The OU College of Law is one of the nation's premier law schools, setting out to create the next great generations of lawyers and leaders. It all starts with our J.D. Program.
General J.D. Application Instructions
Admission to OU Law’s J.D. program is highly selective. We consider many factors in our decision-making process, including your LSAT scores, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
To be considered for admission to the OU Law Juris Doctor program, applicants must:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree prior to the first day of law school.
- Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (OU Law GRE Code: 4930).
- Register with the Law School Admission Council Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
- Submit an application through LSAC’s website. Applications are submitted through LSAC by both LSAT and GRE test-takers.
- Submit all undergraduate and graduate transcripts directly to LSAC. Please have a separate transcript sent to LSAC directly from each institution you attended. Transcripts are submitted through LSAC by both LSAT and GRE test-takers.
Application packages must include:
- Application form, available here. (opens in a new window)
- A $50 non-refundable application and processing fee payment
- Personal statement not to exceed three double-spaced pages
- A resume
- Two letters of recommendation* (optional)
- Transcripts
*The most useful recommendation letters are those individuals who have had substantial opportunities to observe the applicant’s motivation, character, academic ability, and other qualitative variables. Applicants who have been away from college for a considerable time may wish to furnish recommendations from employers or others with whom they have had recent contact.
Contact maddiefarris@ou.edu or call 405-325-7653 with any questions.
Additional Information
International applicants may have additional application requirements, in addition to the requirements noted below. Click here for information.
Language
International students must be proficient in the English language. International students whose primary language is not English must submit satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam (TOEFL). The preferred TOEFL score is 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based.
Residency
International applicants must provide documentation of residency. If the applicant has a passport, he or she must submit a clear copy of the biographic page and expiration date. If dependents will accompany the applicant to OU, clear copies of the dependents’ passport biographic pages and expiration dates must also be provided, along with marriage and birth certificate(s), as applicable, to verify family relationships. If the applicant is currently residing in the U.S., a copy of the page from his or her passport showing a current U.S. visa must be submitted.
Financial Support Documentation
International students must submit financial documentation to verify their financial resources, such as a bank statement(s) less than 90 days old showing the total amount of financial support available. If the bank account is not in the student’s name, include a letter from the account holder verifying that he or she will be supporting the student. If the bank statement does not show the money in U.S. dollars, please include a conversion of the balance in U.S. dollars. If the student is being supported by a government, business or organization, the student must provide a letter less than 90 days old stating the U.S. dollar amount of support.
OU Law keeps applications on file for two years. An applicant who has applied to OU Law in a prior year may reapply by submitting a new application and fee. Inclusion of additional evidence of academic ability is suggested.
Applicants are encouraged to visit OU Law. Click here to schedule a tour of OU Law.
Applicants are classified as resident or nonresident for admission and tuition purposes, based on information provided on the application for admission. Applicants may be required to submit evidence to substantiate their claim to resident classification. A uniform policy concerning resident status exists for all state-supported institutions of higher education in Oklahoma.
If an applicant has questions regarding resident classification or would like to request a copy of the policy statement, he or she may contact the Office of Admissions, The University of Oklahoma, 1000 Asp Avenue, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019-0430 or by phone at (405) 325-2251.
Admission to OU Law is highly competitive, and many factors are considered in the selection process. In addition to giving considerable weight to LSAT/GRE scores and undergraduate GPA, the Admissions Committee also examines more personal variables of motivation, character and capability. Insight into these variables can be derived from a careful examination of the resume, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and other contents in the file.
The Admissions Committee believes that a diverse student body enriches the learning environment for all and, therefore, considers a wide range of subjective factors as part of its admission decisions. These include cultural, economic and educational background, grade trends, extracurricular and community activities, work experience, military achievements, graduate studies and adjustment to personal difficulties.
How should I prepare for the LSAT?
- We recommend a minimum of 10-12 weeks of preparation before taking your LSAT. Students may choose to self-study, utilize free online resources, or purchase a preparatory course. The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) offers several free resources for students.
When should I take my LSAT?
- If possible, we recommend taking your LSAT the summer between your junior and senior year. This ensure that you will be able to apply in the early fall when our application goes live on September 1st. The earlier a student applies the better their chance of receiving an offer of admission and/or a scholarship offer. Taking the exam early ensures that you make the priority process deadline, have time to retake if you do not score as highly as you wanted to, and that you have time to retake for better scholarship consideration even after being admitted.
What is the minimum score I must get to be eligible for admission?
- OU Law does not use numerical cutoffs when rendering an admissions decision. Our admissions committee takes a holistic approach when reviewing applications.
How often can I take the LSAT and how will multiple scores be evaluated?
An individual may take the LSAT three times in a single testing year (the current cycle will run from August 2022-June 2023). There are also lifetime limits, which you can find here. OU Law takes your highest LSAT score when reviewing applications.
How does OU Law evaluate GRE scores?
- OU Law will use a student’s Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning score to calculate their predicted LSAT score. This predicted score will be interpreted as if it were an LSAT score. You can find a GRE to LSAT Comparison Tool here.
How should I submit my GRE scores?
- OU accepts official GRE score reports from the Education Testing Service (ETS). Make sure to indicate “University of Oklahoma College of Law” as a recipient of your test scores. OU’s school code is 4930.
What if I take both the GRE and the LSAT?
- Only your LSAT score will be considered for admissions purposes. You may still submit your GRE scores if you choose to, but it is not required.
Are GRE scores evaluated the same way as LSAT scores?
- Yes. The Admissions Committee does not have a preference whether a student takes the LSAT or GRE. They consider all applications holistically and will evaluate applications the same way, regardless of which exam a student takes. Scholarships are also determined in the same manner.