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What LSAT Score Do You Need For Harvard Law School?
By Carson Lang Updated on April 18, 2024
John Ross, JD, CPA John Ross, JD, CPA

What LSAT Score Do You Need For Harvard Law School?

Detailed guide covering what LSAT score you need to get accepted into Harvard Law School

Harvard Law School is renowned for its rigorous admissions process, with the average LSAT score of accepted students often serving as a benchmark for aspiring lawyers. Achieving a competitive score is crucial, as it can significantly impact one’s chances of admission to this prestigious institution. In this article, we delve into the average LSAT score needed to secure a spot at Harvard Law School and explore what it takes to stand out in the application process.

Harvard Law School LSAT Requirements

Harvard Law School offers applicants the option to submit either an LSAT or GRE score as part of their application. This flexibility allows candidates to showcase their academic aptitude through a standardized test that aligns with their strengths.

Applicants can choose the test that best represents their abilities and may even submit both scores if they believe it strengthens their application. This approach reflects Harvard’s commitment to considering a diverse range of factors in its admissions process.

harvard law school graduates
Harvard Law School is extremely competitive

To be clear, Harvard Law School does not have a minimum LSAT or GRE score requirement for admission, as they consider a wide range of factors in their holistic review process. The admissions committee evaluates each application comprehensively, taking into account academic achievements, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and other relevant factors.

Harvard LSAT Score Range

Harvard Law School does not release the lowest LSAT score accepted in any given admissions cycle, so unfortunately, there is no way of knowing what the actual LSAT score range is of their admitted students.

However, Harvard Law School does release the 25th and 75th percentile LSAT scores of admitted students, providing applicants with an idea of the LSAT score range that successful candidates typically have. This information offers transparency and helps applicants gauge their competitiveness for admission to the program.

For last year’s class of admitted students, the LSAT score range was 171 to 176 (25th-75th percentiles).

Average LSAT Score For Harvard

The average LSAT score of admitted students to Harvard Law School last year was 174.

However, meeting this average is not a guarantee of admission, as Harvard considers a variety of factors beyond just LSAT scores in its holistic review process. Applicants with scores slightly below the average have been admitted, especially if they excel in other areas of their application, such as academic achievements, work experience, and personal statements.

What Is The Minimum LSAT Score Needed For Harvard?

Harvard Law School does not have a minimum LSAT score requirement, and the admissions process is holistic, considering various aspects of an applicant’s profile.

While a high LSAT score can certainly strengthen an application, applicants with lower scores have been admitted based on other compelling factors such as exceptional academic achievements, unique life experiences, and strong letters of recommendation.

With that said, you will realistically need to score 168 or above on the LSAT in order to give yourself a chance of being admitted into Harvard Law School. Of course, there are always exceptions, especially if the other aspects of your application are remarkable.

What Is A Good LSAT Score For Harvard?

Aspiring law students aiming for admission to Harvard Law School should target a competitive LSAT score range of around 173-175 to increase their likelihood of acceptance. Achieving a score within this range is considered quite good and aligns with the high standards of Harvard’s admissions process.

However, it’s important to remember that Harvard considers a range of factors beyond just the LSAT score, so strong performance in other areas of the application is also crucial. While a score in the 173-175 range can strengthen an application, there is no guarantee of admission, as Harvard evaluates a number of other factors as well in addition to standardized test scores.

Tips To Improve Your Harvard Law School Application

Now that you know what LSAT score you will likely need to get accepted, let’s cover a few tips to help you improve your LSAT chances, and round out your law school application.

LSAT Prep Courses: Consider purchasing a prep course to help study for the exam. LSAT prep courses provide structured study plans, expert guidance, and access to resources that can help improve your understanding of the test format and content. Additionally, these courses offer practice exams and feedback, which can boost your confidence and performance on test day. Some of the top rated LSAT prep courses on the market include Kaplan, Princeton Review and Blueprint.

Kaplan LSAT study plan
A look inside the Kaplan LSAT prep course

Strong Letters of Recommendation: Obtain letters from individuals who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities, personal qualities, and potential for success in law school.

Compelling Personal Statement: Write a thoughtful and well-crafted personal statement that highlights your unique experiences, motivations, and aspirations, demonstrating why you are a good fit for Harvard Law School.

Extracurricular and Leadership Activities: Participate in extracurricular activities that showcase your leadership skills, community involvement, and ability to balance multiple responsibilities.

Work Experience: Gain relevant work experience that demonstrates your commitment to your chosen field of study and your ability to excel in a professional setting.

Demonstrated Interest: Show your genuine interest in Harvard Law School by attending information sessions, connecting with current students or alumni, and researching the school’s programs and values to tailor your application accordingly.

FAQ

What is the median LSAT score for Harvard Law School?

The median LSAT score for Harvard Law School is 174, which reflects the high level of competitiveness among applicants. For the record, a score of 174 on the LSAT lands in the 99th percentile of all test takers.

What score do I need on LSAT to get into Harvard?

To give yourself a realistic chance of acceptance into Harvard Law School, students should aim to score 170 or above on the LSAT. This score range is competitive and aligns with the high standards of academic excellence expected by Harvard.

What is the lowest LSAT score accepted by Harvard?

Although Harvard Law School does not technically have a minimum LSAT score requirement, our team estimates the lowest score the school will accept is around 165 for candidates that excel in other areas of their application.