Do American law schools accept international students?
Asked by: Adolph Flatley | Last update: October 26, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (12 votes)
Law schools in the United States will accept international students from across the world. If you are an international student, you may want to think carefully about whether or not a US Law degree will be useful for you in your future career plans.
Do US law schools accept international students?
Most law schools in the US accept international applications.
Can I practice law in the US as an international student?
Internationally educated lawyers who want to practice law in the U.S. must verify minimum legal education requirements, pass the bar examination in the jurisdiction where they will be working, and demonstrate strong moral character and fitness to serve as legal counsel.
Can I go to law school with an international studies degree?
There is no pre-law curriculum in the United States; essentially law schools will take you regardless of your major if your grade point average and law board scores are high enough.
Can an international student take the LSAT?
The exam is offered multiple times a year worldwide. You can find international test dates, designated testing centers, and register at lsac.org.
U.S. law school admissions for international students
Is it harder to get into law school as an international student?
Applying to law school can be difficult for anyone, but foreign applicants face extra challenges. Still, getting in can be within reach with the right outlook, advice and support.
Does Harvard law accept international students?
Each year we receive many applications from international students. The Admissions Committee is experienced in international admissions and has specific knowledge regarding foreign universities.
What is the cheapest law school in the US?
The cheapest law schools in the US are the University of the District of Columbia law school and the University of North Dakota law school, which are cheapest only for in-state residents.
What is the best major for international law?
What Major Can I Pursue to Study International Law? Most bachelor's degree programs that touch on international law issues award a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Studies or a B.A. in International Relations.
Which states accept foreign law degrees?
Most states do require a J.D. degree for a US law school in order to sit for the bar exam. There are some states which do allow foreign law graduates to sit for the bar exam, including New York, California, New Hampshire, Alabama, and Virginia.
What is the hardest bar exam in the US?
Which bar exam is hardest? California is considered by many to be the most difficult bar exam. It has a relatively low pass rate and a relatively high minimum passing score and covers a lot of state law.
What is the average salary for a lawyer in the US?
How much does a Lawyer make in USA? The average lawyer salary in the USA is $110,224 per year or $52.99 per hour. Entry level positions start at $88,290 per year while most experienced workers make up to $170,294 per year.
Can international students practice law in us?
International students have multiple options for how they can study law in the US. Remember that if you want to practice law in the US, you must earn a J.D. through one of the following paths: Earn a bachelor's degree in the US and stay in the US to earn a J.D.
Does Yale law accept international students?
All of our applicants are given full consideration, regardless of citizenship. Yale Law School's scholarly community is globally extensive, and part of our institutional commitment to diversity includes the enrollment of an internationally diverse class.
Which law school has the most international students?
First-Year Students
The identity of that “most international” JD program may surprise you: it's Detroit Mercy's law school. How did Detroit Mercy end up with a first-year class that includes 89 international students (44.3% of their class)?
Which law schools offer international law?
- New York University.
- Harvard University.
- Yale University.
- Columbia University.
- Georgetown University.
- University of Michigan--Ann Arbor.
- Cornell University.
- University of California, Berkeley.
Does international law pay well?
International Lawyer Salary. $79,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $131,000 is the 90th percentile.
How many years is a JD degree?
A traditional, full-time JD program lasts three years. There are some accelerated programs that allow individuals to complete their degrees in just two years or their undergraduate and JD degrees in a total of six years. Part-time JD programs usually take four years (or more) to finish.
What is the hardest law school in USA?
1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. Only around 1 in 15 of their highly qualified applicants makes it through.
How much does law school cost for 4 years?
How Much Is Law School Tuition? For the 2023–2024 year, the cost of attending private law schools can range from $12,000–$80,000 a year, with an average cost of $53,034 a year. Public law schools range from $12,000 to $60,000 for in-state students, averaging $29,610 annually.
What LSAT score do I need for a full scholarship?
What LSAT Score Do I Need for a Full Scholarship? It depends on what type of scholarship you're hoping to be granted. Needs-based scholarships don't require a high LSAT score. However, to be considered for a merit-based scholarship, it's wise to have a score close to 170.
What GPA do you need to get into Harvard as an international student?
You should also have a 4.2 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
Does Yale offer international law?
Yale Law School's international law curriculum provides an array of traditional courses, smaller seminars, and clinical/experiential learning opportunities, from classic courses in International Law, Business Transactions, Constitutional, or Criminal Law, to clinical offerings in immigration, human rights, the ...