Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you have rolling admissions?
Yes—we make decisions throughout the admissions cycle, and anticipate releasing decisions starting in late January of each cycle.Ìý
Do you have early action or early decision programs?
Yes. More details on our Early Decision program will be posted on the site in September.
When is the application deadline?
Our application deadline is March 31.
Do you offer an LLM program?
Yes. For more information about our LLM program, please visit our LLMÌýwebsite.Ìý
Can I apply for the spring semester?
JD enrollment occurs only in the fall.
What if I have applied to 51²è¹Ý Law before?
You must submit a new application for each admissions cycle. The Office of Admissions retains copies of applications for one year. If you applied in consecutive years, the admissions committee may use a previous application for reference, but you must still submit a new application.Ìý
How do I check the status of my application?
with the username and password you received after submitting your application. If you don’t have your login information, contact our Office of Admissions.
Can I interview with an admissions officer?
51²è¹Ý Law does not offer a formal interview program. We encourage students to learn more about our institution through our virtual and in-person visit programs. We do not track your contact with us as part of the admissions review process.
When will I find out the results?
We aim to notify all candidates of our decision prior to April 15.
How do you evaluate my application?
The admissions committee considers all aspects of your application through a holistic lens.
Is it better to apply earlier rather than later?
While the decision on when to apply is one that should be made based upon your personal circumstances, the Admissions Committee encourages all our applicants to submit their JD materials when they feel their application is the strongest and most authentic representation of their candidacy.
Do you offer dual degree programs?
51²è¹Ý Law's approach is interdisciplinary and collaborative. We partner with schools and departments across the University and with other institutions to offer dual-degree programs and individual courses open to law students. For more information, please visitÌýour dual degree page.
How many applications do you get in a year? What is the size of your entering class?
Please access our Facts and FiguresÌýwebpage for further information.
What are your recommendations for crafting a strong personal statement? What resources are available?
provides resources that may be helpful in crafting an effective personal statement.
Are there application fee waivers available?
Please email bclawadm@bc.edu with your name, LSAC account number, and information regarding the circumstances behind your request.
Is prior work experience required?
While work experience is not necessary, 70% of our incoming class has traditionally had at least one year of work experience.
When is the latest I can take the LSAT?Ìý
You can take the LSAT as late as February to enroll for the following fall.
What is your median LSAT and median GPA?
Please access ourÌýFacts and FiguresÌýwebpage for further information.
Can I submit my application before I take the LSAT?
You can, but the admissions committee will be unable to review your application without your LSAT score. Your application will only enter review once we receive all required components.
How do you treat more than one LSAT score?
We consider all LSAT scores in the application review process. We report your highest score to the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
Are there minimum scores to apply?
No. Although there is a range of scores that will make your application more likely to be accepted, we do consider all applicants. We read each and every application carefully. The admissions committee reaches a decision based on many different aspects of an application, as well as supplemental information if provided.
Do you accept the GRE?
Yes, Boston College Law School does accept the GRE. When submitting your application, please answer all the questions asked pertaining to the GRE and list your score(s). Only scores within the past five years will be considered a valid score. All GRE test scores from Educational Testing Service (ETS) must be sent directly to Boston College Law School via the ETS Data Manager system. Boston College Law School's ETS code is 4882.
What happens if I have both a GRE and a LSAT score?
For applicants with both a LSAT and GRE score, the admissions committee will only record and report the highest LSAT score in our review process.
How many letters of recommendation should I submit?
Two. If you want to submit a third letter, you can. The LSAC Credential Assembly Service will process up to three letters. However, submitting more than the required number of documents does not necessarily grant you a competitive advantage.Ìý
Be judicious: If you submit more than the required number of documents, your additional documents should include information or perspectives not already provided in other areas of your application.
Can I submit an addendum or additional LSAC forms?
Yes—you can submit supplemental information. For example, you can submit explanations of academic or test performance, or other statements such as diversity statements.
Be judicious, in terms of content and length, when considering submitting supplemental materials.
