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 entering class of 462 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.
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1. NYU Law Admissions Numbers and Statistics
NYU Law Class of 2029:
- LSAT: 75th: 175 | Median: 173 | 25th: 170
- GPA: 75th: 3.97 | Median: 3.92 | 25th: 3.80
NYU Law Class of 2028:
- LSAT: 75th: 174 | Median: 172 | 25th: 169
- GPA: 75th: 3.97 | Median: 3.92 | 25th: 3.81
Aim to be at or above at least one median to be competitive. Being at or above both medians 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. NYU Law Application Essays
Personal Statement (required)
The school's instructions: “While the Committee on Admissions does not use interviews as part of the regular selection process, we would like to give you the opportunity to include more information about yourself than the application form conveys. Because people and their interests vary, we leave the content and length of your statement to your discretion. You may wish to bring to our attention additional information that provides an understanding of your qualifications, goals, and potential to contribute to the NYU Law community.”
For more on how to write a personal statement, see my Personal Statement Examples and Personal Statement Guide.
Supplying Additional Information (Diversity / Perspective / Experience Statement)
The school's instructions: “New York University School of Law seeks to enroll a student body from a broad spectrum of society. The Committee on Admissions encourages you to provide any information that may be helpful to us in reaching a thoughtful decision on your application. While the choice as to whether and what information to submit to the committee is entirely yours, any information you provide will be used to give the Committee a more complete understanding of your background: to help the committee reach an informed decision on your application, and to aid the Committee in selecting a student body with a range of experiences.”
The school’s instructions continue: “This is an opportunity to share with the Committee information about how your background will enable you to contribute to the NYU Law community. The Committee evaluates work experience, extracurricular, and community activity for evidence of advancement, leadership, and capacity for assuming responsibility. This list is not all-inclusive, but we offer it for you to think about as you consider whether such information might be relevant in your case, and to assure you that it is quite appropriate.”
The school’s instructions continue: “If you choose to provide additional information, please upload this information in the attachment section of the application, and clearly identify your submission accordingly.”
For more on how to write a diversity or perspective statement, see my Diversity Statement Examples and Diversity Statement Guide.
Why NYU (Not a Formal Prompt)
NYU does not have a formal Why X essay prompt.
For more on making all of these essays work together, see my Cohesive Narrative Guide.
Addenda (if applicable)
NYU permits clearly labeled attachments that add relevant background or context. Explain a test score when specific circumstances make it unrepresentative of your ability; avoid extra material that adds no useful information.
Character & Fitness (if applicable)
Answer every Character and Fitness question completely and accurately. Prior criminal-system involvement or an affirmative answer does not by itself bar admission to NYU Law. If you receive additional grades before a final decision, send an updated transcript to LSAC for a new CAS report.
I'll be publishing a guide to addenda and character and fitness.
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.
For more on preparing your resume, see my Resume Examples and Resume Guide.
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, the Jacobson Public Service Scholarship for Women, Children, and Families, and others require at least one additional letter addressing public service commitment).
For more on recommendations, see my LOR Guide (Applicants) and LOR Guide (Writers).
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
Testing Policy
NYU accepts the LSAT or GRE. If you’re considering the GRE, read my LSAT vs. GRE guide before deciding.
Application Dates and Fees
- 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. Eligible Teach for America and Peace Corps alumni, Truman Scholars, US military, and NYU undergraduates/alumni must request a waiver.
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 the final 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:
- 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), submitted with the JD application, 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 2025)
NYU Class of 2025 employment outcomes (reported to the ABA, measured 10 months after graduation):
- Full-time, long-term bar-passage-required employment (ABA): 98.1%
- BigLaw (firms with 101+ attorneys): 67.4%
- Federal clerkships: 5.5%
- Public service (including government): 20.1%
NYU’s 20.1% public service rate (including government) is among the highest in the T14, reflecting the school’s deep public interest infrastructure. Combined with a 67.4% 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 20.1% 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. Publishes legal scholarship across a range of topics.
- NYU Journal of International Law and Politics: Publishes commentary on contemporary international and comparative law.
- NYU Review of Law and Social Change: Publishes scholarship on legal responses to social problems.
- NYU Environmental Law Journal: Publishes scholarship on environmental law and environmental justice.
- NYU Journal of Legislation and Public Policy: Publishes analysis of local, state, and federal legislation and public policy.
- NYU Annual Survey of American Law: Publishes practice-oriented analysis of contemporary developments in 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 entering class (462 students) 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.
If you want my help, you know what to do.
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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 NYU 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.