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admissions

Admissions Process

Admission applications for the Pitt Law JD program will be accepted starting September 1 through our deadline of March 1. Applications are considered only for the current year for the fall semester. We recommend you apply on-line through LSAC; however, we will accept paper applications submitted to our office.  Pitt Law is highly competitive and decisions are based upon many factors.  Once your application is complete, our Admissions Committee will review your application. If we are able to make a decision, you may be notified by mail within several weeks.  At the very latest, if you complete your application requirements by March 1st, we guarentee a decision on your file by April 1st. 

Requirements:

  • Applicants must submit a $55 application fee
  • Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States before the first day of law school.
  • In cases where an applicant has completed studies outside the United States, the requirement is education deemed by the University of Pittsburgh to be comparable to a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Click here for more information
  • When evaluating an undergraduate degree, the committee pays careful attention to the strength of the major field of study, as evidenced by the courses listed on the undergraduate transcript. Pitt Law is looking for applicants who have demonstrated the discipline and ability to handle a rigorous and demanding program. The admissions committee carefully evaluates graduate work and professional experience, although utilizes the undergraduate GPA.
  • Applicants are required to register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) and to take the LSAT. If an applicant takes the LSAT more than one time the highest score is considered by the admissions committee when making a decision. The latest test score that will be considered for all entrance is the score from the previous February examination. Scores from tests taken more than four years prior to the current admissions year will not be considered. More information can be obtained from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
  • A required personal statement gives the committee a view into the non-academic world of the applicant and serves as the interview. This is critical in our ability to enroll a diverse class. We ask that you keep your personal statement to no more than two pages, typed, double spaced.
  • Letters of recommendation play an equally important role in this process as they can reveal the strengths of the academic achievements of the applicant. We recommend three letters, although none are required. Letters should be submitted through the LSAC letter of recommendation service.
  • We encourage applicants to submit a Resume, as they highlight for the admissions committee a broader view of your achievements.

  • Applicants are required to provide full disclosure relating to issues of character and fitness qualifications. i.e.: underage drinking, disorderly conduct, academic disciplinary matters, traffic violations, etc. Requirements for admission to the Bar may differ from state to state and it is the applicants’ responsibility to investigate each state’s regulations.