Do law schools defer acceptance?

Asked by: Coralie Stroman DDS  |  Last update: August 24, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (62 votes)

Law schools may have different policies or reasons as to which requests can be granted. Some schools may require you to provide a reason for deferral, and others may require a written request outlining your plans during the gap year.

Can law schools revoke acceptance?

Deceptive, disrespectful or duplicitous conduct may cause you to lose your acceptance to law school.

Is a 3.7 GPA good to get into law school?

A good standard for above average law schools tends to be a 160 LSAT and a 3.5 GPA. However even amongst that people will tell you a 3.7 and a 165 is better. Really just depends on you. Many good law schools ( well above average) will take a 3.5 160. In my opinion average law schools are around the 100 mark.

Can you defer acceptance to Harvard law?

If you have already submitted the Admissions Response Form, you may request a deferral by submitting the Deferral Request Form through your online status checker by May 1, 2025.

Do law schools care about what school you went to?

In one word, NO. Law schools care about many things: your GPA, your LSAT, the story you tell, the obstacles you've overcome.

Deferring From Law School! And, Why I Chose Duke Law!

28 related questions found

Is 174 a good LSAT?

So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.

Can you get into Harvard law with a 3.5 GPA?

The most recent Harvard Law entering class had a median GPA of 3.92; the lowest GPA accepted was 3.82. As such, Harvard does not consider a 3.0 GPA competitive, so it's very unlikely you will get into it if you have this GPA.

What are valid reasons to defer law school?

Most schools review deferral requests on a case-by-case basis. However, U.S. News states unexpected circumstances that make it difficult for a student to attend law school immediately or once-in-a-lifetime academic or professional opportunities are the two main reasons to defer law school.

What did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

Elle Woods, a fictional character portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Legally Blonde, is known for her remarkable LSAT score—179 out of 180. Portrayed as a stereotypical "valley girl," she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School in the movie that has since become a cult favorite.

Is 160 a good LSAT score?

According to U.S. News, law school admissions experts recommend striving for at least a 150; however, for a top-ranking law school, you should aim for a 160 or better. For a Top 10 law school, a 170 or more is desired.

How rare is a 176 LSAT?

Less than 1% of test takers score a 176. It's a very hard thing to do. Don't let this sub skew your perception of what's realistic.

Is a 3.6 GPA too low for law school?

A low GPA for law schools will entirely depend on your goals. If your GPA is at or below a school's 25th percentile, your GPA will be considered low for that school. So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low.

What are softs for law school?

Softs refer to everything in your application that isn't "hard" data.

Do law schools reject quickly?

In rare cases, some applicants may receive an answer within a few weeks, but the process typically takes 2–4 months. If your application is placed on hold or if you are placed on a wait list then it may take several additional months to receive a final decision.

Does reapplying to law school hurt your chances?

Reapplying will in no way disadvantage you. In fact, as long as you didn't reject a school, you will likely get a small boost for reapplying to a school, especially if you were waitlisted there. It shows how committed you truly are. I also recommend reapplying over appealing a law school rejection letter.

Can you negotiate with law schools?

While some schools state openly negotiations are not an option (do not even try at these schools), many will entertain a dialogue to assist students with a financially feasible way to pay for school.

What did Obama make on the LSAT?

During his time, the median LSAT scores for Harvard Law were generally between 170 and 175. This suggests that the Obama LSAT scores were within this range, placing him in the top percentiles of test-takers.

How rare is a 180 LSAT?

How Hard Is It To Get A Perfect Score On The LSAT? According to LSAC, only 119 test-takers out of nearly 60,000 achieved this in 2022. So when you ask, “How many people get a 180 on the LSAT?” the answer highlights the rarity and difficulty of this achievement.

Is Legally Blonde realistic?

OVERALL (fairly accurate!)

After going through it myself - overall impression of Legally Blonde? Not too shabby! I'd say the class/school scenes are pretty accurate, as well as Elle's transition from totally uncomfortable to realizing that she deserves to be at Harvard Law.

Do law schools prefer a gap year?

The good news is, a gap year usually does more good than harm. Law school admissions boards love a well-rounded applicant, and any applicant who takes a year or two off to learn a little bit about life will stand out in most applicant pools.

Why do law students drop out?

Poor grades are a major driving factor behind many students dropping out. Some students may come into law school overconfident and very sure that they will succeed on top of their class, so when this doesn't happen, they may feel dejected to the point of dropping out.

Should you list other law schools you're applying to?

Good lawyers know the difference between answering truthfully and showing all your cards. Unless an application specifically asks for every school to which you are applying, consider including only nearby or similarly ranked law schools.

What is the hardest law school in the 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.

Do law schools care what college you went to?

Attending a well-known or prestigious college may provide a slight edge, but it will not compensate for significantly weaker academic or test performance. That being said, the benefit of a prestigious undergrad education is the network it can provide you, which can help in law school applications.

What is the lowest GPA Harvard Law will accept?

A high GPA is 3.99 and the median is 3.92. There's no lowest GPA but you probably won't get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA. Your GPA still needs to be somewhat competitive with the median GPA. That said, you can get into Harvard Law School even if your GPA is 3.82 or lower.