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Overview & Eligibility

  • Overview

    The J.D. (Juris Doctor) at Harvard Law School is a three-year program of study that first gives students the intellectual foundations for legal study and practice, and then gives students the opportunity to focus their studies on areas of particular interest through advanced classes, clinics, and legal writing projects.

  • Eligibility

    All applicants must hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) prior to August of the year for which they apply to enter (except in cases where all requirements are met prior to September and degree conferral occurs after September).

    Applicants may apply for admission to Harvard Law School through the regular J.D. application no more than three times. Applications submitted via the Junior Deferral Program (JDP) and the J.D. Transfer pathways do not count towards this cap.

    Ineligible candidates who submit an application will not be considered for admission and will not receive an application fee reimbursement.

Admissions Events

Students walking on the HLS campus with the Red and Green flagpole banners in the background

Recruitment Events & Information Sessions

Learn more about the law school admissions process and HLS community through our online resources and in-person events this fall.

Connect with Admissions

Application Timeline

  • Apply for Admission

    The application for Fall Term 2024 enrollment will be available through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website on September 15, 2023.

  • Submission Deadline

    The application for Fall Term 2024 enrollment closes on February 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

  • Decision Release

    The J.D. Admissions Office will begin releasing decisions for Fall Term 2024 applicants in January 2024. We aim to notify all applicants of their admission decision by early April.

    Applications are reviewed approximately in the order in which they are completed. We appreciate your patience with the process of providing individual consideration to each application.

    Visit our blog for more information on important dates for the 2023–2024 application cycle.

Application Toolkit

We compiled the application resources, information, and advice from across our website to help you put together an application that best reflects your abilities and readiness for Harvard Law School.

Application Toolkit

1L Class Profile

Meet the Class of 2025

HLS 1L Profile and Facts

J.D. Admissions Blog

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    Student Voices: Inside the Texas Club

    The Texas Club at Harvard Law School, led by co-presidents Sophie Pereira ’24 and Martin Rather ’24, provides opportunities for Harvard Law School students to socialize with one another and partake in uniquely Texan events. The nonpartisan organization provides its members with opportunities to network with other Texas-affiliated Harvard Law students to learn about the

    November 6, 2023

  • Featured image for Our Favorite Interview Questions article

    Our Favorite Interview Questions

    November officially marks the beginning of interviews for those applying in the 2023–2024 cycle! To help you prepare, we wanted to share some of our favorite interview questions. Before we dive in, here’s some additional context about interviews: If you have been invited for an interview with a member of the J.D. Admissions team, you can

    November 2, 2023

  • Featured image for Student Voices: Staying Engaged with Your Legal Passions During 1L article

    Student Voices: Staying Engaged with Your Legal Passions During 1L

    At Harvard Law School, the 1L curriculum is largely determined for you. All 1Ls take the same courses (though you’ll have the opportunity to choose one elective in the Spring). You’ll travel with your section through a pre-determined schedule of classes, which will build the foundation for your legal education over the next two years.

    October 23, 2023