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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 10/24/23
If your motivation to become a lawyer stems from your desire to create a better future for your community and beyond, Emory Law School may be perfect for you! Read on to learn more!
Emory Law, one of the best law schools in Georgia, is future-focused; they plan to solve global problems, educate the next generation of leaders, and have a profound impact on the world. And, as a global leader in legal education, they have the means to do so!
Emory Law School goes beyond the traditional law school education and offers unique learning experiences that prepare students for prosperous legal careers. They’ve made significant impacts in many spheres, including human rights law, health law, intellectual property law, and even humanitarian law.
Convinced Emory Law might be the perfect school for you to begin your legal journey? This guide will go into depth about how to apply to this esteemed school, its various rankings, tuition costs, and much more!
Based on the Emory Law School acceptance rate of 40.1%, this school is moderately competitive. Although it is less selective than the T14 law schools, you’re still expected to demonstrate academic, personal, and professional excellence to secure a spot at Emory.
To give you more insight into Emory Law’s admission trends, here is a table of the past few years’ acceptance rates:
Source: Emory Law
It is relatively difficult to get into Emory Law School. Their acceptance rate hovers around 40%, meaning you have a 4 in 10 chance of acceptance. However, if you can put together a well-rounded application with a high GPA and good LSAT score, you’ll have a strong chance of competing with the other qualified applicants.
There are a number of JD programs you can pursue at Emory Law, including many dual degree programs. Here is some key info about each program:
Source: Emory Law JD Program, Emory Law School Joint Degrees, Emory University MA/JD Program, Emory Law JD/MBA Program, Emory Law JD/MDiv and JD/MTS Programs, Emory Law JD/MPH Program, Emory Law JD/PhD Program
Now that you know more about how to get into Emory Law, it may be beneficial to learn more about why you should apply to it! Emory shines in various legal areas. Here are some of its notable rankings:
Amongst these specialty rankings, Emory was ranked as the 22nd Go-To Law School by the National Law Journal based on the percentage of its graduates employed at the largest 100 firms. This means Emory is an excellent school for all you Big Law enthusiasts!
Let’s begin with how to showcase your academic abilities. Your LSAT score and GPA are two crucial factors that will be considered in the decision process.
You’ll also have to impress the admissions committee with your GPA, as past matriculating students achieved a median GPA of 3.81. However, Emory doesn’t require a minimum GPA, so if you’re hoping to get into law school with a lower GPA, you may be able to make up for it with a stellar application.
Although there’s no specific minimum LSAT score for Emory Law, the Emory Law School LSAT median score of previous students is 165. Considering this score will place you around the 87th percentile, achieving it will require significant preparation, a structured study plan, and practice.
You’ll need to score within a competitive LSAT range for Emory University Law. This will prove your preparedness to succeed in law school.
Although crucial, your GPA and LSAT score are not the only factors in your application. To be considered for admission at Emory Law, you’ll need to submit the following required materials:
Emory Law School requires two letters of recommendation from all its applicants, no more, no less! These letters will be best received if they come from professors.
Choose your recommenders carefully, as you should have a close enough connection with them that they can adequately assess your intellectual abilities, analytical skills, and classroom performance. Aim for professors who have taught you in challenging courses and can provide specific examples of your capabilities.
As previously stated, Emory places great emphasis on their candidates’ writing abilities. They not only devote substantial resources to teaching superior legal writing skills but expect their students to have existing skills to build off of.
As such, your personal statement must be extremely well-written and should demonstrate your communication and persuasion skills as well as your desire to pursue law at Emory.
Your personal statement may cover one or more of the following topics:
Ensure your statement does not exceed two pages, double-spaced! Emory is strict about this limit and warns students will be disadvantaged if they disregard it.
If you’re writing a transfer personal statement, you may want to include a rationale for transferring and touch on your experiences at your previous law school.
To give you some inspiration, here’s an example of a personal statement written by an accepted student at Boston University Law:
“She sat opposite me at my desk to fill out a few forms. Fumbling her hands and laughing uncomfortably, it was obvious that she was nervous. Sandra was eighteen, and her knowledge of English was limited to “yes” and “hello.” While translating the initial meeting between Sandra and her attorney, I learned of her reasons for leaving El Salvador. She had been in an abusive relationship, and though she wasn’t ready to go into detail just yet, it was clear from the conversation that her boyfriend had terrorized her and that the El Salvadoran police were of no help…Eventually, Sandra was given a credible fear interview. The interviewer believed that she had a real fear of returning to El Salvador, and Sandra was released from detention with an Immigration Court hearing notice in her hand. She had just retained our office to present her asylum case to the Immigration Judge.
