Admissions FAQ
Overview
Want to learn more about the application process at KU Law? Explore our Admissions Frequently Asked Questions.
Information on LSAT Exams
What are the prerequisites to be considered for admission?
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before the date of initial enrollment in law school and a reportable LSAT score is required.
When should I take the LSAT?
Visit the LSAC website for a list of upcoming LSAT test dates.
KU will consider LSAT scores up to five years old. For more information and to register for the LSAT, visit LSAC.org.
How can I prepare for the LSAT?
There is a wide range of test preparation books and classes to help you prepare for the LSAT. We recommend reviewing old tests, becoming familiar with the format and type of questions asked, and allowing plenty of time for preparation. For more information, visit LSAC.org.
LSAC offers LSAT Prep, a free LSAT prep course on its website. This comprehensive prep course provides prospective students with hundreds of test questions and answers, practice exams and other resources you can use to prepare for the LSAT exam. It is highly recommended that you use this program either as the core of your test preparation or as a complement to other programs. You can learn more about LSAT Prep at LSAC.org.
In addition to the LSAT Prep, we have partnered with ETC Test Prep to offer prelaw students a discounted LSAT prep course. ETC provides an in-class LSAT prep course in our very own Green Hall. Taught by experienced LSAT prep counselors, this course will provide you the knowledge and know-how to do your best on the exam. The discounted course fee includes all books and materials.
Frequently Asked Admissions Questions
How many students are in the first-year class?
Each year, KU Law looks for 120 students to join our community.
What kind of qualifications must I have to be considered for admission?
The University of Kansas School of Law seeks to admit students with the potential to excel in their legal studies and to become valuable contributors to the legal profession. We seek to admit a highly qualified and diverse class made up of people who, individually and collectively, show great promise of contributing to and succeeding in the complex endeavor of studying and practicing law.
The Admissions Committee reviews all materials requested in the application process. In admissions decisions, the committee keeps the school's primary mission in mind: “to prepare students to be outstanding members of the legal profession, well-educated in the law, with a commitment to professional achievement and public service.”
There are no infallible measurements or predictors of academic success or legal ability. Admission decisions are based on a variety of criteria that suggest an applicant’s capabilities. These criteria include undergraduate coursework and grades; LSAT scores; employment experience; professional or volunteer experience; leadership in school or civic activities; unique qualities and achievements; diversity of background and experience; and demonstrated ability to overcome financial or other disadvantages. The committee also considers the applicant’s interest in or connections to Kansas or the University of Kansas.
The Admissions Committee may request an interview with an applicant to seek additional information from the candidate. Interviews may take place in person, by phone, or by videoconference, at the applicant’s convenience. Please note that the Committee is unable to accommodate applicant requests for interviews.
What is KU Law’s admissions policy?
Admissions Criteria
The University of Kansas School of Law seeks to admit a highly qualified and diverse class, one that consists of persons who, individually and collectively, show great promise of contributing to and succeeding in the study and practice of law. We review each application holistically and strive to admit talented, diverse and dedicated students who will not only make an impact inside the law school during their time at KU Law, but who will also make a positive impact in the legal profession after graduation.
There are no infallible measurements or predictors of academic success or legal ability. Admission decisions are based on a variety of criteria that suggest such promise, including undergraduate course work and grades; LSAT scores; employment; professional or volunteer experience; leadership in school or civic activities; unique qualities and achievements; diversity of background and experience; and demonstrated ability to overcome financial or other disadvantages. The committee also considers the applicant’s interest in or connections to Kansas or the University of Kansas.
Each year, our goal is to admit a class reflective of America’s population and to ensure access to the legal profession to all persons.
At the University of Kansas School of Law, we support the ideals expressed by the American Bar Association and are committed to providing “full opportunities for the study of law and entry into the profession by members of underrepresented groups, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, and a commitment to having a student body that is diverse with respect to gender, race and ethnicity.”
Admissions Committee
The Admissions Committee consists of admissions staff and faculty members who select students with the law school's primary mission in mind: "to prepare students to be outstanding members of the legal profession, well-educated in the law, with a commitment to professional achievement and public service."
Standardized Test Policy
The Admissions Committee considers many factors for admissions and scholarship decisions when evaluating applicants. Among the factors are LSAT and GRE exam scores. As part of the application requirements, all candidates must take either the LSAT or GRE exam. The law school does not have a preference for either exam, although most applicants apply using the LSAT exam.
Providing Score Reports: LSAT
Other than students participating in the LEAD program at University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Wichita State University, all candidates must use the LSAC credential assembly service (CAS). Per this service, all LSAT scores will be automatically added to a candidate’s application.
Providing Score Reports: GRE
To add GRE scores to your application file, designate KU Law (3999) on your ETS account. GRE scores will be added to your file 10 to 15 days after the test date. If there are multiple GRE scores, the law school will rely on the “superscore” of the highest score for each section.
All LSAT and GRE test scores from the past five years must be included in an applicant’s application. For students who have taken both exams, the LSAT score will be the primary score used for evaluation.
Does KU Law prefer certain majors?
You may apply to KU Law with any undergraduate degree. The Admissions Committee will consider the rigor of the major and whether you have taken classes that emphasize writing, analysis and critical thinking skills.
How can I find out about residency?
The KU Office of the University Registrar makes all Kansas residency decisions. For more information, visit our Tuition, Fees & Residency page.
To qualify for the KU Vantage Scholarship for residents of 11 counties in the Kansas City, Missouri, metro area, applicants must provide documentary evidence of residence in Bates, Buchanan, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte or Ray county. Only applications received before Feb. 1 will be eligible for the Vantage Scholarship.
Residency can be established in one of the following ways:
- Continuous residence in the 11 counties for at least the 12 months prior to the date of the admissions application
- Combined continuous residence in the 11 counties and Kansas for the 12 months prior to the date of the admissions application
- Graduation from a high school in the 11 counties and continuous residence in the 11 counties for 12 of the preceding 72 months
Military Personnel/Peace Corps/Americorps: Consideration for the Vantage Scholarship will be given on a case-by-case basis for public, service-oriented activities where the participant does not choose his or her residence.
Can I attend KU Law on a part-time basis or in an evening program?
No. Minimum enrollment is 12 hours per semester (fall and spring) after the first year. First-year students take 29 credit hours their first year: 14 hours in the fall and 15 hours in the spring.
Where are classes offered?
Most academic classes take place in Green Hall on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, Kansas. Clinic classes are offered in a variety of locations. We also offer study abroad opportunities and a 6th Semester in D.C. program.
How do I arrange for a visit?
Individual visits are scheduled Monday through Friday. The Office of Admissions hosts several recruiting events throughout the year. To schedule an individual visit, which includes sitting in on a first-year class and taking a tour, please go to the Visit page.
What is KU Law's scholarship retention policy?
| Students Matriculating In | # Entering with | # Reduced or Eliminated |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 Academic Year | 101 | 24 |
| 2021-2022 Academic Year | 100 | 23 |
| 2020-2021 Academic Year | 69 | 15 |
KU Law scholarships are funded by a number of different foundations and funds, and the retention requirements may vary depending on which scholarship students have received. In addition to the requirement to maintain full-time status, most of our scholarships require students to maintain a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA beginning at the end of a student’s first year. This minimum was set because it corresponds closely to the median GPA of our first-year class (3.03 in 2022-2023).
