Regular decision J.D. applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning in late August and running until July 1. Because decisions are issued on a rolling basis (typically beginning in November), early application is strongly encouraged. For instructions regarding the Binding Early Decision program please click here.
An applicant whose admissions file is complete by March 1, will receive a decision of admit, deny or opt-in wait list no later than March 31. Applicants whose admissions files are not complete until after March 1 are not guaranteed a decision by March 31.
Application files completed by February 1 will receive priority consideration for merit-based scholarships. Application files completed after February 1 will be considered for scholarship assistance to the extent that funds remain available.
Applicants for student loans should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) by March 15.
Submit an application with required attachments. You must apply electronically through LSAC. A screen reader compatible version of our application is available via our Application webpage. No application fee is required. You must comply with the electronic certification instructions when submitting your application. For technical assistance with the online application form available via LSAC, contact the Law School Admission Council at 215.968.1393. For all other inquiries, please contact the Office of Admissions at 540.458.8503 or lawadm@wlu.edu for assistance.
Register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). All applicants must register with the LSAC CAS even if applying with the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and not the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
All applicants must take the LSAT or the GRE. Applications will not be considered eligible for review until test scores are received. To register for the LSAT, visit the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website. All LSAT scores will be automatically reported to us by LSAC with your CAS. To register for the GRE, visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website. To submit your GRE score, log into your ETS account and select Washington and Lee University School of Law using ETS institution code 2937. You must submit all GRE scores from the past five (5) years.
LSAT scores will be provided directly to us regardless of whether you have also taken the GRE and the LSAT score will be considered in the review of your application. If an applicant takes the LSAT after being offered admission with the GRE score only, the School of Law reserves the right to revisit the applicant's decision and/or scholarship award, if necessary.
Arrange to have transcripts sent to LSAC from every college or university you have attended.
Direct LSAC CAS to send a law school report to Washington and Lee. If you completed any postsecondary work outside the US (including its territories) or Canada, submit transcripts from foreign institutions to be included in your CAS report. This service is included in the CAS registration fee; the Transcript Request Form is available online from LSAC. Foreign Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your CAS Law School Report. Note that only work completed outside the U.S. and Canada that exceeds the equivalent of an academic year will be authenticated and evaluated by LSAC's transcript services. When any lesser amount of work is completed, up to and including one academic year, a copy of that transcript will simply be forwarded to the law school. Questions about the Credential Assembly Service should be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
Obtain one letter of recommendation. Because we seek to evaluate your potential as a law student, academic recommendations that discuss your performance in a classroom setting are particularly helpful. We strongly encourage you to use the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. This service is included in your CAS registration. Letters submitted through the LSAC Service are included in your law school report. We will accept additional letters of recommendation, but will consider your file complete when one has been received.
Once your application has been submitted, you must inform the admissions office of any changes in the information provided, or any new event or information that would have been required to be disclosed had it occurred or been known on the date the application was submitted. For details, please refer to Section VI of the Application and the certification above your signature.
If you intend to apply for educational loans, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 15. The university's Financial Aid Office may request supplemental financial information. Questions regarding educational loans should be directed to Drake Breeden in the university's Office of Financial Aid at 540.458.8729. All applicants for admission are considered for merit-based scholarship assistance; no separate application form is required.
