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Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 12/12/23
Are you considering attending law school but are worried about the LSAT? This article will examine law schools that don’t require LSAT scores and how to get into them.
Becoming a professional in the legal field can be both rewarding and stressful. This profession can offer many benefits, such as job stability, great pay, and benefits. However, an unavoidable part of getting into law school is the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Law schools are notorious for being extremely difficult to get into with extensive application requirements, such as LSAT scores. However, recently, some law schools have been waiving the LSAT. For many people, the LSAT tends to be the one obstacle they can’t overcome. So, let’s take a look at law schools to consider if you’re not planning to take the LSAT.
Don’t want to take the LSAT? Consider applying to these law schools.
This extensive list will give you an idea of what law schools to apply to if you don’t want to take the LSAT.
If you want to apply to a top law school but wonder if they only require the LSAT. You’re in luck! Some of the most prestigious law schools in the U.S. don’t require it. Here is a list of schools.
Since some law schools have waived the LSAT, they've decided that different tests would still be required. One alternative is the Graduate Record Exam, which is used for the application to grad school. These are some other top law schools that accept the GRE in place of the LSAT:
Some programs also accept the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Very few law schools accept the GMAT, and if they do, they typically accept it as a JD/MBA dual degree in law and an MBA. The list of law schools that accept the GMAT is as follows:
Students’ preference not to take the LSAT pushed law schools to take this innovative approach of ditching the LSAT. Now that there are many top law schools without an LSAT requirement, it's essential to understand why a person might not want to take it. Some reasons are:
We’ve just mentioned a few ways how advantageous avoiding the LSAT is. However, every student has a reason for not wanting to take it.
Below, we’ll outline a few tips on how to get ready for law school without the LSAT.
Since some law schools do not require the LSAT, they might highly regard an applicant’s SAT/ACT score. It’s important to note that not all law schools look at an applicant’s SAT/ACT score. For example, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, allows the SAT/ACT.
Every law school in the U.S. and Canada requires an applicant to have an undergraduate degree. While there's no specific field that you must study to obtain your degree, a high GPA will strengthen your application.
If you plan on applying to one of the top 10 law schools in the U.S., a low GPA won’t cut it—you’ll need to aim for a 4.0 GPA. However, if you want to apply to any law school outside the top 10, you need a 3.5 GPA. Below is a graph showing you the average median GPA for incoming law school students.
Source: U.S. News
Law schools are extremely competitive to get into. You must obtain a high GPA and impressive application to enter your dream law school and complete your JD.
Many law schools that have waived the LSAT offer students the option to take the GRE instead. The GRE is a general standardized test that applicants take for graduate school. To ensure you do well on the GRE, applicants should take practice tests, assess their results, and consider using expert GRE prep!
A couple of law schools accept the GMAT for their law school admissions. Typically, the GMAT is used to obtain your MBA, and some law schools allow a dual degree in law and an MBA. So, if you want to obtain a law degree and an MBA, you should practice and take the GMAT.
Another way to make your application stand out with an LSAT score is to write a compelling personal statement that leaves a lasting impression on the admissions committee!
This statement will serve as a window into your character, highlighting your passion for justice, critical thinking, and the depth of your commitment to the field. Ensure you give yourself ample time to craft a reflective yet concise essay and show off your strong writing skills!
Considering how difficult the LSAT is, you should carefully consider if it's worthwhile to write it. The LSAT has always been the hurdle law school applicants must overcome to reach their goals. Although many respected schools no longer need the LSAT, does that mean you should avoid it, too?
If you’re in a privileged position where you can take the LSAT, you should give it a shot. According to the American Bar Association, they will only accredit 10% of a law school’s entering class who haven’t taken the LSAT. This means it’ll be very competitive to get into a law school with a high volume of applicants applying without their LSAT scores.
If you're in a position to take the LSAT, then you should. Most law schools still require it, and those who don't probably have a high volume of applicants applying without it. If you don't do well, you don't have to submit it and can apply using the alternative method mentioned below.
While the absence of an LSAT requirement might be a major deciding factor in choosing the right law school, ensure you also consider the program itself, its resources and opportunities, and its location!
Hopefully, this article was helpful to you. If you still have some questions, you’ll find some frequently asked questions down below.
Yes, you can. Many law schools in the U.S. (including prestigious ones) don’t have an LSAT requirement. However, they require the GRE, an exam taken to apply to grad school. If you’re not keen on writing the dreaded LSAT, consider adding these schools to your list of top choices!
Although many schools still require their students to submit LSAT scores, more and more schools are moving away from this requirement.
Yes, some law schools have chosen not to make LSAT scores a mandatory part of their admission criteria. Instead, they consider other factors like GPA, work experience, or alternative standardized tests.
Creighton University Law School is generally considered less competitive to get into, with an acceptance rate of around 79%.
Certain law schools have made the LSAT optional because they believe it doesn't provide a complete picture of an applicant's potential for success in law school or the legal profession. They prefer a holistic approach that considers various aspects of an applicant's background.
The ABA's Council is currently thinking about whether to remove the rule that makes the LSAT or similar tests necessary for law school admissions. They believe it could give schools more freedom and encourage new admission methods, but they're also listening to concerns from law school deans and others. As of now, the LSAT is still required for 2025 admissions, but keep an eye out for updates from the ABA and law schools regarding any changes.
Some law schools have made the LSAT optional, but not all of them have eliminated it from their admissions process. The use of the LSAT can vary between different institutions, so it's wise to research the admission requirements of each law school you're interested in.
No longer requiring the LSAT is an innovative way for law schools to attract new applicants. If you would prefer to apply to law schools that don’t require the LSAT, you can feel confident knowing there are excellent schools out there that will allow you to apply immediately with only your GRE scores!
Allowing students who have already taken the GRE to apply to law school will help eliminate the additional time, money, and stress that comes with taking the LSAT.
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