The University of Baltimore School of Law offers a public legal education near Penn Station, with full-time and Flex JD evening options. Its strengths include client representation, criminal justice reform, and family advocacy.
This guide walks you through how to get into Baltimore Law.
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1. Baltimore Law Admissions Numbers and Statistics
Baltimore Law Class of 2028:
- LSAT: 75th: 158 | Median: 155 | 25th: 152
- GPA: 75th: 3.70 | Median: 3.45 | 25th: 3.12
Baltimore Law Class of 2027:
- LSAT: 75th: 156 | Median: 153 | 25th: 151
- GPA: 75th: 3.63 | Median: 3.42 | 25th: 3.10
These are the fall entering classes across JD divisions. The LSAT median rose two points from 2024 to 2025, while the GPA median increased 0.03. Both upper quartiles also rose, and the entering class expanded from 224 to 248.
Aim to be at or above at least one median to be competitive. Above both puts you in a stronger position. Below both medians, this is a prayer, not a reach.
For context on how medians affect your strategy, see How to Build a Smart Law School List.
2. Baltimore Law Application Essays
Personal Statement (required)
The school's instructions:
“The personal statement is the applicant’s way of telling the committee something about himself/herself that may not be found in the other application materials. The personal statement should be in standard formatting and no more than two pages. Address at least two of the following prompts in your personal statement.”
“Please write a statement sharing why you are interested in pursuing a legal education and becoming a member of the legal profession. Include examples of experiences that have prepared you for the ethical and professional demands of the legal profession.”
“Please write a statement sharing your interest in the University of Baltimore School of Law. How does UBalt Law align with your personal mission, vision, or goals? Feel free to include experiences that guide your desire to pursue a legal education at UBalt Law and how you will contribute to the law school community.”
“Please write a statement sharing your professional goals for your legal career. Include examples of experiences that guide your passion.”
“Please write a statement sharing an interaction with the legal profession and how it impacted your decision to pursue a legal education.”
For more on the school-interest option within this personal statement, see my Why X Essay Guide.
For more on how to write a personal statement, see my Personal Statement Examples and Personal Statement Guide.
Identity Statement (optional)
The school's instructions:
“You may submit a statement describing life experiences that illustrate how you can make a meaningful contribution to the class. For example, you might explain how certain life experiences demonstrate your courage, determination, motivation, or ability to lead.”
For more on how to write a diversity or perspective statement, see my Diversity Statement Examples and Diversity Statement Guide.
For more on making all of these essays work together, see my Cohesive Narrative Guide.
Addenda and Character & Fitness (if applicable)
Baltimore identifies gaps exceeding one year, LSAT differences exceeding five points, and unusual academic difficulties as subjects for addenda. Affirmative character and fitness responses require an explanation.
I'll be publishing a guide to addenda and character and fitness.
3. Baltimore Law Resume Requirements
A complete resume is required, covering relevant work, volunteer, and educational experiences.
For more on preparing your resume, see my Resume Examples and Resume Guide.
4. Baltimore Law Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. Baltimore accepts up to three, submitted through LSAC's recommendation service.
For more on recommendations, see my LOR Guide (Applicants) and LOR Guide (Writers).
5. Baltimore Law Interview Process
Baltimore offers 30-minute phone or Zoom appointments with admissions counselors. Prospective students can also schedule an individual law school tour led by a current student or admissions staff member, with an accompanying counselor meeting available.
6. Baltimore Law Deadlines and Early Decision
Testing Policy
Baltimore requires the LSAT or GRE. Applicants with a reportable LSAT score from the past five years may not submit GRE scores instead; the LSAT controls when both tests have been taken. CAS is required for either route.
If you're considering the GRE, read my LSAT vs. GRE guide before deciding.
Application Dates and Fees
- Binding Early Decision Deadline: January 1, for the Part-Time Evening Program only; the application must be complete.
- Scholarship Deadline: March 1.
- Application Deadline: July 15, 2027, for fall 2027 entry.
