How to Get Into Columbia Law School (2025)

How Hard Is It to Get Into Columbia Law School?

Columbia Law School (CLS) is one of the most prestigious and best law schools in the United States, with an acceptance rate of approximately 11.3% for the J.D. Class of 2027. For this class, Columbia Law received 7,000 applications, extended offers to 791 applicants, and enrolled 451 students.

Columbia Law School is consistently ranked among the top law schools, known for its rigorous academics, diverse community, and proximity to major legal and financial institutions in New York City. Like other law schools, its prestige attracts a wide range of applicants from various professional and academic backgrounds. With a favorable student-faculty ratio, Columbia ensures personalized mentorship opportunities and robust academic support for its students.

Standing out in the admissions committee process of Columbia University requires demonstrating excellence in academics, a compelling personal statement, and a strong commitment to the legal profession. This guide provides key insights on how to get into Columbia Law School successfully.

Columbia Law Acceptance Rate Over Time

Read: T14 Law Schools: Acceptance Rates & Class Profiles

Programs Offered by Columbia Law School

Programs of Columbia Law School cater to diverse academic and professional interests in the legal profession:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) Program

The J.D. program provides students with a robust foundation in legal theory and practice. This traditional degree offers opportunities to specialize in areas like corporate law, constitutional law, and international law.

Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program

Designed for international lawyers and advanced legal scholars, the LL.M. program emphasizes the flexibility to tailor studies to individual interests.

Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) Program

The J.S.D. program focuses on advanced legal research, political science, and the production of significant contributions to legal scholarship.

Dual Degree Programs

CLS offers several law degree options for both local and international students to pursue a combination of law and public policy, business, or international affairs through partnerships with other schools, such as Columbia Business School.

Admissions Requirements — Who Gets To Attend Columbia Law School?

Columbia Law Admissions Stats: LSAT, GPA, & Class Profile

A diverse and accomplished group of students who attend Columbia Law School admits should exemplify academic excellence and leadership. Graduates of the program are widely recognized for their achievements, with at least one graduate from Columbia Law achieving leadership roles in top law firms, corporate organizations, and public service annually.

Class Profile

• Women: 52%
• Students of Color: 49%
• LGBTQ+: 21%
• First-Generation and/or Low-Income: 18%
• Admitted Students: 791

Academic Metrics

The admissions committee evaluates applicants holistically, considering factors such as personal statements, recommendations, and professional experiences.

What LSAT and GPA Do You Need for Columbia Law School?

LSAT Requirements

The median LSAT score for Columbia Law is 173, with the middle 50% of admitted students scoring between 169 and 175. Applicants aiming to maximize their chances should target an LSAT score of 173 or higher.

GPA Requirements

The median GPA for admitted students is 3.85, with the middle 50% ranging from 3.71 to 3.93. While these academic benchmarks are essential, the admissions process also weighs applicants' broader contributions.

How to Get Into Columbia Law With a Low GPA/Test Score

Applicants with lower-than-average GPAs or test scores can still be competitive by emphasizing Applicants with lower GPAs or LSAT scores can strengthen their Columbia Law School application in the following ways:

• Write an outstanding personal statement – Applicants should use their personal statement to highlight unique experiences, leadership, or a commitment to effecting change through law.
• Secure strong recommendations – Letters from professors or employers can affirm intellectual ability and potential contributions to the community.
• Retake the LSAT or submit GRE scores – Improving an LSAT score or providing competitive GRE results can make an application more compelling.
• Apply early – Early submission gives an advantage during the review process when more spots are available.
• Highlight leadership or professional achievements – Professional or academic accomplishments can demonstrate readiness for the rigors of Columbia Law School programs.
• Highlight Columbia Law moot courts – Applicants interested in litigation or advocacy should showcase participation in moot courts or similar extracurricular activities that emphasize legal education skills
• Emphasize professional readiness – Highlight work or volunteer experiences that demonstrate how Columbia’s education prepares students for leadership in legal study.

