Is your dream to get into Michigan Law School?
Then you’re in the right place.
Today, I’ll tell you exactly how to create an application that stands out and gets you accepted into one of the best law schools in the country.
Ready to go? Let’s dive in!
Is it hard to get into Michigan Law?
Michigan Law is a T14 school, so it’s not easy to get into Michigan Law.
In fact, the Michigan Law School acceptance rate is just 11.85%.
That makes it one of the most competitive in the country, alongside schools like UVA (11.5%) and Columbia (12.2%).
So, undeniably, it is hard to get into Michigan Law School.
But it’s not impossible.
I’ll explain how you can get accepted in a bit.
First, let’s learn more about Michigan Law.
What programs does Michigan Law School offer?
The school offers the following degree programs:
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)
And if you’d like to study more than just law, there are also dual degrees available, including:
- Law and Business Administration (JD/MBA)
- Law and Public Health (JD/MPH)
- Law and Economics (JD/PhD)
Finally, Michigan Law also offers degrees for legal academics, such as the Michigan Society of Fellows.
We’ll focus on the JD program today, but you can see the complete list of programs here.
What GPA do you need to get into Michigan Law School?
Now, you’re probably wondering, what kind of GPA do you need to get into Michigan Law School?
Here’s the range of accepted GPAs:
- 75th percentile: 3.94
- 50th percentile: 3.86
- 25th percentile: 3.7
As you can see, 3.94 is considered high, while a 3.86 is average, and a 3.7 is low.
What LSAT score do you need to get into Michigan Law?
So what about LSAT scores?
The average Michigan student scored 171 on their LSAT.
Here’s the entire range:
- 75th percentile: 172
- 50th percentile: 171
- 25th percentile: 166
Among Michigan Law students, 172 is high, 166 is low, and 171 is average.
So, yes, students who get into Michigan Law School do have impressive scores.
But that doesn’t mean you need perfect numbers to get in.
I’ll explain more later. For now, let’s look at who gets accepted.
Michigan Law School admissions statistics
Over 6,700 people applied to get into Michigan Law School and become part of the class of 2027.
In total, 802 were accepted, and just 307 enrolled.
Want to know more?
Then let’s take a closer look at the admissions statistics.
Acceptance rate
Michigan Law’s acceptance rate is 11.85%, which is lower than in recent years.
| 2024 | 11.85% |
| 2023 | 12.58% |
| 2022 | 13.51% |
| 2021 | 10.65% |
Rankings
In 2024, Michigan Law School was ranked as the 9th best law school in America by US News and World.
Above the Law also ranked it highly at number four!
Who gets into Michigan Law School
As a whole, the class of 2027 is impressive – it includes several advanced degree holders, Fulbright scholars, and military veterans.
Here’s a breakdown of who they are:
| Male | 49.3% |
| Female | 48.4% |
| LGBTQ+ | 24.6% |
| Average age | 25 |
| First-generation college graduates | 13.4% |
| White | 59.7% |
| Multiracial | 12.2% |
| Black | 11.6% |
| Asian American | 15.6% |
| Latinx | 11.9% |
Now, remember what I said about how you can get into Michigan Law School, even with lower scores?
I’ll tell you how next, so keep reading!
How do you get into Michigan Law School with lower GPA or LSAT scores?
The great news? There’s some flexibility in terms of your GPA and LSAT scores.
And the ranges prove it!
Let’s look at them again (and forget about the averages for a minute).
Among students who get into Michigan Law School, the highest GPA is 3.94, which is well above the lowest accepted GPA of 3.7.
The same goes for the LSAT. The highest accepted score is 172, six points higher than the lowest (166).
As you can see, there is some leeway.
Your scores just need to be close to the averages (3.86 and 171).
Chances are, a 3.6 or 165 would be okay.
It’s worth noting here that Michigan Law takes a holistic approach and looks at more than just your scores.
Here’s what they say about it:
“A candidate’s academic performance is not enough to understand how they can or will contribute to the intellectual and social life of our community—and more, we feel strongly that academic strength is not defined by the metrics of the LSAT or undergrad GPA.”
If you’re still concerned about low scores, there are a couple of things you can do.
Retake the LSAT
In a perfect world, you’d only need to take the LSAT once – but there’s absolutely no shame in retaking it.
While I recommend retaking it to improve your score, I don’t advise taking it more than three times.
Otherwise, you’ll have to write an addendum explaining why it took so many attempts.
I’ll discuss the ins and outs of retaking the LSAT in this guide.
Create a strong application
Ultimately, the best way to boost your chances to get into Michigan Law School is to be strategic in your application.
That means writing an incredible personal statement and asking the right people for powerful letters of recommendation.
Speaking of application components, let’s cover what you need to submit to get into Michigan Law School.
Application requirements for Michigan Law School
To put together a standout application, you’ll need to know all of the application requirements for Michigan Law School.
Here’s what you’ll need to include.
Bachelor’s degree
Before you can apply to get into Michigan Law School, you need to have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
The good news?
