Boston University Law Admissions: Alissa Leonard's Advice & Application Tips

^{Last Updated: September 2026}

Getting into Boston University School of Law involves more than reaching a particular GPA or LSAT score. Academic credentials are important, but a competitive application also needs to demonstrate intellectual ability, sound judgment, strong communication skills, meaningful experiences, and the potential to contribute to the law school community.

Many of these principles were explained in a 2010 Top-Law-Schools.com interview with Alissa Leonard, who was then Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Boston University School of Law. Although specific deadlines, scholarship programs, admissions statistics, and policies have changed since that interview, much of Leonard's advice about presenting a strong law school application remains useful today.

This guide reorganizes those enduring lessons into a practical resource for prospective BU Law applicants while incorporating current admissions information where appropriate.

Applicants researching the school should also review the TLS Boston University School of Law profile for additional information about admissions, academics, employment, costs, and the student experience.

What Does Boston University Law Look for in Applicants?

One of the most important lessons from the original interview is that law school admissions should not be viewed as a mathematical formula.

Leonard explained that BU Law reviewed applications as a whole rather than assigning admission automatically based on a particular GPA and LSAT combination. That basic philosophy continues today. BU Law evaluates candidates holistically, considering academic performance along with personal statements, recommendations, résumés, transcripts, optional essays, addenda, accomplishments, leadership, experiences, and an applicant's potential to contribute to the law school and legal profession.

For applicants, this means strong numbers are valuable but do not eliminate the importance of the rest of the application. Likewise, applicants whose numbers are less competitive should not assume that nothing else in their file matters.

A strong application should give the admissions committee a coherent picture of who you are, what you have accomplished, how you have developed, and why you are prepared for the demands of legal education.

How Important Are GPA and LSAT Scores at BU Law?

GPA and standardized test performance remain important elements of law school admissions because they provide evidence of academic preparation. They should, however, be considered alongside the rest of the applicant's record.

Applicants should compare their credentials with recent class profiles rather than relying on admissions numbers from older articles or forum discussions. Admissions medians change from year to year, and an applicant who would have been highly competitive in one cycle may face a different applicant pool in another.

The TLS LSAT Preparation Resources guide is particularly useful for applicants preparing for the current version of the LSAT. The modern test no longer includes the traditional Analytical Reasoning or "Logic Games" section, so applicants should be cautious about relying on outdated LSAT preparation advice.

How Does BU Law Treat Multiple LSAT Scores?

This is an area where the core advice from the original interview remains remarkably relevant.

Leonard explained that BU could see an applicant's multiple scores and focused primarily on the highest score while considering the broader testing history. BU's current standardized testing guidance similarly indicates that the admissions committee reviews reported LSAT test dates and scores while considering the applicant's highest score in the admission review.

An LSAT addendum does not need to accompany every retake. However, an explanation may be useful when an unusual circumstance caused a score that is significantly inconsistent with the rest of the applicant's testing or academic record.

The objective should not be to make excuses. An effective addendum gives the admissions committee relevant context briefly and factually.

Build an Authentic Application Instead of Trying to Impress Admissions Officers

One of the most evergreen pieces of advice from Leonard's interview was that prospective law students should pursue genuine interests rather than activities chosen simply because they believe those activities will impress an admissions committee. She also encouraged students to develop meaningful academic relationships with professors or others capable of eventually providing strong recommendations.

That remains sensible advice.

There is no single undergraduate major, internship, extracurricular activity, volunteer program, or employer that guarantees admission to BU Law. Admissions officers evaluate what applicants actually did with their opportunities.

A long list of activities without depth may be less meaningful than sustained involvement in a smaller number of areas where the applicant can demonstrate leadership, responsibility, intellectual curiosity, achievement, or growth.

Applicants should therefore ask themselves whether the résumé and written components of their application collectively tell a convincing story about their interests and development.

How to Write a Strong BU Law Personal Statement

The personal statement gives applicants an opportunity to communicate something that grades and test scores cannot.

In the original interview, Leonard emphasized several characteristics of an effective personal statement: it should be clear, concise, engaging, well written, and genuinely informative about the applicant. She also cautioned against writing what an applicant assumes an admissions committee wants to hear.

That distinction matters.

A personal statement does not need to present an extraordinary life story. Its job is to help the reader understand something significant about your experiences, motivations, values, judgment, growth, or perspective.

Applicants should avoid generic declarations about justice, childhood dreams of becoming an attorney, or praise of a particular law school unless those ideas are supported by a specific and credible personal story.