I tried to imagine myself in Sandra’s shoes. She hadn’t finished high school, was in a completely new environment, and had almost no understanding of how things worked in the US. Even the harsh New England winter must have seemed unnatural to her. Having lived abroad for a couple of years, I could relate on some level; however, the circumstances of my stay overseas were completely different. I went to Spain after graduating from college to work in an elementary school, improve my Spanish skills, and see a bit of the world…I had to ask hundreds of questions and usually make a few attempts before actually accomplishing my goal. Frustrating though it was, I didn’t have so much riding on each of these endeavors. If I didn’t have all the necessary paperwork to open a bank account one day, I could just try again the next day. Sandra won’t be afforded the same flexibility in her immigration process, where so much depends on the ability to abide by inflexible deadlines and procedures. Without someone to guide her through the process, ensuring that all requirements are met, and presenting her case as persuasively as possible, Sandra will have little chance of achieving legal status in the United States…
Before starting at my current position at Joyce & Associates, an immigration law firm in Boston, I had long considered a career in law. Growing up, I was engaged by family and school debates about public policy and government. In college, I found my constitutional law courses challenging and exciting. Nonetheless, it wasn’t until I began working with clients like Sandra that I became convinced that a career in law is the right choice for me. Playing my part as a legal assistant in various immigration cases, I have been able to witness how a career in immigration advocacy is both intellectually stimulating and personally fulfilling. I have seen the importance of well-articulated arguments and even creativity in arguing a client’s eligibility for an immigration benefit. I have learned that I excel in critical thinking and in examining detail, as I continually consider the consistency and possible implications of any documents that clients provide in support of their application. But most importantly, I have realized how deserving many of these immigrants are. Many of the clients I work with are among the most hardworking and patriotic people I have encountered…
I am equally confident that I would thrive as a student at Boston University, where I would be sure to take full advantage of the many opportunities available. The school’s Asylum and Human Rights Clinic and Immigration Detention Clinic would offer me invaluable experiences in various immigration settings…Given my experiences in an immigration firm, I know that I would have much to offer while participating in these programs, but even more to learn. And while I find BU’s immigration programs to be especially appealing, I am equally drawn to the Boston University experience as a whole…I hope to have the opportunity to face those challenges and to contribute my own experiences and drive to the Boston University community.”
This personal statement works well for many reasons. The opening story about Sandra provides insight into the writer’s motivations for applying for law school and shows passion and dedication.
The writer also demonstrates empathy and compassion by putting themselves “in Sandra’s shoes” and discussing the significance of interactions with other clients like Sandra. This shows a passion for justice and a real, personal drive to study law.
Finally, the applicant ends the statement by relating their experiences back to their desire to study law at BU. They discuss in specific detail how they believe BU can help them achieve their goals as well as what they can contribute to the university community.
Annual tuition at Emory Law School costs $67,480, making Emory a big investment. However, including other fees and living expenses, you can expect to pay nearly $100,000 to attend Emory Law.
Here’s a breakdown of what your total cost of attendance at Emory Law School during your first year should be:
Source: Emory Law School
To ensure students can afford their legal education, Emory offers scholarships and fellowships:
Students also have the option to apply for external scholarships to cover more of their tuition costs!
The early decision deadline for Emory Law is February 15. Regular applications must be submitted by March 15 to be reviewed fully.
Applications submitted after these deadlines will be reviewed on a space-available basis, so you’re highly encouraged to submit your application as early as possible to give yourself the best chances of admission.
All applications must be completed through LSAC. Once you have gathered all of your application materials, you can submit them to LSAC and select Emory Law School as one of the schools you’d like your application to be sent out to.
Here are the dates to keep in mind during the process:
Source: Emory Law School
Emory Law School’s first-time bar passage rate is 86.22%, which is impressively high! The state of Georgia has a first-time bar pass rate of 70–81%.
This rate only further substantiates Emory's academic quality and effectiveness in preparing students for the legal profession. It suggests that the school provides a strong legal education, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to not only pass the bar exam but succeed in their legal careers!
If you’re still worried about creating the perfect application, we’ve got some tips to get into Emory Law School for you. Following these tips, as well as the info in the rest of this guide, will help you increase your chances of admission!
Take a look at these Emory Law application tips:
To help you discover what Emory Law School is looking for in applicants, here’s a quote from its mission statement:
“Our students are involved in clinical work, journals, competitions, and public service. They become part of the communities in which they live and work, listening to the problems people face, and finding ways to engage the law in creating solutions.”
This demonstrates that Emory Law School is looking for students who are engaged in communities and who care deeply about the people around them. Emory wants students who are empathetic, passionate, creative, and motivated to enact justice.
In case you still have some hesitations about Emory Law School, here are the answers to frequently asked questions about this school!
Yes, getting into Emory Law School will be challenging. Not only will you have to score high on your LSAT, but you will also have to maintain a nearly perfect GPA and submit a well-rounded application.
Emory is interested in more than just your academics. They look for students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, a commitment to law, and a dedication to service.
Emory doesn’t release information surrounding average LSAT scores, but the median score of past admitted Emory Law students is 165. Students should set this score, or higher, as their target score.
Emory only admits around 40% of its applicants.
Students should aim for a GPA of around 3.8 to fall within the competitive median of previously admitted students.
To stand out in your application, highlight your strengths, unique experiences, and qualities that align with Emory Law School's values and programs. Share your academic achievements, leadership roles, community involvement, and work experiences.
While your scores will be the most important factor in the admissions committee’s decision, you won’t want to overlook your personal statement!
Use your statement to differentiate your application. It is the only material that allows your voice to shine through! Share any relevant details that you believe will make the admissions committee more inclined to admit you into their program.
Emory Law School does not have any specific undergraduate majors or courses that are preferred for admission. They value a diverse range of academic backgrounds and welcome applicants from various disciplines.
They will place far more emphasis on your GPA than your major, so choose one that you’re interested in so you’re more likely to succeed in it!
At Emory, you’ll be able to pursue all of your legal passions, put your learning into practice, and make a real difference. With numerous reasons to apply to this school, the next step is crafting a compelling application that will ensure you stand out! Remember to show your excellence, be authentic, and demonstrate your commitment to law!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
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