This may be a surprise: you don’t need to take the LSAT to apply for law school. Yes, that’s even true for some of the most well-respected law schools, like those at Stanford and Harvard. Why? Because those universities are LSAT-optional law schools.
You likely have questions: What does “LSAT optional” even mean, exactly? Does it mean you don’t need to take any standardized exam at all? Should you still take the LSAT to demonstrate your aptitude for legal studies? Or is opting for another standardized exam, like the GRE, a more strategic choice for your law school application?
Those are all questions worth considering as you apply to law school. This blog post will tell you everything you need to know!
Specifically, we’ll discuss why:
Over half of the ABA-accredited law schools no longer require the LSAT
You may still want to take the LSAT even if you apply to an LSAT-optional law school
You may prefer to take the GRE instead of the LSAT
Let’s begin!
Are there any schools that don’t require the LSAT?
Yes. There are many law schools that don’t require the LSAT. In fact, of the 199 ABA-accredited law schools, only 99 require applicants to submit LSAT scores. The other 100 ABA-accredited law schools allow applicants to choose to submit scores from the LSAT or the GRE.
Why have so many law schools started accepting the GRE? The shift in admissions policies is partly driven by a desire to attract a more diverse pool of applicants and a recognition that individuals with varied academic backgrounds and strengths can excel in law school.
There are also some law schools that allow applicants to submit scores from other standardized tests, such as the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
For example, the University of Iowa College of Law allows applicants from its undergraduate college to apply through the Kinnick Law Program. Applicants from this program can submit scores from the GMAT, GRE, SAT, or ACT instead of the LSAT. However, applicants to Iowa without LSAT scores will have limited access to scholarship assistance.
The University of Chicago Law School is another example of a great school that accepts GMAT scores. However, this option is only available to applicants who meet specific requirements. For instance, UChicago graduate students wishing to pursue a dual degree in law may submit GMAT scores instead of LSAT scores.
Key Takeaway: Yes, plenty of schools don’t require the LSAT, but check the fine print for each school on your list to see if not submitting an LSAT score limits you in any way.
Top law schools that don’t require the LSAT
Many highly-respected law schools, including many of the T14 law schools, don’t require the LSAT. Such as, you say? Here are a few examples of highly-ranked LSAT-optional law schools. (And again, notice how submission requirements and their impacts vary from school to school.)
Stanford University Law School
Stanford University Law School allows applicants to submit GRE scores or LSAT scores. However, if you’re admitted with a GRE score and later take the LSAT, the admissions committee will consider your LSAT score and may reevaluate your admissions offer. This is a common practice across admission committees at many law schools that accept GRE scores.
Harvard Law School
Applicants to Harvard Law School’s JD program must submit scores from the LSAT, GRE, or both. Applicants must submit all valid test scores from the previous five-year period for either exam.
Yale Law School
Yale Law School accepts scores from the LSAT or GRE. However, applicants can only submit scores from one standardized test. The applicant cannot submit a GRE score if they have a reportable LSAT score. If the applicant chooses to submit GRE scores, they must submit all GRE scores from the previous five-year period.
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
The Pritzker School of Law accepts scores from the LSAT, GRE, or both. The school’s website lists no preference or special requirements for submitting scores from either exam as long as scores are from the previous five-year period.
UC Berkeley School of Law
Applicants to the UC Berkeley School of Law JD program can submit an LSAT or GRE score taken within the last five years. In limited circumstances, applicants may also submit GMAT scores.
Cornell University School of Law
A complete Cornell University School of Law application requires scores from the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT. The university’s website lists no preference or special requirements for submitting LSAT, GRE, or GMAT scores as long as scores are from the previous five-year period.
Cornell University, Hobart William Smith Colleges, and St. Lawrence University undergraduate students can also apply to Cornell Law through the 3+3 program, which accepts LSAT, ACT, or SAT scores.
