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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 10/04/23
Are you interested in joining a law school that has a drive to lead, a willingness to seize opportunities, and a desire to make an impact? If you are, read on to learn more about how to get into Albany Law School!
An essential trait of any good law school is providing students with the resources and opportunities to feel empowered. This empowerment motivates students to take control of their education and use it to become the best attorneys possible!
Albany Law is one such school that has inspired law students to become powerful advocates, leaders, change agents, and problem solvers since 1851.
This guide will cover how to get into this student-centred law school, its application deadlines, fees, and more!
Albany Law’s acceptance rate is 47.62%, which is high!
Albany Law is not very difficult to get into. It typically has a moderate amount of competition and accepts quite a few applicants. However, your personal chances of getting in depend on things like your grades, test scores, and how well you present yourself in your application.
To apply, you’ll need to register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS), as your letters of recommendation, LSAT scores, and transcripts will all be submitted here.
Your personal statement, resume, and optional essays will be submitted through Albany’s application portal.
Here are the application deadlines you should keep in mind:
Source: Albany Law School
Applicants are recommended to apply as early as possible to maximize their chances of gaining admission to Albany. Pay close attention to these deadlines to keep your application timeline on track.
To join Albany Law, the following application materials are required:
The first requirement for any law school is a bachelor’s degree. Albany Law has no preference over the type of major you choose, so pursue one you have an interest in to increase your chances of maintaining a competitive GPA.
The median GPA of accepted Albany Law students is 3.48.
Ensure you also enroll in courses that will help you develop skills like analytical and critical thinking, research, writing, and communication. These skills will prove invaluable in law school!
Albany Law accepts both the LSAT and the GRE. In fact, it’s among the 94 law schools that accept GRE scores in lieu of the LSAT. Depending on your skills and abilities, you can write whichever test you think you can score higher on.
However, if you choose to write the LSAT, you shouldn’t also write the GRE because Albany will favor your LSAT score.
Applicants should aim for an LSAT score of around 156, which is the median score for all program entrants.
If you, like the majority of students, have to retake the LSAT, Albany Law will consider all scores but place greater emphasis on your highest!
The personal statement is the part of your application that is intended to humanize you so the admissions committee knows more about who you are as an applicant rather than just as a test taker.
Your personal statement should revolve around a topic of your choosing that provides insight into your qualifications and interests. Albany suggests students touch on these two topics:
Limit your statement to two to three pages.
Your resume should detail any work, volunteer, or extracurricular activities you pursued throughout your undergrad, any publications, or other significant accomplishments.
Most law school resumes are around one to two pages long.
You’re required to submit two letters of recommendation as part of your application. You may submit up to four but should do so cautiously. These letters cannot be generic, must be highly personal, and come from people who can attest to your academic potential and candidacy for law school.
Letters written by academic faculty are strongly preferred, but those written by employers will also be accepted if you’ve been out of school for several years.
You may have certain experiences that can contribute to Albany’s diversity and give you unique perspectives on law. If you do, you should write about it in a diversity statement.
For students with low LSAT scores, a low GPA, or other unfavorable parts of their application, you can write an addendum to provide a reasonable explanation for this.
Albany Law is ranked at #117 among the Best Law Schools nationally. It also excels in specific areas of law. For instance, it's ranked 58th for Clinical Training, which means it emphasizes hands-on legal experience.
Additionally, the school is recognized for its strength in Environmental Law (ranked 53rd) and Health Care Law (ranked 91st). These rankings reflect Albany Law’s commitment to providing a comprehensive legal education and its expertise in key legal fields.
Tuition at Albany is $60,946 a year. However, with textbook and supply fees, rent, food, transportation, and personal fees, Albany’s estimated total cost of attendance is $82,757.
Albany Law offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities for Juris Doctor (JD) candidates:
Albany Law recognizes the financial commitment that students undertake and offers support in creating a financial plan to achieve their educational goals. To begin this process, it's recommended that students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early in their application process.
