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Yale Law School is a highly prestigious and respected law school, and as such, it’s very difficult to get in! The ultimate goal for those who want to become lawyers is to enroll in Yale Law School. With its esteemed faculty, small class sizes, unconventional grading scheme, and numerous notable and influential alumni, including two former presidents, three current Supreme Court Justices, and numerous other prominent figures in politics, academia, business, and the media Yale is the most prestigious and selective law school in the United States.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to get into Yale Law School, including requirements, admissions stats, the application process, and much more.
Yale Law School Programs Offered & Rankings
Program Offered | Duration | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
3 years | The JD program is focused on collaboration rather than competition. | |
1 year | Typically meant for students interested in teaching law. | |
3-5 years | The dissertation-focused program is open only to Yale LLM graduates. | |
1 year | Intended for non-lawyers interested in familiarizing themselves with the law. | |
3 years and 2 summers | Intended for JD graduates who want to prepare for careers as teachers or legal scholars. |
Let us break down these programs individually.
Juris Doctor
The 1L small group is one of the outstanding learning opportunities made possible by Yale Law School’s tiny student-faculty ratio. Students take their first semester classes together and are placed in small groups of 16–18 people for one of their four classes. Students in this cohort are able to form strong relationships with both professors and their peers.
Numerous chances exist for students to conduct research and write under the guidance of the esteemed faculty at the Law School. Each student completes two major research papers under the guidance of the professors as part of the J.D. curriculum; some students even publish their work.
The Degree of Master of Laws (LLM)
A small number of graduate students are admitted to Yale Law School each year to pursue a one-year program of full-time study that culminates in the Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree. Only individuals who are dedicated to a career in law teaching are often eligible for admission. The goal of Yale Law School’s LL.M. program is not to get students ready for the New York State Bar Examination.
The Degree of Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)
For graduates of Yale’s LL.M. degree who want to pursue careers in law teaching and scholarship, Yale Law School offers a selective doctoral program called the Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.).
Master of Studies in Law (MSL)
A limited number of non-lawyers who wish to learn the fundamentals of legal theory and investigate how law relates to their fields can enroll in Yale Law School’s Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) program. For individuals who are interested in a demanding curriculum and a foundation in legal studies but do not wish to pursue a professional law degree, this one-year terminal program is ideal.
The Degree of Master of Studies in Law
A Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) program is available at Yale Law School for a select group of non-lawyers who wish to learn the fundamentals of legal theory and investigate how the law relates to their fields of study. This one-year terminal program is intended for individuals who want a tough curriculum and a foundation in legal studies but do not want a professional law degree.
The Ph.D. in Law Degree
In order to prepare J.D. graduates for careers as legal scholars and educators, the Ph.D. in Law program requires them to produce a significant amount of scholarly writing and research under the careful supervision of a three-member faculty dissertation committee.
Yale Law School Acceptance Rate
Yale’s acceptance rate is 5.25 for the year 2024, here is the complete beadwork of the data for the year 2024
Completed Applications | 4358 |
Offers of Admission | 229 |
Acceptance Rate (Percent) | 5.25 |
Enrollees from the Applicant pool | 174 |
Source: American Bar Association
Here are the acceptance rates for the previous few years to help you better understand Yale Law’s acceptance trends:
Year | Number of Applicants | Number of Accepted Students | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 4,358 | 229 | 5.25% |
2023 | 4,471 | 246 | 5.50% |
2022 | 4,129 | 236 | 5.72% |
2021 | 5,194 | 214 | 4.12% |
2020 | 3,539 | 262 | 7.40% |
Source: American Bar Association
How Hard Is It to Get Into Yale Law School?
It’s very difficult to get into Yale Law School. Only around 220-250 students are accepted each year out of thousands of applicants.
When compared to the 42.4% national average, Yale’s acceptance rate is quite low. Despite the fact that admission to Yale Law School is difficult, it is nonetheless achievable. Having a strong application can increase your chances.
This is where we can help you; Rostrum has helped students get into their dream college. Get into a free consultation call, and see how you can get into Yale Law School.
Yale Law School Admission Statistics
Yale Law School Median GPA: 3.96
The most recent class at Yale Law School has a median GPA of 3.96. This is really high, thus you will need to put in a lot of study time during your undergraduate studies if you want to be a competitive applicant!
