Early Decision Applicants: Northwestern Law's Competitive Edge

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law offers a binding Early Decision (ED) program for applicants who have identified the school as their first choice. The ED program is highly competitive, with applicants required to submit a completed application, including an online video interview, by November 15. The program offers a $120,000 merit scholarship for students admitted to the three-year JD program, with requirements including maintaining good academic standing and remaining enrolled. The ED program at Northwestern Law is a commitment, and accepted applicants must withdraw applications from other law schools and refrain from initiating new ones.

Application process and requirements

The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law offers a binding Early Decision (ED) program for applicants who have identified it as their first-choice law school. The ED program is a competitive process with specific requirements and deadlines that applicants must meet to be considered for admission. Here is an overview of the application process and requirements for the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law's ED program:

Application Timeline

To be considered for Northwestern's ED program, applicants must submit their complete application by November 15. However, it is recommended that applicants submit their application by November 1 to ensure that all components, including the early decision certification form, the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report, and the interview, are completed by the November 15 deadline. The November LSAT administration is the last opportunity for applicants to sit for the exam and be considered for ED admission. ED applicants will be notified of their admission decision by the end of December.

Standardized Tests

Northwestern Law accepts both LSAT and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from applicants to their entering JD programs. ED applicants may satisfy the Law School's admission test requirement by submitting either the LSAT, the GRE, or both. The Law School will access LSAT results through the CAS process and consider those scores in its review if an applicant has previously taken the exam. For the GRE, applicants must submit official score reports from ETS.

Online Video Interview

Completion of an online video interview is a requirement for all ED applicants. Upon submission of the ED application, the Office of Admissions will send an invitation and detailed instructions to complete this requirement through their online video interview portal. The interview is designed to assess the applicant's interpersonal skills, judgment, and maturity, which are essential to the collaborative and team-based curriculum at Northwestern Law.

Early Decision Certification

As part of the ED application process, applicants are required to sign and return the Early Decision Certification directly to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. This form cannot be transmitted through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service and must be sent as a PDF attachment to the Office of Admissions email address.

Application Fee

Northwestern Law offers application fee waivers for prospective JD applicants who fill out their registration form between September 1 and December 31. The fee waiver code will be created and emailed to applicants within two to three business days. Additionally, the Law School may send fee waivers to candidates who meet certain Admissions Committee criteria throughout the admissions cycle.

Financial Aid

Northwestern Law offers a merit scholarship for applicants admitted through the ED program. Applicants who begin the three-year JD program in August 2025 will receive a $120,000 merit scholarship, split evenly over the three years of their legal education. The only requirements to maintain the scholarship are to maintain good academic standing and remain enrolled in classes at the Law School.

Binding contract and other law schools

A legally binding contract is an agreement made between two or more parties that is enforceable by law. For a contract to be legally binding, it must contain two essential elements: an offer and acceptance. Additionally, it must be signed by all parties involved.

Northwestern Law School's Early Decision (ED) program is a binding contract. Applicants who are admitted through the ED program and begin their three-year JD program in August 2025 will receive a $120,000 merit scholarship, distributed evenly over their three years of legal education. The requirements for maintaining this scholarship are to maintain good academic standing and remain enrolled as a law student.

The ED program is binding, meaning that if you are admitted, you must commit to matriculating at Northwestern Law and submit a non-refundable $750 seat deposit. Additionally, you must withdraw all applications to other law schools and refrain from initiating any new applications. It is important to note that you cannot be an early decision candidate at more than one law school with binding contracts.

The application deadline for Northwestern's ED program is November 15, and the last LSAT administration admissible for ED applicants is in November 2024. The entire application must be completed by the deadline, including the early decision certification form, the Credential Assembly Service report, and the online video interview, which is a requirement for ED applicants.

While Northwestern Law School's ED program offers a generous scholarship opportunity, it is important to carefully consider the binding nature of the contract before applying. This means that if you are admitted and accept the offer, you are legally obligated to attend Northwestern Law School and withdraw your applications from other institutions.

Application timeline and deadlines

The application timeline and deadlines for the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law are as follows:

September 1, 2024

The application filing period begins. You may access the application online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). A fee waiver code will be created and emailed to you within two to three business days if you apply for a fee waiver on our 'Apply' webpage between September 1 and December 31.

November 1, 2024

It is recommended that you submit your application by this date to ensure that it is complete by the November 15 deadline. The November LSAT administration is the last opportunity to sit for the exam and be considered for Early Decision admission.

November 15, 2024

This is the deadline for the receipt of your completed Early Decision application.

November 2024

This is the last LSAT administration and admissible score for Early Decision applicants. If you are a first-time test-taker, you must complete your LSAT Writing Sample for your score to be released with your November score.

End of December 2024

Early Decision applicants will be notified of their admission decision by the end of December.

February 15

This is the final deadline for submitting your application if you are not applying through the Early Decision program.

February 28

The deadline for admitted JD applicants requesting financial aid to submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the University Aid Application.

Test requirements and scores

Northwestern Law School welcomes both LSAT and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from applicants to its JD program. The school's policy is to review and report the highest score earned on the LSAT. LSAT scores are valid for five years. The February LSAT score can be accepted for admission, but the school cannot guarantee that seats will still be available by the time they receive the report.

The average LSAT score of the 2023 entering class at Northwestern Law was 172. Admitted students' scores ranged from 166 to 174. To be a competitive applicant, a score of 166-174 is recommended. The 25th percentile LSAT score is 165, the median is 169, and the 75th percentile score is 171.

If you have taken both the GRE and the LSAT, you may submit just your LSAT score. However, if you wish to have your GRE score considered along with your LSAT score, you must submit the Northwestern Law GRE Intention Form.

For the GRE, only official score reports from ETS are accepted. The oldest acceptable GRE score is one that is no more than five years old, consistent with the policy for LSAT scores.

Northwestern Law School also requires applicants to submit a LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report, which includes transcripts, undergraduate grade point average, and letters of recommendation.

The school offers an online video interview program to determine an applicant's interpersonal skills, judgment, and maturity. Around 95% of Northwestern Law's entering classes completed interviews. All applicants are given the opportunity to opt into the interview within their application form.

Scholarships and financial aid

The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law offers a range of scholarships and financial aid opportunities to support students in their legal studies.

Early Decision Program

Applicants who identify Northwestern Law School as their first choice are encouraged to apply through the binding Early Decision (ED) program. The ED program offers a $120,000 merit scholarship, split evenly over the three years of their legal education. To maintain the scholarship, students must maintain good academic standing and remain enrolled in classes.

The ED program is binding, meaning that if admitted, students must commit to matriculating at Northwestern Law, submit a non-refundable $750 seat deposit, and withdraw applications to other law schools.

The deadline for the ED program is November 15, with notifications of admission decisions by the end of December.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Northwestern Law School provides information on tuition and financial aid on its website, including consumer information and required disclosures. The school also offers an online video interview program to determine an applicant's interpersonal skills, judgment, and maturity, which are essential to the collaborative and team-based curriculum.

Scholarships and Opportunities

The school offers various scholarships and opportunities, including the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) for those pursuing a career in public interest.

Application Fee Waivers

Northwestern Law School offers application fee waivers for prospective JD applicants who fill out a registration form on their Apply page between September 1 and December 31. The school also provides need-based fee waivers, and candidates registered with LSAC's Credential Referral Service may also be eligible.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are not eligible for scholarship assistance, but the school offers financial aid packages comprised of loan funding to enable any admitted transfer student to attend.

Frequently asked questions