How to Get Into GW Law (2026-2027 Guide)

Moshe Indig

2 months ago

George Washington University Law School sits in the heart of Washington, DC, blocks from the White House, the Supreme Court, and virtually every federal agency. That location is not just a selling point; it defines the school. GW Law is one of the largest law schools in the country (~612 students in the Class of 2028), and it leverages its DC footprint to offer unmatched access to government, policy, and public interest law. Known for its strength in intellectual property, government procurement, international law, environmental law, and national security, GW is a school where proximity to power translates directly into career opportunity.

This guide walks you through how to get into GW Law.

1. GW Law Admissions Numbers and Statistics

GW Law Class of 2028:

LSAT: 75th percentile: 170 | Median: 168 | 25th percentile: 162
GPA: 75th percentile: 3.93 | Median: 3.86 | 25th percentile: 3.55

GW Law Class of 2027:

LSAT: 75th: 169 | Median: 168 | 25th: 159
GPA: 75th: 3.93 | Median: 3.87 | 25th: 3.62

GW’s LSAT median held at 168, but the 25th percentile jumped from 159 to 162 and the 75th from 169 to 170. The class also grew by 16% (from 527 to 612 students). GPA stayed nearly flat at the median and top end, but the 25th dropped from 3.62 to 3.55. This combination suggests GW is tightening the LSAT floor while being more flexible on GPA, likely to fill the larger class with stronger LSAT profiles.

If you are at or above the median LSAT, you are in strong position. The wide LSAT range (162-170) means GW casts a broad net, but the center of gravity matters. Splitters with strong LSATs have a clear path. Reverse splitters face more competition at a school that has raised its LSAT floor.

For context on how medians affect your strategy, see How to Build a Smart Law School List.

2. GW Law Application Essays

Personal Statement (required)

GW’s prompt is open-ended. Two double-spaced pages is the standard. Write about experiences, perspectives, or motivations that help the committee understand who you are and why you are pursuing law.

Best Practices:

Lead with a real experience
Connect your narrative to law
Do not rehash your resume
Write with voice and specificity

Personal Statement Examples | Personal Statement Guide

Optional Identity Statement (Diversity / Perspective Statement)

“We are proud of the perspectives brought to the GW Law community by individuals from around the United States and the world. To that end, how has your identity contributed to who you are today? Examples might include, but are not limited to, lived experiences, obstacles overcome, areas of intellectual or professional interest, background/upbringing, and service.”

Diversity Statement Examples | Diversity Statement Guide

Why GW Statement (optional)

GW does not have a formal Why X prompt in the standard application. However, demonstrating school-specific knowledge through your personal statement or an optional addendum is valuable. DC-specific interests (government, policy, national security, international law) are natural fits for GW.

Addenda and Character & Fitness (if applicable)

Standard: brief, factual explanations for any issues.

3. GW Law Resume Requirements

1-2 pages. Focus on outcomes and impact.

Resume Examples

4. GW Law Letters of Recommendation

GW accepts letters of recommendation through LSAC. Two letters is standard. Academic letters are preferred for recent graduates.

5. GW Law Interview Process

GW does not typically conduct formal admissions interviews as part of the standard application process.

6. GW Law Deadlines and Early Decision

Note: The deadlines below are based on the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. Applicants should verify all dates on the school’s official admissions page, as deadlines may shift slightly from year to year.

Testing Policy

GW accepts the LSAT, GRE, GMAT, or JD-Next. GW also offers a test-optional path for applicants with at least four years of full-time professional employment (or a graduate/professional degree) who have not taken the LSAT in the past five years. I strongly recommend taking the LSAT regardless of what else a school accepts. LSAT vs. GRE for Law School: Why the GRE Is a Bad Choice

Binding Early Decision Deadline: February 1. Admitted ED applicants must commit to attend and withdraw all other applications within three days. ED admits are eligible for need-based grants; merit scholarship decisions for ED admits are typically made later in the cycle (see section 7).
Binding Presidential Merit Scholarship Program: February 1. Applicants admitted through this program receive a full-tuition scholarship and are bound to attend. If not admitted through this program, applicants are automatically considered in the regular pool and are no longer bound.
Application Deadline: March 1. Decisions are made on a rolling basis between November and May. Apply early for best outcomes.

GW also offers a part-time JD program, ranked second nationally among part-time law programs. Part-time students take 11 or fewer credits per semester and typically complete the degree in four years and one summer session. Both divisions share the same academic standards, faculty, and required courses. Students admitted to the part-time division may petition to transfer to full-time as early as their second semester.

For a full breakdown of early decision strategy, see Should You Apply Early Decision to Law School?

7. GW Law Scholarships and Financial Aid

Merit Scholarships

All admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit awards. ED admits are typically reviewed for merit scholarships in early August; approximately half of ED admits received a merit scholarship in the most recent cycle. GW also offers a scholarship reconsideration process for admitted students who receive competing offers; note that accepting an increased award through reconsideration can require a binding commitment.

Open Doors Scholarship

Up to ten incoming scholars receive at least $40,000 annually. This need-based scholarship is designed for students with significant financial need.

Presidential Merit Scholarship

Full-tuition, binding scholarship with a February 1 deadline (separate from regular ED). If not admitted through the Presidential program, applicants are automatically considered in the regular pool and released from the binding commitment.

Need-Based Aid

GW requires both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile (including parent information) for need-based grant consideration.