How to Apply to Columbia Law School

CLS Application Deadlines (2024-2025)

• Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

Application Requirements

• Application Fee: $85 (fee waivers available)
• Standardized Test Scores: LSAT or GRE (no later than January 2025)
• Transcripts: Submit via the LSAC CAS system.
• Letters of Recommendation: At least two are required.
• Resume: A concise, one- to two-page document detailing academic, professional, and extracurricular achievements.
• Personal Statement: No specific word limit, but applicants should focus on clarity and impact.
• Optional Essays: CLS provides prompts for diversity statements and other essays to further explain professional goals or background.

5 Expert Tips on How to Get Into Columbia Law School

1. Leverage Columbia’s location in New York City – Applicants should connect their career aspirations to the professional opportunities offered by New York City and Columbia Law School partnerships with legal, financial, and cultural institutions.
2. Emphasize leadership and impact – Columbia values leaders who have driven change or contributed to their fields. Examples of initiative and innovation should be highlighted in resumes and essays.
3. Research and mention programs of interest – Applicants should discuss how specific programs and legal education opportunities align with their professional goals, such as clinics in corporate law or international law.
4. Prepare for the interview – If invited, applicants should articulate their motivations for pursuing law and how Columbia Law School resources align with their long-term plans.
5. Stand out with a unique personal statement – A compelling personal statement can showcase not just academic and professional accomplishments but also an applicant’s values and vision for their legal career.

The Bottom Line

• Academic excellence is key: Aiming for a median LSAT score of 173 and a GPA of 3.85 or higher increases competitiveness.
• Personal statements matter: Unique and well-crafted personal statements can set an application apart.
• Leverage Columbia Law School strengths: Applicants should highlight how Columbia Law School's resources and location align with their professional and academic interests.
• Start early and stay strategic: Early preparation ensures a polished application and greater chances of success.

Partner with Law Admissions Experts: Admissions coaches can provide critical guidance on applications, essays, and interview preparation to help applicants get into Columbia Law School and succeed.

Read these next:

• How to Get Into Harvard Law School
• Stanford Law School: Acceptance Rates, Deadlines, & How to Get In
• How to Get Into Yale Law School
• How to Get Into Duke Law School
• How to Get Into the University of Chicago Law School

FAQs

What are my odds of getting into Columbia Law School?

• Getting into Columbia Law School is relatively difficult: approximately 1 out of every 10 applicants is accepted.

Can I get into Columbia Law with a 3.5 GPA?

• In 2019, the average undergraduate GPA among accepted Columbia Law applicants was 3.7. This average is relatively low when compared with other Ivy League law schools, like Harvard (3.86) or Yale (3.93).

What is the lowest LSAT score accepted at Columbia Law School?

• LSAT: There is no minimum LSAT score in the consideration process for admission to Columbia Law School.

What does Columbia Law School look for in applicants?

• Academic strength is essential. They look for factors in your application that indicate that you will be able to keep up with the academic discourse at Columbia, including your prior academic transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Is Columbia a better law school than Stanford?

• Columbia Law School is currently recognized as the fourth-best law school in the US, trailing only Yale, Stanford, and Harvard (and tied with the University of Chicago). Of the more than 7,000 students who applied for the class of 2020, only about 16% were accepted.

Is Columbia Law an Ivy League?

• Columbia Law School (CLS) is the law school of Columbia University, a private Ivy League university in New York City.

Does Columbia Law interview all applicants?

• Many top law schools, including Yale, Harvard, and Columbia, conduct interviews as part of their admissions process. However, not all applicants will be invited.

Is Columbia Law School elite?

• Columbia Law School, located in the New York City borough of Manhattan, is one of the professional schools of Columbia University, a member of the Ivy League, and one of the leading law schools in the United States.

Is Columbia as good as Yale?

• Yale and Columbia are both known for their rigorous academic programs and exceptional faculty. Yale is particularly well-known for its programs in the humanities and social sciences, as well as in law and business. Columbia, on the other hand, is known for its strong programs in engineering, the sciences, and the arts.

What is Columbia Law ranked in 2024?

• Founded in 1858, Columbia Law School (CLS) boasts a rich history and is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the US. In the US News & World Report's 2024 rankings, CLS sits at #6, solidifying its reputation for academic excellence.