A member of the admissions team sits with a student in her office, reviewing materials on a desk.

Our Application Process

Here’s what you need to know about applying to our academic programs.

Questions?

The Office of Admissions is available Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for appointments by phone and video meetings. 

Request an appointment today!

Apply Through LSAC

Note: All admission decisions are final. Appeals will not be considered.

3-Year JD 2-Year JD Transfer & Visiting LLM JSD

Admission to the J.D. Program

The Juris Doctor Program

The J.D. Program at the University at Buffalo School of Law is a three-year, full-time program designed to prepare students for a successful legal career. To be eligible for the Juris Doctor program, applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or its international equivalent) and are required to take either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

What does our ideal J.D. candidate look like?

Our admission process is selective and based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria. In addition to your LSAT score and your undergraduate grade point average (GPA), the Admissions Committee considers other non-numerical factors in reaching decisions. These factors include:

  • Achievement or activities that indicate a high level of probability of scholastic excellence and intellectual contributions while in law school;
  • Achievements or activities emanating from work, life experience or community service that indicate a potential for contributing to the enrichment of the law school;
  • Special factors in your academic background that may have affected your academic career, including discrimination based on race, creed, gender, disability or national origin, and economic or social impediments.

The School of Law is committed to a nondiscriminatory admission policy and philosophy. We welcome applications from all people without regard to race, age, gender, disability, religion, national origin, family status or sexual orientation.

The Application Review Process

The Admissions Committee uses a rolling admission process. Applications are put into review with the Admissions Committee as they become complete, and decisions are usually made within four to six weeks. It is essential to make sure you have submitted all required documents. Incomplete applications will not go into review with the Admissions Committee.

Applying Early Decision

If you have identified UB School of Law as a definite first choice, you may consider applying via our Early Decision process. If you apply Early Decision, you are committing to enrolling if admitted. Learn more about the Early Decision process with our Early Decision FAQ’s.

Applicants interested in Early Decision must submit a complete application by Nov. 15. The School of Law will complete the review process and render decisions by Dec. 15.

Successful Early Decision candidates must submit a seat deposit by the date noted within their offer letter.  Additionally, they may not initiate any new law school applications, must decline any other law school acceptance(s), and must immediately withdraw any pending law school applications. Failure to honor these commitments will result in the UB School of Law revoking its offer of admission.

Applying Regular Decision

While we suggest applying by March 1, we welcome applications beyond this date and accept the June LSAT. All regular decision applicants are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants opting to take the GRE in lieu of the LSAT should sit for the test no later than June 15 of the year they plan to matriculate.

Application Requirements

Below, click the "+" to read more.

Character and Fitness

Pursuant to policy established by the State University of New York (SUNY), the University at Buffalo School of Law does not make inquiries into the criminal records of applicants for purposes of admission.

Important Note: Admission to the University at Buffalo School of Law is based on our judgment of your ability to successfully complete a course of legal study. However, neither admission to nor graduation from UB School of Law constitutes a judgment that you are eligible for admission to practice law; that is a decision for state bar authorities, not law schools. A criminal record can be an obstacle for bar admission. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are eligible for admission to the bar, and we encourage you to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which you intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $85 is required. Individuals facing economic hardship can seek an application fee waiver by sending a request to law-admissions@buffalo.edu before submitting the application. The School of Law cannot waive LSAC fees, however. Explore LSAC’s Fee Waiver Programs and Services for eligibility criteria and application details.

Post-Admission

Successful applicants may be asked to declare their criminal history, including any prior felony conviction(s), post-admission, if and when they seek campus housing or apply to participate in certain other activities that require such checks (i.e. study abroad programs and experiential courses that involve working at outside organizations or in settings that require criminal background checks). Certain responses could, but not necessarily, impact ones' ability to pursue the aforementioned opportunities.