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FAQs

 

How many people apply each year?
Berkeley Law receives between 6,000 and 7,000 applications in a typical year. We received more than 7,300 applications to begin study in the fall of 2008.

What is the size of the first-year class?
Between 270 and 280 students enter Berkeley Law each August. They are assigned to one of nine first-year "modules" (groups of about 30 students). Most of the first-year courses are taught in classes of 90-100 students; two are always taught in small sections of approximately 30 or fewer students.

Do in-state applicants have higher preference than those from out of state?
You have a roughly equal chance of being admitted regardless of your residency. We strive to enroll a class that has a majority of residents, but we offer admission to an equal number of residents and nonresidents in order to obtain the ratio we seek.

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What are the median LSAT score and GPA of admitted applicants?
For the past several years the median GPA and LSAT score of admitted applicants have ranged from 3.7-3.8 and 167-170, respectively. The ranges are broad. There are no numerical "cut-offs," nor are there any guarantees. We read applications very carefully and in their entirety.

How much does it cost per year to attend Berkeley Law?
The 2008-09 tuition and fees are $30,944 for California residents and $43,189 for nonresidents. Health insurance is included. Nonresidents may become residents after the first year and save the nonresident portion of the tuition during their second and third years. There are additional expenses for books, room, board and personal needs. All tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.

How important is the LSAT?
The LSAT score is a very important admission factor. When combined with the undergraduate GPA, it provides the best indication of academic achievement and potential. You should retake the test only if you feel confident that your first score was atypical and that you can improve your score sufficiently to make a net gain. Most candidates take the test only once. If you take the test more than once, we will use your average score in most cases. We recognize that there is no statistical significance to a score gain or loss of a few points within the standard deviation for the test. We do not make admissions decisions based solely on LSAT score. We take all factors into consideration.

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When is the latest I can take the LSAT?
December is the last acceptable test date to meet the February 2 application deadline. Test scores are valid for five years.

Must I register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS)?
Yes. All applicants are required to submit their transcripts to the LSDAS, preferably as early as possible and no later than the end of December.

When is the application deadline?
The deadline to apply for admission as a first-year student is February 2. The deadline to apply as a transfer student from another law school is June 15.


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Does it matter when I apply?
Our application deadline is February 2, but we actually begin to read completed files much earlier. We recommend that you submit your application as early as possible (between October 1 and December 1).

What about recommendations? Whom should I ask to write them?
We suggest you provide two recommendation letters from individuals who can comment on your talents and achievements in an academic environment. Depending on the nature of the experience and how long it as been since you were an enrolled student, professional work recommendations can be helpful. We give no weight to whether or not you have waived your right to access them.

Do you grant interviews?
The large number of applicants to Berkeley Law prohibits us from granting personal interviews. The Admissions Office is staffed to answer your questions Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

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Does it help my admission chances if I take time off after college before applying to law school?
Applicants often take time prior to law school to obtain work experience, pay down educational debt, or to take a break from academia. We do not penalize such applicants. In fact, about 60 percent of Berkeley Law students have worked in other careers or done other things prior to attending law school. You should make the best decision for yourself by evaluating your short and long-term goals. We are looking for interesting, engaged, and passionate individuals. It is important, as well, to still genuinely "like school" and to be ready to take on three more rigorous years of it. If you need a break, it is best to take it before applying to law school.

Is consideration given to diversity?
Berkeley Law strives to admit a diverse group of people to study law and to join the vibrant exchange of ideas that happens in its classrooms. The school's admission policy gives consideration to a variety of factors in addition to numerical indicators. These include graduate work, special academic distinctions, life experiences, difficulty of the academic program, work experience, history of overcoming educational or socioeconomic disadvantage, and significant achievement in nonacademic activities or public service.

Does your undergraduate school make a big difference in getting accepted?
The rigor of individual undergraduate schools and majors is taken into consideration during the review process, but it is rare that a decision is affected solely by the school from which an applicant graduated. Berkeley Law is interested in considering human beings, not their schools. Likewise, GPA and LSAT alone are not dispositive.

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Do you have any type of in-class or online program that would enable a working adult to earn a J.D. through your program?
No. Berkeley Law offers only a full-time, three-year program which leads to the J.D. degree. There are no summer courses, nor is there a part-time program.

