Applying To Harvard Law: Strategies For Success

Harvard Law School is one of the most prestigious law schools in the world, with many of its graduates going on to hold positions of power and influence. The Juris Doctor (JD) program is a rigorous three-year, full-time course that provides students with the intellectual foundations for legal study and practice. The application process is highly competitive, with Harvard Law School receiving thousands of applications each year and an acceptance rate of around 12%. To apply, candidates must submit their applications through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website, along with a non-refundable application fee of $85. In addition to this, applicants are required to submit their undergraduate and graduate transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and two written statements: a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective. Applicants must also take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test and achieve a competitive score.

Application Requirements

The application requirements for Harvard Law School are extensive and thorough. The process is highly competitive, with a low acceptance rate, so applicants need to be well-prepared and ensure their application is of the highest standard.

Firstly, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or the international equivalent. This must be obtained prior to August of the year of application (unless all requirements are met before September, and the degree is conferred after this date). Candidates can apply for admission up to three times. Applications must be submitted through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website, and the application fee is $85.

All applicants must take either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test. The LSAT is notoriously difficult and requires plenty of preparation time. It focuses on the applicant's ability to think, reason, use logic, write, and understand written material. The LSAT is made up of 100 questions in five subsections, along with an essay. The raw score is converted to a scaled score between 120 and 180.

Harvard Law School publishes the LSAT score spread of its accepted students:

• 25th percentile: 171/180
• 50th percentile: 174/180
• 75th percentile: 176/180

Harvard Law School also publishes the GPA spread of its students:

• 25th percentile: 3.84/4.0
• 50th percentile: 3.93/4.0
• 75th percentile: 3.99/4.0

These statistics highlight the high academic standards required for admission to Harvard Law School.

In addition to the test scores and academic transcripts, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, with the option of submitting a third. Harvard Law School strongly recommends that at least one letter is from an academic source. A resume is also required, with a limit of one or two pages.

There are also two written statements that must be included in the application: a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective. Each statement must be one to two pages long, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and a font size no smaller than 11 points. The Statement of Purpose should address the applicant's motivations for pursuing law and how law school aligns with their ambitions and future vision. The Statement of Perspective allows the Admissions Committee to understand the individual applicant, including their experiences, background, and interests, and how these will shape their engagement with the HLS community and the legal profession.

Harvard Law School also requires applicants to submit responses to Character and Fitness questions, which are an important part of the application process. These questions relate to the state bar requirements, and it is essential to be truthful and open in these responses.

Finally, applicants may be invited to interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. These interviews are conducted via Zoom and are a crucial part of the admissions process.

Application Processes

Applying to Harvard Law School is a rigorous process, and the application requirements are extensive. Here is a detailed breakdown of the application processes for the various programs offered by Harvard Law School.

J.D. (Juris Doctor) Program:

The J.D. program is a three-year, full-time, in-person program that provides students with the intellectual foundations for legal study and practice. The application requirements are as follows:

• Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or its international equivalent before August of the year of enrolment.
• Applicants may apply for admission up to three times through the regular J.D. application. Applications submitted via the Junior Deferral Program (JDP) and the J.D. Transfer pathways are not counted towards this limit.
• The application for Fall semester enrolment typically opens in mid-September and closes in mid-February.
• A non-refundable application fee of $85 is required. However, applicants facing financial hardship can apply for a fee waiver through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Fee Waiver Program or directly from HLS using the HLS Fee Waiver Request Form.
• All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test.
• Applicants must submit all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to LSAC after registering for LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). International transcripts must be evaluated through this service unless they are from a study abroad program sponsored by a US or Canadian institution.
• Two letters of recommendation are required, with the option to submit up to three. At least one letter should be from an academic source.
• A resume is required, preferably limited to one or two pages.
• Two written statements are mandatory: a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective. Each statement should be one to two pages long, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and a font size of 11 or larger.
• Additional information or an addendum can be provided if there is relevant information that may support the application.
• Character and Fitness Questions are included in the application, and applicants are encouraged to determine the character and fitness requirements for the jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission.
• Interviews are conducted via Zoom for competitive applicants.
• Applications must be submitted through the LSAC website. Hard copies are not accepted.

