Ucla Law: Is It The Right Choice For You?

UCLA School of Law is one of the best law schools in the country, ranked 13th in 2024 by USNWR. The school has a reputation for excellence and is known for its strong academic programs, collaborative and challenging environment, and diverse student body. With an acceptance rate of around 15.5%, it is relatively hard to get into, but not as competitive as schools like Harvard or Yale. The school offers a range of degree programs, including the J.D., LL.M., and Master of Legal Studies, providing students with a strong legal foundation and numerous opportunities for practical experience. The application process involves submitting various documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, and applicants are encouraged to demonstrate strong critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills.

Application deadlines

The UCLA School of Law is one of the best law schools in the country, with an acceptance rate of 15.5%. The school offers four academic pathways for prospective law students, as well as several dual degrees in collaboration with the JD degree.

The final deadline to apply to UCLA Law School is February 1, 2025. However, there are different deadlines for different programs and requirements. Here are the key dates for the Fall 2025 admissions cycle:

• November 15, 2024: Priority Early Decision deadline and Distinguished Scholars Award deadline.
• November 30, 2024: Deadline to take the LSAT if applying for the Achievement Fellowship Program.
• December 16, 2024: Achievement Fellowship application deadline.
• January 31, 2025: Last chance to take the LSAT or GRE if applying after the priority deadline; regular decision application deadline.

It's important to note that UCLA Law has two early decision programs: a binding Early Decision Program and a full-tuition UCLA Law Distinguished Scholars Program. The primary advantage of applying for early decision is that applicants who apply by the priority deadline of November 15 will be notified by late December and can complete the law school admission process. However, early decision admits will not be considered for merit-based financial aid.

For the LL.M. Program, the application deadline is also February 1, 2025. The LL.M. Program offers students an outstanding educational program at a world-class university, with the opportunity to live in the dynamic city of Los Angeles.

Acceptance rate

The UCLA School of Law acceptance rate is 15.5%. In a recent admissions cycle, UCLA Law received 7,227 applications and accepted 1,120 students. The school is ranked 14th best law school in the nation by US News and 13th by USNWR.

UCLA Law typically receives around 6,000-7,000 applications and accepts just over 1,000 students. During the 2024 application cycle, 6,457 people applied and 1,085 were offered admission. Of those, 301 accepted, meaning that 27.74% of the people who were offered admission ended up attending the school.

Based on UCLA Law's acceptance rate, the school is relatively hard to get into. Although it's not as competitive as law schools such as Harvard or Yale, applicants will need to submit a perfect application for their best chance of acceptance.

Application requirements

UCLA School of Law is one of the best law schools in the country, ranked 14th in the nation by US News. The school has a relatively low acceptance rate of 15.5%, making it quite challenging to get into. However, if you have your heart set on sunny California and the excellent educational offerings of UCLA, here are the application requirements you need to know:

Undergraduate Degree:

By the time of enrollment, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution recognized by the United States Department of Education. For international students, the undergraduate degree must be from an institution equivalent in quality to those accredited by the US Department of Education.

Standardized Tests:

UCLA School of Law requires applicants to take either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Records Exam (GRE). The deadline to take these tests varies depending on the application track. For regular decision applicants, the LSAT or GRE must be taken no later than January 31, 2025. For Early Decision or Distinguished Scholars Award applicants, the deadline is October 31, 2024. For Achievement Fellowship applicants, the deadline is November 30, 2024.

Credential Assembly Service (CAS):

All applicants are required to register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). This service helps law schools collect and analyze data related to the academic records of applicants.

Application Submission:

The application for Fall 2025 will be available through the LSAC online application service starting September 3, 2024, with a deadline of January 31, 2025. The application requires a personal statement, a separate essay discussing relevant experiences and attributes, a current resume, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a non-refundable application fee of $75.

Early Decision and Scholarship Programs:

UCLA School of Law offers several early decision and scholarship programs with varying deadlines and requirements. These include the Binding Early Decision Program, the Distinguished Scholars Award, the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy, and the Achievement Fellowship Program. Each of these programs has specific application requirements and deadlines that must be met.

International Applicants:

International applicants must submit their transcripts through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service. Additionally, all internationally-educated applicants must take the LSAT or GRE but are not required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Letters of Recommendation:

UCLA School of Law requires two letters of recommendation, preferably submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. At least one letter should be from someone familiar with the applicant's academic work.

