In the competitive world of law school admissions, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) has long stood as the traditional gateway through which future lawyer must pass. However, a number of law schools are not requiring the LSAT anymore—at least, in some cases. But are LSAT-optional admissions policies beneficial for law school applicants?  

In this article, we’re diving into what top law schools are not requiring the LSAT and the pros and cons of applying without an LSAT score.

Table of Contents

• Understanding LSAT-Optional Policies
• Law Schools Not Requiring the LSAT
• List of LSAT-Optional Law Schools
• How To Get Accepted to Law School Without Taking the LSAT

Understanding LSAT-Optional Policies

There’s been a notable shift in how law schools assess applicants. This change reflects the push for diversity in the legal field and the realization that the traditional admissions process might not fully capture an applicant’s potential.

What Are LSAT Alternatives?

With the move toward LSAT-optional admissions, many law schools now accept scores from a variety of standardized tests, including the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) and the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). This flexibility allows applicants to present their aptitude and readiness for law school in a manner that best suits their strengths.

However, law schools not requiring the LSAT still have other requirements that applicants must meet if they’re applying without an LSAT score. We’ll get to that later in this article. 

Benefits of Not Taking the LSAT

Unsurprisingly, LSAT-optional policies can open the door to legal education for individuals who might excel in qualitative skills or have compelling life experiences that standard tests can’t quantify.  

These policies also remove the stress that comes with prepping for the LSAT. Honestly, LSAT-induced stress and burnout are real! (But there are ways to combat it!) The anxiety it causes can prevent you from achieving your goal score. The LSAT is often the final boss blocking applicants from their law school dreams.

Additionally, not taking the LSAT could help you meet your law school deadlines. The LSAT is offered several times a year, but not as often as the GRE. The earlier in the admissions cycle you submit your application, the better your chances of admission. Thus, if you’re in a time crunch, the GRE might start to look appealing. Emphasis on might. 

Navigating the Challenges of Not Taking the LSAT

Yet, applying without an LSAT score isn’t the easy way out some might think it is. LSAT-optional policies come with their own set of challenges you’ll need to overcome. 

Potentially Missing out on Merit-Based Scholarships

Do students who apply to law school without an LSAT score still receive scholarships? Yes, they do. 

Law schools want the best and the brightest. When schools are trying to court applicants and convince them to choose their school, free money in the form of scholarships and grants is usually on the table. We see many of those scholarships getting awarded for high GPAs and competitive LSAT scores.

In fact, many Blueprint LSAT students were able to attend their dream law schools as a result of their competitive LSAT scores and the scholarships they earned as a result. 

“I never knew how I was going to afford law school. With the LSAT score I earned, I am able to take out less than $20,000 in loans,”  said Hannah H.

Katie L. saw her LSAT score open many opportunities for her. “It wasn’t only that I received acceptances at top schools, but I believe my LSAT score was a major contributing factor when it came to the merit aid that I received. I was offered at least some scholarship money at all the schools I got into.”

And we’re not talking about a handful of scholarships. Some law school scholarships are significant and can cover your full tuition costs. 

“Blueprint helped me get accepted into six law schools, be waitlisted at two law schools, and receive over $640,000 in merit scholarships,” said Christine V.

Potentially Missing out on Building Early Law School Skills

Repeat after us: “The LSAT is not an indicator of my success in law school.”  We wholeheartedly believe that. 

However, the skills you learn while prepping for the LSAT will absolutely come back to help you in law school. The critical thinking skills and focus on mastering logical reasoning concepts will be invaluable in your legal education.

Don’t underestimate the importance of building these skills early on. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re taking your first-year law school exams because you’ve already sharpened those muscles. And, as it turns out, LSAT prep makes you smarter!

Sign up to get expert tips and exclusive invites to free LSAT classes and law school admissions workshops!

Law Schools Not Requiring the LSAT

Ok, now that we’ve done our due diligence and laid out some pros and cons of not taking the LSAT, here’s the information you’ve been waiting for. Check out the law schools below that do not require the LSAT for admission. 

Remember, law schools’ policies can change. It’s always best to confirm with your schools to ensure you’re up-to-date with their admissions policies.

Top Law Schools That Don’t Require the LSAT

Harvard Law School

Harvard Law School accepts the LSAT, the GRE, or a combination of both. However, it claims that it does not have a preference for either exam. As one of the best law schools in the country, if you’re not applying with an LSAT score, your GPA and other parts of your application must be strong. 

Further Reading

📈 Applying to Law School with a High GPA and Low LSAT Score

📉 Applying to Law School with a High LSAT Score and Low GPA

Yale Law School

Another top law school that doesn’t require the LSAT is Yale Law. Yale accepts the GRE or the LSAT, but you can only apply with one. If you have a reportable LSAT score, you may not submit a GRE score. So, if you’ve already taken the LSAT, you can’t try your luck with the GRE. 

Stanford Law School

Stanford accepts the GRE or the LSAT, with some conditions. If you have valid LSAT scores, they must be reported as part of your application. If you choose to also take the GRE, you may submit your GRE scores, but it’s not necessary. 

However, the only way you can apply to Stanford Law without taking the LSAT is if you only take the GRE. If you are admitted to Stanford Law with a GRE score and then take the LSAT, the admissions committee will re-evaluate your offer of admission. 

New York Law School

NYU Law accepts both the LSAT and the GRE. Applicants are required to report all of their valid LSAT and GRE scores. 

