If you’re hoping to get into Vanderbilt Law School, you’re in the right place.
Vanderbilt is highly competitive – but you CAN get in.
Ultimately, it’s all about having the right strategy.
Which I’ll show you in this guide.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
What programs does Vanderbilt Law School offer?
Vanderbilt Law School offers four degree programs:
Dual-degree programs are also available.
As part of their degree, Vanderbilt Law students are able to pursue specific areas of interest, with academic programs including:
- Criminal Justice
- Energy, Environment, and Land Use
- Law & Business
- Law, Brain Sciences, and Behavior
- International Studies
Today, we’ll focus on how to get into the JD program.
Vanderbilt Law School admissions statistics
You may be wondering, what exactly does it take to get into Vanderbilt Law School? Let’s find out.
Who gets into Vanderbilt Law School
A total of 160 students make up the Class of 2027.
Of those students:
- 59% are female
- 41% are male
- 37% are students of color
While the median age is 23, the majority of students graduated college at least a year before going to Vanderbilt.
What GPA do you need to get into Vanderbilt Law School?
So what about test scores?
Here are the GPA results of those who get into Vanderbilt Law School:
- 75th percentile: 3.94
- 50th percentile: 3.89
- 25th percentile: 3.66
What LSAT score do you need to get into Vanderbilt Law?
The average LSAT score of students who get into Vanderbilt Law School is 169.
Here’s a look at the full range:
- 75th percentile: 170
- 50th percentile: 169
- 25th percentile: 163
As you can see, these scores are high. But that doesn’t mean yours have to be.
I’ll explain more later – first, let’s look at acceptance rates and rankings.
Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt’s 2024 acceptance rate was 18.45%.
This was higher than previous years:
Rankings
While Vanderbilt isn’t a T14 school, it’s still one of the best law schools in the US:
- #19 Best Law School – US News and World Report
- #10 Best Law School – Above the Law
- #1 Best Quality of Life – Princeton Review
Ready to find out how to get into Vanderbilt Law School, even with lower scores? Then let’s dive in.
How do you get into Vanderbilt Law School with lower GPA or LSAT scores?
Now, even the most competitive law schools have some flexibility around GPA and LSAT scores.
With that in mind, let’s break down the scores of students who get into Vanderbilt Law.
For the Class of 2027, the highest reported GPA was 3.94, while the lowest was 3.66. That’s a noticeable gap, right?
That gap just goes to show that you don’t need a near-perfect GPA to get into Vanderbilt Law.
And the same applies to your LSAT score.
While the top LSAT score at Vanderbilt Law was 170, the lowest accepted score was 163 – nearly a ten-point difference!
So where does that leave you?
Well, if your numbers are within reach of Vanderbilt’s median, you still have a shot.
After all, the admissions committee takes a holistic approach to applications. That means they consider more than just your scores.
Here’s what they say about it:
“We evaluate each application thoroughly and holistically, reflecting our belief that the quality of the educational environment at Vanderbilt Law School benefits from considering a range of information far broader than your GPA and LSAT score.”
Now, that doesn’t mean you can get into Vanderbilt Law School with a 3.3 GPA or 160 LSAT. But something along the lines of a 3.7 or 165 would probably be enough.
If your GPA or LSAT is on the lower end, there are a few ways to bolster your chances.
Retake the LSAT
First off, if your LSAT score isn’t where you’d like it to be, there’s no shame in retaking it (especially if you think you can improve your score).
You can take it five times within five years and three times in a single testing year.
My advice? Stop at try number three – otherwise, you might raise some concerns among the admissions team and hurt your chances.
Read more: When Should You Take the LSAT?
Create a strong application
Another way to make up for lower scores is to build a strong application.
Remember, the admissions team takes a holistic approach. So things like your undergraduate coursework, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and work experience can all make a HUGE difference.
I’ll tell you how to make them as impactful as possible in the next section, so keep reading!
Application requirements for Vanderbilt Law School
In short, here’s what you’ll need to submit to get into Vanderbilt Law School:
- $70 application fee
- Bachelor’s degree, application, and transcript
- CAS report
- LSAT score
- Personal and Lived Experience statements
- At least two but up to three letters of recommendation
- Law school resume
- Alumni interview (optional)
Let’s dive into these in a bit more detail.
Bachelor’s degree
To get into Vanderbilt Law School, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university before the fall semester.
While you don’t need to major in anything specific, remember that the average GPA is 3.89.
Application and transcript
When you’ve completed your application, you’ll need to submit it alongside the $70 application fee. You should also include transcripts from ANY undergraduate or graduate work you’ve done.
Credential Assembly Service Law School report
Your CAS Law School report is another thing the admissions team will want to see. This includes:
- LSAT score and writing samples
- Transcripts
- Undergraduate academic summary
- Letters of recommendation
Standardized test scores
In terms of standardized test scores, Vanderbilt Law only accepts LSAT scores.
