UCLA Law School Acceptance Rate: The Most Prestigious Law School In Southern California

The University of California is an old and prestigious educational institution in the State of California. Offering various degree programs from the Sciences to the Arts, It is a very well-regarded center of higher education. It has produced many highly skilled and motivated professionals.

Its School of Law at the University of California Los Angeles, however, is the most prestigious law school in Southern California. As such, the UCLA Law School acceptance rate is relatively low. Not the lowest in the United States, but relatively low. This is a natural consequence of its reputation as a higher-ranked school; the higher the rank, the harder it is to get in.

This law school is one of the first on the lists of prospective applicants looking to get their Juris Doctor degrees, but few do. Those who make it, though, are influential lawyers, notable academics, and even politicians.

In the following article, we will try to give a little background on the University, its history, accomplishments, the UCLA Law School acceptance rate, and how one could try to get in.

UCLA Law School Acceptance Rate

After discussing the broader context of both UCLA and its law school, we can now turn to one of the most pressing questions: the UCLA Law School acceptance rate. As you might expect from an institution with such a strong academic reputation and storied history, gaining admission is highly competitive.

Currently, the acceptance rate hovers around just 16.10%, reflecting the selective nature of the school. Several factors contribute to this low rate, including the rigorous admission requirements and the demanding academic programs. However, the most significant factor is UCLA Law’s prestige.

As one of the nation’s most respected law schools, UCLA draws a large and highly qualified pool of applicants each year. Yet, with a limited number of seats available for incoming students, the majority of candidates are turned away. This results in intense competition, with only about 15 to 25 percent of applicants ultimately gaining admission.

Do Not Be Deterred By The UCLA Law School Acceptance Rate

Seeing the low UCLA law school acceptance rate may seem daunting to the prospective law student, but that should not deter a determined applicant from trying. There are still many ways that you can make sure you stand out from the wave of applications, with academic portfolios, recommendations, and high test scores.

The UCLA Law School acceptance rate of around 16.10 percent may sound low, but it is not the hardest law school in the United States to be accepted into. Many other famous law schools put the UCLA law school acceptance rate to shame with their low numbers. It comes with their popularity. The more students apply, the higher the percentage of applications denied.

The University Of California, Los Angeles

We will first give an overview of UCLA and its history. If you wish to skip ahead to read about the Juris Doctor program offered and the UCLA Law School acceptance rate, please feel free to. We merely wish to set up some context for the benefit of those who may be new to UCLA.

The University of California is one of the most prestigious in the state and has ten campuses across California. It is a public university that puts research at its core and its mission. As of 2025, its research staff and other faculty were responsible for 1,803 inventions since its founding. Seven of the ten University of California campuses are also part of the Association of American Universities, an organization of research universities that maintains a network of academic research among its members.

The UCLA campus is the second oldest (the oldest being UC Berkeley). It is recognized by many popular colleges and university rankings as one of the best public universities in the USA. It has also been dubbed a “Public Ivy” by Richard Moll, comparing the experience of UCLA to an Ivy League school while being a public university.

History Of UCLA

UCLA or the University of California was the second branch of UC Berkeley founded on the 23rd of May, 1919. This was after the then governor of California, William Stephens, who signed a bill to acquire the land and buildings of the old Los Angeles Normal school, and transformed it into the Southern Branch of the University that we see today.

In the first few years, it only had a Junior college offering two-year undergraduate programs. Southern Californians were dissatisfied and even angry that their branch only had these “inferior” two-year programs. It took until late 1923 for four-year bachelor’s degrees to be given which transformed the Junior College into UCLA’s College of Letters and Science. The years immediately after this in the 1920s saw a rapid growth in the UCLA campus.

For the first 32 years of the University’s existence, it was treated as an off-site department of the University of California. Thus, its head held the title of a provost and had to answer to the administration based out of Berkeley. It wasn’t until 1951 when UCLA was elevated to equal status with UC Berkeley. The subsequent expansion in the coming decade would solidify UCLA’s place as a proper university, and not just a branch of the UC System out of Berkeley.

The UCLA Campus

The University of California Los Angeles is located mostly within the residential neighborhood of Westwood and is surrounded by several high-status neighborhoods such as Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, and Brentwood.

The original campus had four buildings. All of these can be found in the Northern part of the UCLA grounds, being the original core of the University. As such, the architecture of the buildings here is of a more traditional appearance, clad in fine bricks that have been imported from Italy. This part of the campus is home to the law school, arts, social sciences, humanities, history, and business programs.

