Law Schools That Don’t Require The LSAT

Do You Have To Take The LSAT To Get Into Law School?

No, you do not technically have to take the LSAT to get admitted into law school. While the LSAT has been a longstanding requirement for most law schools in the United States, an increasing number of schools are offering alternatives.

For example, some law schools accept the GRE or GMAT in place of the LSAT, while others have completely eliminated the standardized test requirement.

Additionally, some schools offer conditional admission programs that do not require any standardized test scores. It’s important to check the specific requirements of each law school you are interested in to determine if the LSAT is necessary for admission.

List of Law Schools That Don’t Require The LSAT

Here’s a list of the law schools which offer admission without requiring the LSAT:

Harvard Law School
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
Georgetown University Law Center
University of Iowa College of Law
University of Wisconsin Law School
Wake Forest University School of Law
St. John’s University School of Law
University of Maryland Carey School of Law
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
Southern Illinois University School of Law
Yale Law School
Columbia Law School
New York University School of Law
UCLA Law School
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
University of Virginia School of Law
University of Chicago Law School
Cornell Law School
Duke University School of Law
Stanford Law School
University of Michigan Law School
University of Southern California Gould School of Law
George Washington University Law School
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
Emory University School of Law
University of Florida Levin College of Law
University of Colorado Law School
Boston University School of Law
University of California, Irvine School of Law
Fordham University School of Law
University at Buffalo School of Law
Texas A&M University School of Law
University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
University of Dayton School of Law
University of Massachusetts School of Law
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Vermont Law School
Suffolk University Law School
St. Thomas University School of Law
University of Akron School of Law
University of Baltimore School of Law
University of San Francisco School of Law
New England Law (Boston)
Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law
CUNY School of Law
University of St. Thomas School of Law (Minneapolis)
California Western School of Law
Southwestern Law School
Golden Gate University School of Law
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Western State College of Law
Whittier Law School

To be clear, although some of the law schools listed above don’t technically require you to take the LSAT, they do require you to submit either a GRE or GMAT score.

Therefore, in order to get accepted into many of the law schools previously listed, you will still need to take some type of standardized test.

There are very few law schools that do not require any type of standardized test score whatsoever.

Do Online Law Schools Require The LSAT?

Online law schools vary in their requirements, but many do not require the LSAT for admission. Some online law schools may accept other standardized tests like the GRE or GMAT, while others have more flexible admissions criteria that focus on work experience, academic performance, and personal statements.

Since online law schools tend to cater to non-traditional students who may be working professionals or have other commitments, they often have different admission requirements compared to traditional law schools. It’s essential to research the specific admission requirements of each online law school you are interested in to determine if the LSAT (or any other standardized test) is necessary.

Reasons Not To Take The LSAT

There are several reasons why you may want to consider skipping the LSAT and instead rely on other admission factors to help you get accepted into law school.

Save Time and Money: Preparing for and taking the LSAT can be a significant investment of time and money. By skipping the LSAT, aspiring law students can save on test preparation costs and focus their time on other aspects of their application. For example, LSAT prep courses from the likes of Kaplan and Princeton Review can take several weeks to complete.

Reduce Stress and Pressure: Standardized tests like the LSAT can be stressful and intimidating. Skipping the LSAT can help reduce the pressure on aspiring law students and allow them to approach the admissions process with more confidence.

Highlight Other Strengths: For students who may not perform well on standardized tests, skipping the LSAT allows them to highlight other strengths in their application, such as academic achievements, work experience, or extracurricular activities.

Focus on Relevant Skills: Some aspiring law students may feel that the LSAT does not accurately measure their ability to succeed in law school or as a legal professional. By skipping the LSAT, they can focus on showcasing skills and qualities that are more relevant to their future career.

Reasons You Should Take The LSAT

Similarly, there are several reasons why you should definitely consider taking the LSAT to help round out your law school application.

Wider Selection of Schools: Taking the LSAT opens up a wider range of law schools to consider, including those that require the LSAT as part of their admissions criteria. This broader selection allows you to choose a law school that aligns more closely with your academic goals, career aspirations, and preferred learning environment.

Predictor of Law School Success: The LSAT is designed to assess skills that are considered important for success in law school, such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension. Doing well on the LSAT can indicate your potential to perform well in law school, and boost your confidence.

Competitive Advantage: A strong LSAT score can set you apart from other applicants and improve your chances of being admitted to your desired law schools. It can demonstrate your academic abilities and dedication to pursuing a legal career.

Scholarship Opportunities: Many law schools offer scholarships based on LSAT scores. A high LSAT score can make you eligible for merit-based scholarships, which can help offset the cost of your legal education.

Personal Growth: The process of studying for and taking the LSAT can be personally enriching. It can help you improve your critical thinking skills, time management abilities, and perseverance, which are qualities that can benefit you in various aspects of your life.