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Fordham Law School: Acceptance Rate & Requirements

August 25, 2023
4 min read

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Reviewed by:

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 08/22/23

If you want to make a difference in the legal profession, society, and the world, Fordham Law may be the perfect school for you! Read on to learn more about this law school and how to join it!

Empty law lecture room

What is life like at Fordham Law School? Well, with its ideal location in the heart of New York City, this school offers a vibrant, diverse, and collaborative community of dedicated faculty and students. Together, the Fordham community works towards the common goal of mastering the law, advancing justice, and ensuring justice is accessible to all.

Guided by the Jesuit principle of cura personalis—”care for the whole person”—Fordham is committed to student wellness and supporting aspiring lawyers every step of their journey! Convinced you’ll fit in and thrive at this law school? This guide will explore its admission requirements, costs, and impressive feats!

Fordham Law School Acceptance Rate

The Fordham Law School acceptance rate is just under 19%, meaning students must bring their A games to their applications to be considered competitive applicants.

Fordham Law School Admissions Stats

Fordham University School of Law
Source: The Association of American Law Schools

So, how do you bring your A-game to your application and impress the admissions committee? The first way is with the right numbers. Your GPA and LSAT score will be considered the heaviest in the admissions process. 

LSAT

The class of 2022 had an impressive LSAT median of 167. This is the score you should set as your target. Compare it against your diagnostic score to create the most comprehensive study schedule and decide how much time you’ll need to get a 167! 

GPA

Fordham expects students to have strong academic records, which will be evaluated using their GPA. Previous successful candidates had a median GPA of 3.73.

Fordham School of Law Requirements

While you should place particular emphasis on achieving the scores above to give yourself the best chance of getting into Fordham Law School, you’ll also want to demonstrate you’re a well-rounded applicant who excels outside of the classroom. To do this, you’ll be asked to submit the following application materials

Undergraduate Transcripts

Not only will your undergraduate transcripts be used to determine your GPA and academic record, but they will also be used to evaluate the difficulty of your program. While there is no perfect major to pursue to get into law school, it’s essential you challenge yourself and show diversity on your transcripts. 

Take electives outside of your discipline, explore your academic interests, and prove you can excel in several subjects!

Standardized Test Scores

Fordham Law School accepts the LSAT or GRE. Do your research and carefully consider both tests to see which one aligns best with your strengths!

In general, The LSAT may be the better option if you excel in critical reasoning and logic. Conversely, if you are stronger in quantitative reasoning and verbal abilities, the GRE might be a suitable option.

Ensure you only choose one of these tests, as preparing for both will be overwhelming and unnecessary! Any LSAT scores you receive will be reported to LSAC and available for Fordham Law to see and consider in their decision.

A Personal Statement

The admissions committee wants to learn who you are beyond the numbers. They want to know what motivates you, what your values are, and what you hope to accomplish in the future as a law student and lawyer.

All of this information, and whatever else you feel the committee should know about you, should be explained in a two-page personal statement

A Resume

Your resume should highlight your professional and academic achievements, volunteer experiences, and extracurricular involvement. A one-page resume is preferred, but you may submit a longer one if you feel it is absolutely necessary. 

Letters of Recommendation

Students must also submit at least two letters of recommendation, preferably from current or former professors. These letters should provide a comprehensive and positive assessment of your academic abilities, character, and potential for success in the legal field. 

They should speak to your intellectual capabilities, critical thinking skills, and analytical aptitude and highlight any notable academic achievements. 

If you graduated from college more than five years ago, professional letters will suffice. These letters should also assess your character and vouch for your candidacy for law school.

An Optional Addendum

Students are also welcome to submit an optional addendum explaining any weak parts of their application, like a low LSAT score or a low GPA. This addendum should not exceed two pages.

Fordham School of Law Tuition & Fees

Here’s what you can expect to spend to attend Fordham Law School:

Expense Type Cost
Tuition $71,224
Fees $1,058
Room and Board $23,602
Books $2,160
Travel $2,340
Miscellaneous $5,108
Total $105,492

Source: Fordham Law School

Fordham also offers a part-time evening division program that has lower tuition costs of $53,418 a year, making the total annual cost to attend this program $87,592.

Fordham School of Law Application Deadlines

Mark these dates on your calendar as you begin gathering your application materials:

Application Milestone Deadline
Applications open September 15
Early action application deadline October 15
Early action application decision date December 15
Regular application deadline March 15
Regular application decision date 8-10 weeks after application completion

Source: Fordham Law School

The early action application is nonbinding, meaning students are not required to enroll at Fordham Law School if they’re accepted into it.

Fordham School of Law Bar Passage Rates

Fordham School of Law claims to prepare its students to thrive in any legal career, and their bar passage rates substantiate this promise! At 93.7%, almost every Fordham Law graduate passes the bar exam on their first try!

Fordham Law School Ranking

The most impressive Fordham Law School ranking is associated with its part-time JD program, which ranks third in the nation. Otherwise, this school is the 29th best overall and is best known for its trial advocacy and clinical training, which rank sixth and ninth, respectively.

FAQs: Fordham School of Law

You can find the answers to any remaining questions about Fordham Law School below.

1. Is Fordham Law School Hard to Get Into?

Yes, Fordham Law School is highly selective and aims to admit only the brightest students that demonstrate the most potential.

2. Is Fordham a Good Law School?

Fordham is considered to be a good law school. It offers a rigorous legal education, renowned faculty, and a diverse range of programs and opportunities for students. Located in New York City, it also provides access to a vibrant legal community and abundant professional networking prospects. 

3. Is Fordham Law Worth Going to?

Fordham Law School possesses several appealing qualities that make it a compelling choice for many students. 

With a strong reputation and recognition as one of the top law schools in the United States, Fordham Law provides graduates with a competitive edge in the legal job market. 

However, whether Fordham Law is worth attending depends on your specific aspirations, preferences, and the fit between the school's offerings and your academic and professional objectives! Do thorough research before committing to any school!

4. What Is the Median LSAT and GPA for Fordham Law School?

The median LSAT score for Fordham Law School is 167, and the median GPA is 3.73.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, while the competition to get into Fordham Law can be tough, with the right preparation and a compelling application, you’ll have a great shot at joining the Fordham community and kickstarting your legal career!

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