NYU School of Law is one of the top law schools in the world, combining a powerhouse location in New York City with academic depth that rivals any program in the country. Known for its dominance in tax law, public interest law (through the nation’s preeminent LRAP program), corporate law, international law, and constitutional law, NYU offers both BigLaw pipelines and genuine public interest infrastructure. The class of ~452 students is one of the largest in the T14, and the breadth of programming, clinical offerings, and scholarship opportunities reflects that scale.
This guide walks you through how to get into NYU Law.
1. NYU Law Admissions Numbers and Statistics
NYU Law Class of 2028:
- LSAT: 75th percentile: 174 | Median: 172 | 25th percentile: 169
- GPA: 75th percentile: 3.97 | Median: 3.92 | 25th percentile: 3.81
NYU Law Class of 2027:
- LSAT: 75th: 173 | Median: 172 | 25th: 169
- GPA: 75th: 3.96 | Median: 3.91 | 25th: 3.80
NYU’s numbers were remarkably stable this cycle. The LSAT median held at 172, and the 75th percentile ticked up one point to 174. GPA moved up fractionally across the board. The class grew by 4% (from 434 to 452 students). This stability at a high level reflects NYU’s consistent position in the top 6-7 law schools nationally.
If you are at or above both medians, you are competitive. The 169 at the 25th LSAT percentile is notably high, which means NYU has a tight LSAT floor. Splitters face a harder path here than at some peer schools. Reverse splitters with GPAs well above the median and LSATs in the 169-171 range have a realistic shot.
For context on how medians affect your strategy, see How to Build a Smart Law School List.
2. NYU Law Application Essays
Personal Statement (required)
NYU’s prompt is open-ended and unusually flexible. The school does not use interviews, so the written materials are the primary way the committee gets to know you. NYU invites you to “include more information about yourself than the application form conveys” and leaves the content and length to your discretion. You may bring to the committee’s attention additional information about your qualifications, goals, and potential to contribute to the NYU Law community.
Two pages double-spaced is the standard, though NYU does not specify a strict limit.
Best Practices:
- Lead with a real experience, not a philosophical abstraction
- Show clarity of voice and intellectual maturity
- Connect your narrative to why law, grounded in what you have seen or done
- NYU values both sharp writing and genuine substance. Come across as someone who has already begun doing the kind of work law school will deepen
Personal Statement Examples | Personal Statement Guide
Supplying Additional Information (Diversity / Perspective / Experience Statement)
NYU does not label this a “diversity statement,” but the function is the same. The school says it “seeks to enroll a student body from a broad spectrum of society” and “encourages you to provide any information that may be helpful to us in reaching a thoughtful decision.”
The school lists examples of helpful information: meaningful leadership experience, significant community involvement, personal/family history or educational or socioeconomic disadvantage, circumstances that may have affected academic performance, and skills developed to overcome adversity. But the list is explicitly not exhaustive.
If you choose to provide additional information, upload it as an attachment and label it clearly. This is your opportunity to address identity, background, perspective, or formative experiences that your PS does not cover. Ground it in action and reflection.
Diversity Statement Examples | Diversity Statement Guide
Why NYU (Not a Formal Prompt)
NYU does not have a formal Why X essay prompt. However, if your interest in NYU is driven by specific programs, scholarship opportunities, or faculty, you can address this briefly within your personal statement or as part of your supplemental information. NYU’s public interest programs (LRAP, Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship), tax program, and international law offerings are natural fits for a targeted mention.
Addenda and Character & Fitness (if applicable)
Standard: brief, factual explanations for any issues.
3. NYU Law Resume Requirements
A resume is required. NYU does not specify a length, but 1-2 pages is standard. Focus on professional, academic, and leadership experience.
4. NYU Law Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required through LSAC. Additional letters are welcome for named scholarship programs (Root-Tilden-Kern, Jacobson, and others require at least one additional letter addressing public service commitment).
5. NYU Law Interview Process
NYU does not conduct admissions interviews as part of the standard application process. Your written materials carry the full weight of your candidacy.
6. NYU 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
NYU accepts the LSAT or GRE. 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
- Early Decision Deadline: November 15 (binding). If admitted, you must commit to attend and withdraw all other applications. ED applicants receive a decision typically by late December/early January.
- Regular Decision Deadline: February 15.
- Application Fee: $85. Automatically waived for LSAC fee waiver recipients, Teach for America and Peace Corps alumni, Truman Scholars, US military, and NYU undergraduates/alumni.
For a full breakdown of early decision strategy, see Should You Apply Early Decision to Law School?
7. NYU Law Scholarships and Financial Aid
Merit Scholarships (Dean’s Awards and Vanderbilt Scholarships)
All admitted applicants are automatically considered for Dean’s Awards, which are merit- and/or need-based grants in amounts up to full tuition. A small number of students with exceptional merit receive Vanderbilt Scholarships. To be considered, admitted students must complete NYU’s online financial aid application (instructions sent in early January).
