Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 12/12/23
Are you considering attending law school but are worried about the LSAT? This article will examine law schools that don’t require LSAT scores and how to get into them.
Becoming a professional in the legal field can be both rewarding and stressful. This profession can offer many benefits, such as job stability, great pay, and benefits. However, an unavoidable part of getting into law school is the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Law schools are notorious for being extremely difficult to get into with extensive application requirements, such as LSAT scores. However, some law schools are now waiving the test. Let’s take a look at law schools to consider if you’re not planning to take the LSAT.
Find out how 94% of our students get into a top law school even without the LSAT.
Complete List of Law Schools that Do Not Require the LSAT
Don’t want to take the LSAT? Consider applying to these law schools that don’t require it.
Harvard Law School*
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law*
Georgetown University Law Center*
University of Iowa College of Law*
University of Wisconsin Law School*
Wake Forest University School of Law*
St. John's University School of Law*
University of Maryland Carey School of Law*
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa - William S. Richardson School of Law*
Yale Law School*
Columbia Law School*
New York University School of Law*
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law*
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School*
University of Virginia School of Law*
University of Chicago Law School*
Cornell Law School*
Duke University School of Law*
Stanford Law School*
University of Southern California Gould School of Law*
George Washington University Law School*
University of Texas at Austin School of Law*
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law*
Washington University in St. Louis School of Law*
Emory University School of Law*
University of Florida Levin College of Law*
Boston University School of Law*
University of California, Irvine School of Law*
Fordham University School of Law*
University at Buffalo School of Law*
Texas A&M University School of Law*
University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law*
University of Dayton School of Law*
University of Massachusetts School of Law**
Suffolk University Law School*
University of Akron School of Law*
University of Baltimore School of Law*
New England Law | Boston*
Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law*
California Western School of Law*
Thomas Jefferson School of Law*
Western State College of Law*
*: For these schools, the LSAT isn't "required" if the applicant submits GRE or GMAT scores instead.
**: These schools do not require the LSAT at all.
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The Top Law Schools That Don't Require The LSAT
If you want to apply to a top law school but wonder if they only require the LSAT, you’re in luck! Some of the most prestigious law schools in the U.S. don’t require it.
Stanford University
Yale University
University of Chicago Law School
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Duke University
Harvard University
New York University
Columbia University
University of Virginia
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
Cornell University
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law
Georgetown University
*: For these schools, the LSAT isn't "required" if the applicant submits GRE or GMAT scores instead.
Other Law Schools That Accept the GRE
Since some law schools have waived the LSAT, the Graduate Record Exam may be used instead. These are some other top law schools that accept the GRE for their JD programs:
Albany Law School
American University Washington College of Law
Belmont University College of Law
Boston College Law School
Boston University School of Law *For select students only.
Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
Brooklyn Law School
California Western School of Law
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
Charleston School of Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Cleveland State University College of Law
Columbia Law School
Cornell Law School
DePaul University College of Law
Drake University Law School
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Duke University School of Law
Duquesne University School of Law
Emory University School of Law
Faulkner Law School
Florida International University College of Law
Florida State University College of Law
Fordham University School of Law
George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
George Washington University Law School
Georgetown University Law Center
Golden Gate University School of Law
Harvard Law School
Hofstra University – Maurice A. Deane School of Law
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Kern County College of Law
Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law
LMU Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Massachusetts School of Law at Andover
Mercer University School of Law
Monterey College of Law
New England Law | Boston
New York University School of Law
Northeastern University School of Law
Northern Illinois University College of Law
Northern Kentucky University, Chase College of Law
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law
Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law
Pennsylvania State University — Penn State Law
Pepperdine University Rick J. Caruso School of Law
San Joaquin College of Law
San Luis Obispo College of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law
Seattle University School of Law
Seton Hall University School of Law
South Texas College of Law Houston
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Southwestern Law School
St. John's University School of Law
Stanford Law School