Graduate Program (LL.M. and S.J.D. Applicants):

The application process for the Graduate Program differs slightly from the J.D. program. Here are the key requirements:

• Applicants must use the Harvard Law School Graduate Program's online application.
• The application deadline for the LL.M. Program (2025-26) was early September 2024.
• The online application works best with Google Chrome, and pop-ups must be enabled.
• The application fee is $85, similar to the J.D. program.
• Applicants must submit transcripts and other required documents through the LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
• Two letters of recommendation are required, and they must be submitted through the LSAC's Letter of Recommendation Service.
• A resume and a personal statement are required.
• Applicants may be invited for an interview, which is a crucial step in the admissions process.

Junior Deferral Program (JDP):

The JDP is a pathway for current juniors or their international equivalent in undergraduate degree programs to apply for the HLS J.D. program. Applications submitted through this program do not count towards the three-application limit for the regular J.D. application.

LSAT Score

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a crucial component of your application to Harvard Law School. The LSAT is offered by the Law School Admissions Council and consists of 100 questions across five subsections, along with an essay. Your raw score is converted into a scaled score ranging from 120 to 180, with a higher score being better.

Harvard Law School's 2022 class profile reported the following LSAT scores for the middle range of admitted students:

• 25th percentile – 170
• 50th percentile – 173
• 75th percentile – 175

To maximise your chances of admission, aim for a score of 174 or above. Start preparing for the LSAT early, as it is a notoriously difficult exam that tests your ability to think, reason, use logic, write, and understand written material. Here are some strategies to help you achieve a high LSAT score:

• Practise with old LSAT exams: Obtain copies of previous LSAT exams and take them multiple times. Review your answers, correct your mistakes, and identify patterns and question types.
• Hire a private tutor: Instead of enrolling in a large test-prep program, consider hiring a private tutor who has excelled on the LSAT. They can provide personalised guidance and help you develop strategies tailored to your strengths and weaknesses.
• Focus on comprehension: Avoid underlining or taking notes while reading passages in the comprehension section. Instead, aim to internalise the information and create vivid mental images to enhance your comprehension and speed.

Additionally, remember that your LSAT score is just one component of your application. Harvard Law School also considers your undergraduate grades, essays, letters of recommendation, resume, and other factors that showcase your abilities and potential as a future lawyer.

Letters of Recommendation

• Develop relationships with your professors: Get to know your professors, especially those whose classes you enjoy and excel in. Take multiple classes with them, attend their office hours, and consider becoming a teaching assistant for them. This will ensure that they know you well and can provide a more personalised and insightful recommendation.
• Provide a tailored resume: Give each recommender a detailed, tailored resume that highlights your accomplishments and provides context for the work you did in their classes. This will help jog their memory and give them concrete examples to include in their letter.
• Choose recommenders thoughtfully: Rather than focusing on quantity, select recommenders who can speak to your unique strengths and provide specific examples of your abilities.
• Start early: Don't wait until the last minute to think about your letters of recommendation. If you know early on that you want to go to law school, use your time as an undergraduate to build relationships with professors who can eventually write strong letters for you.

Interviews

Harvard Law School interviews students by invitation only. The admissions officers do not interview all applicants. However, you will not be admitted if you are not interviewed. If you are chosen for an interview, you will be notified by email with more information.

If you are selected for an interview, make sure to prepare. While it is a good sign that you have been chosen to be interviewed, you should put just as much effort into preparing for it as you did in preparing for the other parts of your application. Reach out to other people who have gone through the HLS interview process to get an idea of what to expect. Read some example questions online and practise for those that you anticipate. Remember that the interview is evaluative, so it will be important for you to do your best while remaining as relaxed as possible.

While your interview will be conducted on an online platform, you should still make sure that you are dressed appropriately. You do not need to wear a suit or dress, but you should wear something nice and professional. Make sure to log into the platform on time and listen carefully to each question that you are asked. Do not interrupt the interviewer. Smile, be thoughtful in your answers and be yourself.

Frequently asked questions