JD Program Admissions
This is just the beginning.
As a leading justice-centered law school, Cincinnati Law equips and empowers its students to shape the[ir] future, guided by intention and driven by a passion to elevate justice. Tapping into the expertise of our renowned faculty, we train students to actively and effectively serve their communities to ensure equity, access, and justice for all.
Our JD program features nine areas of study, guaranteed externship placements, legal clinics, and unparalleled networking within the Cincinnati legal community. Our status as the Cincinnati's sole law school means our students have access to long-standing partnerships with local firms, fortune-500 companies, state and federal courts, and community organizations. Our small size, urban location, and affordability is unmatched and means our students graduate with less debt and a strong financial future.
With a JD from Cincinnati Law, you'll be prepared for next and ready to launch your unlimited future as a litigator, defender, negotiator, advocate, counselor, or decision-maker. You will join an illustrious network of alumni with successful careers from business and government, to management, consulting, media, politics, and education. Submit your application today and join the next generation of lawyers, leaders, and social justice champions. #yournextstartsnow
| Date | Deadline | Date | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2024 | Application Opens | March 15, 2025 | Recommended App. Deadline ($40) |
| December 1, 2024 | Spring Transfer App. Deadline | July 15, 2025 | Fall Transfer App. Deadline |
| February 1, 2025 |
First Choice App. Deadline (No Application until 2/1) | July 15, 2025 | Final App. Deadline ($40) |
“The people here care about you. That was the impression I got from the person at the front desk the first time I entered the law school, from Dean Williams, and from the students I spoke with during my visit. And it has been that way ever since.
Asa Bell ECDC Clinic
Admissions Requirements
Competition for seats in our incoming class is competitive but not unyielding. We are looking for students who have demonstrated ability, drive, and passion and can meet the rigors and intellectual challenges of our program.
The review process is holistic in nature, and each application is carefully reviewed on the basis of several factors, including difficulty of undergraduate courses, profile of LSAT/JD-Next and UGPA, prior history of leadership, service, and/or employment, a well-written personal statement, and strong letters of recommendation.
We have a rolling admissions policy, meaning we notify you as decisions are made. We offer a full-time program but are able to accommodate you through our FlexTime Program should you need more flexibility in your class and work schedule.
When applying to UC Law, we require the following items:
- A completed online application for admission (lsac.org)
- Application fee (free before February 1, 2025 | $40 after February 1, 2025)
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or JD-Next score(s)
- The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report, including academic transcript(s)
- Two (up to three) letters of recommendation through LSAC CAS Report
- Personal statement
- Résumé
- Character & fitness disclosures (if applicable)
- Statement on Applicants with International Degrees (if applicable)
- Prior Law School Information (if applicable)
This list, as well as more detailed information for each item, can be found on the "Requirements and Policies" page. View the "Admissions Timetable" below for the applications, deposit, transcript, and residency application deadlines, as well as open house dates.
JD Financial Aid
The financial aid aspect of law school can be daunting for many. That's why all students who are admitted to the College of Law are automatically considered for scholarships. Simply complete the scholarship section of the admission application. For more information on this topic, visit our tuition and aid page.
Apply to UC Law's JD program today!
Cincinnati Law is a destination for the determined, but don't just take our word for it. Apply today and join our collaborative community of diverse individuals. Discover how Cincinnati Law will ensure you graduate prepared to lead and ready for the next step in your career.
Our four joint-degree programs allow students to complete their JDs while earning a Master’s Degree — in just 4 years. Not only can you shave a year of time and tuition off of your educational career, you can immerse yourself in complementary worlds of learning while expanding your post-graduation marketability.