Equally important is proofreading. A law school application is partly an evaluation of professional communication. Grammar mistakes, incorrect school names, awkward sentences, and obvious recycled language can undermine an otherwise strong essay.

For additional guidance and examples, see TLS's Law School Personal Statements resource center and LawCrossing's Submitting Your Law School Essays.

Should You Write Specifically About Why You Want to Attend BU Law?

Applicants should distinguish genuine interest from artificial flattery.

Leonard's original advice suggested that references to BU can strengthen an application when the reasons are specific and sincere. An applicant might have a particular interest in a program, faculty member, clinic, academic concentration, professional opportunity, or the Boston legal market. The key is explaining why the connection matters to the applicant rather than merely listing features copied from the school's website.

A convincing explanation of fit should answer two questions: Why does this feature of BU Law matter to you, and how does it relate to your academic or professional goals?

That approach is stronger than simply telling the admissions committee that BU Law is prestigious or that Boston is an attractive city.

Choosing Strong Letters of Recommendation

The reputation or job title of a recommender generally matters less than how well the person knows the applicant.

Leonard advised applicants to seek recommendations from people who could provide detailed information about their academic abilities, writing, analytical skills, character, performance, and development. A professor who has closely supervised your work can often provide more useful evidence than a prominent individual who barely knows you.

Applicants who have been out of school for several years may appropriately rely more heavily on professional recommendations, particularly when supervisors can discuss analytical ability, judgment, writing, responsibility, or other qualities relevant to legal education.

Before requesting a recommendation, ask whether the person is comfortable writing a strong letter. Giving recommenders sufficient time and providing a résumé, transcript, personal statement draft, or summary of significant work can also help them write a more detailed letter.

When Should You Submit an Addendum?

An addendum can help when something in the application reasonably requires explanation.

Examples include:

An unusual period of weak grades.
A significant decline in academic performance.
Substantial discrepancies among LSAT scores.
An interruption in education.
Circumstances that materially affected academic or testing performance.

Leonard's original advice was to keep this type of explanation brief. The admissions committee does not generally need an extended autobiographical essay when a few factual sentences provide the necessary context.

Applicants should also pay attention to grade trends. An upward academic trend can demonstrate growth and improved discipline. A significant downward trend may raise questions and can sometimes warrant an explanation.

The best addenda provide context rather than argument. State what happened, explain the relevant effect, and, where appropriate, show why the problem is unlikely to interfere with success in law school.

Does Applying Early to BU Law Matter?

BU Law continues to operate a rolling admissions process. Applicants are generally encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible during the admissions cycle after confirming the school's current application dates and deadlines.

Applying early should not mean submitting a weaker application merely to gain a few weeks. A stronger LSAT score, polished personal statement, or more effective recommendation can sometimes be more valuable than speed.

Applicants should therefore aim to submit as early as they can submit their strongest complete application.

TLS's Law School Application Timeline can help applicants coordinate testing, recommendations, essays, transcripts, financial aid, and application deadlines.

BU Law Binding Decision Programs

One significant change since the original Alissa Leonard interview is that BU Law now offers binding decision options.

Boston University School of Law currently offers binding admissions programs for applicants who are prepared to make BU Law their first choice. Because program names, scholarship terms, eligibility requirements, and deadlines can change between admissions cycles, applicants should verify the current requirements directly with BU Law before applying.

Binding admission should be considered carefully. Applicants admitted through a binding program are generally required to commit to the school and withdraw other pending applications according to the program's rules. Applicants who need to compare merit scholarship offers among schools may therefore prefer the flexibility of regular decision.

For a broader discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of binding applications, see TLS's Early Decision and Early Action FAQ.

Scholarships, Financial Aid, and the Real Cost of Law School

Scholarship information is particularly vulnerable to becoming outdated, so applicants should not rely on percentages or award amounts quoted in older interviews.

Instead, compare current scholarship offers, renewal requirements, tuition, expected living expenses, borrowing needs, and likely career outcomes.

The largest scholarship is not necessarily the best financial decision if the schools under consideration produce substantially different employment opportunities. Conversely, prestige alone does not automatically justify taking on substantially more debt.

LawCrossing's Guide to Law School Scholarships and Grants provides additional information about merit aid, need-based assistance, institutional awards, fellowships, and strategies for reducing the cost of legal education.

What Should You Do If You Are Waitlisted at BU Law?

Waitlist movement varies from cycle to cycle because it depends on how many admitted applicants enroll, how the incoming class develops, and whether the school needs additional students.

