The Direct Admissions Program
Our Direct Admissions Program gives high-performing University at Buffalo undergraduates a simpler route to beginning their legal education.
The program consists of two initiatives:
- One initiative targets students in the University Honors College, which includes courses of study for academically gifted students.
- The other initiative is aimed at UB undergraduates who are excelling in their studies.
Each offers admission to the School of Law without the usual requirement of the half-day test, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The following are frequently asked questions regarding our Direct Admissions Program.
UB undergraduates who meet the below criteria are welcome to apply for admission without taking the LSAT or GRE.
- 3.5+ cumulative GPA through at least six semesters of academic coursework, and
- SAT or ACT score at or above the 85th percentile
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is eligible to apply for admission without an LSAT or GRE?
The Direct Admissions Program is open to high-achieving UB undergraduate seniors who will graduate in May or have graduated within the past year. All students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher through at least six semesters of academic work at UB and have scored at or above the 85th percentile on the SAT or ACT. Unfortunately, prospective applicants who take the LSAT or GRE are ineligible to apply as a Direct Admissions candidate.
Q. What standardized test scores will you accept in place of the LSAT/GRE?
A. We will accept scores from the SAT and the ACT.
Q. What percentage of qualified students will you accept to your entering class without an LSAT/GRE scores?
A. The American Bar Association regulates the standards that accredited law schools must meet. ABA Standard 503-3 states that law schools may admit up to 10 percent of their incoming class without an LSAT.
Q. Will students from the UB Honors College have a special advantage?
A. Honors College students must meet the same credential requirements as other students. However, Honors College students will receive special programming that may make them more attractive than other, similarly situated applicants.
Q. Won’t my score on the LSAT or GRE predict if I will be successful as a lawyer—and prevent me from making a disastrous mistake if I don’t score well?
A. Contrary to popular belief, the LSAT/GRE is not a crystal ball that can predict professional success. Students eligible for our Direct Admissions Program are, by definition, among the most successful of all undergraduates. Their prior performance demonstrates their ability to succeed in law school, and there is no need to require them to confirm this ability with another test.
Q. How much money do I save if I don’t take the LSAT/GRE?
A. The LSAT requires a $200 fee and the GRE General Test requires a $205 fee, not to mention the time and energy spent preparing for the test.
Q. I’m very interested in UB School of Law, but might be interested in applying to other law schools as well; do you recommend I take the LSAT?
A. Yes, we advise students who meet the Direct Admissions eligibly requirements, but who are also interested in applying to multiple law schools (or applying for transfer admission to another law school in the future), to take the LSAT.
Q. If I have a question that has not been addressed, whom do I contact?
A. Contact the Office of Admissions
- Lindsay J. Gladney, Vice Dean for Admissions
- Benjamin Rogers, Assistant Director of Admissions
- Katherine Szymaszek, Manager of Recruitment and International Enrollment
- Justyce Ramsey, Admissions Coordinator
Q. How do Direct Admissions Program candidates apply?
A. Candidates for the Direct Admissions Program must apply for admission through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) just like all other J.D. applicants. It is strongly recommended that Direct Admissions Program prospects meet (by phone or in person) with a School of Law Office of Admissions representative to confirm they have met the criteria outlined above. Direct Admissions Program applicants are required to send unofficial SAT or ACT scores by email to law-admissions@buffalo.edu.