In addition to being one of the best legal schools in the nation, Stanford legal School (SLS) is unmatched in terms of creativity, adaptability, and community. Stanford should be on your radar if you’re searching for a highly individualised legal education with unparalleled connections to Silicon Valley, possibilities for public engagement, and multidisciplinary study.
In this blog, we will discuss everything about Stanford Law School, from its acceptance rate and application deadline to its GPA requirements and ACT and SAT requirements.
Table of Contents
What is the acceptance rate of Stanford Law School for international students?
8.85% of applicants are accepted to Stanford Law School. In a recent admissions cycle, Stanford Law received 4,270 applications and made acceptance offers to 378 individuals. These stats indicate that getting into Stanford Law School is hard.
Year | Number of Applicants | Number of Accepted Students | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 4,270 | 378 | 8.85% |
2023 | 4,863 | 353 | 7.26% |
2022 | 4,882 | 336 | 6.88% |
2021 | 5,685 | 357 | 6.28% |
2020 | 3,807 | 399 | 10.48% |
How Hard Is It to Get Into Stanford Law School?
Getting accepted to Stanford Law School is extremely challenging. The acceptance rate for Stanford Law is remarkably low when compared to the 42.4% national average.
Try not to obsess with the acceptance rate, though. Your chances will always be increased by a well-written application!
How to get into the Stanford Law School as an international student?
A number of prerequisites must be fulfilled in order for your application to be accepted if you want to study law in the United States. Before starting your application, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork. This will enable you to apply earlier and improve your chances of being accepted.
1. Academic Qualifications
To be admitted, international students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Law is not an undergraduate degree in the United States. Thus in order to get into law, in the US, one must have a undergraduate degree in Law.
2. Eligibility
You must fulfil Stanford’s minimal requirements for academic qualifications and English competence in order to be admitted to Stanford law school.
3. Minimum Education Requirements
Prior to enrolling at Stanford, you must have earned a bachelor’s degree in the United States or its equivalent in another country from an accredited college or university.
4. English Proficiency
You will be expected to read English fluently, comprehend rapid idiomatic English used in lectures and group discussions, and communicate ideas clearly and concisely in both written and spoken English as a graduate student at Stanford. If your first language is not english you will be required to take, Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT).
Here are the minimu TOEFL requirements.
Program Type | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
Doctoral Programs: All | 100 |
Master’s Programs: All (except School of Engineering) | 100 |
Master’s Programs: School of Engineering | 89 |
5. Transcripts
Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution you have attended must be submitted. Your prior schools must send these straight to the LSAC for assessment via their Credential Assembly Service.
6. Visa Requirements
After being admitted to Stanford law school, international students must have an F-1 student visa in order to study in the US. To apply for your visa, the law school will give you the required paperwork (Form I-20).
LSAT for International Students
The LSAT or other tests like the GRE or JD-Next are required by the majority of schools. Aim for an LSAT score of 173 or above to gain admission to prestigious universities if you want to stand out from the crowd.
Read: LSAT Exam: Fees, Eligibility, Pattern, and FAQs
Stanford Law School Application Deadlines 2025
Stanford Law School application deadline gets ove around February. You must ensure that all of your application materials are ready well in advance of that day. Be sure you register for the CAS and submit your application through LSAC.
Here is the information in tabular form:
Dates & Deadlines | Application Stage |
|---|---|
September 15 | The Stanford Law application becomes available |
December 1 | Application deadline (with test scores) for Stanford Law if applying for Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program |
January | Last month to take the LSAT/GRE |
February 15 | Application deadline for all Stanford Law School applicants |
Stanford Law School programs
The majority of students at Stanford Law School work towards a JD. The Stanford Program for International Legal Studies (SPILS), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), and Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) degrees are among the advanced legal degrees that only a tiny number of students seek.
Students can pursue dual degrees and cooperative programs, such as JD/Master’s, JD/MD, and JD/PhD programs, in addition to the graduate programs offered by Stanford Law School. In order to apply to non-SLS programs, students must use different admissions procedures. In the event that students are admitted to a combined degree program, care is taken to make sure they balance their legal studies with other subjects.
With about 180 first-year students enrolled each autumn, Stanford Law School has a smaller class size than other T14 law schools. These figures reflect a close-knit school culture.
Stanford Law School Fees for International Students
The entire cost of tuition at Stanford Law School is $74,475.
Here is the breakdown of expenses by Stanford Law School.
Category | Single On-Campus Students | Single Off-Campus Students |
|---|---|---|
Tuition | $74,475 | $74,475 |
Housing | $20,976 | $20,445 |
Food | $7,215 | $7,215 |
Personal Expenses | $8,655 | $8,655 |
Books and Supplies | $1,530 | $1,530 |
Student Services Fee | $1,350 | $1,350 |
Health Services Fee | $783 | $783 |
Local Transportation | $1,830 | $3,945 |
Total | $116,814 | $118,398 |
Stanford also offers medical insurance to students who require it, although it is waivable. If you would like to use the insurance, the annual cost is $7,620
Scholarships
If you’re concerned about being able to afford the cost of Stanford Law, then you can take advantage of Stanford’s financial aid options. You can apply for several programs, including
- Yellow Ribbon Program
- Graduate Family Grant Program
- Flywheel Fund for Career Choice
LRAP
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
FAQ on How to Get into Stanford Law School
Q. Does Stanford give 100% scholarships to international students?
A. Stanford does not automatically offer 100% scholarships to all international students, but it does meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for those who are admitted and apply for financial aid. At the undergraduate level, Stanford is need-aware for international applicants, meaning financial need may impact admission decisions. For graduate students, full funding is available through competitive programs like the Knight-Hennessy Scholars or departmental fellowships and assistantships. While not guaranteed for all, international students with strong profiles can receive full scholarships covering tuition, living expenses, and more.
Q. Does Stanford Law School accept international students?
A. Yes, Stanford Law School does accept international students.
Q. How to Get into Stanford Law School from the UAE?
A. Getting into Stanford Law School from the UAE is highly competitive but entirely possible with a strong academic profile, compelling application materials, and a clear understanding of the process.
Q. How to Get into Stanford Law School from Hong Kong?
A. To get into Stanford Law School from Hong Kong, choose the right program based on your background—JD if you don’t have a law degree, or LL.M./JSM/JSD if you do. JD applicants must take the LSAT or GRE (LSAT preferred), while LL.M. applicants need a strong law degree and must submit TOEFL scores (minimum 100 iBT). Prepare a compelling application with academic transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a CV highlighting legal experience.
