Top Law Schools

Early Decision Binding ROUND 1

September 1 Earliest date to submit an application.
November 15 Application must be received.
December 1 Application must be complete.
December 31 Decisions will be sent.

Early Decision Binding ROUND 2

By January 7 Application must be received.
By January 15 Application must be complete.
By January 31 Decisions will be sent.

Regular Decision

September 1 Earliest date to submit an application.
March 1* Application must be received.

*If your application is submitted after March 1, we cannot guarantee a decision by a particular date. In this case, please allow up to 12 weeks for a decision from the date your application was received in the Admissions Office. Due to the rolling admissions process, applications submitted after April 1 are strongly discouraged.

Mid-May All decisions on completed files will be sent, though you may receive a decision much earlier since decisions are sent on a rolling basis beginning in December.

Optional Essays:

If you wish, you may write an additional essay on any of the following topics. These optional essays allow you an opportunity to provide the admissions committee with
additional relevant information that you were not able to include in your personal statement. Please include the essay with your application by electronically attaching it to your application before submission through LSAC. You may answer more than one essay topic if you so choose. Include your name and LSAC account number on each page.

Please limit any optional essay to one page, double spaced and title it appropriately.

• Describe how your background or experiences will enhance the diversity of the Penn Law community (e.g., based on your culture, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ideology, age, socioeconomic status, academic background, employment, or personal experience).
• Dean Michael A. Fitts has highlighted the core strengths that make Penn Law the best place to receive a rigorous and engaging legal education: genuine integration with associated disciplines; transformative, forward-looking faculty scholarship; highly-regarded experiential learning through urban clinics and our pro bono pledge; innovative, hands-on global engagement; and a manifest commitment to professional development and collegiality. These are the qualities that define Penn Law. What defines you? How do your goals and values match Penn Law’s core
strengths?
• Describe a time when, as a member of a team, you particularly excelled or were especially frustrated. What was your role within that team? What was the
outcome?
• If you do not think that your academic record or standardized test scores accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, please tell us why.

spicyyoda17 wrote:No more option for a Why Penn? essay? Interesting...

abccc wrote:anyone considering applying to the 3 year JD/MBA program?

ChampagnePapi wrote:

abccc wrote:anyone considering applying to the 3 year JD/MBA program?

I wish! I just don't think I have the time/energy left to take the GMAT!!!

abccc wrote:

ChampagnePapi wrote:

abccc wrote:anyone considering applying to the 3 year JD/MBA program?

I wish! I just don't think I have the time/energy left to take the GMAT!!!

how much WE do you have?

abccc wrote:anyone considering applying to the 3 year JD/MBA program?

spicyyoda17 wrote:

abccc wrote:anyone considering applying to the 3 year JD/MBA program?

I am considering it. I visited earlier in the summer, met w/ Colleen France, and also met w/ 6-7 current JD/MBA students. It was extremely helpful. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

As of right now, I am leaning toward waiting and applying during 1L as to make sure the extra investment is really what I want to do.

banjo wrote:Checking in and hoping to avoid YP with a good optional essay. It's CCNP for me.

moonman157 wrote:Checking in. Best of luck to everyone!

spicyyoda17 wrote:Beautiful campus . . . Penn would be a great place to attend law school!