JD Program FAQ

The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is the degree needed to practice law in the United States. To learn more about JD degrees generally, visit the Law School Admissions Council website.

The JD is our three-year Juris Doctor program that prepares students to practice law in the United States. The LLM, or Master of Laws Degree, is our one-year master in law program for students who earned their first degree in law outside the United States. The MSL, or Master of Studies in Law, is our most flexible program for students who do not wish to practice law, but want to gain a deep understanding of legal reasoning and doctrine for professional or personal purposes. The HPL, or Master of Science, Health Policy & Law, is our fully-online, jointly conferred degree program that equips students with the knowledge to navigate legal reform and policy impact within the health care system.

See the Application Instructions page for a checklist of the documents needed for a complete application.

UC Law SF does not recommend any specific undergraduate major for law school preparation. Applicants are encouraged to choose a field which is both intellectually challenging and academically fulfilling. Whatever the choice of major, applicants should seek to develop strong writing and critical thinking skills. The most popular majors for students beginning their studies at UC Law SF in recent years have been political science, philosophy, history, STEM fields, and English.

The deadline for Fall 2025 enrollment is April 15, 2025. The $75 application fee will be waived for all applications submitted by the deadline.

Yes. The Admissions Office will begin reviewing files in October. Decisions are sent out beginning in December and will continue to be sent through June. It is not possible to predict exactly when you will receive your decision. Please note that admissions decisions cannot be given over the phone.

Yes. Candidates can check the status of their application by clicking here.

• How do I apply to LEOP? In the UC Law SF application, answer YES on question #6 in section 1 and answer a set of additional LEOP specific questions.
• How long should each answer be? While we do not have a set minimum or maximum of the length of your response, we advise each applicant to answer each question to the best of their ability and as a thoroughly as possible. Generally, two to four paragraphs per question will suffice. Not every question is going to apply to every LEOP applicant.
• What if a question does not apply to me, do I still need to answer it? If a question does not apply to you, write “N/A” and move on to the next question.
• Do I need to write an additional LEOP Statement? LEOP applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an additional personal statement in which they identify and describe in detail the challenges and obstacles that they have faced and the impact these challenges may have had on their academic preparation. Applicants should include specific information on what they have done to meet and/or overcome these challenges.
• What if my application is reviewed under LEOP and deemed LEOP ineligible? In cases where an applicant is determined to be LEOP ineligible, the application is then reviewed under the general application review process with the same consideration as all other general applicants.
• If I have any questions about LEOP or the application process whom should I contact? For any questions about LEOP or the LEOP admissions process, please call the Admissions Office at 415-565-4623 or email us at admissions@uclawsf.edu.

The Admissions Office receives all LSAT scores from the last five years, but places the most weight on an applicant’s highest score when evaluating an application.

Yes! UC Law SF accepts the GRE.

UC Law SF requires all applicants to take a standardized test for admission—either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is the preferred test, or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

• Applicants who take both the LSAT and the GRE must submit their LSAT scores, but can choose whether to submit their GRE scores.
• Applicants applying with only GRE scores are still required to use the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) for the submission of their application materials.

LSAT: Official scores must be from LSAT examinations administered between October 2019 and June 2025.

GRE: Official scores must be from GRE examinations administered within five years of the date you submit your application to UC Law SF. For example, scores for a test taken on September 17, 2024, are reportable through September 16, 2029. Applicants who have taken the GRE can log into their ETS account and select UC Law SF College of the Law as a recipient of GRE results using the school code: 4342.

The Admissions Office weighs each of these two factors equally in its decision, along with the qualitative information from each applicant’s personal statement, recommendation letters, and resume.

Quality is more important than quantity. UC Law SF recommends that your personal statement be 2-4 pages in length. Statements are evaluated for grammar, spelling, organization, clarity, and relevance.

There is no fee to apply to the JD Program.

UC Law SF eliminated its early decision option in 2015 and does not have an early action program. We believe that all applicants should have the ability to compare offers of admission without the undue pressure of needing to commit to just one law school and one financial aid offer so early in an admission cycle. UC Law SF reviews applications on a rolling basis between late fall and late spring each year.

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation.

Yes, applicants are permitted to submit addenda in the form of attachments in their application. Addenda must be submitted for affirmative responses to the four Character and Fitness questions on the application if your responses cannot fit into the question response fields.

UC Law SF accepts diversity statements from applicants, in addition to the Personal Statement. Diversity statements are not required and applicants who do not submit a diversity statement are not disadvantaged by choosing not to submit one.

