Want to get into USC Law School?
You’ll need a highly effective and strategic application – including a powerful personal statement, letters of recommendation, and more.
But don’t panic.
Because today, I’ll show you exactly how to do it.
Ready to find out how to get into USC Law School?
Let’s go.
What programs does USC Law School offer?
USC Gould School of Law offers several degrees, including:
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Master of Studies in Law (MSL)
- Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies (BS Legal Studies)
Several LLM programs are available, including Business Law, Media and Entertainment Law, and Comparative Law.
There are also legal MA degrees available for non-lawyer professionals, including Master of Dispute Resolution and Master of Science in Innovation Economics, Law, and Regulation.
You can see a complete list of the programs here.
Today, we’re going to focus on getting into the JD program.
So, first off, let’s cover who gets in.
USC Gould School of Law admissions statistics
You may be wondering, “Is it hard to get into USC Law School?”
Let’s find out by looking at the admissions statistics.
Acceptance rate
Over the years, USC Law has gotten more selective. The current acceptance rate is 12.5%.
Here’s a quick look at past application cycles:
| Year | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 12.5% |
| 2022 | 12.7% |
| 2021 | 13% |
| 2020 | 17% |
| 2019 | 17.7% |
Rankings
In terms of rankings, The USC Gould School of Law has been ranked as the 20th-best law school in the country by US News & World Report.
So, even though it’s not a T14 school, it’s still a great option!
In fact, it’s tied with Notre Dame, UNC Chapel Hill, and the University of Georgia.
Read more: The Best Law Schools in America
Who gets into USC Gould School of Law
Over 6,200 students applied to be part of the 2024 entering JD class.
Of those, 770 were admitted, and 201 enrolled. They represent 81 colleges and universities.
Here’s what to know about them:
- 59% are female, 40% are male, and 1% identify as non-binary
- The average age is 23
- 55% are students of color
- 21% identify as LGBTQIA+
- 23% are economically disadvantaged
- 33% are first-generation professionals
- 58% are from California
Now, the big question is…
Can you get into USC Law School?
The answer is yes! And I’ll tell you how next, so keep reading.
How do you get into USC Law School?
Let’s now dive into the application requirements for USC Law School.
Bachelor’s degree
Before you can apply and get into USC Law School, you have to complete your Bachelor’s degree.
There’s no prerequisite for majors – but some are better for law school than others.
It’s also worth noting that the average GPA of USC students is 3.91.
Application and transcript
To apply, you’ll need to submit your transcript, electronic application, and $80 application fee through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
Standardized test scores
When it comes to your test scores, USC Law School accepts both LSAT and GRE scores.
If you decide to take the GRE, you need to do so by March 1st, though they recommend taking it before February 1st.
Personal statement
Another important thing you’ll need to do is write a personal statement.
This is your chance to show the admissions team who you are beyond your scores and application.
I know firsthand that a powerful personal statement is one of the elements that can make or break your application.
My scores weren’t as high as the average at any of my dream law schools.
But I still got into UPenn – thanks to my personal statement.
So, here’s what to know about writing one that will help you get into USC Law School.
Personal statements should be two to three pages, double-spaced, and “clear, concise, and compelling.”
In other words, it needs to be focused and demonstrate your critical thinking skills.
Possible topics include:
- A story that makes you stand out from the crowd
- Why you want to get into USC Law and what you hope to accomplish
- Your childhood
That said, USC Law is “particularly interested in how your background (academic or otherwise) has led to your decision to study law.”
To learn what NOT to do, check out these resources:
Letters of recommendation
Your letters of recommendation are another crucial part of the puzzle!
While you’re required to submit two, USC Law will accept up to three – which is the exact number I always recommend you send.
Why? Because it gives the admissions team a holistic view of who you are.
USC wants letters about your academic performance, communication skills, leadership abilities, and potential.
So, who better to ask than a former professor? (Which, by the way, is exactly who they want to hear from.)
If you’ve been out of school for a while or a teacher isn’t an option, employers or close colleagues are okay, too.
I’ll tell you who, how, and when to ask for a letter of recommendation in this guide.
Next up: your law school resume.
Law school resume
While your law school resume does speak to your work history, it’s not a typical resume.
Remember: you’re trying to get into law school, not apply for a job.
That means USC Law will want to see a far more diverse selection of experience and skills.
Here are the headers you’ll want to include:
- Education
- Professional experience and/or Employment
- Activities
- Community engagement
- Publications
- Accomplishments
- Skills or interests
Your resume should be no more than two pages. But it should also be long enough to highlight your extracurricular activities, volunteering efforts, education, and any academic honors or awards.
Want to learn how to write a resume that will help you get into USC Law School? Check out this guide.
Qualification for Admission to the Bar
Your character and fitness evaluation is crucial for anyone hoping to get into USC Law School.
If you answer “yes” to any character and fitness questions, you’ll need to provide a detailed explanation and documents.
Remember, honesty is key! Providing inaccurate information can lead to serious consequences, including losing your admission offer.
