How to Get Into Stanford Law School: The Ultimate Guide

If you're aiming to get into Stanford Law School, you're targeting one of the most prestigious and competitive law programs in the country. Known for its academic excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary focus, Stanford Law sets the bar for top-tier legal education. However, with such high standards, the Stanford Law application process is highly selective.

This guide will cover everything you need to know, from essential requirements to tips on writing a strong personal statement and navigating the admissions process.

Read: How to Get Into Law School: Advice from an Expert

The Stanford Law School Application Process

Before you start preparing your application, it’s essential to understand the dates, the school's structure, and the application process.

When to Apply: Important Deadlines for 2026

Stanford Law School follows a rolling admissions process, meaning the earlier you submit your application, the better. Here are the critical dates you need to know if you’re applying for the JD program for Fall 2026:

• September 15, 2025 - The application opens.
• October 8, 2025, 1:00 PM PT - Final date for submitting your application if you are applying for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program. Make sure your application is complete by this deadline. If you plan to take the LSAT, aim to complete it before the November 2025 administration. If you’re submitting the GRE, ensure your score is sent by the deadline.
• February 16, 2026, 11:59 PM PT - The final deadline for submitting your application.

Expert Tip: While February may seem far off, applying earlier gives you a better chance to stand out. Submitting your application early puts you in a stronger position, especially in such a competitive pool. Be sure to check the official Stanford Law School application page regularly for any updates or changes.

Application Materials and Admissions Requirements

The first step to applying to Stanford Law School is to ensure that you submit a thoroughly completed application. It’s your responsibility to make sure that all required documents reach the Office of Admissions before the application deadline. Stanford considers your application complete only when all necessary materials are received, and they will begin reviewing it at that point. If any updates are needed after submission, they must be sent directly to [email protected].

Here’s an overview of the application components you need to complete:

• Application Form: You must complete the entire Stanford Law School application form electronically via LSAC.
• Application Fee: The application fee is $85, and it must be submitted electronically through LSAC via credit card. If you are unable to pay the fee, you can request a fee waiver. This must be done before you submit your application, and processing takes 5-7 business days.
• Resume: A one-to two-page resume is required, detailing your academic, extracurricular, and professional experiences. It should be submitted electronically with your application. No photo is needed.
• Personal Statement: Stanford requires you to submit a personal statement that highlights aspects of your life experiences, interests, and character that would allow you to make a distinctive contribution to the Stanford Law community. This statement should be about two pages long.
• Optional Essay: Stanford also offers an optional essay that asks you to reflect on a time you encountered a differing viewpoint and how you responded. This essay should also be one to two pages in length.
• Optional Short Essays: From a list of four questions, you may choose to respond to up to two essays of 100-250 words each.
• Letters of Recommendation: You need at least two, but no more than four, letters of recommendation sent through LSAC. These should preferably come from academic instructors who can speak to your abilities and potential in law school.
• Standardized Test Scores: You must submit either LSAT or GRE scores. If you take the LSAT, it must be completed by January 2026, and the LSAT Writing Sample is also required. If you take the GRE, it must be completed by February 1, 2026. Make sure your scores are sent directly to Stanford Law School.

You will also need to submit your transcripts to LSAC for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report to be sent to Stanford. If you studied abroad, include your foreign transcripts for evaluation. Once all documents are submitted, your application will be reviewed.

Read: LSAC GPA and Its Impact on Law School Admissions

Reapplication Procedure

If you decide to reapply for admission, it is important to follow the outlined steps to ensure a complete and thorough application. The reapplication process requires you to submit:

1. A new application
2. A nonrefundable application fee
3. An updated resume
4. A revised personal statement
5. A new letter of recommendation submitted through LSAC’s Letter of Recommendation and Evaluation Service
6. Updated transcripts that show the conferral of your degree
7. New LSAT scores through LSAC, if available

If you already have recommendations on file, there’s no need to duplicate them. Ensure all your new materials reflect growth and changes since your previous application.