Yes, but approval is not automatic. Deferral requests should be made in writing by sending an email to the Director of Admissions at admissions@uclawsf.edu. Requests will be considered by the Director of Admissions in consultation with the Senior Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management. Students whose deferral agreements are approved will be required to sign a binding statement of intent pledging that they will not submit applications to other law schools during the deferral period.

UC Law SF does not offer formal interviews, but prospective students are encouraged to meet (virtually) with a member of the Admissions staff. Making an appointment in advance is encouraged, but not required.  In addition, applicants are encouraged to think of their personal statements as a way to convey information to the Admissions staff that they may have brought up if interviews were available.

No. Applications are reviewed without regard to residency. Tuition will differ based on residency status. Please refer to residency information for more information about tuition and residency.

No. The UC Law SF J.D. program is a full-time day program.

Yes. Students interested in learning more about opportunities to transfer to or attend UC Law SF as a Visiting Student should consult the Transfer and Visiting Student sections of the website.

Applications are accepted for the Fall only.

UC Law SF warmly welcomes applications from international students interested in the three-year J.D. program.  The TOEFL is not required for international applicants.

In addition to the application requirements for domestic J.D. applicants, international students who have completed any undergraduate or graduate coursework outside the U.S. or Canada must submit their transcripts through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service. This service is included in the LSDAS subscription fee. This service is not required if an applicant completed foreign work through a study abroad program, consortium, or exchange program by a U.S. or Canadian institution.

Most international students attending UC Law SF do so with an F-1 student visa, unless they are a permanent resident or hold another visa status that permits them to study full-time. In order to obtain an F-1 visa, you will first need to be admitted to the JD program. Once admitted, you will be contacted by the International Student Advisor to complete all relevant F-1 forms. International students must be able to show proof of funds from personal savings, family support, scholarships, or loans that will cover the cost of education and living expenses for each year of study at UC Law SF.

UC Law SF offers both merit and need-based scholarships. Students offered admission are automatically considered for merit based scholarships and they are notified of their eligibility either at the time the admission offer is made or soon thereafter. In addition to scholarships, UC Law SF students fund their legal education through federal loans, work study, and outside fellowships and scholarships.

A 3.0 or better GPA at the end of 1L year (fall and spring semesters) usually places students in the top 75% of students in the class. In other words, 25% of the class usually falls below a 3.0.

Please visit this page for detailed information on resident and non-resident tuition and fees.

No special application is required to be considered for merit scholarships. Admitted students who have been invited to apply for a need-based grant should file the FAFSA and the UC Law SF Financial Aid Supplement as soon as possible. Students planning to enroll at UC Law SF should complete the Financial Aid Supplement and the FAFSA if they plan to use federal loans to supplement their UC Law SF scholarship aid. Federal loans can cover up to the full cost of attendance (including living expenses) not offset by grant or scholarship awards.

Please email financialaid@uclawsf.edu, call 415-565-4624. To make a a virtual appointment with a Financial Aid advisor, please visit this page.

The following courses are required for all first-year UC Law SF students:

Civil Procedure
Constitutional Law I
Contracts
Criminal Law
Legal Writing & Research
Moot Court or Legal Analysis
Property
Torts

In addition to the required courses, one of the following Statutory Course Electives must be selected during the Spring semester (note: not all of these electives are offered every Spring):

Domestic Violence Law
Education Law
Employment Discrimination
Environmental Law
Federal Income Taxation
Intellectual Property Law
Immigration Law

For the first year, students are placed into one of five Inns (sections) and every student in the Inn follows the same schedule, with the exception of a Spring statutory elective. Students with special circumstances (e.g. child care or commute distance) are permitted to petition the Office of Student Services for placement into a specific section during the summer before the 1L year. Students can design their own schedules during their second and third years.

In late July, incoming 1L students are sectioned into five Inns of roughly equal size with the goal of the Inns looking as similar as possible with respect to gender, ethnicity, LSAT/GRE range, undergraduate GPA range, and LEOP membership. (No Inns are “stacked” with any particular kind of student!)

UC Law SF is well-known for the breadth of its experiential education offerings. Students can choose from a wide range of practice opportunities outside the classroom including pro bono work, clinics, externships, and professional skill teams. Learn more about our experiential learning programs.

Yes, the College offers seventeen Study Abroad programs. See the Study Abroad page for a list of programs and other information.

Yes. Students are permitted to pursue joint degrees with the permission of the Associate Academic Dean. Visit our JD/MBA Program page more information about the J.D./MBA concurrent degree programs with the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, Presidio Graduate School, or the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. Students who wish to obtain an LL.M. in addition to their J.D. can apply to do the year-long LL.M. program at the University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) or the University of Pantheon-Assas (Paris II) during their 3L year and graduate with a J.D. and an LL.M. Visit our Study Abroad page for more information.