Suffolk University Law School
Syracuse University College of Law
Temple University Beasley School of Law
Texas A&M University School of Law
Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
University of Akron School of Law
University of Alabama School of Law
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
University of Baltimore Law School
University at Buffalo School of Law
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
University of California, Davis, School of Law
University of California, Irvine School of Law
University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
University of California Law, San Francisco
University of Chicago Law School
University of Dayton School of Law
University of Florida Levin College of Law
University of Georgia School of Law
University of Hawai'i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law
University of Houston Law Center
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
University of Kansas School of Law
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
University of Massachusetts School of Law – Dartmouth
University of Memphis – Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
University of Miami School of Law
University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law
University of New Hampshire School of Law
University of Notre Dame Law School
University of Oklahoma College of Law
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
University of Richmond School of Law
University of San Diego School of Law
University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
University of South Carolina School of Law
University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
University of Toledo College of Law
University of Tulsa College of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
University of Wisconsin Law School
Vermont Law and Graduate School
Wake Forest University School of Law
Washburn University School of Law
Washington and Lee University School of Law
Washington University School of Law
Wayne State University Law School
West Virginia University College of Law
Western State College of Law
Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Widener University Delaware Law School
Willamette University College of Law
Wilmington University School of Law
Yale Law School
Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Law Schools That Accept GMAT Scores
Some programs also accept the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Very few law schools accept the GMAT, and if they do, they typically accept it as a JD/MBA dual degree in law and an MBA. The list of law schools that accept the GMAT is as follows:
Capital University Law School
Cornell Law School
Delaware State University
Emory University School of Law
George Washington University GW Law
Georgetown University Law
Loyola Law School
Massachusetts School of Law
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Pepperdine University School of Law
Roger Williams University School of Law
Rutgers University School of Law - Camden
Santa Clara University School of Law
Stetson University College of Law
Tufts University Fletcher School of Law
University of California - Berkeley, School of Law
University of Chicago Law School
University of Dayton School of Law
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
University of South Carolina - Columbia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
Villanova University School of Law
Unsure if your application stands out? Our experts know what admissions committees are looking for
Now that applicants have other options, law schools have been motivated to seek alternatives to the LSAT. Thankfully, this means there are many top law schools without an LSAT requirement.
Very difficult: The LSAT is known to be one of the world’s toughest entrance exams, meaning you’ll probably take it more than once.
Expensive: The LSAT costs $238 for the 2025-2026 year. People who retake it have to pay each time.
Time-consuming: Studying and taking the LSAT can be very time-consuming. Because it’s so difficult, many people take months to study.
Only administered a limited time a year: The LSAT is administered four times yearly. In 2025, the LSAT will be administered in August, September, October, and November.
So if any combination of these reasons sounds applicable to you, avoiding the LSAT might be your best option. However, every student has their own reason for not wanting to take it.
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How to Get Into Law School Without the LSAT
Below, we’ll outline a few tips on how to get ready for law school without the LSAT.
Complete Your SAT/ACT
Since some law schools do not require the LSAT, they might highly regard an applicant’s SAT/ACT score. It’s important to note that not all law schools look at an applicant’s SAT/ACT score. For example, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, allows the SAT/ACT.
Obtain Your Bachelor’s Degree with a High GPA
Every law school in the U.S. and Canada requires an applicant to have an undergraduate degree. While there's no specific field that you must study to obtain your degree, a high GPA will strengthen your application.
If you plan on applying to one of the top 10 law schools in the U.S., a low GPA won’t cut it—you’ll need to aim for a 4.0 GPA. However, if you want to apply to any law school outside the top 10, you should aim for at least a 3.5 GPA.
Law schools are extremely competitive. You must obtain a high GPA and build an impressive application to enter your dream law school and complete your JD.
Complete the GRE
Many law schools offer students the option to take the GRE instead of the LSAT. The GRE is a general standardized test that applicants take for graduate school. To ensure you do well on the GRE, applicants should take practice tests, assess their results, and consider using expert GRE prep!
