Harvard Law School receives just over 7,000 applications each cycle, with around 800 offers extended. With acceptance rates typically ~11%, it’s more accessible than Yale, but no less demanding in execution.
Harvard is one of the most prestigious and well-resourced law schools in the world. But that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. In fact, Harvard casts a wider net than most top law schools—and values not just numbers, but clarity of purpose.
This guide breaks down exactly how to get into Harvard Law.
Step 1: Know the Numbers
Harvard Law School Class of 2027
GPA: 25th percentile: 3.89 | Median: 3.95 | 75th percentile: 3.99
LSAT: 25th percentile: 170 | Median: 174 | 75th percentile: 176
If you’re not at or above at least one median, your chances drop significantly unless you have extraordinary softs or rare diversity. Harvard does accept GRE scores, but the bar is similarly high.
Step 2: Write a Purpose-Driven Personal Statement
Harvard requires a Statement of Purpose (1–2 pages, 11pt font), which functions as your personal statement. This is your chance to show them why law is the next step for you—and why it makes sense based on what you’ve done and where you’re headed.
Great Harvard statements do three things:
- Start with a specific, real-world, law-adjacent experience—ideally within the last 1–2 years.
- Zoom out to reflect: What did this teach you? What did it make you question, pursue, or let go of?
- Show where it’s leading you: Why law? Why now? Why you?
Ask yourself:
- What moment made me see a system, conflict, or structure differently?
- Where did I step up or rethink something I’d taken for granted?
- What value, question, or responsibility am I carrying into law?
Avoid:
- Childhood stories (too distant)
- Philosophical generalities about justice (too vague)
- Lists of achievements (too impersonal)
- Stories that aren’t clearly tied to your path to law (too unfocused)
You’re not trying to “prove” you deserve Harvard. You’re showing them that your direction, judgment, and clarity of mind already reflect someone who belongs there.
Harvard values clean, structured writing and ethical maturity. Your tone should be confident, serious, and reflective—not showy or performative.
Read personal statement examples
Step 3: Submit the Required Statement of Perspective
Unlike some schools where the diversity statement is optional, Harvard requires a second essay: the Statement of Perspective (1–2 pages, 11pt font).
This is where you can show how your identity, background, or worldview has shaped how you move through the world—and how it might shape your contributions in law school.
Topics often include:
- Race, ethnicity, culture
- Family background or first-gen experiences
- Faith, language, class, or geography
- Adversity, resilience, or major personal shifts
But it doesn’t have to be tied to a traditional diversity box. You can write about how your values were shaped, what moral tensions you’ve had to hold, or how you see systems operating around you.
Tone matters. Harvard is looking for depth, not performance.
Read diversity statement examples
Step 4: Prepare Your Resume with Precision
Harvard expects a clean, professional resume.
Focus on:
- Action → outcome bullets
- Clarity over flash
- Evidence of writing, leadership, initiative, service, and systems thinking
Avoid clutter. Make every section earn its space.
Step 5: Choose Sharp, Specific Recommenders
Harvard requires two letters of recommendation, and accepts up to three.
At least one letter should be academic unless you’ve been out of school for years. Professional letters should speak to skills that matter in law school—analysis, writing, initiative, judgment.
The best letters:
- Are full of specifics
- Include comparisons (“one of the strongest I’ve taught in 10 years”)
- Show how you respond to feedback, take ownership, and lead with integrity
Avoid:
- Generic or template-style recs
- Letters from people with flashy titles who barely know you
Step 6: Nail the Logistics
Application Components
- Statement of Purpose (Personal Statement)
- Statement of Perspective (Diversity Statement)
- Resume
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- LSAT or GRE
- Transcripts (via LSAC)
- Online video interview (if invited)
Step 7: Interviews
Harvard conducts video interviews by invitation only.
If you’re invited, that’s a strong signal—but not a guarantee. Prepare like it matters.
Expect:
- Behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time…”)
- Reflection questions (“Why law? Why now?”)
- Thoughtful follow-ups based on your app
You don’t need to be perfect—you need to be grounded, reflective, and clear.
Step 8: Scholarships & Financial Aid
Harvard offers no merit-based scholarships. All financial aid is need-based and determined by both student and parent financials. Roughly 40–50% of students receive need-based grants, and all benefit from built-in tuition subsidies.
Graduates entering lower-paying fields may qualify for the Low Income Protection Plan (LIPP), Harvard’s loan repayment program.
Unusual cases are reviewed individually. Expect to provide full documentation if applying for need-based support.
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Note: While this guide is kept up to date, always verify deadlines, requirements, and policies on the Harvard Law School website before applying.
