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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 10/03/23
Northeastern University law school is unparalleled in providing students with practical legal training. Read on to learn more about this school and how to join it.
Co-ops around the globe, working alongside professionals grappling with the complexities of law, and classrooms full of passionate and provocative conversations – this is the Northeastern Law experience.
Northeastern Law offers all of its students a one-of-a-kind academic experience with unmatched learning opportunities. They promise students the chance to craft their education and chart their path to legal practice.
If this extensive and empowering institution sounds like the right fit for you, this guide will cover what it takes to get into Northeastern Law, its costs, ranking, and more!
The acceptance rate for Northeastern School of Law is 31.1%. This makes Northeastern a moderately competitive school to get into.
Here’s a table of acceptance rates for the past three years.
Law School acceptance rates are typically competitive, but this table should give you an idea of how selective the school is.
Admission to Northeastern University law school is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 31%. To successfully gain admission you must have a strong academic record, competitive LSAT scores, compelling letters of recommendation, and a persuasive personal statement.
Relevant work experience can enhance your application. Applying early is advised, and you should consider a range of law schools when applying.
Northeastern’s first-time bar passage rate is an impressive 87.3%, which is markedly higher than the national average of 78%.
With the Northeastern University law school acceptance rate indicating this school is moderately competitive, it’s critical all interested applicants know how to present themselves as attractive candidates. The first step is to achieve the right scores!
The median LSAT score of past admitted students was 163, a score that falls around the 87th percentile. To achieve this score, ensure you first have a good understanding of each section of the LSAT and have appropriate prep materials to teach you useful strategies to ace each one.
Once you’ve completed a diagnostic test, assess how much time you’ll need to reach your target score: the further your diagnostic score is from your target, the longer you’ll need to study. Then, create a structured study plan that will get you to your target score! Stick with it, prioritize practice, and keep a positive mindset!
Applicants must also demonstrate a strong academic record through their GPA. Previous candidates that were admitted to Northeastern Law had an average GPA of 3.7.
The numbers we just discussed will give the admissions committee insight into the type of student you are. However, to learn about the type of person, community member, and professional you are and will be, Northeastern asks for the following application materials:
To demonstrate your academic potential, you’re required to complete an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university. While the major you choose makes no difference in the decision process, you are strongly encouraged to challenge yourself and explore diverse disciplines.
Your LSAT score must be no older than five years to be considered valid for consideration at Northeastern University law school.
You’ve likely spent a lot of time and effort pursuing activities in and outside of the classroom to boost your application and prove you’re a well-rounded, accomplished law school candidate. A resume allows you to share all of these pursuits!
In it, you should include any relevant work, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences you participated in, as well as any honors, awards, or publications.
To learn more about you, your interests, and your goals, you’re required to submit a personal statement that should not exceed more than two pages.
This personal statement can essentially be written on any topic, but most students use it to talk about a significant experience that inspired them to pursue law, their career aspirations, and their reasons for applying to Northeastern.
Students are required to submit one letter of recommendation through LSAC as part of their application. While they are able to submit up to two, they should only do so if the second recommendation includes different information than the first.
Your recommendation should come from a professor that you formed a close connection with so that they can discuss the specific qualities and abilities that make you an excellent candidate for law school.
To better gauge your writing skills and to offer you the opportunity to share details that are otherwise missing from your application, Northeastern gives students the option to respond to one of the following three essay prompts:
1. Over the past few years, most law schools have come to recognize the importance of hands-on legal experience. At Northeastern, we have been incorporating practice directly into the curriculum since 1968. Ranked #1 in Practical Training by the National Jurist, our signature Cooperative Legal Education Program (co-op) guarantees you nearly a year of full-time work experience in the areas of law that interest you, anywhere in the world. What field(s) of law would you like to pursue on co-op and why?
2. Northeastern is a nationally recognized leader in public interest law with a strong reputation for producing accomplished leaders in the field. What specific social justice issue are you most passionate about, and how have your professional or personal experiences influenced your interests?
3. At Northeastern University, diversity is about excellence and inclusion. It's about the way in which we engage with the world, the opportunity to learn from new perspectives, a core value for the University, an essential element of contemporary life, an expression of cultural pride, and a reflection of our campus, community, and global partners.
How has your background shaped who you are today or your future aspirations, and how will your presence enhance the Northeastern community?
Your response should be limited to one page, double-spaced.
Part of preparing for law school is understanding its financial obligations. To gain a better understanding of how much you can expect to pay to attend Northeastern Law, here is a breakdown of the expenses most first-year students have:
Source: Northeastern University Law School
To help students afford these high costs, Northeastern offers a variety of scholarships, co-op stipends, and financial programs that cover the full or partial costs of tuition.
Northeastern School of Law offers various financial aid options, including merit-based scholarships for diverse fields of law and special scholarships for groups like HBCU graduates. They also provide need-based aid through the Northeastern University Law Grant.
Loans are also available to those interested. In all, Northeastern is committed to making legal education accessible and inclusive while promoting social justice.
Students must submit their application materials through LSAC to apply to Northeastern University law school. Since there are a few application options for students, here is a comprehensive list of all of the deadlines to keep in mind based on your application type:
Source: Northeastern Law School
The only difference between early action and Early Decision (ED) is that ED is binding, meaning you must enroll at Northeastern if you’re accepted.
If you’re applying to Northeastern using a regular decision application, you may still submit applications past March 1, but it will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
The most impressive Northeastern University law school ranking is that the National Jurist ranked it as the best school in the nation for practical training. Otherwise, this school ranks highest for its health care law program, which is the ninth-best, and ranks 71st overall as a law school.
Below, you’ll find the answers to any lingering questions about Northeastern University law school.
Yes! Northeastern Law is regarded as a great law school. It offers a unique and innovative approach to legal education through its cooperative legal education program, which combines classroom learning with real-world work experience.
The school's faculty is composed of respected scholars and practitioners, and its location in Boston offers access to a vibrant legal community!
Northeastern Law is considered prestigious because of its practical training program and commitment to preparing its students for successful legal careers.
Northeastern University law school is moderately competitive. It only accepts 31.1% of applicants and expects its students to demonstrate academic excellence through their GPA and LSAT scores.
Students should aim for an LSAT score of 163 to fall within the competitive median of previously admitted students.
You should feel empowered and in control of your legal education – and Northeastern Law offers just that!
With a nationally recognized practical training program that ensures you’re career-ready, and various courses and concentrations for you to explore your interests, Northeastern provides you the freedom to customize your education and the resources and support to succeed!
Follow the suggestions shared in this guide to ensure you submit a winning application and have access to all this school has to offer!