Programmatic Scholarships
NYU has one of the strongest programmatic scholarship systems in legal education. These are not just financial awards; they include structured academic and professional programming. The priority deadline for all programmatic scholarships is December 1, and all applications must be submitted no later than January 1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to have a complete CAS report ready by December 1. Missing this deadline means missing these scholarships.
Public Interest:
- Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship Program: Full tuition for students committed to public service careers. Includes mentorship, skills training, and career development. Applicants must submit a public service essay (500 words max) and an additional letter of recommendation addressing public service commitment. The Lindemann Family Public Service Scholarship, the Jacobson Public Service Scholarship for Women, Children, and Families, the Filomen D’Agostino Scholarships (two variants: Women’s and Children’s Rights; Civil Rights, Civil Liberties, and/or Criminal Justice), and the Sinsheimer Service Scholarship are awarded within the RTK selection process.
- Furman Public Policy Scholarship Program: Full support for students pursuing careers in the public policy sector. Includes individualized academic planning and advising.
- Latinx Rights Scholarship: Two full-tuition scholarships for students who intend to pursue careers promoting justice for the Latinx community.
- Lyn & Gilbert M. Kapelman – John Norton Pomeroy Scholarship: For an enrolling student planning a career in environmental and land use law, whether in academia, public service, or private practice. Selected based on demonstrated commitment to scholarship in areas including land, air, and water protection, wildlife and marine conservation, and preservation of endangered habitats.
Academic and Business:
- Furman Academic Scholars Program: For students with exceptional academic achievement and intellectual ambition.
- Mitchell Jacobson Leadership Program in Law and Business: For students pursuing careers at the intersection of law, business, and leadership.
- Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America Scholarships in Law and Business: Merit- and need-based scholarships for JD/MBA dual degree students pursuing careers in law and business. No separate application required.
- Nordlicht Family Scholarship in Law and Social Entrepreneurship: For students interested in social entrepreneurship through law.
- Cybersecurity Law and Technology Scholarship: For students focused on cybersecurity law and policy.
First in Family:
- AnBryce Scholarship Program: Full tuition for students who are the first in their family to attend graduate or professional school and have overcome significant socioeconomic obstacles.
Additional Scholars Programs (Separate Application Required):
- Desmarais Law and Technology Scholarship: Full tuition for two incoming students with demonstrated interest in law and technology, particularly those with STEM backgrounds.
- Engelberg Scholarship: Full tuition for an incoming student with an undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, or basic science. Preference given to applicants with demonstrated interest in intellectual property law.
- Tiffany and Jubin Niamehr Scholarship: Two partial scholarships for students whose core motivation is combatting antisemitism. Requires an additional essay (500-750 words) and at least one recommendation letter addressing this commitment.
Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)
NYU’s LRAP is widely regarded as the best in the country. It covers law school loan payments for graduates in qualifying public interest positions, making NYU one of the most financially viable options for students pursuing public service careers.
For more on scholarship strategy, see How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships.
8. NYU Law Dual Degree Programs
NYU Law offers one of the most extensive dual degree menus in the T14:
- JD/MBA with the Stern School of Business (four years)
- JD/MPA or JD/MUP with the Wagner School of Public Service (four years)
- JD/MSW with the Silver School of Social Work (four years)
- JD/LLM in Taxation (can be completed during or after the JD)
- JD/LLM in International Law
- JD/MA or JD/PhD in Economics or Politics with the Graduate School of Arts and Science
- JD/MA in French Studies or JD/MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
NYU’s Graduate School of Arts and Science also offers JD/PhD programs in over 20 additional fields, including American Studies, Biology, Comparative Literature, Computer Science, English, Mathematics, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, and others.
NYU also has cross-institutional partnerships: – JD/MPP or JD/MPA with the Harvard Kennedy School – JD/MPA with the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs
These cross-institutional programs allow students to earn degrees from two universities simultaneously.
9. NYU Law Employment Outcomes (Class of 2024)
NYU Class of 2024 employment outcomes (reported to the ABA, measured 10 months after graduation):
- Full-time, long-term bar-passage-required employment (ABA): 91.4%
- BigLaw (firms with 100+ attorneys): 60.3%
- Federal clerkships: 5.0%
- Public service (including government): 26.3%
NYU’s 26.3% public service rate (including government) is the highest in the T14, reflecting the school’s deep public interest infrastructure. Combined with a 60.3% BigLaw rate, NYU offers a strong two-track outcome profile. New York is the dominant market.
10. NYU Law Areas of Study and Specializations
Tax Law: NYU’s tax program is widely regarded as the best in the country. The JD program connects directly with the nation’s top LLM in Taxation, and tax faculty include leading scholars and former government officials.
Public Interest Law: NYU’s combination of the Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship, LRAP, the Brennan Center for Justice, and the Public Interest Law Center makes it the strongest public interest platform in the T14. The 26.3% public service rate reflects this.
