Standards for J.D. Admission

The University at Buffalo School of Law’s standards for admission support the overall mission of the School of Law: Research, teaching, and learning in the pursuit of justice.

The University at Buffalo School of Law’s standards for admission support the overall mission of the School of Law: Research, teaching, and learning in the pursuit of justice.

The School of Law aims to admit applicants who demonstrate potential for success in law school through a strong academic record and standardized test scores. However, the Committee does not base admission decisions on numerical factors alone but conducts a thorough review of applications. Several non-numerical factors are considered in reaching admission decisions, including:

  • Undergraduate major and course selection, grade trends,
  • Graduate coursework (if applicable),
  • Writing abilities as evidenced through the applicant’s response to the required personal statement (and any additional optional statements provided) and LSAT Writing Sample or GRE Analytical Writing section,
  • Recommendation letters,
  • Leadership experience, research experience, professional work experience, community service, and/or volunteer work, as expressed on the required resume.

The Committee conducts a careful review of each application in its entirety; no shortcuts or cutoffs are implemented.

Seeking not only to identify qualities important to academic success, the Committee also strives to enroll a cohort of law students that are diverse in their life experiences and perspectives. In doing so, the Committee considers achievements or activities emanating from work, life experience or community service that indicate a potential for contributing to the enrichment of the law school, as well as special factors in one’s academic background that may have affected their 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 and encourages applications from all people without regard to race, age, gender, disability, religion, national origin, family status or sexual orientation.