- Application Fee: $60, unless waived.
- Last Eligible Test Date: June 2027 LSAT. GRE scores must be released before July 15, 2027.
- Decisions Begin: Binding ED decisions arrive within 30 business days of application completion.
Regular admission is rolling, with review beginning after the required materials arrive. First-year entry is fall only.
Early Decision
Evening ED includes a $5,000 annual scholarship, subject to renewal conditions. Admission requires withdrawing other applications and submitting withdrawal proof and the signed enrollment commitment within five days. Deferral is not available. That is a binding commitment for a partial scholarship, not full tuition.
For a full breakdown of early decision strategy, see Should You Apply Early Decision to Law School?
Program Formats
Evening Division: The four-year Flex JD combines two in-person evenings with online coursework. It leads to the same 87-credit JD as the three-year full-time program.
7. Baltimore Law Scholarships and Financial Aid
Merit Scholarships
Merit awards accompany admission decisions. Renewal requires a 2.75 GPA. Scholarships cover tuition, not fees, and are divided between fall and spring. Selected nonresidents receive an out-of-state grant for the first year only. Regional tuition eligibility extends to designated areas of nearby states and the District of Columbia.
Binding Early Decision Scholarship
Admitted evening ED applicants receive $5,000 annually, renewable subject to scholarship conditions. The enrollment commitment is binding even though the award covers only part of tuition.
Need-Based Aid
The FAFSA provides access to eligible federal and Maryland state aid. Maryland's Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program supports qualifying Maryland residents working in government or nonprofit organizations serving low-income or underserved communities; it is a state program, not a Baltimore-funded award.
Cost of Attendance
At 13 credits per semester, estimated 2026-2027 tuition and fees total $37,144 for Maryland residents and $54,158 for nonresidents. At 10 credits per semester, the part-time figures are $30,774 and $42,494. First-year budgets also add $1,400 for a computer and a $140 matriculation fee. Housing, food, books, transportation, and other expenses are additional.
For more on scholarship strategy, see How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships.
8. Baltimore Law Dual Degree Programs
Baltimore combines legal study with business, public affairs, and advanced legal training. Admission to each component is separate.
- JD/MBA: Merrick School of Business; an integrated three- to four-year program. Nine MBA credits can count toward the JD when the degrees are completed together.
- JD/MPA: College of Public Affairs; 78 law credits and 30 MPA credits. Master's work can begin in the summer before or after 1L, but not during a full-time first-year law semester.
- JD/MS in Criminal Justice: College of Public Affairs; criminal justice coursework can contribute nine credits to the JD when degrees are completed in the same academic year.
- JD/MS in Negotiations and Conflict Management: College of Public Affairs; 78 law credits and 33 master's credits. Students generally begin the master's component after 1L.
- JD/LLM in Taxation: Baltimore Law; qualifying JD tax courses count toward the LLM, leaving as few as 14 additional credits. Apply during the final JD year and enroll within three calendar years of graduation.
- JD/MPP or PhD in Public Policy: University of Maryland, Baltimore County; apply independently to both institutions. Nine policy credits can count toward the JD, with 12-15 law credits applicable to the policy degree.
9. Baltimore Law Employment Outcomes (Class of 2025)
Baltimore Class of 2025 employment outcomes (reported to the ABA, measured 10 months after graduation):
- Full-time, long-term bar-passage-required employment (ABA): 73.5%
- BigLaw (firms with 101+ attorneys): 5.4%
- Federal clerkships: 0.5%
- Public service (including government): 14.7%
Maryland is the dominant destination, followed by Virginia and the District of Columbia. State and local judicial clerkships are a substantial part of Baltimore's employment picture. Its strongest geographic fit is Maryland practice, rather than a national large-firm strategy.
10. Baltimore Law Areas of Study and Specializations
Criminal Justice: The Center for Criminal Justice Reform works with community organizations and government stakeholders on public safety and inequities in the justice system. The Criminal Defense and Advocacy Clinic and Innocence Project Clinic connect that focus to representation and post-conviction work.