Do you rank the waitlist?
No.
What can I do to increase my chances of admission from the waitlist?
You may submit a Letter of Continued Interest, an additional recommendation, or updated resume using the form linked in your decision letter. We recommend using this form periodically and emphasize quality over the quantity of updates. Please note that aside from supplemental materials mentioned above, 51²è¹Ý Law does not track your contact with us as part of the admissions review process.Ìý
If I’m on the waitlist, when should I expect a final decision?ÌýÌý
There is no set timeline for the waitlist process—it’s difficult to predict if or when seats become available.
Do you offer waitlist interviews?
We do not offer an interview program for waitlisted candidates. 51²è¹Ý Law does not track your contact with us as part of the admissions review process.Ìý
Can I appeal a decision?
All applications are reviewed carefully by the admissions committee. Due to the conviction and integrity of our admissions process, we do not offer an appeals process.
Can I defer my admission?
We consider deferral requests on a case-by-case basis—they’re not granted automatically.
Do you offer recruitment events across the country?Ìý
Our recruiting calendar runs from the end of the summer through the the late fall. Our events can be found under the "Admission & Financial Aid" event listing tab on theÌýadmissions webpage.
Can I participate in a campus tour or information session?
Please access ourÌýVisit 51²è¹Ý Law webpageÌýfor further information about our on-campus and virtual recruitment offerings. Please note that 51²è¹Ý Law does not track your contact with us as part of the admissions review process.
Do you require the TOEFL, IELTS, or any other English proficiency exam?
For our JD program, we do not require our international applicants to submit a supplemental English skills exam. The admissions committee considers the LSAT and GRE to be indicators of an applicant's English ability.
Are international students eligible for merit-based scholarships?
International students, like all students, are eligible for institutional-based merit scholarships.
What is the cost of attendance?ÌýWhat financial aid programs do you offer?
Information regarding tuition and financial aid can be found on thisÌýpage.
Other than the merit-based scholarship, does 51²è¹Ý Law offer any other scholarships?
51²è¹Ý Law is pleased to offer scholarship programs that are oriented towards special interests, such as the Public Service Scholarship Program. For more information about our scholarships, pleaseÌývisit this page.ÌýFurthermore, we are pleased to provide aÌýÌýto which 51²è¹Ý Law students can apply. Please note that this list is provided as a courtesy and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval of any of these organizations or services.
What is the Public Service Scholarship?
The Public Service Scholarship provides the full cost of tuition to highly qualified applicants committed to practicing public service law after graduation. A committee appointed by the Dean selects recipients, and Public Service Scholarship applications are included in the J.D. application. The deadline for this application is February 1, and certain eligibility requirements apply, such as at least nine months of work experience. For further information about the Public Service Scholarship, pleaseÌývisit this page.
What is your Federal School Code?
002128.
What should I do if my tax forms won't be ready until April?
Use estimated dollar amounts.
Do I complete both the student and parent sections on the FAFSA?
No—only the student section is required.Ìý
How do I know you received my FAFSA?
If you have received your Student Aid Report (SAR) and properly listed the federal code for Boston College (002128) on your FAFSA, we should have access to your data. If you don't have your SAR and it has been four or more weeks since you completed your FAFSA,Ìý
How do I list more than six schools on my FAFSA?
Use your SAR for multiple FAFSA submissions. You can replace schools already submitted with new schools and resubmit the SAR online. Before adding new schools, correct errors and resubmit your original SAR.
Can I use my SAR to update the estimated dollar amounts?
Yes—use your SAR for any corrections. As you begin filing your taxes, review and correct your SAR, matching your FAFSA data with your tax returns.
What if I didn’t file taxes because my income fell below the required filing minimum or because I didn't have any income?
- Submit any W-2s or 1099s you received.
- Indicate your filing status with the IRS by checking the appropriate box on the 51²è¹Ý Law Financial Aid Validation Form.