UCLA School of Law
UCLA requires students to submit test scores from the LSAT, GRE, or both. Applicants must submit scores from either or both tests from the previous five-year period. UCLA Law states that it does not have a preference for either standardized test.
Columbia Law School
Applicants to Columbia Law School can submit scores from the LSAT or the GRE. Applicants seeking admission with GRE scores must provide all GRE test scores from the previous five-year period, along with any LSAT test scores obtained during the same timeframe. Alternatively, applicants can submit only LSAT test scores, even if they have previously taken the GRE.
NYU School of Law
The NYU School of Law accepts scores from the LSAT or GRE. Applicants must submit all valid scores from the previous five-year period.
Duke University School of Law
Duke University School of Law allows applicants to submit test scores from the LSAT or GRE. If you take both tests, you may choose to report only LSAT scores or both LSAT and GRE scores. However, if you’re admitted with a GRE score and later take the LSAT, the admissions committee will consider your LSAT score and may reevaluate your admissions offer.
And in case that’s not enough, here are…
11 more great law schools that don’t require the LSAT
UPenn Carey Law School
UPenn Carey Law School accepts test scores from the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT. The university’s website lists no preference or special requirements for submitting LSAT, GRE, or GMAT scores as long as scores are from the previous five-year period.
UChicago Law School
The UChicago Law School allows applicants to submit scores from the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT. The school’s website lists no preference or special requirements for submitting scores from the LSAT or GRE as long as scores are from the previous five-year period.
As noted earlier in this blog post, UChicago law applicants can only submit GMAT scores if they meet certain criteria.
University of Iowa College of Law
University of Iowa College of Law applicants can submit scores from the LSAT or GRE. Participants in the undergraduate college’s Kinnick Law Program also have the option to apply to the law school with scores from the GRE, GMAT, ACT, or SAT. However, scholarship assistance is only available for applicants who submit LSAT scores.
St. John’s University School of Law
St. John’s University School of Law accepts test scores from the LSAT or GRE. The school’s website lists no preference or special requirements for submitting scores from either standardized test.
Wake Forest University School of Law
The Wake Forest University School of Law accepts test scores from the LSAT or GRE. Applicants who want their admissions decisions based on GRE scores should not take the LSAT. If the applicant has valid LSAT scores, GRE scores are invalid for the admissions process.
University of Maryland Carey School of Law
University of Maryland Carey School of Law applicants can submit test scores from the LSAT or GRE. The school’s website lists no preference or special requirements for submitting scores from either exam as long as scores are from the previous five-year period.
Georgetown Law School
Georgetown Law allows applicants to submit LSAT, GRE, or GMAT scores. Applicants for the law school’s Evening Program can apply test-optional if they do not currently have valid LSAT scores. Georgetown University juniors can apply through the Early Assurance program without LSAT, GRE, or GMAT scores.
USC Gould School of Law
The USC Gould School of Law accepts scores from the LSAT, GRE, or both. However, Early Decision and Rothman Scholar applicants must apply with LSAT scores.
UT Austin School of Law
UT Austin School of Law applicants can submit test scores from the LSAT or GRE. The school’s website lists no preference or special requirements for submitting scores from either exam as long as scores are from the previous five-year period.
University of Virginia School of Law
UVA Law allows applicants to submit LSAT, GRE, or GMAT scores. Applicants must submit all scores from the previous five-year period, regardless of the chosen exam.
Boston University School of Law
BU Law applicants can submit test scores from the LSAT or GRE. However, applicants for any binding decision program (e.g., Early Decision) must submit LSAT scores.
Do I need to take the LSAT?
It depends—many law schools still require the LSAT, and some use it to determine things like scholarships, so depending on your goals and list of target law schools, you may want to take the LSAT anyway. If you don’t take the LSAT, you will be limited to only applying to LSAT-optional schools (and there are many amazing LSAT-optional schools). If you strongly prefer to avoid taking the LSAT, you should consider the GRE. It’s the most widely accepted alternative standardized test to satisfy law school admissions requirements.