You don’t need to major in anything specific.
In fact, the class of 2027 represents 63 different majors.
Read more: Top 10 majors for law school
Something that does matter is your GPA – with the average at Michigan Law being 3.86.
Application and transcript
When it comes to submitting your application, Michigan Law requires students to apply via the LSAC FlexApp, which costs $75.
You’ll also need to make sure your transcripts for undergraduate and graduate work are sent to LSAC, which will be done via the CAS.
Credential Assembly Service Law School Report
The CAS will compile and send your Law School Report directly to Michigan Law.
Your Law School Report includes:
- Undergraduate academic summary
- All LSAT scores and writing samples
- Copies of transcripts submitted to the CAS
Standardized test scores
Now, unlike other law schools that accept the GRE or GMAT, Michigan Law only accepts LSAT scores.
And the earlier you take it, the better – Michigan recommends no later than January of the year you plan to enroll.
In other words, if you want to be part of the entering class of 2025, you should plan to take it by January 2025.
That said, your scores are valid for five years, so the admissions team will consider any you’ve received since 2020.
Next up: your personal statement.
Personal statement
It’s crucial that you don’t underestimate the power of your personal statement.
After all, it shows the admissions committee who you are, how you think, and what you’ve achieved.
You don’t have to write about anything in particular – the admissions team just wants you to share “authentic and genuine information about yourself that will aid us in reaching a thoughtful decision.”
Now, I can’t tell you what to write about.
But I can help you narrow it down.
The key is to keep it simple.
Don’t include sensational stories or pack it with too much information.
Instead, choose one topic that illustrates why you want to get into Michigan Law without needing much extra information.
Use these brainstorming questions to help you:
- Why are you applying to law school?
- What do you hope to accomplish as a lawyer?
- What’s something that someone wouldn’t know about you based on your application?
Want to see what a successful personal statement looks like? Here’s one that helped my client, Emily, get into Michigan Law School with a low GPA.
Letters of recommendation
While Michigan Law only requires you to submit one letter of recommendation, they strongly encourage applicants to submit three.
Which I think is the perfect number.
Why?
Because three ensures the admissions committee gets enough insights into your intelligence, abilities, work ethic, and character.
Ultimately, the most helpful letters will come from your teachers. After all, they know firsthand who you are as a student.
But if you’ve been out of school for a while, don’t panic!
A letter from someone who can speak to your professional accomplishments and abilities, like a close colleague or manager, is also suitable.
I’ll tell you who and how to ask for a letter of recommendation that will help you get into Michigan Law School in this guide.
Law school resume
Another important part of your application is your law school resume.
As you build it, you’ll want to keep in mind that it’s not the same kind of resume you’d submit for a job.
It doesn’t need to include everything you’ve ever done, either.
I recommend using these headers to create a compelling personal narrative:
- Education
- Professional Experience and/or Employment
- Accomplishments
- Activities
- Community Engagement
- Publications
- Skills/Interests
Learn more: How to Write a Law School Resume
Optional essays
In addition to your personal statement, you can also include up to two optional essays.
Prompts for this include:
- Why might Michigan be a good fit for you culturally, academically, or professionally?
- How has the world you came from positively shaped who you are today?
- If you could have dinner with any prominent person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Addenda
Lastly, if there’s some element of your application you’d like to explain, like your grades or LSAT score, Michigan Law will accept addenda.
But unless you have a genuine reason for it, I’d avoid including one.
I’ll explain why here.
Now that you know what you need to get into Michigan Law School, let’s move on to financials.
Michigan Law tuition fee and financial aids
Michigan residents pay less in tuition and fees than non-residents.
Here’s how it breaks down:
| Michigan resident | Non-resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (per semester) | $36,276 | $37,776 |
| Fees (per semester) | $211 | $211 |
| Total (per semester) | $36,487 | $37,987 |
All first-year students are considered for scholarships, but you can also apply for financial aid in the form of:
- Grants
- Federal loans
- Private loans
Learn more here.
Still have questions about what it takes to get into Michigan Law School? Let’s answer them quickly now.
FAQs: How to get into Michigan Law
What is Michigan Law known for?
In addition to a stunning campus, Michigan Law is known for:
- Clinics
- Centers and Programs
- International study opportunities
- A 5.9:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- The Michigan Law Review, one of the oldest journals in the country
What GPA & LSAT scores do you need for Michigan Law School?
Here’s a final look at the range of GPAs among students who get into Michigan Law School:
- 75th percentile: 3.94
- 50th percentile: 3.86
- 25th percentile: 3.7
And here are the LSAT scores:
- 75th percentile: 172
- 50th percentile: 171
- 25th percentile: 166
Next steps
So there you have it!
That’s everything you need to apply and get into Michigan Law School!
Need a little help crafting the perfect application?
I’ve helped hundreds of students just like you get into their dream law school – and I can help you, too.
Find out what it’s like to work together here.
Read more:
How to Get into Top Law Schools