However, if you don’t plan to take the LSAT, JD-Next is an alternative option.
This is an eight-week online law school prep course that comes complete with its own entrance exam. If you’re interested, you can learn more about the program here.
Two statements
You’re also required to submit two two-page statements to the admissions team.
The first is a lived experience statement that speaks to “aspects of your background and experiences that you believe would contribute to the educational environment.”
The other is a personal statement – which I personally think is one of the most powerful parts of your application.
Why do I think that?
Well, when my scores weren’t up to par, I thought I might miss out on my dream school.
But I wrote a powerful personal statement that got me noticed – and it’s what helped me get into Penn Law!
Here’s what Vanderbilt’s looking for in your personal statement:
“You may write about any topic that you feel will help readers of your application get a sense of you as a person and as a prospective law student, such as your motivation to pursue law; your personal and professional goals and interests; or your thoughts on engaging the intellectual, experiential, and professional resources and opportunities that law school and the legal profession offer.”
A lot of my students get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of possible topics.
I tell them each the same thing…
Choose an informative, understandable topic that strengthens your application.
For example:
- Why you want to get into Vanderbilt Law School
- Any skills or characteristics that set you apart
- A memorable personal story that highlights why you want to be a lawyer
Here are some resources to get you started:
- Successful Law School Personal Statement Example
- Top Law School Personal Statement Topics
- Law School Personal Statement Topics to Avoid
Letters of recommendation
Now, letters of recommendation are a seriously underrated piece of your application.
They’re what give the admissions team a more complete picture of who you are, not only as a student but as a future lawyer.
Vanderbilt requires at least two letters, but they’ll accept up to three (which is how many I recommend submitting for a truly holistic view).
The big question is, who do you ask?
Vanderbilt prefers letters from professors who have taught you or advised you on research projects. After all, they’ve seen your academic abilities up close.
But don’t worry if you’ve been out of school for a while or simply can’t get a letter from a professor.
Vanderbilt will also accept letters from an employer or supervisor who can speak to your skills, work ethic, and leadership potential.
Regardless of who you ask, you’ll need to plan ahead and give your recommenders plenty of time to write thoughtful letters.
Law school resume
When it comes to your law school resume, it’s more than just a list of your jobs and activities.
It’s your chance to fill in any gaps in your application and illustrate the skills and experiences that make you the perfect candidate to get into Vanderbilt Law School.
That includes things like your:
- Analytical and writing abilities
- Work ethic
- Language skills
Ultimately, your resume should support the rest of your application’s theme.
So, I recommend using the following headers to organize it effectively:
- Education
- Professional experience or employment
- Activities
- Community engagement
- Publications
- Accomplishments
- Skills and interests
You’ll also need to think about formatting, language, and even font.
I know, it’s a lot to fit into two pages – but I’ll walk you through the process and show real-life examples in this guide.
Optional alumni interview
Finally, Vanderbilt Law offers optional admission interviews with alumni – and I highly recommend you take part.
Why?
Because it’s a chance to go beyond your application and make a strong impression on someone who has graduated from the program you’re applying to!
If you want to participate, just fill out the admission interview section of your application and submit it before November 15.
Keep in mind that not everyone is matched with an alumni – in some cases, you might be matched with an admissions officer.
If you don’t get to participate, don’t panic! Taking a strategic approach to your application will make up for it.
So, now you know how to get into Vanderbilt Law School.
But how much does it cost to actually attend? Read on to find out.
Vanderbilt Law School tuition fee and financial aid
Here’s a quick look at the annual cost of attending Vanderbilt Law:
| Tuition & Fees | $75,440 |
| Indirect costs | $34,369 |
| Total estimated cost | $109,809 |
Admitted students are considered for merit scholarships and can apply for other loans, grants, and awards.
You can learn more here.
Still have questions about how to get into Vanderbilt Law School? I’ll answer them next.
FAQs: How to get into Vanderbilt Law School
Is it hard to get into Vanderbilt Law School?
With an 18.45% acceptance rate, Vanderbilt is highly selective.
After all, the average LSAT is 169, with most admitted students scoring between 163 and 170.
GPA-wise, the middle 50% falls between 3.66 and 3.94.
But it’s not impossible to get into Vanderbilt Law School with lower scores.
A standout personal statement, great letters of recommendation, and solid experience can make all the difference.
What are the application deadlines for Vanderbilt Law School?
Here are the dates to mark on your calendar:
| September 1 | Applications open |
| November 1 | Binding Early Decision deadline |
| April 1 | Regular Decision deadline |
See more details here.
Next steps
And that’s it!
It’s not easy to get into Vanderbilt Law School, but if you’re strategic, you can make it happen.
If you want expert guidance to help you stand out and maximize your chances, I’m here to help.
100% of my clients have got into at least one of their top 10 schools, and with my assistance, you can too.
Find out what it’s like to work with me here.
Read more:
How to get into USC Gould School of Law