Leonard's original advice emphasized staying in contact with the admissions office and providing meaningful updates. That remains a useful general strategy.

Applicants should follow the school's current waitlist instructions rather than sending excessive communications. A thoughtful letter of continued interest can reaffirm genuine enthusiasm, while relevant updates might include new grades, academic honors, promotions, significant professional accomplishments, or other material developments.

The goal is to demonstrate continued interest without overwhelming the admissions office.

What Matters for Transfer Applicants?

For students considering transferring to BU Law after their first year elsewhere, law school performance becomes especially important.

Leonard emphasized first-year law school performance and recommendations from law professors when discussing transfer admission. Although applicants should always consult BU Law's current transfer requirements, that underlying principle remains useful: once you have completed substantial law school coursework, your performance in that environment becomes strong evidence of your ability to succeed in legal education.

A student considering a transfer should therefore focus first on excelling academically, developing genuine relationships with professors, and understanding the academic, professional, and financial consequences of leaving the current institution.

Does BU Law Conduct Applicant Interviews?

Prospective students should not confuse this article's historical interview with Alissa Leonard with an applicant-interview requirement.

BU Law has stated that it does not conduct evaluative JD admissions interviews as part of its standard admissions process. Prospective applicants may have opportunities to communicate with admissions representatives or counselors to learn more about the school, but applicants should verify the current policy for their admissions cycle.

Applicants therefore generally do not need to prepare for a traditional admissions interview as part of the standard BU Law JD application process unless the school changes its policy in a future cycle.

How to Decide Whether Boston University Law Is Right for You

Admission is only one part of the decision. Applicants also need to determine whether attending BU Law makes sense for their professional and financial goals.

Leonard's original interview encouraged students to think beyond rankings and evaluate factors such as location, career opportunities, academic programs, faculty, institutional culture, and where they expect to practice.

That framework remains highly relevant.

Students considering BU Law should compare the school with alternatives based on:

Total cost after scholarships.
Employment outcomes.
Geographic placement.
Practice-area opportunities.
Clinics and experiential programs.
Alumni reach.
Career services.
Campus environment.
The types of employers that recruit graduates.

For applicants choosing among multiple offers, LawCrossing's How to Choose the Right Law School for You provides a broader framework for evaluating location, cost, curriculum, career opportunities, and institutional fit.

Boston University Law Admissions Snapshot

Because admissions rules change from year to year, applicants should treat the following as a general reference and confirm current requirements directly with Boston University School of Law before applying.

Area	BU Law Admissions Information
Admissions process	Rolling admissions
Standardized testing	Applicants should confirm current LSAT and alternative standardized testing policies with BU Law.
Multiple LSAT scores	Reported testing history may be reviewed as part of the application.
JD applicant interviews	BU Law generally does not conduct evaluative interviews for standard JD admission.
Binding admission	Binding admission options may be available; applicants should verify current programs and deadlines.
Application review	Holistic review of the complete application.

A Practical BU Law Application Checklist

Before submitting your application:

Compare your GPA and LSAT with the most recent BU Law entering-class profile, but remember that numbers are only part of the review.
Submit the strongest application you can reasonably prepare early in the rolling admissions cycle.
Write a personal statement that reveals something meaningful about you rather than trying to predict what admissions officers want to hear.
Choose recommenders who know your work well and can provide detailed examples of your abilities and character.
Use addenda selectively when circumstances genuinely require explanation.
Evaluate scholarships, debt, employment outcomes, location, academic programs, and career goals before deciding whether BU Law is the right fit.

Key Lessons from the Original Alissa Leonard Interview

The most valuable aspect of the original interview is not its old admissions statistics. It is the broader philosophy of how applicants should approach law school admission.

A strong application should be authentic rather than manufactured. Academic credentials matter, but applicants are more than their numbers. Personal statements should communicate rather than impress. Recommendations should come from people who actually know the applicant. Addenda should explain rather than excuse. Applicants should pursue meaningful experiences instead of assembling activities solely for their résumés.

And once admission offers arrive, students should evaluate law schools based not only on rankings but also on cost, professional opportunities, location, academic fit, and the type of legal career they hope to build.

Those principles have remained useful even as BU Law's deadlines, testing policies, scholarships, and admissions programs have evolved.

Related Top-Law-Schools.com Resources

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Relevant Top-Law-Schools.com Forum Discussions

Forum posts represent individual users' experiences and opinions and should not be treated as current official admissions policy. Applicants should verify admissions requirements, deadlines, scholarships, testing policies, and other current information directly with Boston University School of Law before applying.