Presently, the University covers 419 acres or 1.7 square kilometers. Spread across this area are the 163 buildings of the various degree programs. Among the Universities in the UC system, UCLA is the second smallest.

The university’s student population has been rapidly growing over the years. Even today large projects of expansion and renovation of existing structures are in progress to accommodate this large student body.

UCLA Colleges

For all those looking to get a law degree, before we get hung up on the details, like the UCLA law school acceptance rate, it is first imperative to consider your bachelor’s degree.

As the law is a postgraduate degree, one will first need to get their undergraduate diploma if they hope to get into law school. Fortunately, there is a wealth of choice at UCLA if you are looking for an undergraduate program. The campus at UCLA contains a total of six undergraduate colleges, namely:

• The College of Letters and Science
• The School of Arts and Architecture
• Herb Alpert School of Music
• The School of Theatre, Film, and Television
• Samueli School of Engineering
• The School of Nursing

Guidance for Applicants

Building A Solid Application

To get into UCLA Law School, you need a strong application. Start early and make a checklist. First, research all the needed documents. Next, keep track of the due dates. Last, double-check your materials. This way, you give yourself the best chance.

LSAT & GPA’s Role

Your LSAT and GPA are critical components of your UCLA Law application. For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, the 1L class at the University of California—Los Angeles boasts a median LSAT score of 170, with the 25th percentile at 165 and the 75th percentile at 171. The median GPA is an impressive 3.95, ranging from 3.69 at the 25th percentile to a perfect 4.0 at the 75th percentile. Striving for excellence in both your academic performance and standardized test scores can significantly enhance your chances of admission.

Crafting The Personal Statement

Your personal statement tells your story. It’s a chance to show who you are. Make it clear and personal. Think of moments in your life that made you want to study law. Share those. This helps the school see the real you.

Importance Of Recommendations

Recommendations matter a lot. They show the school what others think of you. Ask people who know you well. Teachers, bosses, or mentors are good choices. They can speak to your skills and character. Give them plenty of time to write. A good recommendation takes time.

Navigating The Interview

The interview is your chance to shine. Be ready to answer questions. Practice with friends or family. Remember to listen. Ask questions at the end. This shows you’re interested. When you prepare, you feel confident. And when you’re confident, you do well.

UCLA School Of Law

As of this time the school of law has around 476,096 alumni that have since gone on to pursue careers all over the United States and over 55 countries across the world. It has consistently been ranked as one of the twenty best law schools in the USA since 1987 with the creation of the US News ranking. Consequently, the acceptance rate of UCLA law school has been rather low.

A Brief History

The University of California, LA School of Law was founded in 1949. Efforts to establish a Law school at UCLA originally started in the 1930s but did not materialize. This was because of resistance from the University’s president, and supporters shifting their efforts to establishing the medical and engineering schools.

The Law school can be found in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, on the Northeastern part of the UCLA campus. Among the campuses in the University of California system, the UCLA school of law is the third oldest of the total five law schools.

Prestige

The UCLA School of law was the first public law school in Southern California, despite this fact it is also the newest top-ranking law school in the USA. In the 1990s, Policy centers were established where leading academics could discuss and focus on major issues of policy, free from political and ideological influences. The discussions would cover topics ranging from public interest laws, environmental policies, sexual orientation laws, and more.

According to US News & World Report, the UCLA School of Law ranked 12th among the best law schools in the United States this year. Its contributions to the research field and scholarly impact are also very notable. A philosopher and legal scholar, Brian Leiter, created a law school ranking, where UCLA Law ranked 8th in its contribution to the academic community. This was based on the number of academic citations that were made by tenure-stream faculty over four years, from 2009 to 2013.

The prestige of the school gives its graduates advantages when building their careers. The UCLA School of Law continues to demonstrate strong employment outcomes. For the Class of 2024, approximately 97.3% of graduates were either employed or pursuing further education shortly after graduation. Out of 372 graduates, 362 secured employment and 1 enrolled in graduate studies. The majority obtained positions that required bar passage or offered a J.D. advantage, with many entering law firms, public interest organizations, and government roles. This high placement rate reflects the school’s robust support system and the strong demand for its graduates.

Applying At UCLA Law

So for all prospective law students reading this that think that they can make the cut at UCLA Law, we will discuss the considerations made in the application process and a bit of their curriculum for the Juris Doctor (J.D.) program.

