If you want to get into University of Virginia Law, you’ll need to stand out from the crowd.
This means you have to be strategic with your application.
And that’s exactly what I’ll teach you to do in this guide.
Ready to go? Let’s dive in!
How do you get into UVA?
Before I tell you how to make your application shine, let’s talk about the application requirements and prerequisites for UVA.
Bachelor’s degree
To get into University of Virginia Law, you need to have completed your undergraduate studies and have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by August of the year you plan to enroll.
There are no specific major requirements. That said, some of the most common majors for law school are:
- Political science
- Psychology
- Criminal justice
- Economics
- English
It’s also worth noting that the average GPA of the class of 2027 was 3.96. So you’ll want to score roughly around that mark to get into UVA Law – but more on that in a bit.
Application and transcript
When it comes to your application, UVA Law asks that you apply via the Law School Admissions Council website and pay an $85 application fee.
Plus, you’ll need to provide a transcript for any undergraduate or graduate work. This can be submitted through the Credential Assembly Service.
Standardized test scores
UVA Law accepts LSAT, GME, and GRE scores and has no preference on which test you take.
However, if you decide to submit your GRE or GMAT scores, you’ll need to submit every score you’ve earned in the last five years.
Regardless of which test you decide to take, you should complete it by the fall, even though later scores are accepted.
That’s because UVA’s admissions process is done on a rolling basis. So, the later you take the test, the more likely it is that spaces will be filled by the time you get your scores.
Read more: When Should You Take the LSAT?
Personal statement
Another thing you’ll need to do is submit a 1-2 page personal statement.
This is one of the most important application components because it shows the admissions committee who you are beyond your scores, transcript, and resume.
It should tell the committee:
- Who you are
- How you think
- What you’ve accomplished
- Your passion and purpose
- Why you’re an ideal candidate to get into UVA Law
No small ask, right?
When figuring out what to write about, it’s best to choose a single, cohesive narrative that demonstrates why you want to get into UVA Law without much explanation.
Here are some brainstorming ideas to help get you started:
- What are three traits that set you apart?
- What’s something about you that your resume or transcript doesn’t show?
- Why do you want to get into UVA Law?
- What do you want to accomplish as a lawyer?
I’ll tell you what topics to avoid in this guide.
Letters of recommendation
Like most law schools, UVA Law requires applicants to submit at least two, but no more than four, letters of recommendation.
These are crucial – so don’t underestimate them!
Letters of recommendation make it clear that you’re more than capable of succeeding as a UVA Law student and offer a clearer picture of who you are.
So, who – and how – do you ask for letters of recommendation?
First off, at least one of your letters should be written by a former teacher who can speak directly to who you are as a student.
But if you’ve been out of school for a while, don’t panic. UVA Law will also accept letters from those you’ve worked closely with, like a manager or colleague.
Just whatever you do, don’t ask friends, family, or partners.
Once you’ve chosen your recommenders, it’s best to reach out to them early on and provide specific examples of traits you’d like highlighted.
This guide tells you everything else you need to know.
Law school resume
Alongside your personal statement, UVA Law requires you to submit a law school resume.
While it does highlight your accomplishments, it’s different from a standard resume.
Instead of your objectives and relevant coursework, your resume shows how you’ve spent your time preparing for law school.
Your main headers should be:
- Education
- Professional experience
- Accomplishments
- Activities
- Community engagement
- Skills and interests
I’ll tell you everything you need to know about writing your resume, including which language to avoid, how to format it, and more, in this handy step-by-step guide.
Addenda
Now, UVA Law does accept addenda about things like specific interests and household contributions.
But they’re optional, so skipping them won’t hurt your chances to get into UVA Law.
We’ll talk more about addenda in a later section.
In-state privilege
Finally, while you don’t have to live in Virginia to get into UVA Law, the admissions team does give extra consideration to applicants who do.
You can learn more about in-state privilege here.
So, that’s what you need to apply.
But who actually manages to get into UVA Law? Keep reading to find out.
What qualifications do you need to get into UVA Law?
Look.
It’s no secret that getting into UVA Law isn’t easy.
After all, it’s ranked seventh on the list of T-14 law schools, which means it’s one of the best in the country!
With that in mind, let’s look at data from the Class of 2027 to get an idea of the scores you’ll need to get in.
UVA Law acceptance rate
The most recent data shows that UVA Law has an acceptance rate of just 11.5%.
Who gets into UVA Law
So, who got in?
Of the nearly 5,200 students who applied to be part of UVA Law’s Class of 2027, just 308 enrolled.
Students come from all over the world, representing 40 US states, several countries, and 140 colleges and universities.
Here’s a closer look at who was accepted:
- Students range in age from 20 to 41
- 54% of students are women and 46% of students are men
- 39% identify as people of color
- 19% self-identify as LGBTQ+
- 77% have at least some post-college work experience
- 25% are first-generation professionals or graduate school attendees
- 9% are the first in their family to attend college
Now, let’s cover their GPA and LSAT scores.
What GPA do you need for UVA Law?
