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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 08/08/23
Equipped to lead; empowered to serve—this is Pepperdine Law School’s motto. Interested to learn more about this premier law school? Read on!
Equipped to lead; empowered to serve—this is Pepperdine Law School’s motto. Interested to learn more about this premier law school? Read on!
If you’ve got your sights set on Pepperdine Law, you’re ready for an elite education. Pepperdine graduates have incredible job opportunities in the field of law and set themselves up for a rewarding career. But first, you need to get in.
In this article, we’ll prove you can join this elite law school if all the requirements are met. We’ll show you the Pepperdine Law School acceptance rate, admission requirements, application process, and tuition costs to help you get an elite education.
The acceptance rate for Pepperdine applicants is 17.6%. This means that in a room of 100 applicants, only 17 will make it in. To maximize your chances of success, ensure a competitive LSAT score, and GPA, and choose excellent letters of recommendation. We have more tips to ensure you receive an acceptance letter, but more on that later.
Pepperdine Law School provides many resources to its law students. For instance, this school offers co-curricular experiential learning that includes, externships, clinical work experience, and international study programs.
Additionally, Pepperdine students who participate in their advocacy program compete at the highest levels of moot court competition against law schools across the nation and the globe. Considering these extensive resources, the low Pepperdine Law School acceptance rate shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Getting into Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is very difficult. In their most recent cycle, 3,927 students applied, and only 982 were offered acceptance. This translates to a 17.6% acceptance rate, which is nearly a one in five chance.
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation. With its stunning Malibu campus and commitment to academic excellence, Pepperdine Law provides students with a mix of rigorous legal training and practical skills development.
Here is a breakdown of the programs offered at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law:
Pepperdine Law School’s ranking is the 52nd best out of 196 law schools in the country. This places it just shy of the top 25% of law schools in the US.
If you’re looking to get into the 52nd law school in the US, reviewing the average scores can help. Compare your scores to the school’s average to learn if you have a good chance of getting accepted to this prestigious school.
The average GPA of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law students is 3.86. Applicants can impress the admissions committee with a stellar GPA of 4.0 or above.
The current Pepperdine Law School LSAT median is 164, which is about the 89th percentile of all LSAT takers. Students should aim for a score of 164 or higher to be considered a competitive applicant.
For GRE scores, Pepperdine compares the average of the "Percent Below" values from both the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections to their median LSAT score percentile. A comparable score on the GRE would be one that scored in the 89th percentile of that test or a 330 combined score.
To make it into this selective group of successful Pepperdine candidates, you must craft an impactful law school application that effectively communicates your academic accomplishments, personal strengths, and professional aspirations.
To demonstrate all of these factors, Pepperdine requires its applicants to submit the following materials:
You must complete a bachelor’s degree before admission to any law school. Pepperdine lets you choose a major but encourages challenging courses that can broaden your knowledge.
Your transcript will provide a record of the courses you took and the grades you received to help the admissions committee evaluate your preparedness for their rigorous legal curriculum.
Pepperdine offers students the option to write and submit the LSAT or GRE. While you may study for the GRE if you feel you can score higher on it, the LSAT is still the most widely accepted exam for law school admission.
However, the Pepperdine Law School LSAT score of successful candidates is 164. To reach this score, consider your baseline abilities by completing a diagnostic test before you open your first prep book.
Find your LSAT score by taking our LSAT practice test. This helps you learn what you need to improve to receive a competitive score.
Once you learn your weaknesses or areas of improvement, set up a realistic and comprehensive study schedule to earn your target score.
Writing is an important skill for law school as you’ll be expected to write case briefs, legal memos, motions, and numerous essays. To assess your writing skills and humanize your application, you’ll be required to submit a two to four-page, double-spaced personal statement.
Your statement should indicate why you decided to pursue law, why you chose Pepperdine, any significant extracurricular and/or civic experiences, and other information you think is important for the admissions committee to know.
You are also highly encouraged to discuss any personal factors or experiences that add to Pepperdine’s diverse student body.
