Cecily Zamora
Harvard Law School accepts applications from students with either a Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score. Applicants are not required to submit both, and Harvard does not have a preference for either exam. Candidates are not considered more committed by taking both exams or disadvantaged by taking the same exam multiple times. Harvard Law School's acceptance of the GRE for law school admissions began in 2018, and the school became the second accredited law school to accept the GRE.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Harvard Law School's acceptance of GRE scores | Accepted since 2018 |
| Standardized test scores required | Either LSAT or GRE accepted; no preference for either exam |
| GRE sections to focus on | Quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, verbal reasoning |
| Application fee | $85 |
| Fee waiver | Available for those facing financial hardship |
| Application deadline | February 15 |
| Application components | Character and Fitness Questions, Statement of Purpose, Statement of Perspective |
| Additional information | Interviews may be conducted during the application review process |
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What You'll Learn
- Harvard Law School accepts the GRE in place of the LSAT
- There is no preference for either exam
- Applicants must report all GRE scores from the past five years
- GRE writing scores are considered in the broader context of the application as a whole
- Harvard Law School offers fee waivers for those in financial hardship
Harvard Law School accepts the GRE in place of the LSAT
Harvard Law School (HLS) accepts the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test in place of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This means that applicants to HLS do not need to take the LSAT and can submit their GRE scores instead.
Application Process
The application process for HLS involves submitting a range of materials, including transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and written statements. All applicants to the regular J.D. program, whether taking the LSAT or GRE, must also register for the Law School Admissions Council's (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service and have all undergraduate and graduate transcripts sent to LSAC. Applicants who choose to submit a GRE score instead of the LSAT are required to report all valid test scores from the previous five-year period.
Fee Waivers
HLS offers fee waivers for applicants who demonstrate financial need. For those applying with a GRE score, the HLS Fee Waiver Request Form is available on the HLS website. The process typically opens in early September and closes in February.
Test Scores
HLS does not have a preference for either the LSAT or GRE, and applicants are not considered more committed if they take both exams. However, it is important to note that HLS takes all aspects of the application into consideration, including test scores. For the GRE, HLS considers the quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and writing sections to be important indicators of a candidate's abilities.
History
HLS became the second accredited law school to accept the GRE in 2018, after the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar voted to allow law schools to accept GRE scores in lieu of the LSAT. Since then, the number of ABA-accredited law schools accepting the GRE has increased significantly, with 94 schools accepting it as of 2021.
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There is no preference for either exam
Harvard Law School accepts applications from students who have taken either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). There is no preference for either exam. Harvard Law School does not consider candidates who take both exams to be more committed, nor are candidates disadvantaged if they take the same exam multiple times.
Harvard Law School's admissions policy is in line with the American Bar Association's (ABA) approval of the GRE as a viable alternative to the LSAT for admission. The ABA requires that a school adhere to "sound admission policies and practices" and that a law school may not admit applicants who do not "appear capable of satisfactorily completing its program of legal education and being admitted to the bar."
Harvard Law School encourages applicants to consider several factors when deciding between the LSAT and GRE. These include whether they intend to apply to other law schools that may only accept the LSAT, timing and geographic location, and any other plans they may have for graduate study. Additionally, applicants who have taken the GRE in the past and wish to de-emphasize those scores can attach an addendum to their application explaining their circumstances.
The application process for Harvard Law School includes a set of Character and Fitness Questions, and applicants may be invited to interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. The application fee is $85, but fee waivers are available for those who demonstrate financial need.
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Applicants must report all GRE scores from the past five years
Harvard Law School accepts applications from prospective students who submit their Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores instead of their Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores. Applicants who choose to submit their GRE scores are required to report all valid test scores from the previous five-year period. This is because the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) automatically reports all LSAT scores from the last five years, and the same requirement applies to the GRE.
If you are applying with an active LSAT score, you may submit your GRE scores as well, but this is not mandatory. However, if you have concerns about sharing every test result from the last five years, you can attach an addendum to your application explaining your circumstances. The Admissions Committee will review your scores alongside your addendum.
Harvard Law School does not have a preference for either exam, and candidates are not considered more committed if they take both exams. Similarly, candidates are not disadvantaged if they take the same exam multiple times. However, it is important to note that many other law schools only accept the LSAT. Therefore, individuals considering taking the GRE should explore factors such as whether they intend to apply to other law schools, timing, and geographic location.
To report your GRE scores to Harvard Law School, log into your ETS account and select Harvard Law School as a recipient of the results using the school code 2135.
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GRE writing scores are considered in the broader context of the application as a whole
Harvard Law School accepts applications from prospective students who have taken either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Applicants are not required to take both tests, nor is taking both tests seen as a sign of greater commitment. Harvard Law School does not have a preference for either exam.
Harvard Law School considers all aspects of an application, including test scores, transcripts, and character and fitness questions. There are no "cut-off" GPAs or standardized test scores below which an application will not be considered in its entirety. The admissions committee makes every effort to understand who each applicant is as an individual and how their experiences, background, and interests will shape their engagement in the HLS community and the legal profession.
Applicants are encouraged to provide any relevant information that may help the admissions committee make an informed decision. If an applicant has concerns about sharing every test result from the last five years, they can attach an addendum to their application explaining their circumstances.
Harvard Law School requires applicants to register for LSAC's Credential Assembly Service and have all undergraduate and graduate transcripts sent to LSAC. GRE test scores are officially reported approximately two weeks after the test date, and applicants should wait for the official scaled score to be released before reporting their test results.
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Harvard Law School offers fee waivers for those in financial hardship
Harvard Law School (HLS) accepts applications from prospective students with either a Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score or a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score. A candidate is not considered more committed by taking both exams, and applicants with an active LSAT score may elect to submit valid GRE scores as well. However, they are not required to do so.
The HLS application process includes a set of Character and Fitness Questions, and applicants are encouraged to provide any relevant information that may help the Admissions Committee make an informed decision. During the application review process, applicants may be invited to interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. These interviews usually start in November and happen throughout the admissions cycle.
Harvard Law School has no "cut-off" GPAs or standardised test scores below which an application will not be considered in its entirety. Instead, the Admissions Committee makes careful assessments and uses good judgment when reviewing applications.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Harvard Law School accepts either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). There is no preference for either exam.
To report GRE General Test scores to Harvard Law School, applicants should log into their ETS account and select Harvard Law School as a recipient of the results using the school code 2135.
You will also need to submit undergraduate and graduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, and written statements. Harvard Law School also includes a set of Character and Fitness Questions in the application.
