Cornell Law School Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admissions

Are you looking to know Cornell Law Shool’s acceptance rate and some other requirements to secure admission into the school?

Cornell Law School has consistently been ranked among the top law schools in the country, and its Ivy League status is only one of the reasons for its international acclaim. 

Thousands of students apply to this demanding law program every year, but only a small number are accepted. 

To be a select few admitted to one of North America’s top law schools, you must understand its acceptance rate, admissions requirements, statistics, and selection factors. 

That is exactly what we will discuss in this article.

About Cornell Law School

Cornell Law School has long been regarded as one of the nation’s most inclusive top law schools. 

Its multidisciplinary approach to legal education and its vibrant campus community create an environment where all students can excel.

Cornell University, founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, is the youngest Ivy League school and the only one founded after the American Revolution.

While the school was established in 1865, it did not officially open and enrol students until 1868, with the first class consisting solely of 412 men. 

Cornell has grown from humble beginnings to an undergraduate student body of over 15,000 students from various geographical, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

Cornell has several undergraduate colleges that students can apply to.

In addition, Cornell University is a “public” university. While everyone knows that tuition, endowments, and donations primarily support Ivy League schools, Cornell is a notable exception, with most schools receiving state funding.

Also, Cornell is the Ivy League’s only agricultural school.

This school differs from other law schools in a few ways. That’s how they like it. Cornell Law is a close-knit, collegial community of learners with approximately 600 J.D. students. They like to consider themselves serious but not stuffy. Elite without being elitist.

Cornell Law is where students, not just professors, learn from one another. You’ll find a rigorous and vibrant environment here, where students regard one another as colleagues rather than competitors.

Community is more than just a buzzword at Cornell. What distinguishes them is their concern for one another. 

It permeates the campus from the moment students arrive. You’ll notice it in your classmates who stay up late studying for a big exam. 

Colleagues in the law review who move you to do your best work. Advisors who motivate you to study abroad, join a new club, or apply for a renowned judicial clerkship are also important.

Below are some of the reasons students choose Cornell Law School:

Inclusion as a Legacy

Cornell Law faculty will introduce you to new ways of thinking about the law. Their goal is to teach you how to think rather than to think like them.

Broaden Your Horizons

Cornell Law education is entirely up to you. Whatever issues are important to you, there will be learning opportunities to match.

Cornell Collegial is the place to call home. 

That is how Law School students describe the Cornell community. You will likely know most of the 200 students in each class.

Diversity Matters Outreach Initiative

The Cornell Law School Outreach Program is designed to help high-potential undergraduate students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the legal profession, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds prepare for admission to law school.

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What is the Cornell Law School Acceptance Rate?

Cornell University has the highest acceptance rate of any Ivy League school, earning the reputation of being “easy” to get into.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Cornell University’s admissions requirements have proven to be extremely difficult. After all.

Cornell University’s acceptance rate for the class of 2024 is only 10.6% out of over 50,000 applications.

Cornell is a highly competitive school for college applicants. But we’re here to assist you in getting into this Ivy League school. In this article, we’ll go over how to get into Cornell, from the Cornell University requirements to the types of students who live on the historic Ithaca campus.

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What is the Cornell Law School Transfer Acceptance Rate?

Cornell Law School received 50 transfer applicants in 2022.

Twenty students were admitted to the school. As a result, Cornell Law School’s transfer acceptance rate is 40%.

This demonstrates how difficult it is to transfer to Cornell University.

Furthermore, 10 of the 20 accepted transfer students enrolled, implying a 20% yield.

Out of every 100 transfer applicants, Cornell University accepts 40.

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Is Cornell Law School Hard To Get Into?

Cornell’s overall acceptance rate is approximately 10.6%, which is lower than in recent years, which makes it a very hard school to get into. 

It is unquestionably higher than the acceptance rates of other Ivy League institutions such as Yale or Harvard law school. 

The school has reported not only a 42% increase in student applications but also one of its strongest and most diverse application pools to date. 

In other words, admission to Cornell Law School is extremely competitive.

According to the current class profile, Cornell law school admits only strong candidates.

If you want to get into Cornell law school despite having a low GPA, you’ll need an even higher score and impressive application components.

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Does Cornell Law School Require Test Scores?

All applicants must take one of the approved standardized tests listed below:

• Admission to Law School Exam (LSAT)
• The Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
• Graduate Management Admission Examination (GMAT)
• SAT/ACT (3 plus 3 Pathway applicants only)

If you take the exam in June, July, September, or November, you will be able to apply under one of the early decision options. 

If you take the exam in June, July, or September, you will have enough time to retake it in November or January and still meet the March 1 application deadline.

The school does not accept LSAT scores older than five years.

Also, the 2023 entering class’s median LSAT score is 171.

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What Are The Admission Requirements For Cornell Law School?

Cornell Law School claims on its website that its community is defined by frequent and meaningful interactions between students, faculty, and admins. 

The admissions committee is looking for students who can contribute to the described collaborative community while also demonstrating academic promise. 