University of Chicago Law School

UChicago Law School accepts the GRE, the LSAT, and the GMAT (under specific conditions). You can apply with either a GRE score, LSAT score, or a combination of both. 

If you want to apply to UChicago Law School with a GMAT score instead of an LSAT or GRE score, you must either:

• Be currently enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Chicago and wish to pursue a dual degree in law at the law school
• Be applying to pursue a dual degree with the University of Chicago Law School and a graduate program in another University of Chicago division

Like Stanford Law, if you are admitted with a GRE or GMAT score and then take the LSAT, the admissions committee may re-evaluate your offer of admission. 

List of Law Schools Not Requiring the LSAT

Ready for more? The following law schools accept either the GRE, LSAT, or both. 

• Albany Law School
• American University Washington College of Law
• Belmont University College of Law
• Boston College Law School
• Boston University School of Law
• Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
• Brooklyn Law School
• California Western School of Law
• Case Western Reserve University School of Law
• Charleston School of Law
• Chicago-Kent College of Law
• Cleveland State University College of Law
• Columbia Law School
• Cornell Law School
• DePaul University College of Law
• Drake University Law School
• Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
• Duke University School of Law
• Duquesne University School of Law
• Faulkner Law School
• Florida International University College of Law
• Florida State University College of Law
• Fordham University School of Law
• George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
• George Washington University Law School
• Georgetown University Law Center
• Golden Gate University School of Law
• Harvard Law School
• Hofstra University – Maurice A. Deane School of Law
• Indiana University Maurer School of Law
• Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
• Kern County College of Law
• Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law
• LMU Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
• Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
• Massachusetts School of Law at Andover
• Mercer University School of Law
• Monterey College of Law
• New England Law | Boston
• New York University School of Law
• Northeastern University School of Law
• Northern Illinois University College of Law
• Northern Kentucky University, Chase College of Law
• Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
• Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law
• Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
• Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law
• Pennsylvania State University — Penn State Law
• Pepperdine University Rick J. Caruso School of Law
• San Joaquin College of Law
• San Luis Obispo College of Law
• Santa Clara University School of Law
• Seattle University School of Law
• Seton Hall University School of Law
• South Texas College of Law Houston
• Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
• Southwestern Law School
• St. John’s University School of Law
• Stanford Law School
• Suffolk University Law School
• Syracuse University College of Law
• Temple University Beasley School of Law
• Texas A&M University School of Law
• Thomas Jefferson School of Law
• Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
• University of Akron School of Law
• University of Alabama School of Law
• University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
• University of Baltimore Law School
• University at Buffalo School of Law
• University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
• University of California, Davis, School of Law
• University of California, Irvine School of Law
• University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
• University of California Law, San Francisco (formerly known as University of California, Hastings College of the Law)
• University of Chicago Law School
• University of Dayton School of Law
• University of Florida Levin College of Law
• University of Georgia School of Law
• University of Hawai’i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law
• University of Houston Law Center
• University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
• University of Kansas School of Law
• University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
• University of Massachusetts School of Law – Dartmouth
• University of Memphis – Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
• University of Miami School of Law
• University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law
• University of New Hampshire School of Law
• University of Notre Dame Law School
• University of Oklahoma College of Law
• University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
• University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
• University of Richmond School of Law
• University of San Diego School of Law
• University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
• University of South Carolina School of Law
• University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law
• University of Texas at Austin School of Law
• University of Toledo College of Law
• University of Virginia School of Law
• Wake Forest University School of Law
• Washburn University School of Law
• Washington and Lee University School of Law
• Washington University School of Law
• Wayne State University Law School
• West Virginia University College of Law
• Western State College of Law
• Widener University Commonwealth Law School
• Widener University Delaware Law School
• Willamette University College of Law
• Wilmington University School of Law
• Yale Law School
• Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

How To Get Accepted to Law School Without Taking the LSAT

If you’ve made it this far, you’re likely committed to applying to a law school that’s not requiring the LSAT.  So, how can you make your law school dreams a reality without the end-all-be-all of law school admissions standardized tests?

Build a Competitive Application

Without an LSAT score signaling the possibility of your readiness for law school, you need to find other ways to show admissions committees that you’re ready for this challenge. 

Thankfully, the law school admissions process is not just about your test scores. Admissions committees want to know who you are and why you’re pursuing a career in law. Your law school application needs to convey your story. 

Essential Law School Application Elements

• Write a powerful personal statement detailing your story and passion. 
• Request letters of recommendation from reviewers who can speak to your strengths and achievements. 
• Craft a law school resume highlighting your journey, accomplishments, and experience.
• Take advantage of any supplemental essays your law school allows you to write, such as an addendum or diversity statement (if applicable).
• Impress admissions committees at your law school interviews.

Final Thoughts

The LSAT remains standard in law school admissions thanks to its history and opportunity to build early skills for success in law school. However, if you’re determined to avoid the LSAT, you have options. 

Still, don’t write off the LSAT because it seems difficult. It’s not just you. The LSAT is hard. But, once you understand how to crack the code, it becomes a lot easier to master. And that’s what we’re here for! 

Blueprint LSAT students increase their LSAT scores by 15 points, on average! Whether you have the discipline to study on your own with a Self-Paced Course, want to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course, or prefer one-on-one attention through tutoring, we have the study method that fits your learning style.

If you’ve never taken the LSAT and are spooked by what you’ve seen in going down the Reddit rabbit holes, take a free practice test. You might pleasantly surprise yourself. Create a free Blueprint LSAT account to get access to a free practice LSAT exam with explanations and in-depth performance analytics!