How likely are you to get off a law school waitlist?
Asked by: Aiden Ullrich | Last update: November 14, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (19 votes)
Typically most law schools accept between 5-10% of their waitlist each year.
How likely is it to get off a law school waitlist?
Realistically, your chances of getting of a law school waitlist this cycle are slim. There are simply so many people on the waitlists that your odds of being the one to get off are not high. Though if your stats are within the school's median numbers, you are more likely to get off the waitlist.
How likely is it to get accepted after being waitlisted?
While many colleges will waitlist hundreds or even thousands of students, not all of those students will accept a spot on the waitlist, making the pool and the chances of getting in slightly better in some cases. According to NACAC, 20% of all students who chose to remain on waitlists were ultimately admitted.
Is a waitlist basically a rejection?
The meaning of waitlisted is pretty simple: you haven't been offered acceptance, nor have you been rejected. You are currently being held on a waitlist and might eventually be accepted if a spot opens up. Schools use the waiting list to deal with the uncertainty of the admissions process.
Is a 3.7 GPA too low for law school?
The average GPA for law school is between 3.91. However, like LSAT scores, it's important to understand that the specific average GPA can differ depending on the law school and its level of competitiveness. Top-ranking law schools often expect higher average GPAs, typically ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 or even higher.
law school applications | my process and decision
Can a 2.5 GPA get you into law school?
So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least a 2.5. That is realistically the lowest GPA you can have to get into law school.
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 waitlist a rejection law school?
Being waitlisted means that the law school is extremely interested in you, but at that time cannot formally offer you a spot in their class—though they may be able to in the near future. So, it's important to maintain communication with the program so that they know you haven't accepted an offer elsewhere.
How many students get accepted from waitlist?
According to recent data from the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, colleges on average admit 20% of students off the waitlist. At the most selective institutions, that figure was 7%.
How can I increase my chances of getting off the waitlist?
- MOST IMPORTANT! Write the school a short essay to demonstrate your continued interest! ...
- Look for other ways to show continued interest in the school. ...
- Make sure to accept your spot on the waitlist. ...
- Submit a deposit to another school. ...
- Only focus on things that are in your control. ...
- Be ready to decide if you do get accepted.
How do colleges decide who gets off the waitlist?
Get the 411
Once a university can better gauge its enrollment numbers, the school can begin to offer vacant spots to candidates from the waitlist. The waitlist isn't ranked; instead, admissions officers review the school's institutional needs and decide whom to admit from the waitlist based on those factors.
Do international students get off the waitlist?
For international applicants, the uncertainty of being on a waitlist is compounded by concerns over securing a student visa in time for enrollment. However, most colleges admit students from their waitlists in time for international students to obtain their visas.
What are the chances of getting into Harvard if you are waitlisted?
Harvard University Waitlist Acceptance Rate. Over the last 30 years, about 39% of students who come to Ivy Coach after being waitlisted by Harvard earn admission (photo credit: Chensiyuan). If you've been waitlisted to Harvard University's Class of 2028, you might wonder if you've got a legitimate chance of admission.
What to do if you're waitlisted at a law school?
- Keep your expectations realistic. ...
- Take stock of your weaknesses. ...
- Submit a letter of continued interest. ...
- Proofread! ...
- Remember that the waitlist process is a marathon, not a sprint. ...
- Don't be a stalker. ...
- Consider transferring or taking a year off.
How many law students drop out of law school?
How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.
How quickly do law schools make decisions?
Most law schools will start sending out decisions around 2 months after an application is submitted, but this time may be shorter or longer depending on the school, and the time of year you submitted the application.
What college admits the most students off the waitlist?
UC Santa Cruz, which admitted the highest number of students off the waitlist – 10,812 – was tied with Stony Brook University—SUNY for the second-highest percentage at 88%.
What are the odds of getting off the waitlist?
How Hard Is It to Get Off the College Waitlist? As a rule of thumb, around 10% of students who are waitlisted at an elite universities will ultimately earn admission. This, of course, can vary from year to year.
Do grades matter for waitlist?
Resubmit improved grades or supplementary materials
Demonstrating academic improvement is a great way to possibly sway a waitlisted or deferred admission decision in your favor!
Why do law schools waitlist so many people?
The answer is simple: schools need to protect their yield rate. If an admissions officer thinks you'll reject their offer of admission, you might find yourself on the waitlist. The admissions board would prefer to protect the school's yield rate to appear more attractive to future applicants.
Are law school waitlists binding?
Here's the rule to apply: Unless you were accepted through a binding Early Decision program (in which case you would have had to withdraw everywhere else by now anyway), there's no obligation to withdraw from any waitlists after you have accepted any offer.
How do law schools notify you of acceptance?
If you are accepted, most schools will communicate that information to you by phone call or e-mail. If you are placed on hold, placed on a wait list, or rejected, you will receive an e-mail and/or letter at your address on record.
How bad is a 149 on the LSAT?
You can get into law school with a low LSAT score if it is above 144-145. Scores in this range will get you into some lower-ranking schools, although the majority of law schools prefer scores above 150. For expert prep on increasing your score and chances of accetpance, speak with a counselor at Juris Education.
Has anyone gotten a 180 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 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.