Law School Admissions: Top 100 Schools’ Application Deadlines and LSAT Score Requirements

Law school application deadlines are not arbitrary administrative dates — they are strategic inflection points that determine whether a candidate is considered in the most competitive applicant pool or evaluated against a diminished field after the strongest candidates have already been admitted. Most top law schools practice rolling admissions, which means applications are reviewed and decisions are made continuously as complete files arrive rather than waiting until a final deadline to evaluate all applicants simultaneously. This rolling review process creates a significant advantage for candidates who submit early, because seats and scholarship funds are allocated progressively throughout the cycle and early applicants compete against a smaller pool before the most competitive candidates have submitted their materials.

Understanding the difference between priority deadlines, regular deadlines, and final deadlines is essential for strategic application planning. Priority deadlines, typically falling between October and December, give applicants the best chance of receiving both admission offers and merit scholarship consideration before institutional budgets are committed to earlier admits. Regular deadlines in January and February remain viable pathways to admission at most schools but carry meaningfully lower odds of scholarship funding. Final deadlines in March and April represent the last opportunity to submit but often result in waitlist placement at competitive schools where available seats are largely filled by the time late applications arrive.

Harvard Yale Princeton Top Tier

Harvard Law School maintains one of the most competitive admissions profiles in legal education, with a median LSAT score of 174 and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.92 among enrolled students. The application deadline falls on February 1, though Harvard practices rolling admissions and strongly encourages submission by November 1 for optimal consideration. Yale Law School, consistently ranked first nationally, reports a median LSAT of 174 and a median GPA of 3.93, with a February 15 deadline and similar encouragement for early submission. Stanford Law School rounds out the traditional top three with a median LSAT of 174, a median GPA of 3.89, and an application deadline of February 1 that masks the competitive advantage available to October and November applicants.

Princeton does not have a law school, but Columbia Law School occupies the fourth position in most national rankings with a median LSAT of 174, a median GPA of 3.91, and a February 15 regular deadline. The University of Chicago Law School follows with a median LSAT of 173, a median GPA of 3.92, and a December 1 priority deadline that the admissions office genuinely treats as the optimal submission window rather than simply a ceremonial early date. New York University School of Law rounds out the top six tier with a median LSAT of 173, a median GPA of 3.86, and a February 15 deadline, though NYU’s scholarship allocation process rewards early applicants significantly more than the official deadline date suggests.

Top Ten Schools Admissions Data

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School reports a median LSAT of 173 and a median GPA of 3.95, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline that carries meaningful weight in scholarship decisions. University of Virginia School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 172 and a median GPA of 3.90, with a March 1 deadline and a November 15 early action option that provides binding admission decisions for candidates who commit to attending if admitted. Duke University School of Law reports a median LSAT of 172 and a median GPA of 3.85, with a February 15 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline that the admissions office consistently identifies as the strongest submission window for scholarship consideration.

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law carries a median LSAT of 172 and a median GPA of 3.86, with a February 15 deadline and a notable emphasis on work experience that distinguishes its admissions philosophy from peer institutions that weight academic metrics more heavily. Cornell Law School reports a median LSAT of 170 and a median GPA of 3.84, with a February 1 regular deadline and a November 1 early decision option. Georgetown University Law Center rounds out the top ten tier with a median LSAT of 170, a median GPA of 3.81, and a March 1 regular deadline, though Georgetown’s large class size means it remains accessible to strong applicants even through late February submission.

Ranks Eleven Through Twenty Schools

University of Michigan Law School maintains a median LSAT of 171 and a median GPA of 3.84, with a February 15 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline that carries strong weight in merit scholarship allocation. University of Texas School of Law reports a median LSAT of 170 and a median GPA of 3.75, with a February 1 regular deadline and an November 1 priority deadline that Texas residents and strong out-of-state candidates are strongly encouraged to meet for maximum scholarship consideration. University of California Los Angeles School of Law carries a median LSAT of 170 and a median GPA of 3.76, with a February 1 deadline and rolling admissions that reward submission in October and November substantially.

Vanderbilt University Law School reports a median LSAT of 170 and a median GPA of 3.85, with a March 15 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. Washington University in St. Louis School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 170 and a median GPA of 3.89, with a April 1 regular deadline that reflects its genuinely rolling admissions process where November and December applicants receive the strongest scholarship consideration. University of Southern California Gould School of Law carries a median LSAT of 168 and a median GPA of 3.73, with a February 1 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline. University of Minnesota Law School reports a median LSAT of 167 and a median GPA of 3.75, with a April 1 regular deadline and encouragement to apply by January 15 for full scholarship consideration.

Ranks Twenty-One Through Thirty Data

Boston University School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 168 and a median GPA of 3.78, with a March 15 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline for scholarship consideration. University of Notre Dame Law School reports a median LSAT of 167 and a median GPA of 3.78, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 1 priority deadline. Emory University School of Law carries a median LSAT of 167 and a median GPA of 3.72, with a March 15 regular deadline and a January 15 priority scholarship deadline. University of California Irvine School of Law reports a median LSAT of 167 and a median GPA of 3.74, with a February 15 regular deadline and strong encouragement to apply by November 15.