International Law: The Hauser Global Law School Program, study-abroad options at partner institutions worldwide, and deep faculty expertise make NYU one of the most internationally oriented law schools in the country.
Corporate and Business Law: The Pollack Center for Law and Business supports coursework and programming in corporate law, finance, and transactions. NYU’s proximity to Wall Street drives strong corporate hiring.
Criminal Justice: The Peter L. Zimroth Center on the Administration of Criminal Law supports scholarship and programming in prosecution, defense, and criminal justice reform.
Entertainment, Media, and Technology Law: NYU’s NYC location provides natural connections to the entertainment, media, and technology industries. Coursework covers IP, media law, and art law.
11. NYU Law Clinics and Experiential Learning
NYU operates one of the most extensive clinical programs in legal education:
- Civil Rights and Racial Justice Clinic: Students handle civil rights litigation in federal courts.
- Criminal Defense and Reentry Clinic: Defense representation and post-conviction advocacy.
- Environmental Law Clinic: Environmental litigation and policy.
- Global Justice Clinic: International human rights investigations and advocacy.
- Immigrant Rights Clinic: Representation of immigrants and advocacy on immigration policy.
- Juvenile Defender Clinic: Students represent children in delinquency proceedings.
- Racial Equity Strategies Clinic: Students work on racial equity litigation and advocacy in partnership with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
- Tax Law Clinic (LITC): Students represent low-income taxpayers before the IRS and in Tax Court.
- Technology Law and Policy Clinic: Students advise on technology policy, privacy, and platform governance.
- Family Defense Clinic: Representation of parents in child welfare proceedings.
Pro Bono and Experiential Learning
NYC is the deepest legal market in the country. NYU students extern at federal and state courts, the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, major firms, UN agencies, and hundreds of public interest organizations. NYU’s pro bono program is robust, and the school’s public interest infrastructure supports students at every stage.
12. NYU Law Notable Faculty and Journals
Faculty
- Rachel Barkow: Vice Dean and Charles Seligson Professor of Law. Criminal law, sentencing, and regulatory reform. Former member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
- Ryan Goodman: Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Professor of Law. International law, national security, and human rights. Co-editor-in-chief of Just Security.
- Kenji Yoshino: Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law. Constitutional law, civil rights, and identity.
- Samuel Issacharoff: Bonnie and Richard Reiss Professor of Constitutional Law. Civil procedure, election law, and complex litigation.
- Deborah Malamud: AnBryce Professor of Law. Labor law, employment discrimination, and inequality.
Journals
- New York University Law Review: One of the most cited law reviews in the country.
- NYU Journal of International Law and Politics
- NYU Review of Law and Social Change
- NYU Environmental Law Journal
- NYU Journal of Legislation and Public Policy
- NYU Annual Survey of American Law
13. NYU Law Culture and Student Life
NYU Law’s Greenwich Village campus puts students in one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Manhattan. The school’s large class (~452) creates energy and diversity, with students ranging from recent graduates to seasoned professionals. The culture balances intellectual intensity with genuine collegiality, and the school’s dual strength in BigLaw and public interest creates a student body with varied career paths and motivations.
New York City is the world’s largest legal market. For students who want to work in NYC, NYU’s alumni network, firm connections, and institutional relationships provide a direct path. The cost of living is the highest of any T14 city, but NYU’s scholarship and LRAP programs make it more manageable than the sticker price suggests.
14. Tips for Your NYU Application
NYU does not have a formal Why X prompt, but specificity still matters. If your interests align with NYU’s distinctive programs, such as the tax program, Root-Tilden-Kern, LRAP, the Brennan Center, or a specific clinic, weave that into your personal statement or supplemental information. A targeted mention of a specific program or faculty member signals genuine research.
Public interest applicants should lean into NYU’s infrastructure. If you are applying for Root-Tilden-Kern or another named public interest scholarship, your application needs to demonstrate sustained commitment to public service, not just aspiration. The additional recommendation letter should come from someone who has seen your public service work firsthand.
NYU values sophisticated writing. Without an interview, your essays carry the full weight of your personality and judgment. The committee is looking for clarity of thought, genuine voice, and evidence that you are already thinking critically about the legal issues that interest you.
Do not underestimate the supplemental information opportunity. NYU’s “Supplying Additional Information” section is optional but valuable. If there is a meaningful dimension of your background that your PS does not capture, this is the place. Treat it as a diversity/perspective statement, not an afterthought.
NYC is not a reason by itself. Everyone wants to be in New York. The question is what NYU specifically offers that makes it the right school for your goals. The tax program, LRAP, specific faculty, or a particular clinic are all stronger hooks than the city alone.
Want Help Getting Into NYU Law?
NYU’s application is deceptively simple: personal statement, optional supplemental information, and your numbers. But the lack of a formal Why X or interview means every written word has to work harder. A sharp, purposeful application makes the difference.
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Note: While this guide is kept up to date, always verify deadlines, requirements, and policies at the NYU Law website before applying.
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
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