Law School Application Advice

Still have questions? Feel free to ask our admissions team.

Our best advice is to apply early. Cincinnati Law works on a rolling admissions process, meaning applications are prioritized and reviewed as they are submitted. Applying early will allow your application to be viewed more competitively for both admission and scholarship. For us, applying early is before December 1. You can find our admissions timeline on the JD Admissions page.

The personal statement is your chance to tell the admissions committee about why you want to go to law school, and what you as an individual can add to the incoming class. It's also a chance to show us you're a competent writer, so be sure to proofread. A well written personal statement can go a long way, whereas a poorly written statement can hurt your chances of admission.

In roughly 2-3 pages, we want you to:

• Describe your specific interest in attending the University of Cincinnati College of Law and how you believe our institution will uniquely support your academic and career aspirations. In your response, please highlight any programs, faculty, or resources at Cincinnati Law that align with your goals and how you envision yourself contributing to the vibrant legal community on our campus.
• Discuss a significant life experience or personal challenge that has shaped your interest in pursuing a legal education. How did you overcome this obstacle, and how has it influenced your vision for using the law to effect positive change?
• Reflect on an instance where you observed an injustice or inequality in society. How did this experience motivate you to pursue a career in law? Describe the steps you have taken to prepare yourself for the challenges and responsibilities of advocating for justice and fairness.
• In your opinion, what is the most pressing legal issue facing our society today? How do you plan to contribute to addressing this issue through your legal studies and eventual career? Provide specific examples of actions you have taken to educate yourself on the matter.
• Law is a dynamic field with many different areas of specialization. Describe your current interests within the legal profession and why they appeal to you. How do you envision yourself making a meaningful impact in these areas, and what steps will you take to become a successful and dedicated practitioner in your chosen field?
• Discuss any topic of your choice.

There is no required or preferred length of a résumé. The length will depend on the extent of your background and experiences. The biggest thing to note is that a résumé for law school should not necessarily look like a typical job resume. Be sure to prioritize the experiences you feel are directly related to—and have best prepared you for—success in law school.

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180 while JD-Next scores range from 400-1000. There is no minimum score to be considered for admission at Cincinnati Law, nor is there a high score that guarantees admission. Looking at the range between the 25^th and 75^th percentile for any given year can give you an idea of what a competitive score would be. Applicants should keep in mind that an LSAT or JD-Next score is only one component of an admissions decision, and that other components (e.g. GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendations, etc.) are also important.

For University of Cincinnati students, UC offers an in-person course that meets on weekends, for more information see UC's Pre-Professional Advising Center website. 

You can, but it’s best to make sure you prepare well and do your best on the first try. Typically, large jumps in scores are rare, and usually happen when the test taker didn’t prepare the first time or had something really go wrong on test day.

Your highest score will be considered by the committee. However, the committee will not reevaluate your application after an admissions decision has been made. 

We do. (If you need a refresher, a complete list of application requirements is on our Apply page.)

• Qualifications for Admission to the Bar: full disclosure is best when it comes to character and fitness, but keep it to the facts!
• Sample LSAT Essay: The writing sample is not really something you can prepare for, but it should be taken seriously. It is not scored, but the members of the admissions committee will review it as they are considering your application, as an example of your written communication skills. 
• Letters of recommendation: Recommendations from professors are preferred, but if you’ve been out of school awhile or have had exceptional work experiences, letters from supervisors are perfectly acceptable. Regardless, be sure to take time to sit down or hold a phone call with your recommender, walking them through your résumé discussing your experiences, why they have prepared you for law school, why you’re interested in pursuing a JD, and the impact you hope to make. This will help the recommender write a more personal and substantial letter of recommendation.
• And most importantly: Apply early!
  

Affording a legal education shouldn't have to be difficult. All admitted students at UC Law are automatically considered for scholarships. Our awards are primarily merit-based, relying most heavily on LSAT, GPA, and your educational background.

Historically, roughly 95% of students received scholarship offers. We also guarantee a student's scholarship for all three years of law school, provided that you remain in good academic standing.

It's also worth mentioning that our alumni graduate with debt levels nearly $80,000 less than the national law school average. And, according to a 2019 Bureau of Economic Analysis report, Cincinnati has the lowest cost of living of any major metro in the U.S. Learn more about our tuition and financial aid.

Absolutely! Visiting a law school is the best way to determine if it's a good fit and a viable option for your legal studies. You can schedule your visit to Cincinnati Law online. 

During your visit, you'll typically meet with an admissions director, participate in a first-year class, and tour the law school with a student ambassador. You're welcome to visit alone or with guests.

After you apply, it typically takes, on average, between 4-6 weeks to receive a decision. If you're admitted, we try to provide you with your acceptance packet and scholarship offer (if awarded) at the same time. Two Admitted Student Open Houses are held in the Spring and you are highly encouraged to attend. We'd love to see you there.