Law School Admissions Process: What the Committee Looks For

The committee takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications. They look for candidates who show academic excellence and a strong commitment to the law. Here's what they value:

Intellectual Curiosity

Stanford Law values applicants who are genuinely passionate about the law and have a thirst for knowledge that goes beyond the classroom. They look for individuals who actively seek to understand complex issues, whether through academic pursuits, personal projects, or professional experiences. Intellectual curiosity shows your potential to thrive in a rigorous academic environment and contribute to the dynamic discussions at Stanford Law.

Leadership and Service

Whether through involvement in student organizations, community service, or leadership roles in your professional life, Stanford values those who take initiative and make a positive impact. Demonstrating your ability to lead and serve others shows that you have the character and vision needed to succeed at Stanford and beyond.

Fit with Stanford Law

The school offers a unique blend of interdisciplinary programs, a commitment to public service, and opportunities for international legal studies. Candidates who show a clear alignment with these strengths are more likely to be successful in the admissions process.

The Role of Diversity

Stanford values diversity in its student body, including diversity of thought, background, and experience. Your gender identity and sexual orientation can be an important part of how you present your unique perspective in the personal statement and optional essays.

SLS Class Profile

For the class of 2027, the enrolled candidates had the following stats:

• GPA Range: 3.78 – 4.00+ (middle 50%)
• LSAT Range: 169 – 175 (middle 50%)
• Total JD Class: Approximately 180 students (1L cohort)
• Number of Student Organizations: 50+
• Clinics: 11
• Student Publications & Law Reviews: 7 core journals
• Students Working on Law Reviews/Journals: ~50%+ participate in at least one journal
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 4.19 to 1

Note: These figures reflect Stanford Law’s exceptionally high academic standards and its commitment to small class sizes, faculty access, and scholarly engagement. The school continues to offer a dynamic legal education with deep opportunities for experiential learning, public interest law, and interdisciplinary research.

Specialized Programs at Stanford Law School

The school offers a range of programs that cater to different career goals and interests. Here’s a look at some of the options available:

Juris Doctor (JD)

The JD program is Stanford's primary law degree, preparing students for legal practice, academia, business leadership, public service, and more.

Master of Laws (LLM)

Stanford offers five specialized LLM programs designed for lawyers trained outside the U.S. or for U.S. lawyers seeking niche expertise. Note that LLM applicants typically must already hold a first law degree.

• Corporate Governance and Practice
• Environmental Law and Policy
• Law, Science, and Technology
• International Economic Law, Business and Policy
• Stanford Program in International Legal Studies (SPILS)

Joint Degree Programs

Stanford Law is known for making joint degrees quite accessible, and a significant portion of JD students pursue one. Students can even propose custom joint degrees across departments, a flexibility few peer schools offer. Traditional options include:

• JD/MBA with Stanford GSB
• JD/PhD in fields like economics, political science, and bioengineering
• JD/MPP or JD/MA in public policy, international policy, education, and more

Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)

The JSD program is Stanford’s most advanced law degree, intended for those pursuing academic careers. Candidates must have completed an LLM at Stanford or another U.S. institution and must propose a significant dissertation research project.

Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

The MLS is a part-time, interdisciplinary degree for non-lawyers (working professionals, scientists, engineers, policymakers) who need legal knowledge but don’t intend to practice law. This is designed to complement careers in tech, health care, finance, and public policy, and offers a highly flexible curriculum tailored to the student’s industry or interest area.

