The application process at CUNY School of Law begins October 1, when applications are first received. Members of the Admissions Committee review completed application files and then vote on a decision.
A bachelor’s degree from an institution, accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education is required for admission.
Interviews are not part of the admissions process, although an applicant may be asked by the Admissions Committee to provide additional information to help with its review. Applicant requests for personal interviews will not be acknowledged or granted.
Applications who are denied are not subject to appeal.
The application form, personal statement and other materials submitted in support of the application must be submitted electronically through LSAC.org at the time of application.
No part of the application will be returned for any reason.
We accept a small number of students via Early Decision each year. The application deadline for Fall 2024 is January 1, 2024. All supporting documentation, including your LSAT Writing Sample, must be received by this deadline to be evaluated as an Early Decision applicant.
The last LSAT we will consider for this program is the November 2023 LSAT.
Decisions will be rendered by January 15th.
If admitted, should you choose to accept our offer, a condition of submitting your seat deposit to the school is that you withdraw all your applications to other law schools and submit a $250 seat deposit no later than February 1. The early decision program is binding, and all candidates will be considered for scholarships.
The Admissions Committee seeks to evaluate an applicant’s writing skills, commitment to the Law School’s principles and involvement in extracurricular or service-related activities through an assessment of the required personal statement.
There is no minimum or maximum length requirement.
The use of large language models or generative AI in crafting this statement is not permitted, as it undermines the purpose of the personal statement, which is to present your unique personal narrative and voice.
Your personal statement should include:
- What led you to the decision to apply to CUNY Law, a public interest law school;
- Your reasons for wanting to be a lawyer;
- Examples of traits you possess that you believe would benefit you in law school and as a lawyer
We are a progressive institution that invites diversity in all forms. Classroom discussion and life experience contributions are encouraged. Throughout your law school career and beyond your beliefs will be challenged. Therefore we encourage you to use one of the following prompts to frame your personal statement:
- Describe a time when you changed your mind about a belief you had previously formed. How did you ultimately come to another conclusion?
- Describe a time when you discovered you were wrong or mistaken. How did you come to that conclusion and what did you learn from it?
- Describe a time you interacted with someone with whom you disagreed or who had a different perspective from your own. How did you resolve the situation or learn to coexist?
- Describe a time when you actively worked to promote change and provide examples. Examples include anti-racism work, how you engage communities, how you respond to disagreements, etc.
- Where do you see yourself 5 years after graduation from CUNY Law?
You may include up to two statements if the purpose and topics are clearly disparate and demonstrative of your foundation to attend law school (Eg. Personal Statement and Diversity Statement).
Two letters of recommendation are required to complete an application for admission. We seek letters from individuals who know your work and abilities in unusual depth and detail, and who are willing to take the time necessary to provide us with a deeper understanding of the activities, work or events that demonstrate your strength in one or more of the areas of particular interest to our admissions committee.
The specialized nature of the Law School’s program, and the criteria utilized in the admissions process, are not typical ones. If there are two individuals who can provide special insight into your experience, aptitude or ability, particularly with respect to the criteria on which we base admissions, you should ask them to submit letters. For example, letters from a professor who has taught you, or from a supervisor on a job or at a volunteer activity, or from a community or spiritual leader with whom you have worked, can be especially helpful. Letters from friends of the family who only know you socially are not helpful. Letters from relatives are not acceptable.
Letters of recommendation are an important part of the Admissions Committee’s review process. All applicants are required to have two letters of recommendation submitted on behalf of their application for admission. If you are currently enrolled in undergraduate school or received your undergraduate degree within the last two years, it is strongly encouraged that one of your required letters be written by the professor of one of the undergraduate courses for which you received academic credit. (This is an “academic” letter.) All letters must be recent, signed, dated and on letterhead stationery. These two required letters must be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service.
If you previously applied to CUNY School of Law, we recommend that you provide us with two new letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf. If you provided an academic letter of recommendation in your previous application (dated within five years of the current application), we will honor that letter as one of the two required letters.
We welcome supplemental letters of recommendation from CUNY Law graduates and others who have a special connection to our program. Each letter must be on letterhead, dated within the last year and have the recommender’s original signature.
Applicants for first-year admission must submit the following, in accordance with our policies, to complete an application file for review by the Admissions Committee:
- a completed 2023-24 application (submitted electronically through LSAC.org on or before May 15th)
- a non-refundable $60 (U.S.) application fee;
- a personal statement;
- a resume;
- an active and complete CAS subscription, including a recent LSAT score and LSAT Writing Sample
(Please note that to be considered for Fall 2024, the last accepted LSAT scores will be the April 2024 LSAT);
- two letters of recommendation;
- if you answered “yes” to any of the Character and Fitness questions on the application form, you must attach an addendum with a complete explanation, including relevant dates.
Transfer applicants and re-applicants for readmission may have different or additional requirements. All applicants are encouraged to carefully read and follow these instructions before completing and submitting an application. It is strongly advised to submit your LSAT Writing Sample promptly. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow for possible delays in processing by the Law School Admissions Council and ensure that it is available for viewing on your CAS Report by our posted deadlines. Applications will not be evaluated for admission without the LSAT Writing Sample. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have questions or you do not understand any part of these instructions.
First-Year Entering Students Application Deadline
- Fall – Apply by May 15th (April 1st is the suggested deadline for International applicants)
- Spring admission is not offered to first-year entering students.
Transfer & Visiting Application Dates and Deadlines
- Spring – The application opens on October 1st. The application is due by January 1st.
- Fall – The application opens on April 1st. The application is due by July 1st.
The review of an application begins only once it is complete; early application is advised.
Submit your application electronically via the LSAC website.
Check Your Application Status Online!
If you have already applied online through LSAC website, you may check the status of your application.
