LexInter | January 19, 2026

UC Berkeley School Of Law: Tips And Insights For Your Legal Career

UC Berkeley School of Law stands among the most prestigious law schools in the United States, recognized for its academic rigor, innovative curriculum, and strong commitment to social justice. For aspiring lawyers, selecting the right law school is a pivotal step that can shape career opportunities, earning potential, and long-term professional influence.

This article offers updated facts, refined insights, and accurate information to help prospective students clearly understand what pursuing a legal education at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law entails.

Table of Contents

Must-Know Facts About The University Of California Berkeley Law School
Bottom Line

Must-Know Facts About The University Of California Berkeley Law School

Let’s look at some of the queries regarding the University of California Berkeley Law School.

Is UC Berkeley A Good Law School?

One of the best law schools in the country is UC Berkeley Law, popularly referred to as Berkeley Law (formerly Boalt Hall). According to the 2025 US News & World Report rankings, it is ranked 13th among lists of law schools in the country. Additionally, Berkeley Law is recognized as the top public law school in the United States according to Times Higher Education (ranked 6th globally) and QS World University Rankings (ranked 7th globally).

In addition to its emphasis on social justice and public interest law, UC Berkeley Law is renowned for its excellent faculty, diverse student body, demanding academic programs, and academic excellence. The school has received top ratings in multiple specialized fields, including being tied for 2nd in Environmental Law, tied for 4th in Clinical Training, and ranked 1st nationally in Legal Technology. Employers in a range of legal professions, including academia, private practice, and public service, highly prize UC Berkeley Law graduates.

Is It Hard To Get Into UC Berkeley Law?

Generally, getting into the UC Berkeley School of Law is fairly challenging, as it is one of the best law schools in California and the nation. The admissions process is highly competitive, with a small acceptance rate and rigorous requirements for academic excellence, leadership, and professional promise.

According to the most recent 2025 ABA 509 Report data, UC Berkeley Law received 6,562 applications and extended 974 offers of admission, resulting in an acceptance rate of approximately 14.8% (some sources cite it as 15-17.3% depending on the calculation method). With 348 students ultimately enrolling, this translates to a yield rate of approximately 35.7%.

Applicants normally need to have a solid academic record, exceptional LSAT or GRE scores, relevant professional or extracurricular experiences, and strong letters of recommendation to compete for admission to UC Berkeley Law. The law school also values diversity and seeks applicants who can provide unique perspectives and experiences to the classroom.

What’s The UC Berkeley School Of Law Acceptance Rate?

UC Berkeley School of Law acceptance rate changes from year to year, although it usually is relatively low and extremely competitive. According to the 2025 ABA 509 Report, the acceptance rate is approximately 14.8-17.3%. This indicates that only a small proportion of the thousands of applicants to UC Berkeley Law each year are accepted.

What GPA Is Required For Berkeley Law School?

There is no official minimum GPA requirement for admission to the UC Berkeley School of Law, as the admissions committee takes a holistic approach, considering a range of factors beyond academic metrics. However, recent data from the 2025 admissions cycle provides insight into the academic profile of admitted students:

25th percentile GPA: 3.84
Median GPA: 3.92
75th percentile GPA: 3.99

While these figures demonstrate the high academic caliber of admitted students, applicants are evaluated on a broad spectrum of qualifications. It is important to note that for admission to the Berkeley Graduate Division, a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is required.

Additionally, LSAT scores for admitted students show:

25th percentile LSAT: 167
Median LSAT: 170
75th percentile LSAT: 172

Remember that this prestigious law school evaluates applicants based on a variety of criteria in addition to GPA, including LSAT/GRE scores, letters of recommendation, work experience, extracurriculars, and personal statements. Overall, the admissions committee seeks applicants who show great academic potential, leadership qualities, and a desire to have an impactful career in the legal field.

Is Berkeley Law Ivy League?

The Ivy League, a collegiate athletic conference made up of eight private universities in the Northeastern United States, does not include the UC Berkeley Law. The only member institutions of the Ivy League that have law schools are Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, and Columbia Law School. On the West Coast of the United States, in Berkeley, California, is where one may find the public UC Berkeley Law, which is a part of the University of California system.

What’s The Admission Procedure At UC Berkeley Law?

What’s The Admission Procedure At UC Berkeley Law

The UC Berkeley Law’s admissions process is as follows:

Application: The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website is where applicants must fill out and submit an online application. The application normally goes live in September, and the submission deadline is in February.
Necessary Papers: LSAT scores and transcripts, personal statements, recommendation letters, and a curriculum vitae are the necessary paperwork.
Interview (optional): An invitation to an interview with a member of the admissions board may be extended to some applicants. Either in-person or video conferencing interviews are used for these.
Decision on Admission: The selection of each applicant is made by the admissions committee after the examination of the application and accompanying documents. Usually, admission decisions are rendered by the end of April.
Registration and Acceptance: Once accepted, students must submit a deposit by the time specified in their admission letter to confirm their enrolment. They must also finish any paperwork or other preparations needed before the session may begin.

Does Berkeley Law Give Full Scholarships?

There are a few full-tuition scholarships available at the UC Berkeley Law, but they are extremely competitive and frequently given to a handful of applicants each year. These scholarships are often given out based on a number of criteria, such as academic excellence, the potential for leadership, and financial necessity. In addition to full scholarships, UC Berkeley Law also provides a variety of alternative need- and merit-based financial aid programs to assist students in paying for their legal education. The law school’s financial aid office encourages students to look into all of their scholarship and financial assistance opportunities and to work with them to create a detailed plan for paying for their legal education.

Bottom Line

Aspiring lawyers have access to a wide range of possibilities at UC Berkeley Law, including its esteemed professors, demanding academic programs, dynamic community, and diverse student body. You can develop a prosperous legal career and have a beneficial influence on the legal profession by planning, keeping your goals in mind, and utilizing the tools that are available to you. The UC Berkeley Law is a great option if you are committed to working hard and pursuing your career goals. I hope you have got a clear understanding of the tips and insights regarding a legal career at the UC Berkeley School of Law by reading this article.