They use a holistic admissions process to determine which students are likely to fit the bill, which means they consider all the application components you must submit. Let’s take a closer look at them:

Transcripts: 

Your undergraduate GPA and grades are very important in law school admissions. 

While your GPA is not everything, many admissions officers consider it to be a good predictor of success.

LSAT/GRE/GMAT: 

Cornell Law School is among the few law schools that acknowledge all three standardized tests as part of the admissions process. 

You only need to submit results for one of these three exams. You should be aware that the school will not accept LSAT scores that are older than five years old and that if you take the test multiple times, the higher score will be used if it is at least three points higher than the previous score. 

Your resume: 

Cornell considers your extracurricular and community activities, work history, and other life experiences in addition to your academic potential. 

This is what you should include on your law school resume. We strongly advise creating a resume specifically for this application.

Admission essays: 

Cornell requires all applicants to submit a personal statement for law school. A personal statement for Cornell law school should be two pages long, and the topic is entirely up to you. 

We recommend you use this essay to tell the admissions committee about yourself, the person behind the transcripts and extracurricular activities.

Letters of recommendation: 

Cornell requires at least two letters of recommendation, but applicants may submit up to three more. 

Faculty members who taught them should write letters of recommendation for applicants who are currently completing their undergraduate studies or who graduated less than two years ago.

Interviews

Cornell Law School does not conduct interviews with all applicants. The admissions committee may extend you an interview invitation, which you are strongly encouraged to accept. 

Law school interviews are an excellent opportunity to tell the admissions committee a little bit more about yourself and what you can bring to their program.

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What Are The Transfer Requirements For Cornell Law School?

(1) Students transferring from another ABA-approved law school to Cornell Law School may receive up to 32 credit hours toward the 84 credit hours required for a J.D. degree. 

The Registrar determines the amount of credit, which is based on the courses taken by the transfer student.

(2) The Law School has several formal programs in which participating students can earn up to 24 credit hours of advanced standing for satisfactory work completed. 

A list of participating institutions with which the Law School has written agreements for dual degree credit transfer can be found at http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/international/study_abroad/international_dual_degrees/ index. cfm

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Cornell Law School GPA Requirements?

According to the current class profile, Cornell law school admits only strong candidates. Its median LSAT score and GPA are 171 and 3.86, respectively, indicating that you must have a strong academic background if you want to attend Cornell for law school. 

To be a competitive candidate, you should aim for an LSAT score of at least 172. If you have a low GPA and want to attend law school, you will need an even higher score and impressive application components if you want to attend Cornell.

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How Can You Apply To Cornell Law School?

The Law School Admission Council accepts Cornell Law School (LSAC) applications. The following application components must be submitted:

• The online application forms
• The non-refundable application fee of $80
• Transcripts of your speeches (from undergrad and graduate school, if applicable)
• Your curriculum vitae
• two recommendation letters
• standardized test results (LSAT, GRE, and GMAT are accepted by Cornell law school)

Cornell allows students to apply through their Binding Early Decision option. Students who choose the Early Decision option can submit their applications earlier and receive a response from the admissions committee sooner. 

In exchange for this early decision, applicants must enter into a binding agreement with the school stating that they will enrol at Cornell Law School and withdraw any other pending applications if admitted. 

To secure their spot, Cornell even requires applicants to pay a $1,000 non-refundable deposit within five business days of acceptance.

There are two rounds of Early Decision, one in the fall and one in the early winter. The exact submission dates vary from one application cycle to the next, so check the school’s website for the most up-to-date information. 

However, to give you an idea of how much sooner you might find out if you’ve been accepted, here is a list of the current deadlines for applying to Cornell law school:

Early Decision Round I-Binding

On September 1, online applications will be available.

The deadline for applications is November 1.

Students are notified of admissions decisions by December 31.

Early Decision Round II-Binding

On November 2, online applications will be available.

The deadline for applications is January 8.

Students are notified of admissions decisions by February 28.

Regular Decision

On September 1, online applications will be available.

The deadline for applications is March 1.

Students are notified of admissions decisions by mid-May.

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What Are The Alternatives To Cornell Law School?

Below are the alternative schools to attend if you think Cornell Law School isn’t for you:

• Columbia Law School
• NYU School of Law
• Yale School of Law
• Georgetown University Law School
• Harvard Law School
• UC Berkeley Law School

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Conclusion

Cornell’s law students remain among the most sought-after in the country. Every fall, hundreds of employers from across the country come to campus and job fairs in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC, to recruit our students. 

A professionally staffed Career Services Office assists students and alumni with job placement and acts as a liaison with legal employers. 

The Office of Public Service, in addition to connecting students with private-sector job opportunities, hosts an annual Public Interest Law Career Symposium to foster the Law School’s commitment to service. 

Both offices assist first-year students in their search for summer employment. 

I hope you find this article helpful

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FAQs

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Reference

• bemoacademicconsulting.com
• campusreel.org
• community.lawschool.cornell.edu