Family and Children's Law: The Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts addresses family justice, child welfare, and education. Its Tackling Chronic Absenteeism Project complements the school's family advocacy focus, alongside representation in the Bronfein Family Law Clinic.
Gender and the Law: The Center on Applied Feminism connects legal scholarship with gender justice in practice. Special Topics in Applied Feminism and student associate opportunities give students a way to explore how law and public policy affect women and communities.
International and Comparative Law: The Center for International and Comparative Law supports research on human rights, international courts, and cross-border legal issues. Its John Sumner Stead lecture series, advanced research opportunities, and international moot court activities connect students with this work.
11. Baltimore Law Clinics and Experiential Learning
Baltimore's clinics span individual representation, transactional work, and legal-system reform.
- Legal Data & Design Clinic: Students develop data analysis, digital tools, and legal research for justice-reform organizations.
- Innocence Project Clinic: Students investigate Maryland wrongful-conviction claims and prepare post-conviction litigation under supervision.
- Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic: Students pursue veterans' benefits and discharge-related claims through administrative proceedings and appeals.
- Community Development Clinic: Students advise community organizations on entity formation, contracts, tax exemption, and governance.
- Saul Ewing Civil Advocacy Clinic: Students represent low-income clients in housing, consumer, benefits, and other civil matters.
- Criminal Defense and Advocacy Clinic: Students handle criminal cases, including investigation, motions, negotiations, and trial preparation.
- Bronfein Family Law Clinic: Students represent clients in custody, support, divorce, and protective-order matters.
- Immigrant Justice Clinic: Students prepare affirmative immigration applications rather than handling immigration litigation.
Pro Bono and Experiential Learning
The voluntary Pro Bono Challenge begins at 20 qualifying hours. Opportunities include Maryland Legal Aid and Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Graduation requires six experiential credits, including three in a clinic or externship. Approved externships may be paid or unpaid. The summer EXPLOR volunteer program places students with Maryland circuit and district courts and federal district and bankruptcy courts.
12. Baltimore Law Notable Faculty and Journals
Faculty
- Gilda Daniels: Venable Professor of Law. Voting rights and election law. Former deputy chief in the Justice Department's Voting Section and author of Uncounted.
- Nienke Grossman: Dean's Professor of Law and co-director of the Center for International and Comparative Law. International courts and gender. Co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of Women and International Law.
- Daniel L. Hatcher: Dean Gilbert Holmes Professor in Clinical Theory and Practice. Poverty law and child welfare. Author of The Poverty Industry.
- Dionne Koller: Dean Ronald Weich Professor of Law and director of the Center for Sport and the Law. Sports policy and youth athletics. Author of More Than Play.
Journals
- University of Baltimore Law Review: The school's flagship student-edited journal. It publishes analysis of timely legal topics.
- University of Baltimore Law Forum: Focused on Maryland legal developments.
13. Baltimore Law Culture and Student Life
Baltimore brings full-time and part-time students together in the John and Frances Angelos Law Center. The Mount Vernon setting and proximity to Penn Station support a community that includes working professionals and commuters. Clinics and student organizations connect students across the different schedules.
The city gives students access to Maryland courts, public agencies, firms, and legal-services organizations. Baltimore's professional identity is local and practical: the same institutions that provide student placements are part of the legal market graduates enter. Washington is nearby, but Maryland remains the center of gravity.
Want Help Getting Into Baltimore Law?
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Related Reading
→ How to Build a Smart Law School List
→ Should You Apply Early Decision to Law School?
→ How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships
→ 6 Proven Steps to Get Off a Law School Waitlist
→ How to Get Into Law School Below Both Medians
→ What Holistic Law School Admissions Really Means
→ Blog Directory
Note: While I try to keep this guide up to date, always verify deadlines, requirements, and policies at the Baltimore Law website before applying.
Think you spotted an outdated requirement or something that doesn't look right? Email moshe@sharperstatements.com with the school and a link to the current information.
