How many times can you apply to Harvard Law School?

Asked by: Robert Grimes V  |  Last update: August 13, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (16 votes)

Applicants may apply for admission to Harvard Law School through the regular J.D. application no more than three times.

Is there a limit to how many times you can apply to Harvard?

There are no official limits to the number of times you can apply in different years, but it is important to use the time between applications wisely and meaningfully to improve your profile and demonstrate growth.

Can you reapply to Harvard Law School?

As noted in a previous blog post entitled Reapplying after JDP, the Admissions Committee warmly welcomes reapplications. Each year, several students who were not admitted to HLS through the Junior Deferral Program reapply and join the HLS community.

Can you apply to law school multiple times?

It will not count against you to you reapply to a law school that previously rejected or deferred you, as long as your application shows positive changes, additions, and growth. This can be in the form of additional course work and improved grades or continuous employment or internship experience.

Is a 170 LSAT good for Harvard?

A competitive LSAT score for Harvard Law School is typically above 170, while a competitive GPA is usually above 3.8.

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43 related questions found

Is 136 a bad LSAT score?

What a Low LSAT Score Means. If your LSAT score is in the 130s or low 140s, it's very hard to find an ABA law school anywhere in the US that will offer you unrestricted acceptance (especially in the increasingly competitive environment).

Can I get into Harvard law with a 3.8 GPA?

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.

Can you apply to Harvard law multiple times?

Applicants may apply for admission to Harvard Law School through the regular J.D. application no more than three times. Applications submitted via the Junior Deferral Program (JDP) and the J.D. Transfer pathways do not count towards this cap.

Can you reapply to law school if rejected?

Consider Reapplying

If your heart is set on a law school that rejects you, it is not worth protesting or asking for a reevaluation. “Working the refs” could come across as unprofessional. Rather, take the disappointment in stride and consider reapplying the following year.

Do law schools care if you take the LSAT twice?

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.

Can I reapply to Harvard after rejection?

Can you reapply to Harvard after being rejected once? User is correct; unless you have changed something new, and in a fairly major way, you'll just be rejected again.

Can you finish Harvard Law in 2 years?

The J.D. degree requires three years of full-time study, and new students begin their studies only in the fall semester of each year. Apart from for practicing lawyers, we have no part-time, distance, on-line or summer programs.

Can you only apply to Harvard three times?

Applying To Several Degree Programs

Please note that each submitted application counts toward the lifetime maximum of three applications per person.

What is the lowest LSAT score accepted by Harvard?

With that said, you will realistically need to score 168 or above on the LSAT in order to give yourself a chance of being admitted into Harvard Law School. Of course, there are always exceptions, especially if the other aspects of your application are remarkable.

Does Harvard law interview all applicants?

Please note that an interview with the J.D. Admissions Office is a required component to admission at Harvard Law School. All applicants who are eventually admitted to HLS must complete an interview. Not all applicants will receive an invitation to interview.

How many times can I apply to a law school?

Without a significant change in your candidacy like a substantially higher LSAT score, I would discourage applicants from applying to the same school more than twice. Many top law schools, like Harvard Law School in Massachusetts, allow applicants to apply up to three times total.

Can you apply again if you get rejected from a school?

If you plan on reapplying to a school that rejected you, it's of utmost importance that you send in a new and improved brand new application. College application boards will likely read your new application alongside your previous one, looking for “proof” that the new you will be a good addition to their student body.

How do law schools view reapplicants?

They will want to see a new personal statement and supplemental essays to show that you really are taking reapplication seriously. Some schools (like Penn Law) will ask you specifically why you didn't enroll in school. Some schools will require new letters of recommendation (like Stanford), but most won't.

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.

How many times can you apply to Harvard?

You can do as many times as you wish, but only once for the same academic year. Example for the class Fall 2020 you can apply once either through early cycle or regular cycle and only once in that cycle.

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 hard is it actually to get into Harvard law?

Harvard Law is the fifth highest-ranking law school in the country. And that's why it's also one of the hardest to get into. In fact, the acceptance rate is 10.1%. For the class of 2025, 8,225 people applied and 822 were admitted.

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.

What LSAT score do I need for Columbia?

There is no requirement for Columbia Law LSAT scores. However, this doesn't mean that your Columbia Law School LSAT score isn't crucial to your application's success. Admitted students typically submit impressive LSAT scores: 25th percentile score: 169.