If you’re looking to go to law school but want to avoid taking or are worried about the LSAT, you’re in the right place.
Today, we’ll talk about the law schools that do not require the LSAT, viable LSAT alternatives, and how to get in without taking it.
Ready? Let’s go!
Why is the LSAT no longer required for many law schools?
The Law School Admission Test – LSAT – is a standardized test law schools require for first-year applicants.
It’s been a staple for years, but there are now many law schools that do not require the LSAT for a few reasons.
At $222 per test, it’s expensive and used only for law school admissions.
On top of that, the test is challenging and many people have to retake it (which adds an emotional toll and extra expenses).
Law schools that do not require the LSAT focus on a more holistic approach to admissions and see increased diversity.
Read on to learn about LSAT alternatives.
What are alternatives to the LSAT?
The American Bar Association considered allowing schools to go fully test-optional by 2025, but the change has been postponed.
However, schools are becoming more open to LSAT alternatives.
Here are the most commonly accepted alternatives:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE), used for admission to graduate programs
- ACT or SAT, used for admission to undergraduate programs
- Grade point average (GPA), which reflects your undergraduate academic performance
Some law schools also accept the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), though this is less common.
Next, let’s look at the law schools that don’t require the LSAT.
15 top law schools that don’t require the LSAT
You can get into a top law school without the LSAT. After all, some law schools that do not require the LSAT are among the most prestigious in the country, including Harvard and Yale.
Here’s a full list of the top law schools that do not require the LSAT.
Note: Even though these are law schools that do not require the LSAT, most still require other standardized tests.
Stanford University
Stanford Law began accepting the GRE during the 2018 application cycle.
If applying with the GRE, you should take the test by February 1st.
Stanford also requires:
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- Optional essays
You can see the full list of requirements on their website.
Yale University
Yale Law began accepting the GRE in 2019 to widen the applicant pool and increase flexibility. It also accepts the GRE General Test at Home.
If you apply with the GRE, you should take it no later than February 1st.
Yale also requires:
- Transcripts
- Personal statement
- 250-word essay
- Letters of recommendation
- Activities statement
I’ll tell you exactly how to get into Yale Law in this guide.
University of Chicago Law School
In addition to the LSAT, the University of Chicago Law also accepts the GRE and, in some cases, the GMAT.
Admissions are rolling, so you should take the GRE before the start of the year.
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
UPenn started accepting the GRE and GMAT as alternatives to the LSAT in 2018.
You should take your test before February 28th.
Other requirements include:
- Transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Personal statement
You can see the full admissions checklist here.
Duke University
Duke Law began accepting the GRE alongside the LSAT in 2021. They hold equal weight.
Duke also requires:
- Transcript
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Short answer essays
The full list of requirements is available on the JD admissions page.
Harvard University
In 2017, Harvard became one of the first universities to allow applicants to submit the GRE or the LSAT.
The latest you can take the GRE is February 15th.
Other application components include:
- Transcript
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Personal statements
- Character and fitness questions
I talk more about getting into Harvard in this guide.
New York University
NYU Law has been accepting the GRE and GRE General Test at Home since 2018.
Early Decision applicants need to take the test by October. All other applicants should take it by January.
You’ll also need to submit:
- Two letters of recommendation
- Law school personal statement
- A law school resume
- Character and fitness questions
Learn how to get into NYU Law in this guide.
Columbia University
Columbia Law moved to accept the GRE in 2018 to widen its candidate pool. The GRE and the LSAT are given equal weight in the application process.
Regular Decision applicants need to take it by February 1st.
Other application requirements include:
- Personal statement or essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Transcripts
Check out this guide to find out how to get into Columbia Law.
University of Virginia
UVA Law started accepting the GRE and GMAT as LSAT alternatives in 2018 to increase diversity.
It also requires applicants to submit:
- Transcript
- At least two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume
The full list is available on the JD admissions website.
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
Northwestern has been allowing JD applicants to submit their GRE scores since 2018.
The regular decision application deadline is February 15th, so scores must be submitted prior.
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Optional essays
- Optional interview
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
UC Berkeley started accepting the GRE during the 2019-2020 application cycle. Some students are eligible to apply with the GMAT.
Regular Decision applicants should take it by January 31st.
Other application requirements include:
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation
You can see the full list of requirements here.
Cornell University
Cornell Law began accepting LSAT alternatives in 2018. You can now submit the GRE, GMAT, or, in certain instances, your SAT/ACT scores.
Cornell also requires the following be submitted:
- Transcript
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law
Though UCLA accepted the GRE for other graduate programs, the law school only began doing so in 2018.
It still accepts the LSAT and doesn’t favor one test over the other.
JD applications also require:
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Transcripts
The full list of requirements is available here.