For more on scholarship strategy, see How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships.

8. GW Law Joint Degree Programs

GW Law offers joint degrees with other GW graduate schools:

JD/MBA with the GW School of Business (four years)
JD/MPA with the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration (four years)
JD/MPP with the Trachtenberg School (four years)
JD/MA with the Elliott School of International Affairs (four years; multiple concentrations available including International Affairs, Security Policy, and others)
JD/MPH with the Milken Institute School of Public Health
JD/MA in History
JD/MA in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
JD/Master of Education Policy
JD/Public Health Certificate

GW’s DC location makes the policy and international affairs joint degrees particularly valuable for students aiming at government, NGO, or international careers.

9. GW Law Employment Outcomes (Class of 2024)

George Washington Class of 2024 employment outcomes (reported to the ABA, measured 10 months after graduation):

Full-time, long-term bar-passage-required employment (ABA): 89.6%
BigLaw (firms with 100+ attorneys): 38.4%
Federal clerkships: 2.9%
Public service (including government): 22.4%

GW’s placement reflects its D.C. location: 22.4% in public service (including government) is one of the highest rates in the T25. The BigLaw rate is lower than peer schools but the combined BigLaw plus government placement tells a fuller story.

10. GW Law Areas of Study and Specializations

Government and Administrative Law: GW’s D.C. location and focus on government practice drive strong placement into federal agencies, regulatory bodies, and the executive branch. The 22.4% public service rate reflects this orientation. GW is also widely recognized as the birthplace of government procurement law, with the field’s leading academic program.

Intellectual Property Law: GW’s IP law program is one of the strongest outside the T14, with proximity to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and specialized faculty covering patent, trademark, and technology law.

International Law: The Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics include international human rights work, and GW’s D.C. location provides access to the World Bank, IMF, and international organizations headquartered in the city.

Litigation and Advocacy: GW’s clinical and advocacy programs, including mock trial and moot court, prepare students for litigation practice in D.C.’s active federal court system.

National Security Law: GW offers focused coursework and programming in national security, cybersecurity, and homeland security law, drawing on the school’s proximity to the Pentagon and intelligence agencies.

11. GW Law Clinics and Experiential Learning

GW Law has one of the largest clinical programs in the country, with 20+ clinics and field placements. Key clinics include:

Health Rights Law Clinic: Students represent clients on health-related legal issues.
Criminal Appeals & Post-Convictions Services Clinic: Students handle criminal appeals and post-conviction matters.
Immigration Clinic: Representation of immigrants in DC.
Small Business & Community Economic Development Clinic: Transactional work for underserved entrepreneurs.
Access to Justice Clinic, Environmental Justice Division: Legal advocacy on environmental justice issues affecting low-income and marginalized communities.
Domestic Violence Project: Legal advocacy for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Intellectual Property & Technology Law Clinic: IP- and technology-focused clinical work.

Pro Bono and Experiential Learning

DC provides unmatched externship opportunities: federal courts, the DOJ, SEC, FTC, EPA, Congressional offices, the White House Counsel’s Office, and hundreds of nonprofits. GW’s Pro Bono Program connects students with legal service organizations across the District.

12. GW Law Notable Faculty and Journals

Faculty

Robert Brauneis: Michael J. McKeon Professor of Intellectual Property Law. Co-Director of the Intellectual Property Law Program and the Dean Dinwoodey Center for Intellectual Property Studies.
Bradford Clark: William Cranch Research Professor. Federal courts, constitutional law, and separation of powers.
Robert Glicksman: J. B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Environmental Law. Environmental law, natural resources law, and administrative law.
Dawn Nunziato: Theodore and James Pedas Family Professor of Intellectual Property and Technology Law. Internet law, free speech, and platform governance.

Journals

George Washington Law Review
George Washington International Law Review
Federal Circuit Bar Journal (unique to GW’s proximity to the Federal Circuit)
Journal of Energy and Environmental Law
Public Contract Law Journal (the premier journal in government procurement law)

13. GW Law Culture and Student Life

GW Law’s size (~612 in the Class of 2028) makes it one of the largest law schools in the country. The school’s Foggy Bottom campus puts you within walking distance of virtually every major legal institution in the country. The student body reflects DC’s energy: policy-oriented, career-focused, and deeply connected to government and public service.

DC’s legal market is one of the deepest in the country, particularly for government, regulatory, and public interest careers. GW graduates have direct access to this market, and the school’s extensive alumni network in DC opens doors across government, BigLaw, and nonprofits.

14. Tips for Your GW Application

Leverage DC. If you want to work in government, policy, national security, or international law, GW’s DC location is your strongest argument. Be specific about which institutions, agencies, or organizations draw you to DC and how GW’s programs connect.

Name programs that are unique to GW. Government procurement law is virtually unmatched anywhere. The IP program’s proximity to the USPTO and Federal Circuit is distinctive. The national security law program benefits from DC’s intelligence community. These are not things every law school can offer.

Do not just say “DC is great.” Anyone can say that. Show that you understand what GW specifically provides that Georgetown, American, or Howard do not (or that makes GW the better fit for your goals).

Want Help Getting Into GW Law?

GW’s size and DC location create enormous opportunity, but the application needs to show that you are not just applying to a ranking or a city. You need to show you understand what GW specifically offers.

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Note: While this guide is kept up to date, always verify deadlines, requirements, and policies at the GW Law website before applying.