George Washington University Law School maintains a median LSAT of 167 and a median GPA of 3.76, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 1 priority deadline that GW’s admissions office treats as the optimal submission point. Wake Forest University School of Law carries a median LSAT of 165 and a median GPA of 3.65, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. University of Alabama School of Law reports a median LSAT of 165 and a median GPA of 3.67, with a April 1 regular deadline and rolling admissions that reward early submission substantially. Fordham University School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 167 and a median GPA of 3.71, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 30 priority deadline for merit scholarship consideration.

Ranks Thirty-One Through Forty Overview

Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law reports a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.65, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for scholarship consideration. Ohio State University Moritz College of Law maintains a median LSAT of 164 and a median GPA of 3.70, with a March 31 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline. Indiana University Maurer School of Law carries a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.68, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. University of Georgia School of Law reports a median LSAT of 165 and a median GPA of 3.73, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 1 priority deadline that Georgia residents and national applicants alike benefit from meeting.

University of Colorado Law School maintains a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.63, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for merit scholarship consideration. Boston College Law School reports a median LSAT of 166 and a median GPA of 3.72, with a March 15 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline. University of Florida Levin College of Law carries a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.64, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 1 priority deadline. William and Mary Law School maintains a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.70, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 1 priority deadline for maximum scholarship consideration.

Ranks Forty-One Through Fifty Profiles

University of Washington School of Law reports a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.65, with a March 15 regular deadline and a January 15 priority deadline for scholarship consideration. Tulane University Law School maintains a median LSAT of 161 and a median GPA of 3.57, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. University of Iowa College of Law carries a median LSAT of 162 and a median GPA of 3.64, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline that Iowa’s admissions office recommends for full merit scholarship consideration. University of Connecticut School of Law reports a median LSAT of 158 and a median GPA of 3.55, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 15 priority deadline.

Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School maintains a median LSAT of 164 and a median GPA of 3.75, with a February 1 regular deadline and a November 1 priority deadline. University of California Davis School of Law reports a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.63, with a March 15 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline. George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School carries a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.64, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline for scholarship consideration. Baylor University School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 160 and a median GPA of 3.58, with a April 1 regular deadline and a January 15 priority deadline.

Ranks Fifty-One Through Sixty Institutions

University of Tennessee College of Law reports a median LSAT of 160 and a median GPA of 3.61, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 1 priority deadline for merit scholarship consideration. Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center maintains a median LSAT of 157 and a median GPA of 3.48, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. Temple University Beasley School of Law carries a median LSAT of 160 and a median GPA of 3.52, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline. University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law reports a median LSAT of 159 and a median GPA of 3.53, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline.

Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 161 and a median GPA of 3.59, with a April 1 regular deadline and a January 15 priority deadline for scholarship consideration. University of Richmond School of Law reports a median LSAT of 159 and a median GPA of 3.57, with a March 15 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline. Seton Hall University School of Law carries a median LSAT of 158 and a median GPA of 3.49, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. Loyola University Chicago School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 157 and a median GPA of 3.47, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for merit scholarship consideration.

Ranks Sixty-One Through Seventy Programs

University of Kansas School of Law reports a median LSAT of 157 and a median GPA of 3.55, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 15 priority deadline for scholarship consideration. University of Missouri School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 156 and a median GPA of 3.50, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law carries a median LSAT of 158 and a median GPA of 3.51, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline. Marquette University Law School reports a median LSAT of 155 and a median GPA of 3.44, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for merit consideration.

University of Denver Sturm College of Law maintains a median LSAT of 157 and a median GPA of 3.52, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law reports a median LSAT of 155 and a median GPA of 3.44, with a March 31 regular deadline and a November 30 priority deadline. University of Nebraska College of Law carries a median LSAT of 156 and a median GPA of 3.52, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. Rutgers Law School maintains a median LSAT of 157 and a median GPA of 3.50, with a April 1 regular deadline and a January 15 priority deadline for scholarship consideration.

Ranks Seventy-One Through Eighty Schools

University of Oklahoma College of Law reports a median LSAT of 155 and a median GPA of 3.47, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for merit scholarship consideration. West Virginia University College of Law maintains a median LSAT of 152 and a median GPA of 3.42, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 15 priority deadline. St. Louis University School of Law carries a median LSAT of 155 and a median GPA of 3.46, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. University of South Carolina School of Law reports a median LSAT of 157 and a median GPA of 3.53, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 1 priority deadline that rewards early applicants with the strongest scholarship packages.

University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 153 and a median GPA of 3.44, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. Syracuse University College of Law reports a median LSAT of 154 and a median GPA of 3.43, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for scholarship consideration. University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law carries a median LSAT of 156 and a median GPA of 3.52, with a March 15 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline. Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law maintains a median LSAT of 151 and a median GPA of 3.36, with a May 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline.

Ranks Eighty-One Through Ninety Details

University of New Mexico School of Law reports a median LSAT of 153 and a median GPA of 3.42, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for merit scholarship consideration. Howard University School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 153 and a median GPA of 3.44, with a March 15 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline. Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law carries a median LSAT of 154 and a median GPA of 3.39, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 15 priority deadline. St. John’s University School of Law reports a median LSAT of 154 and a median GPA of 3.45, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for scholarship consideration.