Georgetown University
In 2018, Georgetown began accepting the GRE as an LSAT alternative in an effort to diversify its student body. It also accepts the GMAT or GMAT Focus.
Because admissions are on a rolling basis, you should take the test as soon as possible.
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
Washington University in St. Louis
For consideration at Washington University in St. Louis, a standardized test is required – the GRE or the LSAT.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so it’s encouraged that you take your test as early as possible.
You will also need:
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Transcript
You can see the full list here.
Keep reading to learn about the other law schools that do not require the LSAT.
Other law schools that don’t require the LSAT
Several of the 196 ABA-accredited law schools in the US have decided to diversify their applicant pool by accepting alternatives to the LSAT.
Here are the rest of the law schools that do not require the LSAT for consideration:
- Boston University School of Law
- California Western School of Law
- CUNY School of Law
- Emory University School of Law
- Fordham University School of Law
- George Washington University Law School
- Golden Gate University School of Law
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law
- New England Law | Boston
- Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
- Southern Illinois University School of Law
- Southwestern Law School
- St. John’s University School of Law
- St. Thomas University School of Law
- Suffolk University Law School
- Texas A&M University School of Law
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- University at Buffalo School of Law
- University of Akron School of Law
- University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
- University of Baltimore School of Law
- University of California, Irvine School of Law
- University of Colorado Law School
- University of Dayton School of Law
- University of Florida Levin College of Law
- University of Hawai’i at Mānoa – William S. Richardson School of Law
- University of Iowa College of Law
- University of Maryland Carey School of Law
- University of Massachusetts School of Law
- University of Michigan Law School
- University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
- University of San Francisco School of Law
- University of Southern California Gould School of Law
- University of St. Thomas School of Law – Minneapolis
- University of Texas at Austin School of Law
- University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law
- University of Wisconsin Law School
- Vermont Law School
- Wake Forest University School of Law
- Western State College of Law
- Whittier Law School
Remember, these schools may still require a standardized test. Be sure to double-check before you start the application process.
Even though there are many law schools that do not require the LSAT, most still accept it. You might wonder if you should still take the LSAT over a test like the GRE or GMAT.
It depends. Let’s talk about it.
Should you still take the LSAT?
There’s no right answer when it comes to deciding if you should still take the LSAT.
One of the biggest pros of taking it is that most law schools still prefer those scores over the GRE.
Why? Because the LSAT is specifically designed to determine if you have traits that will make you a successful lawyer, which gives admissions teams more confidence.
While many applicants apply without the LSAT, the ABA only accredits a certain percentage of a law school’s entering class who haven’t taken it.
However, if you’re worried about taking the LSAT, there are ways to overcome LSAT anxiety.
Whether you take the LSAT or not is up to you – let’s look at how to get into law school without it in the next section.
How do you get into your dream law school without the LSAT?
Here are a few reliable ways to get into law schools that do not require the LSAT.
Complete other standardized tests
As we’ve learned, several law schools accept LSAT alternatives like the GRE and GMAT.
The GRE costs $220 and is conducted year-round.
It has three sections: Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing. The highest score you can earn is 170.
The GMAT costs $250 and takes place every day except for holidays.
The sections consist of quantitative, analytical writing, and verbal. The highest score is 800.
Both are great options because they can be used in more instances than just law school.
Most graduate programs accept the GRE, and most business schools accept the GMAT.
Write a compelling personal statement
The right personal statement can make all the difference in your application.
It shows the school who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and how your mind works.
If you write a statement that shows your critical thinking skills and writing abilities, you’re sure to stand out.
When writing yours, focus on finding a cohesive story, clearly explaining why you want to attend law school, and describing why it matters.
Check out this comprehensive guide to learn more about writing a great personal statement.
Achieve a great GPA
If you want to get into one of the best law schools in the country, you should typically have at least a 3.6 GPA.
Don’t worry if yours isn’t that high.
Realistically, the lowest GPA you can have and still get into any law school is 2.5, but it will be an uphill battle. I’ll show you how to do it in this guide.
Attach letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation are one of the most important parts of your application and can make or break your chances of acceptance.
After all, they show the admissions team you have the proper skill set, experience, and traits to succeed in law school and beyond.
Regardless of what a law school says it requires, they mainly look for letters from former teachers or academic supervisors.
Never submit letters written by family or friends.
While some schools limit you to two letters of recommendation, I recommend you get three so that they have a holistic view of who you are as a person and student.
Next steps
There you go – a comprehensive guide to the law schools that do not require the LSAT.
Are you ready to learn how to get into your dream law school? I’m here to help!
I’ve guided my students through the process and helped them secure millions in financial aid.
Find out what it’s like to work with me here.
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