Personal Statement:

The personal statement is a crucial part of the application. UCLA Law provides a specific prompt that applicants must address in their statement, focusing on relevant experiences, attributes, and interests that demonstrate their ability to succeed in law school and contribute to the legal profession.

Additional Requirements for Joint Degree Programs:

UCLA School of Law offers several joint degree programs. Applicants to these programs must contact the appropriate graduate school or department to obtain its specific application requirements and deadlines.

With a competitive application and a strong academic background, you can increase your chances of being admitted to UCLA School of Law. Good luck with your application journey!

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year are $59,132 for California residents and $71,377 for non-residents. However, the total cost of attendance, including other fees and personal expenses, is approximately $87,807 for California residents and $100,052 for non-residents per year.

In addition to tuition and fees, law school students should budget about $1,806 for books and supplies. Health insurance is mandatory and costs $6,631, but it may be waived if you have comparable coverage. The UC Graduate Professional Council (UCGPC) fee is also included, which is a non-mandatory, university-wide fee that can be waived.

Living expenses for the nine-month school year are estimated at $27,075 for both on and off-campus students. This includes books, supplies, and living expenses. Graduating students would receive an additional $1,873 adjustment in books and supplies to cover bar exam registration costs.

Students can also apply for a budget increase for certain expenses, such as computer purchases, childcare/eldercare, medical and dental costs, and rent.

UCLA Law offers various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, fellowships, and loans. Nearly 90% of J.D. students receive some form of financial aid, with the majority being gift aid. UCLA Law also offers several full-tuition scholarship programs for high-achieving students:

• UCLA Law Distinguished Scholars Award
• UCLA Law Achievement Fellowship
• Emmett Family Environmental Law Scholarship

International applicants are automatically considered for scholarship assistance.

The interview process

UCLA School of Law is one of the best law schools in the country, currently ranked 13th or 14th in the nation. The school has a low acceptance rate of 15.5%, making it relatively hard to get into.

The UCLA School of Law does not offer interviews as part of the admissions process. However, the Law School Admissions Committee may request an interview on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your application is as strong as possible.

Application Requirements

To apply, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. If you studied outside the US, your undergraduate degree must be from an institution of equivalent quality. You must also take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) and register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS).

Your application should include:

• A completed application form
• A personal statement
• A separate essay of no more than two double-spaced pages in 11-point font or above
• A current résumé
• Two letters of recommendation submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service
• Official transcripts sent directly to LSAC
• A non-refundable application fee of $75

Early Decision Programs

UCLA Law has two early decision programs: the binding Early Decision Program and the full-tuition UCLA Law Distinguished Scholars Program. The priority deadline for both programs is November 15.

If you are applying for the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy or the Achievement Fellowship Program, you must submit additional application materials specific to those programs.

Standardized Test Requirement

UCLA Law requires applicants to take either the LSAT or the GRE. The test must be taken no later than January 31, 2025, for students applying to the regular JD program. For those applying for early decision or the Distinguished Scholars Award, the deadline is October 31, 2024. Achievement Fellowship applicants must take the test by November 30, 2024.

Internationally-Educated Applicants

If you have completed any post-secondary work outside the US (excluding study abroad, consortium, or exchange programs sponsored by a US or Canadian institution), you must submit your transcripts through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service.

Letters of Recommendation

UCLA School of Law requires two letters of recommendation, preferably submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. At least one letter should be from someone who can speak to your academic abilities, such as a professor.

Personal Statement

Writing a strong personal statement is key to getting into UCLA Law. Stick to the directions provided and focus on relevant anecdotes that showcase your character traits, experiences, and passions. Your statement should have a clear thematic thread, and it should tie back to something mentioned at the beginning.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Have a strong application narrative: Ensure your application materials are cohesive and meld well together. Think about common themes in your journey to law school and emphasise them in your application.
• Focus on your grades: UCLA Law places substantial weight on grades and standardised test scores, so prioritise your GPA and LSAT/GRE scores.
• Highlight your skills: UCLA Law pays attention to critical thinking, writing, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Demonstrate these skills through your schooling.
• Leverage admissions counselling: Admissions counselling can increase your acceptance odds.

Frequently asked questions