University of Oregon School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 157 and a median GPA of 3.51, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. Loyola Marymount University Loyola Law School reports a median LSAT of 158 and a median GPA of 3.49, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for merit consideration. American University Washington College of Law carries a median LSAT of 158 and a median GPA of 3.51, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 15 priority deadline that significantly influences scholarship allocation. University of Pittsburgh School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 158 and a median GPA of 3.54, with a March 31 regular deadline and a November 30 priority deadline for scholarship consideration.

Ranks Ninety-One Through One Hundred

University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law reports a median LSAT of 155 and a median GPA of 3.46, with a March 1 regular deadline and a November 1 priority deadline for merit scholarship consideration. Northern Illinois University College of Law maintains a median LSAT of 150 and a median GPA of 3.30, with a May 1 regular deadline and a February 15 priority deadline. University of Cincinnati College of Law carries a median LSAT of 155 and a median GPA of 3.50, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. University of Arkansas School of Law reports a median LSAT of 154 and a median GPA of 3.45, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline for scholarship consideration.

Mississippi College School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 148 and a median GPA of 3.25, with a May 1 regular deadline and a March 1 priority deadline. Duquesne University School of Law reports a median LSAT of 152 and a median GPA of 3.38, with a April 15 regular deadline and a February 1 priority deadline. New England Law Boston carries a median LSAT of 148 and a median GPA of 3.17, with a May 1 regular deadline and a March 1 priority deadline for scholarship consideration. Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law maintains a median LSAT of 151 and a median GPA of 3.33, with a April 1 regular deadline and a February 15 priority deadline that the admissions office consistently identifies as the optimal submission window for scholarship eligibility.

LSAT Score Improvement Strategies

Improving LSAT performance requires a preparation approach that treats the exam as a learnable skill rather than an innate aptitude test that either favors or disfavors a candidate based on fixed intellectual characteristics. The LSAT measures logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension through question formats that reward deliberate practice far more than raw intelligence. Candidates who commit to a structured preparation program of three to six months, using official LSAC PrepTests as their primary practice material, consistently achieve score improvements of five to fifteen points compared to their initial diagnostic performance.

Logical reasoning, which historically comprised half of the scored LSAT sections, requires candidates to evaluate arguments by identifying assumptions, drawing inferences, strengthening or weakening conclusions, and recognizing flawed reasoning patterns. Analytical reasoning, commonly called logic games, presents rule-based constraint satisfaction problems that many candidates find initially intimidating but that respond particularly well to systematic diagramming approaches that can be learned and refined through practice. Reading comprehension rewards candidates who practice active reading strategies that identify the author’s purpose, main argument, and attitude toward the subject matter rather than passively absorbing content. Combining section-specific skill development with full-length timed practice tests taken under realistic conditions produces the most reliable score improvements for candidates willing to invest the necessary preparation time.

Conclusion

The law school application process rewards candidates who approach it with the same analytical rigor and strategic planning that the legal profession itself demands. Understanding the admissions landscape across all one hundred ranked institutions — their median LSAT scores, their GPA expectations, their priority and regular deadline structures, and the rolling admissions dynamics that favor early submission — gives applicants the information they need to make intelligent decisions about where to invest their application efforts and when to submit for maximum competitive advantage. A candidate with a 165 LSAT who applies to Georgetown in October occupies a dramatically different competitive position than the same candidate applying in February, not because their credentials have changed but because the applicant pool composition and scholarship availability change substantially across that timeline.

Building a strategic school list requires honest self-assessment against the admissions data presented throughout this guide, combined with research into each school’s specific strengths, geographic placement record, and cultural fit with the applicant’s personal and professional goals. Reach schools where an applicant’s numbers fall below median deserve inclusion on every list because admissions decisions involve holistic review factors beyond raw metrics, and some candidates with below-median numbers receive admission based on compelling work experience, exceptional personal statements, or demographic characteristics that contribute to class diversity objectives. Target schools where an applicant’s numbers align with or slightly exceed median represent the most reliable pathway to admission and the most competitive position for merit scholarship consideration. Safety schools where numbers significantly exceed median provide the insurance of likely admission while sometimes offering the most generous scholarship packages as institutions compete for high-scoring candidates whose credentials would elevate their reported medians.

The LSAT investment deserves particular strategic attention because a score increase of even three to five points can shift an applicant from below-median to above-median at multiple target schools, fundamentally changing both admissions prospects and scholarship eligibility across the entire application portfolio. Candidates who achieve their target LSAT score before submitting applications, rather than submitting with a score they plan to improve through retesting, maintain control of their application timeline and avoid the complications that arise from submitting to rolling admissions schools before optimal scores are available. The combination of strong LSAT performance, early submission aligned with priority deadlines, and a strategically constructed school list represents the highest-probability pathway to admission at the best available institution with the most favorable financial terms, which is ultimately the outcome that every law school applicant should be working toward from the earliest stages of their preparation.