosity, interest in others' welfare, perseverance, professionalism, and other characteristics of successful law students and lawyers.

We intentionally limit the number of entering students each year for the many reasons that a small, carefully selected student body enriches a personal approach to legal education. We believe that enrolling highly talented students with a mix of backgrounds, experiences, skills, knowledge, and interests enhances the quality and vibrance of the educational environment and school culture.

Required Written Statements Personal Statement: Please present yourself as a prospective law student by writing a personal statement. You may write about any topic that you feel will help readers of your application get a sense of you as a person and a prospective law student, such as your motivation to pursue law; your personal and professional goals and interests; or your thoughts on engaging the intellectual, experiential, and professional resources and opportunities that law school and the legal profession offer. Please use double-spaced formatting, standard one-inch margins, and 12-point font. Personal Statements should be limited to two pages.

Lived Experience Statement: The quality and vibrance of the educational environment at Vanderbilt Law arise from enrolling a student body with a broad mix of individual backgrounds, experiences, skills, knowledge, and interests. Please tell us about any aspects of your background and experience that you believe would contribute to the educational environment. Please use double-spaced formatting, standard one-inch margins, and 12-point font. Lived Experience Statements should be limited to two pages.

Other Attachments Résumé: In addition to your employment responses on the application form, please attach a résumé.

Optional Addendum: You are welcome to provide any other information that you would like to make available to readers of your application.

Binding Early Decision Agreement: If you are applying Binding Early Decision, this agreement should be downloaded, read, signed, and submitted as an attachment.

Securing Your Class Seat To secure your seat in the Fall 2027 entering class, you will be required to pay a non-refundable $1000 seat deposit no later than the date(s) indicated within your offer of admission.

Required Disclosures The License and Certification Disclosures for Vanderbilt University can be found here: https://law.vanderbilt.edu/departmentof-education-regulation/.

Vanderbilt University is required to provide reports to various federal and state agencies about the ethnic composition of our applicant pool. We therefore ask that you answer the questions about your ethnic identity located in the demographics section of this application. The University maintains the confidentiality of this information and uses it or shares it for statistical purposes. You may decline to state your ethnic identity.