Hardest Law Schools to Get Into: Rankings & Tips

Why Some Law Schools Are More Competitive

Factors Influencing Law School Selectivity

Some law schools are harder to get into simply because everyone wants in. They have high prestige, world-class faculty, and strong career outcomes. Schools like Yale, Stanford, and Harvard consistently top the list for a reason. Applicants know these schools open doors to elite legal careers, so the competition is fierce.

The main factors include:

• Reputation and global ranking
• Bar passage rates and job placement rates
• Research opportunities and faculty expertise
• Alumni networks and long-term career support

In recent years, there's been a significant uptick in law school applications. According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), total law school applications increased by over 5% during the last cycle, and applications also saw an uptick following the COVID-19 pandemic. More applicants mean lower acceptance rates, even at schools that haven’t reduced class sizes.

Top 10 Hardest Law Schools to Get Into

Note: These numbers are based on the most recently published ABA 509 Reports and school disclosures. See official data for individual school reports.

What Makes These Schools So Selective?

Academic Excellence

The median GPA and LSAT scores at these schools are among the highest in the country. That’s because they admit students who not only did well academically but who also challenged themselves with rigorous coursework, proving they have what it takes to handle law school.

Holistic Admissions

It’s not all about numbers. Admissions committees look at your entire application. That includes your personal statement, letters of recommendation, resume, and any addenda. If you're a reapplicant or have gaps in your academic history, these sections are where you explain them.

Small Class Sizes

Top law schools often have smaller entering classes. Yale, for example, enrolls fewer than 200 students per year. Fewer seats mean greater selectivity.

Post-Graduation Outcomes

Many students are attracted to these schools because of their clerkship placements, Big Law hiring stats, and public interest fellowship networks. These outcomes feed the cycle of prestige and competition.

Here are some tips on getting into Harvard Law!

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

1. Achieve a Competitive LSAT Score

Aim to score at or above the median for your top-choice schools. If you’re applying to a school with a median LSAT of 173, and you’re sitting at 166, you’ll need exceptional strengths elsewhere to balance that out.

2. Maintain a High GPA

A strong GPA tells schools you can handle their academic rigor. If your GPA is on the lower end, show an upward trend or include an addendum explaining the context.

3. Craft a Memorable Personal Statement

Avoid generic statements. Use your personal statement to show who you are and why law matters to you. For guidance, check out our law school personal statement examples to see what works and why. It should complement, not repeat, your resume.

4. Get Strong Letters of Recommendation

Ask people who know your work ethic and character. Professors, research supervisors, or employers can all write compelling letters if they know you well.

5. Gain Relevant Legal or Leadership Experience

You don’t need to have worked in a law firm, but experiences that show leadership, advocacy, or analytical thinking can help your application stand out.

A law school diversity essay can help your application stand out!

Is Attending a Highly Selective Law School Right for You?

If you're not sure which law school is right for you, consider the pros and cons of applying to exclusively top schools.

Pros

• Access to elite clerkships and firms
• Higher median starting salaries
• National name recognition

Cons

• Increased academic pressure
• High tuition and cost of living
• Less personalized faculty attention due to prestige-driven priorities

Think about your goals. A top-ranked law school can open doors, but it’s not the only path to a successful legal career.

What to Do If You’re Rejected from a Top Law School

Rejections happen—even to qualified applicants. If you receive a rejection, don't take it personally. Use it as an opportunity to reassess and improve your application. Here’s what you can do next:

• Request Feedback (if possible): Some schools may provide general insights into application weaknesses.
• Consider Reapplying: Many successful law students are admitted on their second try. Use the time to strengthen your GPA, retake the LSAT, or gain meaningful legal experience.
• Apply to a Wider Range of Schools: Don’t limit your options to only the top 10. There are many excellent law schools with strong outcomes.
• Pursue a Master’s or Post-Bacc Program: If your academic credentials were lacking, additional coursework can show renewed academic commitment.
• Work in a Related Field: Legal assistant roles, nonprofit work, or government internships can build your resume and improve your application story.

Remember: one rejection doesn’t define your future. Many lawyers didn’t take a straight path—and still built incredible careers.

Need to work on your personal statement for law school?

Law School Admissions Trends Over the Past Decade

Understanding the trends behind rising selectivity helps explain why some schools consistently rank among the hardest law schools to get into. Admissions data shows clear patterns in application cycles, competition, and selectivity benchmarks. You can view these shifts in more detail using this law school admissions trend chart from LSAC.

Law school admissions have seen significant changes over the last 10 years:

• Post-Recession Decline (2011–2016): Applications dropped dramatically after the 2008 financial crisis, hitting a low in 2015–2016.
• Recovery & Growth (2017–2019): A steady increase in applicants as job markets improved and interest in legal careers resurged.
• Pandemic Spike (2020–2021): Applications surged by over 13% in 2020–2021, largely due to economic uncertainty and remote learning options.
• Stabilization (2022–Present): Numbers have begun to level out, but acceptance rates remain low at top-tier institutions due to sustained high interest.

What this means: competition is stiff, but planning ahead and submitting early can improve your chances.

How Undergraduate Majors Affect Law School Admissions

There is no required major for law school, but your choice of undergraduate program can subtly impact how admissions committees view your application. Humanities majors like English, History, or Philosophy tend to sharpen reading and writing skills, while STEM backgrounds may stand out due to their analytical rigor. Admissions officers look for intellectual curiosity, discipline, and the ability to think critically—traits that can be developed across a variety of disciplines.

Regional Differences in Law School Selectivity

Selectivity can vary based on geographic region. For example, law schools in the Northeast and West Coast tend to receive more applicants, leading to lower acceptance rates. Meanwhile, competitive programs in the Midwest and South may offer comparable outcomes with slightly higher acceptance rates. Consider regional employment trends, alumni networks, and bar passage rates when evaluating these programs.

Alternative Standardized Tests: JD-Next and the GRE

While the LSAT remains the most widely accepted law school admissions test, some schools now accept the GRE or JD-Next. For example, Harvard Law School and Georgetown Law both accept the GRE in place of the LSAT, and schools like the University of Arizona have participated in JD-Next pilot programs. These alternatives can offer flexibility, especially for applicants with a strong academic background in non-legal fields. However, make sure your target schools accept these scores and be aware that LSAT remains the benchmark for most top-tier institutions.

Final Thoughts

Getting into one of the hardest law schools in the country is tough—but not impossible. Every year, students from all backgrounds earn spots at these schools through persistence, planning, and a compelling application. Focus on what you can control: your grades, your test prep, and how clearly you tell your story.

If you're aiming high, prepare smart. And remember, the "best" school is the one that fits your goals, not just the one with the lowest acceptance rate.

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

Sources:

ABA Required Disclosures – 509 Reports

Law School Admission Council (LSAC)

U.S. News & World Report – Law School Rankings