What is a deferred admission program for law school?

Asked by: Clementine McKenzie  |  Last update: August 8, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (7 votes)

JDP Overview If admitted, they must commit to defer their admission offer for at least two years once they've completed their undergraduate degree. Students can then use this deferral period to explore their interests and gain hands-on work experience before returning to the law school classroom.

What is a deferral program for law school?

A deferral is an opportunity to delay your law school enrollment. Typically, deferments delay enrollment for one admissions cycle, but they can be extended for two years, depending on the candidate's circumstances.

Why do people defer law school?

Some reasons to defer law school include the following:
  • Sickness/medical issues.
  • Personal injury.
  • Family issues.
  • Employment commitments.
  • High tuition costs and fees.
  • Finishing another degree.

How does deferred admission work?

“Deferred admission is an option that allows an admitted student to postpone their enrollment at a college or university for a specified period, typically one year,” says Victoria Romero, vice president for enrollment at Scripps College in California.

What is the lowest GPA a law school will accept?

What Is the Lowest GPA For Law School? Since the majority of law schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, anything below a 3.0 is considered very low. Some of the absolute lowest GPA requirements for schools are 2.80.

Junior Deferral Program | Harvard Law School

25 related questions found

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.

What is the easiest law school to get into?

16 Easiest Law Schools to Get Into Based on Acceptance Rate
  • Creighton University Law School – 79%
  • University of Wyoming Law School – 78%
  • Marquette University Law School – 77%
  • Loyola New Orleans Law School – 76%
  • Drake University Law School – 75%
  • Oklahoma City University School of Law – 72%

How likely is it to get accepted after being deferred?

As a deferred student, your application will be reconsidered in the regular round and you are released from the binding commitment of early decision. Across the more competitive schools, roughly 10% of deferred students are ultimately accepted in the regular decision round.

Is a deferral basically a rejection?

Deferrals are not rejections. Rather, they signal that the admissions office sees potential in your application but is not ready to make an early decision. Instead, the admissions committee wants to evaluate it alongside a larger applicant pool, so they send a deferral letter.

Is it better to get deferred or waitlisted?

Waitlisted: Which is Better? There is no such thing as one being better than the other. They are two different outcomes that are related to when you apply. Being deferred happens after you apply in the Early Action or Early Decision rounds and the college decides it cannot provide a decision right now.

Is law school declining?

When first-year enrollment rises or falls in sequential years, those effects multiply. Today, overall JD enrollment has roughly stabilized at a level not seen in over 40 years. Compared to the peak in JD enrollment in 2010 (147,525 students), overall JD enrollment was down 20.8% in 2023.

What happens if you don't get into a good law school?

Try applying to other law schools – and consider other grad schools, as well! It might not be too late in the cycle to apply to other law programs; some schools continue looking for students through July or August. Although you didn't get into your top-choice programs, others might still have spaces available.

How many first year law students drop out?

Approximately 46 percent of students who began study at a CALS did not enroll in a second year.

How long can you defer law school acceptance?

Barring rare exceptions, deferment requests are generally granted for only one year. If a request is denied and an admitted applicant chooses not to enroll, he/she is welcome to re-apply in the future.

Does tuition assistance pay for law school?

You may be eligible for several different types of aid, which may be available to bring the cost of attending law school within reach. The amount of aid you receive in each category will depend on your own resources, current federal regulations, and the financial aid policies and resources of each law school.

How long is an LSAT score good for?

The good news is that LSAT scores are valid for 5 years.

What are the disadvantages of deferment?

Disadvantages of a Deferment Period

The overall loan balance is increased due to accrued interest. In some cases, borrowers are subject to additional fees. The borrower must prove they are experiencing financial hardship.

How can I increase my chances of getting accepted after deferral?

Make references to specific professors, courses, extracurricular activities, and opportunities that show you have done your research on the school. Update the college on all the achievements you have made, both inside and outside of the classroom, since you submitted your Early Action/Decision application.

What percentage of deferred students are accepted at Harvard?

Historically, about 10% of students who Harvard defers ultimately earn admission in Regular Decision. While this data point can vary from year to year, it's rarely released by the school. But, over the years, Ivy Coach's sources in Harvard's admissions office have confirmed that 10% is the general rule of thumb.

How to turn a deferral into an acceptance?

4 steps students can take when they are deferred:
  1. Write a letter of continued interest. ...
  2. Send an updated transcript. ...
  3. Send another letter of recommendation. ...
  4. Demonstrate your interest in attending this college by visiting in person.

Is it harder to get into a school after being deferred?

Generally, your chances of getting in after getting deferred are on the lower end, especially if you've applied to one of the nation's top colleges. Early decision applicants typically produce strong applications, so at least you know you've given it your best shot.

What percentage of deferred students are accepted at Yale?

While exact numbers may vary year to year, the acceptance rate for deferred applicants to Yale is typically lower than the overall regular decision acceptance rate. Historically, the regular decision acceptance rate at Yale hovers around 4-6%, while the acceptance rate for deferred applicants tends to be around 2-3%.

What is the hardest year in law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

Can I get into law school with a 143 LSAT score?

Appalachian School of Law, Virginia

With an acceptance rate of 63 percent, this school is slightly more competitive than some of the easiest on our list, but your chances of getting in are good if you have at least an LSAT score of 143 and a GPA of 2.80.

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