- If you didn’t have any income, you must also submit to us a signed letter stating that fact.
When is the deadline to apply Early Decision?
Early Decision applicants should submit a completed application by the following dates:
- Early Decision I: December 1
- Early Decision II: January 16
Is this program binding?
Yes. By applying Early Decision to 51²è¹Ý Law, you are committing to matriculate in the fall should you be accepted.
What outcomes are there for applicants applying Early Decision?
Early Decision applications have four outcomes: admit, waitlist, deny, or forward to regular decision. Applicants who are forwarded to our regular decision process or waitlisted will be released from the binding commitment.
Is there an advantage to applying Early Decision?
- The most effective way to indicate 51²è¹Ý Law is your first choice and that you are committed to attending
- Smaller applicant pool increases chances of receiving an offer of admission
- Applicants will receive an expedited decision:
- Early Decision I: December 15
- Early Decision II: January 30Ìý
- Potential to secure a substantial scholarship award
Are there additional requirements for applying Early Decision?
The faculty admissions committee reserves the right to request an online or in-person interview for any applicant applying Early Decision. Otherwise, all requirements for applicants applying Early Decision remain the same as for applicants applying for regular decision.
Can I apply Early Decision to multiple schools?
Early Decision is a binding commitment. Applicants may only apply Early Decision to one institution. However, if you apply Early Decision I to another school and are rejected/released from your binding commitment prior to our Early Decision II deadline, you may apply Early Decision II.
Am I able to defer an Early Decision offer of admission?
Applicants who are admitted Early Decision are committed to matriculate in the current cycle.
When will decisions be released?
The faculty admissions committee will release Early Decision notifications by the following dates:
- Early Decision I: December 15, with a $1,000 tuition deposit deadline of December 20
- Early Decision II: January 30, with a $1,000 tuition deposit deadline of February 5
Can I apply for a dual degree program concurrently with Early Decision?
In most cases, applicants who wish to pursue a dual degree may apply Early Decision. Please contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for additional information.
Can LLM applicants apply Early Decision?
The Early Decision program is designed for applicants applying to the JD program. We encourage LLM applicants who are interested in applying to 51²è¹Ý Law to apply early in the cycle.
Can Public Service Scholarship (PSS) applicants also apply Early Decision?
PSS applicants are not eligible to apply Early Decision.
Can 3+3 applicants apply Early Decision?
Yes. 3+3 applicants are eligible to apply Early Decision.
Can international applicants apply Early Decision?
Yes. 51²è¹Ý Law welcomes all international JD program applicants who are interested in applying Early Decision.
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Do you accept the GRE for Early Decision?
Yes. The faculty admissions committee will accept the GRE if the applicant does not have a valid, existing LSAT score from the past five years.
If I apply Early Decision, what is the latest date I can take the LSAT or GRE?
Applicants applying Early Decision may take the November 9 LSAT or take the GRE exam by November 12 (or have an existing, valid score).
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How are scholarships awarded under the Early Decision program?
Applicants who apply Early Decision will select one of three award options: Dean's Scholars, 51²è¹Ý Scholars, and Eagle Track.Ìý Further information about our three options may be found on the Early Decision webpage.
Can I apply to more than one award option under the Early Decision program?
Applicants may select one award option (Dean's Scholars, 51²è¹Ý Scholars, or Eagle Track). Further information regarding these options may be found on the Early Decision webpage.
Financial aid is a priority for me. Should I apply Early Decision?
Applying Early Decision means that you are committing to 51²è¹Ý Law should you receive an offer of admission. In some instances, the timing of the Early Decision program may limit your ability to compare scholarship offers from other institutions. To support an applicant's choice to apply Early Decision, the faculty admissions committee has provided two options that have a scholarship award: Dean’s Scholars and 51²è¹Ý Scholars. Further information regarding these options may be found on the Early Decision webpage.
How do scholarships work with Early Decision and dual degree programs?
The application and scholarship processes for dual degree programs are managed independently. Please contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for additional information.