Next, let’s cover diversity and experience statements.
Diversity of background and/or experience statement (optional)
USC Law wants to build as diverse a class as possible.
That means they’re looking for students with varying backgrounds, interests, perspectives, and beliefs.
What you write about in your statement is up to you. I’ve seen clients write about:
- Ethnic, racial, or national identity
- First generation status
- Disability
- Socioeconomic status
Just remember, this is optional. So, if you don’t have a topic that’s considered diverse, don’t write one!
Forcing a diversity statement can and will hurt your chances of getting into USC Law School.
Read more: Should I Write a Diversity Statement for Law School?
Addenda (optional)
Lastly, writing an addendum is a helpful way to explain why an element of your application doesn’t accurately reflect your potential.
It’s important to note this is optional – and I rarely recommend writing one unless you have a genuine reason, like:
- Poor academic performance
- Extraordinary responsibilities
- Odd score patterns or changes
To learn more about addenda and decide if you should write one, check out this guide.
So, that’s what you need to get into USC Law School.
Now, let’s talk about the kind of scores you should aim for.
What GPA do you need for USC Law School?
Here’s the range of GPA scores among the 2024 entering JD class at USC Law School:
- 75th percentile: 3.97
- 50th percentile: 3.91
- 25th percentile: 3.82
The average GPA is 3.91, while 3.97 is high and 3.82 is low.
But if your GPA isn’t this high, don’t worry!
If you’re within reach of the average, you can still get into USC Law School – you just need to be more strategic.
I’ll tell you how in a later section, but first, let’s talk about LSAT scores.
What LSAT score do you need for USC Law School?
The most recent LSAT scores are:
- 75th percentile: 170
- 50th percentile: 169
- 25th percentile: 165
So, a high LSAT score is 170; 169 is average, and 165 is low.
Read more: What is a good LSAT score?
And just like with a lower GPA, a lower LSAT score won’t decide whether you get into USC Law School.
I’ve seen students get into their dream schools with LSAT scores 13 points below the median!
Again, it’s just about strategy.
But before I tell you what I mean by that, let’s discuss tuition and deadlines.
USC Law School tuition fee
USC Law School costs $80,184 per year.
This doesn’t include things like books or fees – the total estimated cost of attendance is:
| Living with relatives | Living on campus | Living off campus |
| $99,992 | $109,558 | $110,368 |
It’s important to note that every student is considered for scholarship support regardless of GPA, and over 95% receive it.
You can learn more about financial aid and scholarships here.
USC Law School application deadlines
At USC Law, admissions are done on a rolling basis – which means the earlier you apply, the better.
Here are the key dates to keep in mind:
| Applications open | September 1 |
| Early binding decision application deadline | November 15 |
| Priority application deadline | February 1 |
| Regular application deadline | April 1 |
| Suggested FAFSA application deadline | March 1 |
| Scholarship reservation deadline | April 1 |
| GRE deadline | March 1 |
| Early decision deposit due | January 6 |
| First enrollment deposit due | May 1 |
| Second enrollment deposit due | June 15 |
Now you know all about the fees and deadlines, let’s cover how you can get into USC Law with a lower GPA or LSAT score.
How do you get into USC Law with lower GPA or LSAT scores?
Here’s the good news:
Even if your scores are lower than you hoped for, there’s always some flexibility.
Consider the scores of students who get into USC Law.
A high GPA is 3.97, and a low GPA is 3.82. That’s a point-and-a-half difference!
And looking at LSAT scores, a 75th percentile score (170) is five points higher than the 25th percentile score (165).
What you really want to do here is aim to score within arm’s reach of the average.
But let’s say you don’t – what then? Here are some strategies to consider.
Retake the LSAT
Most people only want to take the LSAT once. And I don’t blame them!
But if your dream is to get into USC Law School and you don’t score within reach of a 169, I recommend retaking it.
That said, I don’t recommend you take it more than three times, or you’ll need to write an addendum to explain why you did so.
I’ve rounded up my favorite ways to boost your score in this guide.
Take the GRE
If you’ve taken the LSAT and discovered it isn’t for you, USC Law also recognizes the GRE.
While it’s not designed specifically for law school admissions, it’s still a great way to demonstrate your analytical and critical thinking skills.
Create a strong application
Finally, the best way to get into USC Law School, even with lower scores, is to create the most strategic and effective application possible.
It should give the admissions committee a clear picture of your academic abilities, goals for your legal career, and why you’re a great choice.
So, as you write your personal statement, request letters of recommendation, and craft your addendum, be as intentional as possible.
Next steps
That’s it! Everything you need to know about creating an application that will help you get into USC Law.
And you can do it – even if you have lower scores.
It’s all about being strategic.
If you need help creating a stand-out application, I’m here to help.
I’ve helped students get into their dream law schools, and I can help you do the same.
Learn what it’s like to work with me here.
Read more:
How to Get Into Top Law Schools: The Ultimate Guide
What Law School Can You Get Into? (Easiest & Hardest Law Schools)
