Does Harvard law require LSAT or GRE?
Asked by: Gay Heathcote | Last update: August 31, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (61 votes)
Harvard Law School accepts either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not have a preference for either exam. Similarly, a candidate is not considered more committed by taking both exams or disadvantaged by taking the same exam multiple times.
Does Harvard Law School require LSAT?
What are the eligibility requirements for applying to the Harvard Law School J.D. program? You are eligible to apply if you will have a bachelor's degree by August of the year you intend to enroll at HLS. You must also take either the LSAT or GRE tests as part of your application requirements.
Is a 172 LSAT good enough for Harvard?
172 LSAT is average for Harvard law. So, that's excellent already. Even with a 3.4 GPA, if he can get that LSAT up to, say, 175+ (which then begins the luck zone even for most top scorers), he's looking at probably admission into at least one of Harvard, Yale, or Stanford (the top 3).
Do any law schools not require LSAT or GRE?
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.
Can I get into Harvard Law with a 3.8 GPA?
While the LSAT score and GPA are significant factors, Harvard Law considers applicants holistically, valuing diversity and unique perspectives. The LSAT score for Harvard Law School typically falls within the 169-175 range, while the average GPA for admitted students is between 3.8 and 4.0.
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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 a 3.8 GPA too low for Ivy League?
To get into most Ivy League schools, you'll need an average GPA between 3.9 and 4.0. However, if you're aiming for a top Ivy League university such as Stanford, MIT, or others, a 4.0 GPA — or close to it — is expected.
Does Harvard Law prefer LSAT or GRE?
Harvard Law School accepts either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not have a preference for either exam. Similarly, a candidate is not considered more committed by taking both exams or disadvantaged by taking the same exam multiple times.
Why is the LSAT no longer required?
Certain law schools have made the LSAT optional because they believe it doesn't provide a complete picture of an applicant's potential for success in law school or the legal profession.
Does Yale require LSAT?
Yale Law School requires only one LSAT writing sample. Applicants who take the LSAT more than once do not need to submit multiple writing samples. It may take up to three weeks for LSAC to process and report your LSAT Writing.
How bad is a 135 on the LSAT?
As previously stated, the score range for any LSAT exam is 120 to 180, but the average score is about 150. However, most of the top ten law schools require a candidate to have scored at least 165 on the LSAT.
Is the LSAT or GRE harder?
For most test-takers, there are several reasons why the LSAT® is simply more intimidating than the GRE: Timing and Difficulty Level: Unless you're a wickedly fast reader, you're probably going to run out of time on the LSAT®, and that's not a fun experience.
What GPA is required for Harvard law?
As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School. If you have a GPA of 3.94 or higher and above a 175, you are pretty much a lock for admission, particularly given the class size of ~560.
Is the LSAT going away in 2025?
The ABA's House of Delegates will vote on the Council's proposed change in February 2023. If the House votes to nix Standard 503, the standardized-test requirement won't go away until 2025. So, the LSAT isn't definitely going away, and it's definitely not going away until 2025.
Is it bad to take the LSAT too many times?
Fortunately, there is no longer a penalty for taking the LSAT more than once. Law schools typically take an applicant's highest score. Still, there are downsides to retaking the test, like lost time and the risk of a lower score that could make your highest score look like a fluke.
Are law schools dropping the LSAT?
Update: As of spring 2023, the ABA has paused this change to their LSAT requirement. Beginning in the fall of 2025, law school applicants may be able to skip the formidable task of studying for and taking the LSAT.
How expensive is the LSAT?
What fees are associated with the LSAT? It costs $222 to take the LSAT and receive one free score report. In addition, subscription to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is required for application for most law schools. This subscription costs $200 and includes on score report for $45.
How hard is it to get into Harvard Law?
Harvard Law is a T-14 law school, and admission is competitive. Approximately 1 in 10 applicants are accepted; you'll need a stellar application to stand out.
How hard is it to get a 175 on the LSAT?
The LSAT is scored on a bell curve, ranging from 120 to 180. On recent tests, the hump of the curve has centered around 153. Percentiles vary slightly between tests, but generally around 25% of test-takers score 160 or higher, 5% score 170 or higher, and 1% score 175 or higher. Only one in 1,000 test-takers scores 180.
What matters more LSAT or GPA?
Those rankings unquestionably value median LSAT score more highly than they do UGPA; in fact, a peek at the full details of the rankings (only available to those willing to pony up $29.95 for inside access) shows the LSAT score placed front and center, whereas it takes several clicks and some scrolling to discover the ...
Is a 4.7 GPA good for Harvard?
GPA requirements for Harvard
At Harvard, the standard GPA is 4.18. (While some schools publish an unweighted GPA, most utilize a weighted GPA out of 4.0.) Harvard needs you to be at the top of your class with a GPA of 4.18.
Can you get into Dartmouth with a 3.8 GPA?
For context, the middle 50% range for unweighted GPA for admitted students is usually around 3.8-4.0 (on a 4.0 scale). However, you don't need to be within this range to be admitted, as they'll also evaluate other factors such as your extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Can I get into UChicago with a 3.8 GPA?
GPA: While UChicago doesn't have a minimum GPA requirement, the incoming class typically has an unweighted GPA between 3.8 and 4.0 (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrating strong academic performance and course rigor.