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The J.D. Admissions Process

Admission to Harvard Law School is competitive. Last year approximately 7,300 persons applied for approximately 550 places in the entering class. We understand that applying to law school is costly, time-consuming, and can be anxiety-producing. Most admitted candidates graduated in the top ten percent of their college class, have LSAT scores in the top five percentiles, and have substantial accomplishments in work or outside activities, although the number of candidates who meet these characterizations far exceeds the number of offers of admission we can make. We look far beyond the "numbers" to select an entering class and admit some candidates who do not have such high college or LSAT standings but whose combined academic and personal achievements are comparable nonetheless. We have long been committed to a policy against discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, source of income, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran.
The Selection Process for J.D. CandidatesUndergraduate Education/Academic Record
We want our graduates to be educated, cultured, and caring lawyers, in the best tradition of the learned profession. We realize that the foundation of liberal culture must usually be laid in college. While we prescribe no fixed requirements with respect to the content of pre-legal education, we take into account the nature of college work done as well as the quality of demonstrated academic performance.
As preparation for law school, a broad college education is usually preferable to one that is narrowly specialized. We look for a showing of thorough learning in some wide cultural field of your choice, such as history, economics, government, philosophy, mathematics, science, literature or the classics, rather than a concentration in courses given primarily as vocational training. Some academic disciplines tend to emphasize practical aspects of a subject rather than the fundamental theories surrounding it. We consider that those programs approaching these subjects on a more theoretical level, with attention to educational breadth, are better preparatory training for the legal profession than those emphasizing the practical.
Undergraduate academic performance is a significant indicator of potential success in law school, and we are convinced that one of the primary considerations for admission must be scholarship. Besides being one measure of general ability, a strong scholastic record indicates persistence, organization and motivation - all important factors that have few direct measures. The cumulative grade point average is one measure of scholarship, and not always the most accurate one. A weak start in college may be irrelevant if subsequent performance is outstanding. Trends are important, in both directions, as are the quality and difficulty of the courses taken. Unusual creativity, exceptional research skills, analytical prowess and other intellectual factors enter in where they can be ascertained, and are not always reflected on a transcript.
The LSAT
The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is also a useful aid in the selection process. It is designed to measure some of the acquired skills that are important to successful law study and, within broad limits, provides a reasonable assessment of these factors. Standing alone, the LSAT provides only a partial evaluation of anyone's qualifications for law study. When combined with other assessments, the LSAT is helpful in assessing individual promise and in making comparisons among those who compete for admission.
Non-Quantitative Factors
Quantitative factors, while informative, do not play a decisive role in our selection process. We have no computational methods for making admissions decisions, no mechanical shortcuts, no substitutes for careful assessment and good judgment. We try to assess a number of intangible qualities - energy, ambition, sound judgment, and high ideals. We actively encourage applicants from minority groups, women, and others who are well qualified but who might not seek admission for financial, geographic or other reasons. Information concerning economic, social or educational obstacles that have been successfully overcome often helps us to understand an applicant's achievements in a meaningful perspective. We have also found merit in allowing several strong factors to offset another factor on which you may perform only modestly in comparison with other applicants. We are often asked whether we give any preference to children of Harvard Law School graduates. Our practice is to take such status into account in borderline cases. This may help a few candidates each year, and applicants who fall into this category should make note of this in their applications.
Diversity of interest, background, and experience among members of each entering class is an important objective. Your personal statement is important in this regard. We are interested in what you find interesting; what is important to you; what you are good at; your ideas, hopes, and dreams.
Applicant Pool
We expect a volume of applications in line with recent years for the class entering in September 2005. Based upon past experience, most applicants will meet the minimal standards any admissions system might establish. Our selection process involves comparison of multiple factors among those who apply. We see our task as selecting the best class from a large pool of exceptionally well-qualified candidates. Defining "best" in this situation is a delicate and complex task. We use as many definitions as we can reasonably formulate and rationally evaluate to assemble an entering class that is talented, diverse, and stimulating. A careful evaluation of individuals' past accomplishment and future promise is at the heart of the process.
It is hard to measure how well an admissions system works. However, our classes in recent years have been able, interesting, lively, energetic, and promising. We are confident that all those admitted are capable of handling the work. The low rate of attrition (below one percent) confirms this.
While our methods are not perfect, admissions is a complex process, and we do our best to be sensible, flexible, and understanding.
Page last updated: Wed, Oct 20, 2004, 16:34:25 EDT. HLS Contact Information
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