How big is the Harvard law class?

Asked by: Kamille Huel  |  Last update: March 8, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (7 votes)

Harvard Law School (HLS) has a large J.D. program, with roughly 560-580 students in each first-year (1L) class, divided into seven sections of about 80 students for core classes, making it one of the largest top law school classes, though they've recently been enrolling around 579 1Ls. The total enrollment is around 1,990 students, including J.D., LL.M., and other graduate students.

How big is a Harvard law class?

Each class in the three-year JD program has approximately 560 students, which is among the largest of the top 150 ranked law schools in the United States.

Why is Harvard Law class size so big?

Law schools and business schools are moneymakers for a university. Overhead is zero — no labs, no special equipment, no field trips, and not many full-time professors. So a law school's operating budget is always in the black. The more students, the more profit.

What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score. 

How big is Harvard's 1L class?

The first-year (1L) class is broken into seven sections of approximately 80 students, who take most first-year classes together.

The Three Things I did to get into Harvard Law School.

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What's the hardest class at Harvard?

The hardest class at Harvard is widely considered to be Math 55, a two-semester freshman course covering abstract algebra, real analysis, and complex analysis, notorious for its extreme difficulty, intense workload (reportedly 20-60+ hours/week on problem sets), high dropout rate (around 70%), and its typical enrollment of top math prodigies from around the world. It's described as condensing four years of math into one, attracting Olympiad participants, and being a significant challenge even for gifted students, with Bill Gates having famously taken it. 

What is the #1 law school in the world?

While rankings vary by source, Harvard Law School consistently ranks as the #1 law school globally in major rankings like QS and Research.com, often followed closely by universities such as Yale, Oxford, Stanford, and Cambridge, with US schools dominating the top spots. Harvard is known for its prestige, extensive resources like the world's largest academic law library, and influential alumni network. 

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.

What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?

Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
 

Did Michelle Obama ever pass a bar exam?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
 

Is it harder to get into Yale law or Harvard Law?

Yale Law School (YLS) is generally considered harder to get into than Harvard Law School (HLS) due to its significantly lower acceptance rate and smaller class size, making it the most selective law school in the U.S., though both are exceptionally difficult with similar elite academic profiles (high GPAs, LSATs). YLS often admits fewer students relative to applicants, focusing on a very small cohort, while HLS accepts a larger number to fill its much bigger class, creating a perception that YLS is more exclusive despite comparable applicant quality, notes Quora users and TestMax. 

How rare is a 177 LSAT?

A 177 LSAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the top 0.5% to 1% of test-takers (above the 99th percentile) and making you a highly competitive applicant for virtually any law school, including the most elite programs like Yale, Harvard, and Stanford, often placing you at or above their median scores.
 

How long should I study for the LSAT?

Most students need 2 to 4 months (150-300 hours) of focused study for the LSAT, balancing intensity with avoiding burnout, with longer timelines (4-6 months) or shorter boot camps (1 month) possible depending on your baseline score, target score, and personal commitments. Key factors are your starting point, goals, and consistent, high-quality practice, emphasizing review over just taking tests. 

How many Harvard Law students pass the bar?

All but 13 of the 608 Harvard law grads who took the attorney licensing exam for the first time last year were successful, for a pass rate of 97.86%. Jumpstart your morning with the latest legal news delivered straight to your inbox from The Daily Docket newsletter.

How big is the Stanford law class?

JD Admissions & Requirements

According to the 2025 ABA 509 Report, Stanford Law School has an entering 1L class size of approximately 193 with an acceptance rate of 8.9%, positioning it among the competitive law schools for JD applicants.

How do people afford Harvard Law School?

Financial aid is offered in the form of both grants (scholarships) and loans. The average grant is approximately half of tuition; for a small number of students with particularly acute financial need, we are able to offer grants covering full tuition and a portion of living expenses.

What is Taylor Swift's SAT score?

Taylor Swift's specific SAT score isn't officially confirmed, but rumors and online discussions often mention a high score, with some claiming she scored 1540 out of 1600, placing her in the 99th percentile, while others point out she chose to focus on her music career and didn't attend a traditional college, making her score less publicized. 

What did Obama get on the SAT?

Barack Obama's exact SAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely rumored to be high, with some sources suggesting a strong ACT score (around 30) and others speculating his SAT score was well above the Columbia University transfer average when he entered, though his performance at Harvard Law (indicated by a high LSAT score, likely 170+) is seen as a better measure of his academic ability, notes Columbia Spectator and SoFlo Tutors. 

Did Mark Zuckerberg get a 1600 on SAT?

Yes, Mark Zuckerberg reportedly scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT before attending Harvard, a common claim alongside other tech moguls like Bill Gates achieving similar top scores during that era of the test. This perfect score highlights his exceptional academic ability, though the SAT scale and test structure have changed since he took it.
 

Did Obama take the LSAT?

This test played an important role in Obama's acceptance to Harvard Law School, setting the stage for his future successes. In this article, we will go into detail why LSAT scores are such a big deal in the world of law. We will see how these scores can bring you to a prestigious law school and set you up for life.

Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?

As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
 

Is the baby bar harder than the bar?

The Baby Bar (FYLSE) often has a lower pass rate (around 20-25%) than the main California Bar Exam (around 40-50%), leading many to say it feels harder, though the difficulty is debated and often attributed to the different test-taker pool (non-ABA students vs. all law grads) and lack of full law school training, making it a significant hurdle for those on an alternative path like Kim Kardashian. While the main bar tests many subjects over two days, the baby bar is shorter (one day, three subjects) but incredibly challenging due to its low success rate and specific focus on first-year law topics for non-traditional students.
 

What is the most respected law school?

There has been great consistency at the top of the U.S. News rankings since their inception, with Yale Law School usually ranking first and considered to be the most prestigious law school in the world.

What is the #1 law firm in the world?

There isn't one single "number 1" law firm, as rankings vary by criteria (revenue, size, prestige, specific practice), but Kirkland & Ellis consistently ranks as the #1 highest-grossing firm globally by revenue, exceeding $8.8 billion in 2024, followed by firms like Latham & Watkins and DLA Piper. For prestige or "feared" status, firms like Quinn Emanuel might top lists, while others excel in specific areas like M&A or IP, so "best" depends on the context.
 

Which country has the best law degree?

Ranking #1 in quality of education, the US offers comprehensive legal training across specialties like corporate law, public interest law, and technology law. With robust post-study work opportunities, students benefit from the expansive US job market and access to top firms and organizations.