What are the most important things for the Admission Committee when reviewing applications?
Berkeley Law's review process is holistic and seeks to identify applicants who are bright, centered, and who will make a contribution to the caliber of classroom dialogue. If hypothetical weights were assigned to the three factors considered (academic record, LSAT score, and personal statement/recommendations), each would be about one-third.

Is Berkeley Law on "rolling admissions"? Is there an early admission program?
Berkeley Law operates a rolling admissions process. It is slow and methodical because each file is read and no numeric cutoff points are employed. It is helpful to apply as early as you are able because we begin making offers as soon as we begin reading files in late October. Because there are fewer complete applications at the same time we have the maximum number for offers available at the beginning of the cycle, there is an advantage to applying early. That said, we don't admit anyone who doesn't meet our standards simply because they applied early, nor do we give any less consideration to those who apply later.

 There is no early admission program or deadline.

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What about combined/concurrent degree programs?
Berkeley Law offers several concurrent degree programs with other graduate schools and departments at Berkeley and also provides its students with the flexibility to create their own programs. We also offer combined degrees with other institutions (i.e., the Kennedy School of Government, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy). Applicants must submit independent applications and be admitted to each respective department or school. You can access information about other Berkeley graduate departments at www.berkeley.edu.

Will I be given preference if I already am a lawyer from another country?
You will not be given preference in the J.D. admissions process if you are already a foreign-educated lawyer, nor should you assume that advanced standing credit will be awarded to you if you are admitted.

Does Berkeley Law grant fee waivers?
Berkeley Law grants application fee waivers, but the number of waivers is limited. The deadline to apply for a fee waiver is February 2. Applicants who desire an LSAT/LSDAS fee waiver should act early and contact Law Services directly to obtain one.

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Are all applications read? Is there a cutoff?
Each application is reviewed by the Dean of Admissions or by one of his associates. No applicant is automatically admitted or denied solely on the basis of test scores and grades. Some applicants are admitted immediately, while other competitive files are sent to the Admissions Committee for additional individual evaluation. The Committee is composed of faculty members and students who serve in an advisory capacity.

When will I know the decision on my application?
The notification period is usually late November through mid-April.

May I defer my admission?
Deferment requests are considered on an individual basis. It is best to apply in the year that you intend to enter law school. With sufficient reason deferments are granted to a limited number of admitted applicants.

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If I am denied admission, may I appeal or be reconsidered?
All decisions are final. Applications are reviewed carefully on a comparative basis initially.  Therefore, reconsideration after the conclusion of the process might create an unfair situation more favorable to the individual applicant.  Such reconsideration would lack the perspective provided by the original comparison with other applications.

If I am denied admission, may I reapply?
Applicants who wish to reapply to Berkeley Law should read the application instructions carefully and register again with the LSDAS. Updated transcripts should not be sent directly to the law school. Previous application records are retained for one year.

How do I apply for financial aid?
Berkeley Law's Financial Aid Application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are required to be considered for financial aid. In addition, the Need Access Application is required if you wish to be considered for need-based grants. The FAFSA is available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ (FAFSA school code: 001312) and the Need Access Application is available at http://www.needaccess.org/. Although some merit awards are available, the majority of financial aid is need-based as determined by the information you supply on the FAFSA and Need Access. Applicants should be particularly alert to the financial aid deadlines and procedures as described on the Berkeley Law Financial Aid website (http://www.law.berkeley.edu/students/financial_aid/).

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How can I get an application?
The vast majority of applicants apply electronically through Law Services which is our preferred method. Applications may be submitted beginning October 1st. Alternatively, the application and instructions are available in early September on our website in PDF format for you to complete and print out. Berkeley Law does not have an online application. You must print the PDF application and mail the hard copy to us. Go to the J.D. application page to obtain details and to access the application form.

Is there any other literature available about the school?
We will be happy to mail you a Berkeley Law Viewbook. They are available to order through our website or for pick-up in the Admissions Office, 2850 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 500, Berkeley, CA 94705-7220.

I would like to meet with an Admission Counselor.
Click here to find information and plan your visit to Berkeley Law. Please call (510) 642-2274 to make an appointment to see an admissions counselor. Berkeley Law does not conduct interviews for admission purposes.

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