There are no real GPA requirements at Yale Law School because there are no cutoffs. Nonetheless, Yale provides data regarding the distribution of undergraduate GPAs among its admitted students:
| Low | 25% | Median | 75% | High |
GPA | 3.22 | 3.91 | 3.96 | 4 | 4.27 |
LSAT | 155 | 170 | 174 | 177 | 180 |
Source: Yale Law School
Because the low-end figure is an anomaly, keep in mind that the average GPA is probably higher than this. Aim for an undergraduate GPA of 4.0 or above for the highest likelihood of admission.
Yale Law School Median LSAT Score: 174
Students accepted to Yale Law School have an average LSAT score of 174. This is yet another outstanding result, so be sure to study hard for the difficult LSAT!
Although Yale doesn’t have any clear cutoff points for test scores either, the university did make public data about students who submitted LSAT results for evaluation:
| Low | 25% | Median | 75% | High |
GPA | 3.22 | 3.91 | 3.96 | 4 | 4.27 |
LSAT | 155 | 170 | 174 | 177 | 180 |
Yale Law GRE
Admissions administrators at Yale Law School said there is no preference for either test, and the school started taking the GRE in 2019. The GRE scores of 24 incoming students were made public by Yale Law School.
GRE Section | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile |
Verbal Reasoning | 165 | 167 | 169 |
Quantitative Reasoning | 160 | 164 | 169 |
Analytical Writing | 5 | 5.5 | 6 |
Yale Law School Requirements
You must register for the Law School Credential Assembly Service (CAS), which is available online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), in order to apply to Yale Law School. After that, you will use LSAC to submit your complete application online.
- Application Fee & Fee Waivers
$85 non-refundable fee (waivers available for LSAC recipients or via Yale’s need-based waiver).
- Undergraduate Degree & Transcripts
A bachelor’s degree must be completed by summer 2025.
Transcripts from all colleges attended must be submitted through LSAC.
- Standardized Test Requirement
LSAT or GRE required (all scores must be sent through LSAC).
- Personal Statement
A two-page, double-spaced essay about personal, academic, or professional experiences.
- 250-Word Essay
A brief essay discussing an idea or issue of interest from academic, extracurricular, or professional work.
- Optional Essay
Applicants can respond to one of Yale Law’s four prompts, offering additional insights.
- Letters of Recommendation
Minimum two letters (preferably from professors who can assess academic ability).
- Activities Section
A detailed list of extracurriculars, leadership, work experience, and other commitments.
- Dean’s Certification
Not required at the application stage but must be submitted if admitted.
- Interview Process.
By invitation only (not being invited does not disadvantage an applicant).
Yale Law School Tuition & Scholarships
The cost of tuition at Yale Law School for the 2024–2025 school year is $74,044. However, the annual cost of attending Yale School of Law, including additional tuition and personal expenditures, is approximately $103,000.
Expense | Cost |
Tuition | $74,044 |
University Administrative & Activities Fee | $2,325 |
Housing, Meals, & Personal Expenses | $22,800 |
Books | $1,300 |
University Hospitalization Coverage (waivable) | $3,110 |
Total | $103,579 |
How to Get Into Yale Law School: Tips to Improve Your Admission Chances
Don’t worry if getting into Yale Law seems like a daunting endeavor. The following advice can help you get accepted to Yale Law School!
- Less is More: It’s okay to have fewer materials in your application if those materials are strong. This goes especially for recommendation letters — Yale advises students to prioritize having only two strong letters over adding a third weak one to the mix.
- Be Genuine: Yale Law’s personal statement tip sheet states that genuineness is crucial. Don’t embellish or look for stories you believe Yale might find interesting. Simply stay loyal to who you are and what you have experienced.
- Study Hard: To compete with the other Yale Law applicants, you will need to have an extremely high GPA and LSAT score. Prioritize your education and set aside a lot of time for studying.
FAQ on How to Get Into Yale Law School?
1. What GPA do you need to get into Yale?
While there aren’t any GPA requirements for Yale Law School, it’s advisable to have an undergraduate GPA that is at least 4.0 in order to increase your chances of getting accepted.
2. Does Yale Law Prefer Yale Students?
There is no indication that Yale Law School favors Yale students, even if an old news report claims that several of the top candidates were Yale College students. Regardless of where you completed your undergraduate studies, a strong application and a diverse profile will aid you in the admissions process.
3. What LSAT Score Do You Need to Get Into Yale Law School?
Similar to GPA, Yale Law School does not have a clear cutoff for LSAT scores. To increase your chances of getting in, you should aim for a score of at least 174, which is the median score that students submit.
4. Is Yale or Harvard a Better Law School?
According to rankings alone, Yale is the superior law school. However, curriculum offers, your objectives, and personal preferences will determine which law school is ideal for you. Harvard and Yale are both top universities.
