J.D. Admissions First-Year Applicants

To be considered for admissions, applicants must follow the application instructions, register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and Credential Assembly Service (CAS), take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and demonstrate that they have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian university or the foreign equivalent whose program has been deemed comparable to that of a four-year baccalaureate degree, prior to registering for the first academic quarter at UW Law.

Policies

Admissions Policy

The law school faculty has adopted the following policy regarding admission to UW Law:

The primary goal of the University of Washington School of Law admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience will contribute beneficially to the learning environment of the law school. As the state’s public law school, we have a responsibility to educate lawyers who will serve the legal needs of all members of society, through the practice of law, the formulation of public policy and other law-related activities. Our admissions policy is designed to identify individuals who will help fulfill this responsibility.

In measuring academic potential, we evaluate candidates holistically, balancing multiple considerations in selecting a cohort of students for each incoming class. No single factor is dispositive for admission, including GPA and standardized test scores. Factors we consider include but are not limited to: the rigor of the applicant’s undergraduate curriculum; the nature and attainment of an advanced degree; the applicant’s pre- and post-college experience as it relates to the applicant’s academic and professional potential; the quality and strength of recommendations which address the applicant’s academic and professional potential; variations in the level of academic achievement over time; any other indicators that may aid in the determination of academic and professional potential. Additionally, we encourage law students to identify any aspects of their backgrounds that would benefit the diversity of the law school community and the legal field as a whole.

Scholarship Opportunities

All admitted students to the University of Washington School of Law are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Scholarship award offers are sent via email within approximately 7–10 business days of admission and are not included with the initial admission offer.

After merit awards are issued, admitted students will be invited to complete a Scholarship Match Form. This form allows us to match your merit-based award with specific donor-funded scholarships and helps us identify any additional funding opportunities for which you may be eligible. UW Law administers more than 100 generous donor-funded scholarships, each with its own criteria.

Initial scholarship determinations are based on merit. Through the Scholarship Match process, we may also consider financial need, professional experience, leadership, and personal achievements when matching students with donor-funded scholarships. While completion of the Scholarship Match Form does not guarantee additional funding, it ensures that we are able to fully assess your eligibility for available donor-funded awards.

We are committed to making the scholarship process clear, timely, and accessible, and to supporting our admitted students as they plan for their legal education.

Nondiscrimination Policy

UW Law provides for a selective admission process with the objective of attracting students who demonstrate the strongest prospects for high quality academic work. This selective admission process shall assure that the University's educational opportunities shall be open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability or veteran status. The process of admission shall be mindful of the need for diversity in the student body and for highly-trained individuals from all segments of the population. For more information, please visit the UW Policy Directory, Executive Order No. 31.

Applicant Responsibility and Accuracy of Information

Applicants are under a continued obligation to notify the law school immediately of any and all circumstances and events that may occur from the date an application is submitted to the first day of enrollment that may change any of the responses to their application. UW Law reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if the candidate fails to maintain satisfactory scholastic standing for work in progress, if final records fail to show completion of courses and/or degrees required for admission or if the admission decision was based on incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information furnished by the applicant. In addition, the law school may also report its findings to LSAC's Misconduct and Irregularities Committee.

Character and Moral Fitness

Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or other serious crime are eligible for admission into the law school and may not be automatically or unreasonably denied admission based on their criminal history; however, because state bar associations often prohibit persons with criminal records from being admitted to the bar regardless of their degrees or training, it may be impossible for such individuals to practice in some states.

In addition to the bar examination, there are character, fitness and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

If you have questions about whether your past history may be a barrier to getting licensed as a lawyer, be sure to contact the state bar where you intend to practice.

Application Fee Waiver — deadline for all fee waivers is March 15, 2026

The application fee will be waived for the following candidates. Please provide documentation for the following criteria:

• Candidates who have received an LSAC fee waiver (the UW Law application fee should automatically appear as $0 at LSAC checkout).
• Current or former members of Teach for America, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps (upon request).
• Individuals who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military (upon request).
• Attendees at various UW Law recruiting events (in-person and virtual) as well as third-party recruiting events, ex. LSAC Forums, individual school fairs, etc. Note: Tours of the law school and weekly Admissions Q&A sessions are not considered recruiting events.

