JD Admissions Process

Applicants must register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and have the option to take the LSAT. If an applicant takes the LSAT multiple times, the admissions committee considers the highest score when making decisions.

The latest test score that will be considered for all entrances is from the previous February examination. Scores from tests taken more than four years before the current admissions year will not be considered. If a student takes a test other than the LSAT, it will be taken into account during the decision-making process. However, for financial aid purposes and reporting to the American Bar Association (ABA), the LSAT score will be utilized

Pitt Law will accept the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) in lieu of the LSAT. Students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher and have scored in at least the 85th percentile when taking the GRE. Applicants who wish to have their GRE considered must instruct the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send Pitt Law all GRE test scores from the mandated five-year period. 

Pitt Law's ETS (DI) code is 4311.

JD-Next is an eight-week asynchronous course that culminates in a four-hour exam. It is designed to help students develop the essential reading and analysis skills necessary to excel in law school. For more information, please visit Aspen Publishing.

Your personal statement plays a crucial role in your application to law school. In your statement, you should discuss any significant personal, social, or academic experiences that have influenced your decision to pursue a law degree. It's important that you identify how your unique skills and perspectives will enhance the law school community. Additionally, you should explain how you plan to use your legal education to positively impact your future career. To ensure that your statement is effective, please limit it to no more than two double-spaced pages.

We require applicants to submit a current resume. Your resume should provide a comprehensive overview of your professional experience, including all full-time and part-time jobs, paid and unpaid work, and any extra-curricular activities and awards you have received. We do not require any activities or awards from high school.

Applicants may add additional information to provide further context regarding any aspect of their application or future in law. Please limit each addendum to two pages, double-spaced.

1. Applicants may submit an addendum regarding their intent to engage in law-related work on behalf of a community or group inadequately represented by the legal profession because members face challenges in access to justice or for some other reason.  Please describe in what way you believe the community or group is inadequately represented by the legal profession, what inspires you to do this work, and how you think you can contribute to addressing the problem.
2. Applicants may choose to submit an addendum containing additional information that they believe would be beneficial for the admissions committee to consider when making a decision on their application.
3. Applicants may submit an addendum containing any personal background or circumstances that have caused their LSAT scores or undergraduate grades not to reflect their academic ability to perform successfully in law school. Factors might include disabilities, English as a second language, primary or secondary education quality, maturing non-academic experiences such as work, or other social or cultural factors.

The legal profession has strict ethical standards that all members must follow to safeguard the interests of clients and the public. Those who wish to join the legal profession must meet the same high standards of honesty, transparency, and accuracy expected of practicing lawyers. If you answered "Yes" to any of the Character & Fitness questions, you must provide an addendum explaining the situation(s) and outcomes. Failure to disclose this information could lead to disqualification from law school admission.