- JD/MBA
- JD/MA Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies
- JD/Master of Community Planning
- JD/PhD Political Science
| Date | Event |
| Sunday, September 1, 2024 | Application Opens |
| Friday, November 8, 2024 | Fall Open House |
| Sunday, December 1, 2024 | Spring Transfer Student Application Deadline |
| Saturday, February 1, 2025 | First Choice Application Deadline |
| Saturday, March 8, 2025 | Accepted Students Open House |
| Saturday, March 15, 2025 | Recommended Application Deadline |
| Saturday, April 5, 2025 | Accepted Students Open House |
| Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | First Enrollment Deposit Deadline |
| Sunday, June 1, 2025 | 2nd Enrollment Seat Deposit Deadline |
| Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | Final Application Deadline |
| Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | Deadline to Submit Final Transcripts |
| Firday, August 1, 2025 | Deadline to Submit Residency Application |
Q. What are the requirements to apply for law school?
A. Applicants to the JD program must:
- Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (any discipline)
- Take an admissions test (Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or JD-Next)
- Complete an online application on the Law School Admissions Council website
- Send all academic transcripts to the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
More information about Cincinnati Law's admissions requirements are available here. International applicants are encouraged to read requirement nine carefully. More information on the LSAT and CAS is available at www.lsac.org.
Q. When can I apply for admission?
A. The College of Law only offers fall admission for first-year students in the JD program. Applications may be submitted any time between September 1 and July 15 with priority given to students who apply before February 1.
Q. How do I apply for scholarships from the College of Law?
A. All students who are admitted to the College of Law are automatically considered for scholarships.
Q. When are applications reviewed and who reviews the applications?
A. The admissions committee, composed of the Office of Admissions, faculty members, and current Cincinnati Law third-year students, begins the review process each fall. Using a full file review process, the committee considers all factors, including personal statements and letters of recommendation, along with numerical measurements such as the LSAT (or JD-Next) and undergraduate grade point average. We strongly encourage applicants to give special attention to their personal statement and letters of recommendation as they are read carefully and considered by the committee.
Q. When are applicants notified of an admission decision?
A. The Admissions Office will notify you by email when your file is complete. Once you have received this email, the committee has begun reviewing your file and you will often hear a decision within, on average, 4-6 weeks. Applicants may also use the LSAC online status checker.
Q. How much does it cost to attend Cincinnati Law?
A. Ohio resident tuition and fees for the academic year are $24,010, with non-resident tuition and fees at $29,010. Approximately 95% of the entering classes from 2014-2024 were awarded scholarships further reducing students’ actual net cost. The Cincinnati area has a low cost of living, especially considering the size of our metropolitan area. In 2021, Cincinnati was ranked No. 2 in the nation for Most Affordable Cities by Move.org.
Q. Is admission competitive?
A. Annually, approximately 1,000 candidates apply to join our first-year class. Because many applicants apply and are admitted to more than one law school, the College admits more applicants than ultimately matriculate. The same admissions standards apply for both Ohio residents and non-residents. The median LSAT and GPA for the entering Fall 2024 class were a 158 and a 3.81.
Q. Can I attend Cincinnati Law part time?
A. While we do not offer a part-time evening program, a limited number of seats are available in our Flex-Time Program, which is a reduced full-time, day program. Click here for details.
For further information, please contact us at the following addresses:
University of Cincinnati College of Law
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210040
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0040
admissions@law.uc.edu
(513) 556-0078
Equity and Inclusion
Our commitment to diversity extends beyond traditional notions of ensuring that our community reflects the diversity of the clients our graduates will serve. We are equally committed to inclusion and ensuring every member of our community – no matter how they identify – has access to the opportunities the College of Law offers. Discover more...
Areas of Study
Cincinnati Law offers second and third year law school students the opportunity to select from nine Areas of Study, based on their varied interests and often driven by their own career objectives and a desire to have a rigorous and fulfilling academic experience. Our areas of study are designed to help students identify courses that will be useful to them as they prepare to enter specific practice areas in the profession.
Career Resources for Current Students
Thinking like a lawyer might get you an interview, being a professional will get you the job. From the beginning, the Center for Professional Development at UC Law will help you develop your professional brand, starting with Brand University during orientation and each week and month thereafter.
The CPD programs also expose students to the variety of professional settings in which graduates work and equips students with the tools necessary to manage their careers.
Real-World Learning
Practical experience not only boosts your résumé, it provides you with opportunities to build important connections, network across your interest areas and learn first-hand what different kinds of legal work entails.
Whether you dream of becoming a corporate executive, a prosecutor, judge or a social justice warrior, Cincinnati Law offers experiences, in our renowned centers and institutes and clinics, as well as through externships and fellowships, to help prepare you for a lifetime of success.
To learn more about the JD academic program, Academic Support, degree requirements, and more, visit our JD Program page under Academic Programs.