Complete the GMAT
A couple of law schools accept the GMAT for their law school admissions. Typically, the GMAT is used to obtain your MBA, and some law schools allow a dual degree in law and an MBA. So, if you want to obtain a law degree and an MBA, you should practice and take the GMAT.
Complete the JD-Next
JD-Next is a new law school admissions test that includes an eight-week online prep course followed by a final exam. Unlike traditional standardized tests, JD-Next focuses on legal reasoning and comprehension by involving students in law school-style learning.
Create a Stellar Personal Statement
Another way to make your application stand out with an LSAT score is to write a compelling personal statement that leaves a lasting impression on the admissions committee!
This statement will serve as a window into your character, highlighting your passion for justice, critical thinking, and the depth of your commitment to the field. Ensure you give yourself ample time to craft a reflective yet concise essay and show off your strong writing skills!
Our experts will guide you in navigating LSAT-optional applications and maximize your chances of acceptance.
Considering how difficult the LSAT is, you should carefully consider if it's worthwhile to write it. The LSAT has always been the hurdle law school applicants must overcome to reach their goals. Although many respected schools no longer need the LSAT, does that mean you should avoid it, too?
The short answer is you should at least give it a chance. According to the American Bar Association, law schools only admit 10% of an entering class without needing a standardized test. This means that if you’re applying to law school without an LSAT score, the odds could certainly be stacked against you.
If you're in a position to take the LSAT, then you should. Most law schools still require it, and those who don't probably have a high volume of applicants applying without it. If you don't do well, you don't have to submit it and can apply using the alternative method mentioned below.
While the absence of an LSAT requirement might be a major deciding factor in choosing the right law school, ensure you also consider the program itself, its resources and opportunities, and its location!
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FAQs
Hopefully, this article was helpful to you. If you still have some questions, you’ll find some frequently asked questions down below.
1. Can You Apply to Law School Without an LSAT Score?
Yes, you can. Many law schools in the U.S. (including prestigious ones) don’t have an LSAT requirement. However, they require the GRE, an exam taken to apply to grad school. If you’re not keen on writing the dreaded LSAT, consider adding these schools to your list of top choices!
2. Do You Need LSAT to Get Into Law School?
Although many schools still require their students to submit LSAT scores, more and more schools are moving away from this requirement.
3. Are There Any Law Schools That Don't Require the LSAT?
Yes, some law schools have chosen not to make LSAT scores a mandatory part of their admission criteria. Instead, they consider other factors like GPA, work experience, or alternative standardized tests.
4. Which Law School Is Less Competitive to Get Into?
Some of the least competitive law schools in the United States include Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Southern University Law Center, and Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law. However, there are no law schools that are easy to get into.
5. Why Are Some Law Schools Not Requiring the LSAT Anymore?
Certain law schools have made the LSAT optional because they believe it doesn't provide a complete picture of an applicant's potential for success in law school or the legal profession. They prefer a holistic approach that considers various aspects of an applicant's background.
6. Will the LSAT No Longer Be Required After 2025?
The ABA's Council is currently thinking about whether to remove the rule that makes the LSAT or similar tests necessary for law school admissions. They believe it could give schools more freedom and encourage new admission methods, but they're also listening to concerns from law school deans and others. As of now, the LSAT is still required for 2025 admissions, but keep an eye out for updates from the ABA and law schools regarding any changes.
7. Are Law Schools Getting Rid of the LSAT Altogether?
Some law schools have made the LSAT optional, but not all of them have eliminated it from their admissions process. The use of the LSAT can vary between different institutions, so it's wise to research the admission requirements of each law school you're interested in.
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Final Thoughts
No longer requiring the LSAT is an innovative way for law schools to attract new applicants. If you would prefer to apply to law schools that don’t require the LSAT, you can feel confident knowing there are excellent schools out there that will allow you to apply immediately with only your GRE scores!
Allowing students who have already taken the GRE to apply to law school will help eliminate the additional time, money, and stress that comes with taking the LSAT.