Here are the GPAs for the class of 2027:
- 75th percentile: 4.00
- 50th percentile: 3.96
- 25th percentile: 3.78
Among UVA Law students, a 4.00 is considered high, a 3.96 is average, and a 3.78 is low.
Read more: What GPA Do You Need for Law School?
What LSAT score do you need for UVA Law?
The full range of LSAT scores for the class of 2027 is:
- 75th percentile: 174
- 50th percentile: 172
- 25th percentile: 167
So, a score of 174 is high, 167 is low, and 172 is average.
But don’t worry if your GPA or LSAT scores aren’t this high – you can still get in.
I’ll explain more later, but for now, let’s talk about the programs UVA Law can offer.
What programs does UVA Law offer?
UVA Law offers the following degrees:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.)
- Master of Laws (LL.M.)
- Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)
They also offer dual-degree programs and joint degrees in:
- J.D.-M.A.
- J.D.-MBA
- J.D.-M.D.
- J.D.-M.P.H.
- J.D.-M.P.P.
- J.D.-M.S.
- J.D.-M.U.E.P.
- J.D.-Master’s in Economic Law at Sciences Po in Paris
UVA Law tuition fee
In addition to extra application consideration, Virginia residents are also entitled to lower tuition fees.
With that in mind, here’s a quick look at the figures:
| Virginia resident | Non-resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $71,010 | $73,328 |
| Fees | $3,690 | $4,372 |
| Total | $74,700 | $77,700 |
See a full breakdown and learn about financial aid options here.
UVA Law application deadlines
Now, if you want to get into UVA Law, you’ll need to follow this timeline:
| Applications open | September 1 |
| FAFSA application available | December 1 |
| FAFSA and CSS Profile Priority deadline (optional) | February 7 |
| Application deadline | March 1 |
| Initial seat deposit | April 24 |
| Second seat deposit | May 29 |
| Fall semester bill distributed | July 22 |
| Fall semester bill payment due | August 20 |
Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, early applications are recommended.
UVA Law doesn’t offer early decisions, but they do have a Binding Expedited Decision Option, which guarantees a decision within 21 days.
Learn about it here.
How do you get into UVA Law with lower GPA or LSAT scores?
I mentioned earlier that you can get into UVA Law with lower scores – even though the school is competitive.
Let’s take another look at the scores we just talked about.
A 4.0 GPA is considered high at UVA Law, while a 3.78 is low. That’s nearly a full quarter of a point difference.
And while some students got LSAT scores as high as 174, some still got in with a 167 – seven points lower!
So, you do have some breathing room regarding your scores.
You just need to be within reach of the average scores.
For instance, a 3.5 GPA or 165 LSAT would probably be okay. But a 2.9 GPA 158 LSAT wouldn’t.
The school says no minimum score is needed because they “read every application carefully and take all factors into account.”
If you want to improve your scores, here are a few things you can do.
Retake the LSAT
In a perfect world, you’d only need to take the LSAT once.
Alas, we don’t live in a perfect world, which means that plenty of people retake it.
Just don’t take it more than three times, as it could hurt rather than help your application.
Read more: How to Improve Your LSAT Score
Take the GRE
UVA Law also accepts GRE scores, meaning that if you don’t want to retake the LSAT, it’s a perfectly fine alternative.
Create a strong application
If all else fails, one of the best ways to increase your chances to get into UVA Law is to create an incredible application.
That means crafting a compelling personal statement and getting powerful letters of recommendation from the right people.
If you want to explain your scores, you might also consider writing an addendum.
But I rarely recommend including an addendum unless you:
- See a significant change in your scores
- Notice an odd score pattern
- Have significant responsibilities, like raising a family or working full-time
- Don’t have access to the support or resources needed for standardized tests
Read more: Law School Addendum: When & How to Write One
For FAQs on how to get into UVA Law, keep reading!
FAQs: How to get into UVA law
Is UVA Law hard to get into?
The current UVA Law acceptance rate is 11.5%.
Why is it so low?
Because UVA Law is one of the best law schools in the country, ranked alongside others like Harvard Law, Yale Law, and Columbia University Law.
Is UVA a good law school?
Yes, UVA Law is considered by many to be a good law school.
In fact, it was recently ranked as the 7th best law school in the country by US News and World.
It also took the number one spot in Above the Law’s rankings.
What GPA, LSAT and GRE scores do you need for UVA Law?
Here’s another look at the range of GPAs for students who get into UVA Law:
- 75th percentile: 4.00
- 50th percentile: 3.96
- 25th percentile: 3.78
And the LSAT scores for students in the JD Class of 2027:
- 75th percentile: 174
- 50th percentile: 172
- 25th percentile: 167
No data is available for the GRE scores of those who get into UVA Law, but a score of 328 is considered competitive for top law schools.
Next steps
There you have it! Everything you need to know to get into UVA Law.
Sure, it might be one of the best law schools in America, but you can do it – as long as you’re strategic in your approach.
I’ve helped clients craft the kind of applications that get them into their dream law schools, and I can help you, too.
Find out what it’s like to work with me here.
Read more:
The Best Law Schools in the US
How to Get Into Top Law Schools