Acceptance Rates and How to Improve Your Chances

Getting into Stanford Law is incredibly competitive. For the class of 2026, Stanford’s acceptance rate was around 8.85%.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Stanford Law

Here’s how you can improve your odds:

• Focus on Intellectual Vitality: Show your curiosity and passion for law through your personal statement and resume.
• Submit Strong Test Scores: Aim for a high GPA and LSAT score above 170 to be competitive.
• Get Personal Letters of Recommendation: Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your academic excellence and leadership.
• Tailor Your Application: Make sure your application shows you’re a good fit for Stanford Law’s interdisciplinary approach and public service focus.
• High Performers: Admitted students are exceptional individuals. To improve your chances, focus on a strong academic record, leadership, meaningful activities, and a commitment to law.

Visit: The 10 Best Law School Coaches: Who to Hire and Why

Tips For Your Stanford Law School Application

Here are the final tips to stand out in your application:

Write a personal statement that naturally aligns with Stanford's values

Stanford wants to see a personal statement that naturally reflects qualities they prioritize: intellectual curiosity, leadership, public impact, and innovation. Focus on telling a genuine story about your motivations, growth, and aspirations. If your authentic experiences align with what makes Stanford special (like interdisciplinary interests or a commitment to service), that connection will come through without needing to force it.

Prioritize quality over quantity in experiences

They would rather see a few experiences where you made a meaningful impact than a laundry list of scattered activities. On your resume and in your essays, emphasize leadership roles, sustained commitments, and clear growth over time. If you’ve been deeply involved in a particular community, cause, or field, lean into that. It can be more impressive than dabbling in 10 different things. It should also be tied to your background, passions, motivations, and goals. They want to see a clear trajectory of where you’ve been and where you’re going, and how Stanford fits into that.

Be strategic about LSAT vs GRE, and know your strengths

If you have a quantitative or STEM-heavy background (especially if applying for a joint degree like a JD/MBA or JD/MS), a high GRE score could play to your advantage. However, if you're aiming for a traditional JD path and have strong verbal reasoning skills, a high LSAT score (in the 172–176 range) will likely remain the safer and stronger bet. If you choose the GRE, be prepared to explain how your academic and intellectual profile still matches Stanford's standards.

The Bottom Line

Stanford Law is looking for applicants who go beyond the surface. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you attend law school, especially the Stanford path:

1. Do you value collaboration over competition? Stanford’s culture is famously collegial. If you’re looking for a cutthroat environment where you compete against classmates for rankings, Stanford won’t be your ideal match. Students here push each other, but they also support each other. If that resonates with how you want to grow, Stanford is a strong fit.
2. Are you excited by flexibility and self-direction? At Stanford, you’ll have immense freedom to craft your academic path through clinics, cross-registration, joint degrees, and research opportunities. But that freedom comes with responsibility. If you thrive in unstructured, build-your-own-adventure environments rather than rigid, preset paths, you’ll likely thrive here.
3. Do you have (or want to build) an interdisciplinary edge? Stanford is at its best when law intersects with technology, public policy, business, environmental science, health, education, and more. You don’t have to have a STEM or business background to fit in, but you should be open to engaging across disciplines and thinking beyond traditional legal frameworks.
4. Are you mission-driven? Whether you're aiming for public interest law, academia, tech policy, or corporate leadership, Stanford looks for students who want to make a real-world impact. Admissions officers care about what you hope to change, not just what you want to achieve. If your "why law" story focuses on innovation, service, or systemic change, you'll resonate with what Stanford values.

Ready to Maximize Your Chances of Getting into Stanford Law?

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See: The 10 Best Law School Coaches: Who to Hire and Why

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FAQs

What LSAT score do I need for Stanford Law?

• Stanford Law typically requires an LSAT score in the range of 170-174 for competitive applicants.

What GPA is required to get into Stanford Law?

• A competitive GPA for Stanford Law is typically 3.8 or higher, though exceptional applicants may still be considered with a lower GPA.

Does Stanford Law require the GRE or LSAT?

• Stanford Law accepts both LSAT and GRE scores, allowing applicants to choose the test that best suits their strengths.

What is the average LSAT score for Stanford Law School?

• The average LSAT score for admitted students at Stanford Law is around 171.