Students must also submit a resume detailing their employment history, scholastic honors, extracurricular activities, and volunteer experience. We offer detailed law school resume templates to help you learn how to structure yours.
Your application will be written by you, based on your skills, talents, and aspirations. But, the admissions board also wants to know how others perceive you–particularly, your mentors.
As such, you’re required to submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who can best assess your potential to succeed in law school. At least one of these letters must come from a professor.
Pepperdine is built on strong Christian values and is dedicated to Christian missions of instilling the highest standards of ethics and morality. Pepperdine has a committed Christian faculty and several professors from other faiths. Pepperdine welcomes students of all faiths and those not part of any faith.
In an optional statement, you can share how you would contribute to this community. While this statement is not required to get into Pepperdine Law School, writing a compelling statement discussing how your own values and faith can help you contribute to Pepperdine’s vision can increase your chances of admission.
Now that you’re familiar with the Pepperdine Law School acceptance rate, admission stats, and requirements, you might want to know how to submit your application and important deadlines.
You must create an LSAC account and submit your application through this portal. You will be prompted to select Pepperdine as one of your program choices, and your application will be sent to them by LSAC.
However, since every law school has different deadlines, ensure you keep the following in mind when applying to Pepperdine:
Pepperdine School of Law has a rolling admissions process. This means that applications are reviewed as they are received, rather than when the deadline has passed.
We highly recommend you apply earlier into the admissions cycle, as the number of seats and scholarships available will decrease as the cycle progresses.
Part of preparing for law school involves creating a realistic budget and understanding the financial investment law school requires. Here is a breakdown of an average first-year JD student’s estimated cost of attendance:
Fortunately, Pepperdine offers four scholarships to help students afford their legal education:
Aspiring law students can apply for several external scholarships to cover the full or partial cost of tuition.
The bar passage rate for Pepperdine Caruso School of Law graduates is 79.5%. This is a good indication that with the right study schedule and habits, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
Getting into one of the most prestigious law schools in the world is no easy feat. Thankfully, we have expert tips that can skyrocket your success.
Aim for an LSAT score of 164 or higher. This is the median LSAT score for admitted students at Pepperdine Law School. To do this, create a study schedule at least 3-4 months before your test date and stick to it. Focus on improving your weaknesses to ensure you achieve a competitive score.
There are multiple reasons why you should apply to Pepperdine Law School. Aside from its dedication to student success, it is located in Malibu, California, which is ideal for law students, as California is a large legal hub.
It also offers small class sizes which allow for more personalized education and connections with faculty. It is founded on Christian values, including ethics, service, and excellence. Even if you aren’t religious, or Christian, there is still a place for you at Pepperdine, and you can still become a valuable member of their community.
Think you’re ready to apply? Take our law admissions predictor to estimate your chances of success.
For any remaining questions about getting into the Pepperdine School of Law, read below and find your answers.
Pepperdine Law has been recognized for its specialty programs with Top 50 rankings in four areas: #2 in Alternative Dispute Resolution, #23 in Clinical Training, #28 in Tax, and #45 in Constitutional Law.
Yes, Pepperdine Law School’s cost of attendance is expensive. Tuition alone costs $69,950 with an overall attendance costing $102,436. Pepperdine offers financial aid packages to help cover these costs.
The average GPA of Pepperdine Law students is 3.86. Therefore, to be considered a competitive applicant, students should aim for a GPA of 3.9 or higher.
With Pepperdine’s acceptance rate of around 28%, it’s very difficult to get into Pepperdine Law School. Students should aim for an LSAT score of 164+ in addition to a 3.9+ GPA.
Pepperdine University's Caruso School of Law is a well-regarded institution, ranked #52 in Best Law Schools. Pepperdine provides quality legal education with a focus on practical skills and dispute resolution. Its reputation is comparable to other respected regional law schools in the Los Angeles area
Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law accepts both LSAT and GRE scores for admission. If both LSAT and GRE are submitted, the admissions committee will evaluate both.
After learning more about the Pepperdine Law School acceptance rate and its extensive resources, you should not only be convinced this competitive school belongs on your law school list, but that gaining admission to this school will help you achieve all of your career aspirations.