The Juris Doctor degree program is a graduate course that grants the degree holder a doctoral law degree. This is usually completed over three years of study. Afterward, the graduate must take the BAR exam. Each state has its BAR exam, allowing passers to practice law in that state upon successfully clearing it.

Requirements For Application

Your standardized test scores are a big part of whether an applicant will be accepted or not. Specifically, the School of Law will consider the scores on your Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and your Graduate Records Exam (GSE).

The Law School Admission Test or LSAT is a standardized test that is meant for prospective law school students. The test is meant to gauge the taker’s reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and verbal reasoning skills. It is administered seven times a year in appointed testing centers across the world. This is mostly required for law degrees in common law countries, such as the US, Canada, and Australia. But also in an increasing number of other countries. It is recommended that one prepares for the exam beforehand as preparation and practice are what will lead to good scores.

The Graduate Records Exam or GRE on the other hand is a standardized test that is often a requirement for getting into most graduate school programs in the United States and Canada. It is designed to test critical thinking skills, verbal and quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.

The weight that a school puts on one’s scores in the GRE varies. In some, it is a mere admission formality, while in others it can be an important selection factor. UCLA law seems to be of the latter, putting substantial weight on both an applicant’s GRE and LSAT scores. This may be a contributor to the low UCLA law school acceptance rate. For reference, the median LSAT score for incoming students to UCLA Law is 170, while the highest possible score is 180.

Having a good portfolio of scholarly achievements, as well as a few awards and publications under your belt, will help increase your chances of getting accepted. Your undergraduate program may also be a deciding factor in your application. It is also recommended to have a few letters of recommendation from relevant persons in your academic history.

It is not cheap to study at UCLA, and it can be hard for an applicant of lesser means to afford an education at such an institution. Fortunately, however, the school of law takes special consideration for those with socioeconomic disadvantages, so your economic disadvantage can become an advantage in the application process. Don’t count on it too much, though. That being said, if you prepare well you can overcome the UCLA law school acceptance rate.

Juris Doctor Program Curriculum

There are a total of 87 units of coursework that need to be taken by the time a student graduates from the Juris Doctor degree program. Out of this, 64 units will need to be earned in regular law class sessions. There are a few other requirements which are as follows.

• Maintain a minimum load of 12 units for each term.
• Have at least 2 units of credit on courses on professional responsibility
• Complete a Substantial Analytical Writing (SAW) project in their second or third year.
• Complete at least six units of experiential courses
• Cannot use a course to complete more than one graduation requirement
• The maximum stay to complete a law degree is five years

UCLA Law Scholarships

UCLA Law attempts to make quality legal education accessible to students, despite economic hindrances. They offer different Financial Aid resources, specifically for students entering into the Juris Doctor program. Here we will outline a few.

Gift Aid

Gift Aid includes Dean’s scholarships, Donor-funded scholarships, and Fellowships. This kind of financial aid does not need to be repaid by the student making it a great option for those that are less financially privileged.

Earned Aid

Earned Aid allows the student to work for the college to ease the burden on student debts. This includes anywhere between teaching and research apprenticeships and Summer Public Interest Fellowships.

Educational Loans (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is a form that students can fill out to determine if they are eligible to receive Federal government education loans. A few Loan programs are available, such as the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan.

Yellow Ribbon Program

This program was instituted by the Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. It allows eligible US military veterans to receive assistance in attaining higher education at public institutions (like UCLA). This program will cover 100 percent of in-state tuition and fees.

Final Thoughts

The acceptance rate of UCLA Law School may be relatively low as it is one of the top law schools in California, but if one is determined to study law, then it may be worth applying. Graduating from the most prestigious law school in Southern California would undoubtedly give you an advantage when getting into the profession. More than anything, though, developing the relevant skills that will help you flourish as a lawyer is essential.

To increase your chances of acceptance, you should get good scores on the LSAT and GRE, construct a portfolio of scholarly works, awards, and published work, acquire recommendation letters from relevant people, and have an excellent GPA in your bachelor’s program.

If the UCLA law school acceptance rate is too low for you to get in, however, you could always apply again next year. Alternatively, you should also take steps to apply at many other law schools to increase your chances of being accepted somewhere.

You don’t have to lower your standards if reapplying worries you, as there are many other prestigious law schools to choose from that have rates of admission similar to or stricter than the UCLA law school acceptance rate.