Apply

1. Obtain an Entrance Exam score: LSAT or GRE

• Law School Admission Test (LSAT) – You must have taken or be expecting to take the LSAT by April of the year you wish to enroll. The College of Law recommends that you take the LSAT no later than February of the year you wish to enroll. Scores from the tests taken in March and later will be considered, but may delay the admission decision. The final test scores we can consider will be the scores from the April administration. LSAT scores cannot be more than five (5) years old from the date of application to the College of Law. If you submit your application with a declared “Future Test Date”, your application will be placed on HOLD until the score arrives. A decision will be made once all application materials are received. If you have at least one (1) LSAT score on file and would like your application evaluated prior to a future test, you may indicate this on the application. You must have at least one (1) LSAC writing sample on file for your application to be considered complete. If you wish you have your application held until all writing samples are received, please contact the admissions office at lawadmissions@syr.edu.

• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) – You must have taken or be expecting to take the GRE by May 15th of the year you wish to enroll. GRE scores can be no more than five (5) years old from the date of application to the College of Law and must include all test scores in the last five years. Applicants must also submit with their application an addendum explaining their choice to take the GRE over the LSAT. Upon submission of application, applicants choosing to apply with a GRE must inform the Office of Admissions at lawadmissions@syr.edu. A full GRE score report showing all reportable scores should be sent electronically to Syracuse University using school code 4913. Applications without full GRE score reports and a GRE essay are unable to be considered for admission.

2. Register with the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS).

3. Obtain transcripts of all previous college or university study and submit through CAS.

4. Obtain 2-4 letters of recommendation and submit through the CAS. Statements from persons familiar with your qualifications for the study of law, especially professors under whom you have studied, often prove helpful.

5. Submit written materials as follows:

• Resume
• Personal Statement (2 page maximum)
• Optional Addenda (see application for details)
• Why JDi Statement (if applying to JD Interactive program)

• Fall 2025
• Fall 2025- Early Decision
• Transfer or Visitor

• Fall 2025
• Fall 2025 – Early Decision
• Transfer or Visitor

1. You will be taken to the LSAC website to complete your online application and submit all necessary supporting materials.
2. If you have an account with LSAC, use your User ID and Password to log into the system.
3. If you do not yet have an LSAC account, you will need to register for one.
4. Check your application status online. Application statuses will be updated daily, Monday-Friday.
5. Applications will be accepted and reviewed for admission and merit scholarship on a “rolling admissions” basis based on when they are considered complete. If you plan to take a future LSAT, your application will not be reviewed until your new score has been received. Our complete application deadline is August 1st. It is to your advantage to apply sooner rather than later and admission offers will begin being made in January.

1. Complete the financial aid application steps as instructed by the Financial Aid Office.
2. See Complete Financial Aid Timeline [PDF]
3. Note: The Financial Aid priority deadline is March 15th.

The admissions process for master’s programs is separate and must be done through the Syracuse University Graduate School.

Joint degree students can apply to a master’s program at the same time as applying to the College of Law, or during the first year of law school. Joint degree students must begin at the College of Law and will consider the College of Law their home school. Once accepted to the master’s program, students begin graduate coursework in their second year. More information related to joint degrees.

Review the Graduate Admissions Application website for details on graduate programs and steps to apply.

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every US jurisdiction.

Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Admissions decisions will not be affected by participation in or disciplinary action associated with peaceful, meaningful protest. We still ask applicants to disclose any action to comply with rules set forth by most state’s board of bar examiners.

Consult the State Bar Examiner’s Office of the states in which you intend to practice law, regarding character and fitness for admission to the bar.