For JD students, having a completed FAFSA on file ensures timely processing and eligibility assessment. Notably, graduate students are considered "independent" for financial aid, meaning parental income and assets are not factored into aid eligibility. The Financial Aid Office assesses eligibility for funds up to the total Cost Of Attendance (COA).
Students can choose from a range of scholarships to support their academic journey.
These scholarships are awarded by the Admissions Committee at the time of acceptance based on the strength of the admissions application. All admitted students are automatically considered, and no separate scholarship application is required.
Scholarship amounts are typically credited toward tuition expenses each semester for up to six full-time (or eight part-time) semesters. Class rank or good standing may be necessary for annual renewal.
Graduates with Bachelor's or Graduate degrees from any SUNY Institution enrolling at Albany Law are guaranteed a scholarship through the SUNY Legal Fellowship if admitted by June 1. The guaranteed minimum scholarship for students entering in 2023 is $20,000 per academic year, renewable for up to three years as long as the student remains in good standing.
Various fellowships are available with different stipend levels and time commitments. Examples include the President’s International Law Fellowship and the Edgar and Margaret Sandman Fellowship, which offer stipends and research opportunities.
This fund assists students facing health concerns, family emergencies, or special financial needs. Students can apply for emergency grants through a review process by the Student Emergency Fund Committee.
The Financial Aid Office regularly shares information about scholarships from external organizations with Albany Law students and applicants.
This program supports student-veterans and their dependents by providing tuition assistance that exceeds the thresholds under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Eligible student-veterans may attend Albany Law with fully or partially funded tuition, and they may also receive the military's monthly housing allowance (BAH).
Prospective students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships upon acceptance, and additional details about scholarship disbursement and renewal criteria will be provided to awardees. Albany Law aims to provide various avenues of financial support to help students pursue their legal education.
Follow these three tips to increase your chances of gaining admission to this law school.
Albany’s LSAT score requirements are relatively low in comparison to other schools, so reaching this median score shouldn’t be too challenging.
However, don’t let this trick you into thinking you don’t have to study for the LSAT. Ensure you spend an adequate amount of time prepping for the LSAT and completing practice tests.
Since this score won’t be too difficult to obtain, you should study enough that you won’t have to retake the test, as it will just create unnecessary stress and hassle. You should prepare and aim to surpass 155 to leave yourself leeway for error on test day.
Again, with such a high acceptance rate, you don’t want to overcomplicate your application. Stick to the requirements and keep your application concise and straightforward. While you can submit up to four letters of recommendation, just submit two strong ones.
Keep your personal statement within the page limits and focus on the suggested topics. You know Albany is interested in these subjects, so there’s no need to experiment.
Albany Law has been around for centuries and thus has a rich history that you should become familiar with. By including Albany’s specific goals and accomplishments in your personal statement, you can better prove that you genuinely believe Albany Law can provide you with the best legal education and that it is the perfect fit for you!
Ensure you also prove you are the perfect fit for Albany by demonstrating how your values align with Albany’s and how you can further contribute to its diverse community.
Keep reading for some valuable insight into the application process.
Yes, despite its low rankings, Albany has a rigorous curriculum and is located in New York, a hotspot for legal opportunity! Students also have the unique opportunity to customize their learning through the 17 concentrations and six opportunity pathways Albany offers!
No, Albany offers its prospective students the choice to write the GRE or LSAT.
Yes, Albany Law accepts GRE scores in lieu of the LSAT.
The median LSAT is 156. You should aim for this score or higher to be considered competitive.
You should aim for a GPA of 3.48 when applying to Albany Law.
Despite its lower rankings, Albany Law School has proven its dedication to empowering law students and giving them the resources and opportunities to become leading lawyers!
Keep a note of the information shared in this guide to ensure you fulfill all of Albany’s application requirements sufficiently and punctually, and follow the above tips to ensure you stand out as an applicant!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