LSAT vs GRE for law school admissions
The LSAT and GRE have their own set of advantages and drawbacks. Here’s an overview of the most important pros and cons when considering the LSAT vs GRE for your law school applications.
LSAT Pros
Specialized for Law. The LSAT is specifically designed to assess skills crucial for success in law school. It gauges analytical reasoning and critical thinking abilities, providing a targeted evaluation for legal education. (As in, your LSAT score can probably help you gauge to some degree what your law school experience will be like.)
Tradition and Familiarity. Many law schools have a long-standing preference for the LSAT, valuing its tradition and the familiarity it offers in assessing potential law students. As such, all law schools accept the LSAT, while only a select number of schools accept the GRE.
Scholarship Eligibility. Some law schools tie scholarship eligibility directly to LSAT scores. A strong performance on the LSAT can significantly enhance an applicant's chances of securing merit-based scholarships, providing tangible financial incentives for those who excel on the exam.
LSAT Cons
Limited Transferability. Unlike the GRE, which is accepted by a broad range of disciplines and graduate programs, the LSAT may pose a constraint for individuals considering alternative paths outside of law school.
Cognitive Demand. The LSAT's focus on analytical reasoning and critical thinking can be challenging for certain test-takers. The depth of intellectual engagement required, particularly in the logical reasoning sections, may demand intensive preparation, potentially making it a more mentally taxing experience compared to the GRE.
Scoring Variability. The LSAT scoring system may exhibit more variability in individual performance due to its unique structure. This variability can introduce added stress for test-takers, as slight fluctuations in performance may have a more significant impact on overall scores, influencing admission outcomes.
GRE Pros
Versatility. The GRE stands out for its broad acceptance across a diverse spectrum of graduate programs, making it an excellent choice for individuals contemplating various academic paths not limited to law school.
Quantitative Section. The GRE's inclusion of a math section caters to applicants with strong quantitative skills, allowing them to showcase a broader skill set that encompasses not only verbal and analytical reasoning but also mathematical proficiency.
Flexible Testing Options. The GRE offers enhanced convenience with more flexible testing options. Test takers can choose from various test dates, and the ability to take the GRE at home adds an extra layer of flexibility. This accessibility gives candidates greater control over their testing environment and schedule, a feature not as readily available with the LSAT.
GRE Cons
Lack of Specialization. The GRE, designed to assess general qualitative and quantitative skills, lacks the field-specific relevance found in the LSAT. This absence of specialization may raise concerns for law school admissions committees, as a GRE score may not provide a comprehensive evaluation of skills required for success in legal studies.
Changing Landscape. Despite a growing acceptance trend, the GRE is not universally embraced by all law schools. The varying attitudes among institutions mean that some applicants may encounter challenges in finding schools that accept the GRE, potentially limiting their choices in the application process.
Test Structure Complexity. While designed to tailor the difficulty of questions to an individual's performance, the GRE's adaptive format introduces a layer of complexity. This adaptability can be perceived as challenging for certain test-takers, as it requires them to navigate a shifting difficulty level throughout the exam, potentially impacting the overall test-taking experience and anxiety levels.
Final thoughts on LSAT-optional law schools
Key Takeaways:
LSAT-optional law schools provide applicants with greater flexibility in the admissions process. However, even if you don’t need to submit LSAT scores with your law school applications, you’ll still very likely (as in, almost guaranteed) need to submit scores from another standardized exam, such as the GRE.
Consider carefully the pros and cons of applying to law school without the LSAT to ensure you make an informed decision aligned with your academic strengths, career goals, and the specific requirements of the law schools you're considering.
If you're looking for additional resources to help you on your path to becoming a lawyer, we recommend speaking with our graduate school admissions consultants. We can help you craft a strong personal statement and navigate the law school application process.
So, why wait? Schedule a consultation and begin taking the next step in your law school journey!
Special thanks to Ameer for writing this blog post
Ameer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
Top values: Growth / Diversity / Empathy
