JD Application Process

Sophia Sim

Thank you for your interest in applying to The George Washington University Law School. Located just blocks away from the White House and Capitol Hill, three blocks from the U.S. State Department, and across the street from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, we are truly in the heart of Washington, DC. Working with our dynamic faculty and engaged alumni, we strive to create personal pathways to help our students achieve their goals. To learn more about GW Law, view the 2024-2025 JD Admissions Brochure (PDF). Feel free to stop by and say hello and take a tour. We look forward to meeting you and reviewing your application.

Sophia Sim,
Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid


2024-2025 Admissions Timeline

September 1, 2024
First day JD applications accepted for Fall 2025.                   1L application fees have been waived.

November 15, 2024
Transfer/visiting student deadline for Spring 2025.

February 1, 2025
Early Decision application deadline for Fall 2025.

February 1, 2025
Presidential Merit Scholarship application deadline for Fall 2025.

March 1, 2025
Early action transfer application deadline for Fall 2025.

March 1, 2025
First-year JD regular decision application deadline for Fall 2025.

May 1, 2025
Visiting student application deadline for Summer 2025.

May 15, 2025
Transfer student priority review application deadline for Fall 2025.

June 15, 2025
Transfer student application deadline for Fall 2025.

June 15, 2025
GW Junior Early Action application deadline for Fall 2026. 

August 1, 2025
Visiting student application deadline for Fall 2025.


Ways to Apply

Choose one of three ways to apply for admission to GW Law.

  1. Regular Admission Process

  2. Binding Early Decision Process

  3. Binding Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (Full Tuition)

  4. GW Junior Early Action Program

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at www.lsac.org. All applicants also must register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and send their official transcripts to LSAC.

1. Regular Admission Process

The fall JD application deadline is March 1 for those seeking admission through the regular process. Regular admission decisions will be made on a rolling basis between November and May. Admitted applicants will be required to make nonrefundable seat deposits between April and July.

2. Binding Early Decision Process

The Binding Early Decision Program is designed for applicants who have researched their law school choices and are certain that GW Law is their top choice. This program allows applicants a means of expressing to the Admissions Committee their commitment to attend GW Law if admitted. Early Decision applicants are given priority review.

As part of the application for Early Decision, applicants must agree that, upon admission to GW Law, they will:

  • Commit to attend George Washington University Law School and pay a non-refundable seat-deposit for fall 2025 enrollment.
  • Within five business days of admission to George Washington University Law School, withdraw all applications pending at other law schools and not initiate applications to any other law schools for fall 2025 admission.

Admitted applicants will be eligible for need-based grants; applicants for whom merit award consideration is a prerequisite for matriculation should not apply through this program.

The application deadline is February 1.

3. Binding Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (Full Tuition)

The Binding Presidential Merit Scholarship Program is designed for applicants who have researched their law school choices and are certain that GW Law is their top choice. Unlike the Binding Early Decision Program, applicants admitted through the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program will be awarded a full-tuition scholarship.

The admissions process is rolling; applying early in the admissions cycle is strongly encouraged. Part-time students are welcome to apply through the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program.

As part of the Presidential Merit Scholarship application, applicants must agree that, upon admission to GW Law, they will:

  • Commit to attend George Washington University Law School and pay a non-refundable seat-deposit for fall 2025 enrollment.
  • Within five business days of admission to George Washington University Law School, withdraw all applications pending at other law schools and not initiate applications to any other law schools for fall 2025 admission.

Applicants who apply through the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program but are not admitted with a full-tuition scholarship automatically will be considered for admission in the regular admission process. If admitted under the regular process, applicants are no longer bound to attend GW Law.

The application deadline is February 1.

All applicants must submit:

  • A completed application, including résumé
  • A two-page personal statement
  • Test score (LSAT, GRE, GMAT, or JD-Next), unless the test requirement is waived under our test-optional admissions process
  • All official academic transcripts
  • At least one letter of recommendation via CAS
Please note that application fees for all first-year JD applicants have been waived.
 

4. GW Junior Early Action Program

The GW Junior Early Action Program allows GW juniors to apply to GW Law one year in advance for deferred enrollment.

The application opens on  May 1. 

Learn more about the GW Junior Early Action Program

Contact JD Admissions

700 20th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
[email protected]
202.994.7230