Some candidates may receive a merit-based fee waiver based upon data from LSAC’s Candidate Referral Service (CRS). These candidates will be notified by email if they have been assigned a fee waiver.

To request an application fee waiver based on the criteria above, please email lawadm@uw.edu with your LSAC account number and the reason for your waiver request.

If you have already paid the application fee, no refunds of fees paid will be processed.

Application Instructions for Regular Decision and Early Decision

• JurisPath applicants should read instructions here.

An application is complete and ready for evaluation when the following items are received:

• Application — Applicants must submit the application through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Paper applications will not be accepted.
• $60 Application Fee — The application fee will be collected through LSAC. (See waiver information above.)
• Personal Statement (750-word limit) — The University of Washington School of Law aspires to be the best public law school in the nation and one of the world's most respected centers for interdisciplinary legal studies. We strive to be leaders by shaping and defending just and sustainable laws and policies through our scholarly discovery, ethical advocacy, inspired teaching, and generous public service.

  The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who strive to be leaders; demonstrate outstanding academic, professional and leadership promise; are committed to generous public service and ethical advocacy; and who have background and experiences that will enhance the diversity of the student body, thereby enriching the law school educational environment. As such, applicants are invited to write a personal statement that describes their potential contributions to our vibrant community.
  
  Many applicants use the Personal Statement to provide a fuller picture of their academic, professional, or personal journey. This can include, but is not limited to: meaningful leadership experiences or potential; involvement in advocacy, public service, or community-based work; a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage; unusual or challenging circumstances that may have impacted your academic path; experiences that reflect resilience, perseverance, or growth; disability; prejudice or discrimination; studying or living abroad; foreign language skills; special talents; unique life experiences; or geographic diversity. This is not an exhaustive list. Please feel free to share anything you believe is important to your story or may help the Admissions Committee reach a thoughtful and informed decision. We value your voice and welcome the opportunity to learn more about you.

• (Optional) Supplemental Statement (500-word limit) — Applicants may supplement their personal statement by including a response to one (1) of the following optional questions:

  • What life events or experiences have had the greatest influence in shaping your character and why?

  • Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership, whether in a classroom, workplace, organization, or personal context. What did you learn from that experience, and how will your leadership skills contribute to our law school community and the legal profession?

  • What is a strength, trait, or experience you possess that might not be immediately visible in your application but is essential to understanding who you are?
    
    Please note: The option to write a "Why UW" statement has been moved to the actual application and should not be submitted as a supplemental statement.

• Résumé — Please provide a résumé detailing any significant vocational, non-vocational, extracurricular or community activities, volunteer work, honors, awards, any service in the Armed Forces, job descriptions and major areas of responsibility along with dates of employment (mm/yyyy) and the number of hours per week devoted to such activities, publications or other information that you believe the University of Washington School of Law should consider in evaluating your application. Also please include details as to any foreign language proficiencies you possess, including the level of ability with regard to speaking, comprehension, reading and writing. Your résumé may not exceed three (3) typewritten pages.

• Credential Assembly Service Report — The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report will include: (1) the applicant's transcript(s) from each institution of higher education attended; (2) Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score(s): (3) LSAT Writing Sample; and (4) at least two letter(s) of recommendation. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that LSAC has received all necessary materials to complete the CAS file. You are advised to confirm that your CAS file is complete; LSAC will not send the law school a CAS report until then.

• Letters of Recommendation — Two (2) Letters of Recommendation are required and must be submitted through LSAC's Letter of Recommendation Service. Please do not send Letters of Recommendation via email or postal mail directly to the Office of Admissions. Applicants who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree are encouraged to include at least one letter from a faculty member or other individual qualified to evaluate their academic abilities. Strong recommendations come from professors or academic professionals who are familiar with the applicant's work and can provide a detailed assessment of their potential for success in law school. Applicants who have been out of school for an extended period may submit professional and/or character references in place of academic letters. Applicants may submit up to three (3) Letters of Recommendation, however, once two are received, the application will be considered complete and sent to review unless the applicant requests the application be held for the final Letter.

Please note: all records become part of the official file. They will not be returned or duplicated.