Yes. Concentrations are not required, but students who want to focus on a specific area of legal study may elect to pursue a concentration in one of the following areas:

Business Law
Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Criminal Law Practice and Theory
Environmental Law
Government Law
Intellectual Property Law
International and Comparative Law
Law and Health Sciences
Social Justice Lawyering
Taxation

Yes. UC Law SF students can elect to pursue an academic area of study which is not a concentration. Academic areas of study do not require a specific sequence of courses but they can help students identify substantive areas of the law they may wish to practice. These areas include Family Law, Legal Philosophy & Systems, and Personal Injury Law. See the Course Catalog for more information about our classes.

Students are not permitted to work during their first year at UC Law SF. Students can work during their second and third years of law school.

Please visit the Career Development Office website for comprehensive information about services, events, and detailed data about post-graduation employment.

What can I expect as a LEOP student?

As a LEOP student, you can expect to begin your journey at UC Law SF with a 6-day LEOP orientation. During the orientation, you will have the opportunity to meet the LEOP Director and LEOP Academic Support Specialist, LEOP students, LEOP alumni, UC Law SF faculty, staff and administrators. You will not only learn about the law school, you will learn academic skills, engage in social events and learn about UC Law SF and LEOP resources.

Once classes begin, you will attend regular LEOP discussion groups with LEOP Tutors, attend academic workshops, meet with LEOP staff, take Saturday practice examinations, and attend LEOP events.

What do I need to know about LEOP Orientation? 

LEOP Orientation is held over 6 days the week before the general orientation begins. LEOP Orientation takes place at UC Law SF and is mandatory.The purpose of LEOP Orientation is to help LEOP students in the transition to law school and to facilitate their success in law school. We accomplish these goals by engaging in a holistic approach to orientation that includes academic, social and practical components.

What Kind of Academic Support Does LEOP Provide?

• LEOP Tutors
• Discussion Groups
• Academic Workshops
• Saturday Practice Exams
• 3L Bar Exam Essay Workshops
• Doctrinal Faculty Office Hours for LEOP students. Lunch is provided!

Do first-year LEOP students have their own Inn?

No, LEOP students are assigned to one of our five Inns of Court in the same way all 1ls are assigned. LEOP students are fully integrated into UC Law SF’ academic program for all three years of law school.

How does LEOP build community?

LEOP engages in a variety of community-building events throughout the academic year beginning with LEOP Orientation.  These events include but are not limited to a LEOP Orientation reception for new students and their families, LEOP doctrinal faculty office hour lunches, alumni mixers, professional development events, LEOP-faculty socials and regular LEOP coffees for students.

LEOP is fortunate to have a core group of faculty who serve as mentors to LEOP students. The faculty mentors enhance the student experience and help fortify the vibrant UC Law SF and LEOP community.

UC Law SF is located in the heart of San Francisco, just steps away from Civic Center, several courthouses, museums, public transportation, and the high-tech businesses of Mid-Market. Our campus consists of three urban buildings, one of which is a dedicated residence.

Yes. UC Law SF students can apply to live at 198 McAllister Street, just one block from the administrative and academic center of the campus. Please see the Campus Housing website for more information.

Many UC Law SF students live in San Francisco, but students also find housing in Oakland, Berkeley, and other Bay Area communities. New students are strongly encouraged to begin their housing search as early as possible and to have a stable living situation lined up by the beginning of August of their 1L year.

UC Law SF has partnered with Places4Students.com – an Off-Campus Housing Service for students to search for housing accommodations, find roommates, or post student sublets for free. Students can search rental listings here. Students can register to post a Roommate/Sublet listing here. Feel free to contact admin@places4students.com or 1-866-766-0767, should you require more information about this site. Their hours are: Monday to Thursday: 9am – 7pm EST; Friday: 9am – 5pm EST.

The California Supreme Court, the California Court of Appeal, the San Francisco Superior Court, the U.S. District Court for the District of Northern California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals are all within a few blocks of campus. In addition to the courthouses, San Francisco City Hall and dozens of downtown law firms are just minutes away.

UC Law SF is only a short walk from the Asian Art Museum, the San Francisco Opera, and Davies Symphony Hall. Through the city’s extensive public transportation system, students can easily access a variety of San Francisco’s most popular tourist attractions, such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Academy of Sciences, Union Square, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Golden Gate Park, Crissy Field, and Ocean Beach are only a short ride away. On weekends students have the luxury of being able to take day trips to Sonoma, Napa, Monterey, and Lake Tahoe.