The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School is one of the most interdisciplinary and professionally minded schools in the T14. Known for its deep integration with other Penn graduate schools (particularly Wharton), its emphasis on experiential learning, and a culture that values collaboration and collegiality, Penn Carey Law produces graduates who are ready for both BigLaw and business-facing roles from day one. Located in Philadelphia’s University City, the school offers a strong urban campus experience with access to a growing legal market. The class of ~265 students is mid-sized for the T14, creating a strong sense of community.
This guide walks you through how to get into Penn Law.
1. Penn Law Admissions Numbers and Statistics
Penn Carey Law Class of 2028:
- LSAT: 75th percentile: 174 | Median: 173 | 25th percentile: 167
- GPA: 75th percentile: 4.00 | Median: 3.95 | 25th percentile: 3.77
Penn Carey Law Class of 2027:
- LSAT: 75th: 174 | Median: 172 | 25th: 168
- GPA: 75th: 3.99 | Median: 3.93 | 25th: 3.77
Penn’s LSAT median rose one point from 172 to 173, while the 75th percentile held at 174. The 25th LSAT dropped one point from 168 to 167, suggesting Penn admitted slightly more splitters this cycle. GPA moved up: the median went from 3.93 to 3.95, and the 75th from 3.99 to 4.00. The class grew from 251 to 265 (5.6%). The combination suggests Penn is maintaining its strong LSAT profile while raising the GPA bar and expanding slightly.
If you are at or above both medians, you are in strong position. Splitters with a 173+ LSAT and a GPA in the mid-to-high 3.7s have a realistic path. Reverse splitters face more pressure given the high LSAT median. Penn values interdisciplinary interests, professional maturity, and demonstrated engagement with the school’s specific offerings.
For context on how medians affect your strategy, see How to Build a Smart Law School List.
2. Penn Law Application Essays
Personal Statement (required)
Penn’s prompt is open-ended. The purpose is to provide information you deem important to your candidacy. You may wish to describe your experiences and interests, whether intellectual, personal, or professional, and how you will contribute to the Penn Carey Law community and/or the legal profession. Two pages double-spaced is the suggested length. Label it “Personal Statement” and include your name and LSAC account number on each page.
Best Practices:
- Lead with a real experience, not a philosophical abstraction
- Penn values professionalism, collaboration, and interdisciplinary thinking. Let these come through naturally
- Connect your narrative to why law, grounded in what you have done
- If your interests align with Penn’s strengths (law and business, clinical training, global engagement), a natural mention reinforces fit
Personal Statement Examples | Personal Statement Guide
Optional Essays
Penn offers six optional essay prompts. You may submit as many or as few as you choose. Each should be limited to one page, double-spaced, and titled appropriately. Include your name and LSAC account number on each page.
1. Core Strengths Match (Functions as a Why X Essay)
“These are the core strengths that make Penn Carey Law the best place to receive a rigorous, collaborative, and engaging legal education: genuine integration with associated disciplines; transformative, forward-looking faculty scholarship; highly-regarded experiential learning through clinics and our pro bono pledge; innovative, hands-on global engagement; and a manifest commitment to professional development and collegiality. These qualities define Penn Carey Law. What defines you? How do your goals and values match Penn Carey Law’s core strengths?”
This is the most strategic prompt for most applicants. It functions as Penn’s Why X essay. Be specific about which core strengths connect to your background and goals. Name clinics, cross-disciplinary programs, or faculty. Do not just reflect the prompt back at them; show how your goals and Penn’s offerings align concretely.
2. Community Contribution (Diversity / Perspective / Identity Statement)
“Penn Carey Law is committed to achieving an expansive and welcoming law school community that brings a broad range of ideas, experiences, and perspectives to our classrooms. Tell us about how you will contribute to our Penn Carey Law community.”
This is Penn’s diversity/perspective statement. Ground it in action and reflection, not just identity or circumstance. Show what you have done with your perspective and what you bring to the community.
Diversity Statement Examples | Diversity Statement Guide
3. Overcoming Challenge (optional)
“Describe a significant challenge you have faced. What have you learned from this challenge?”
4. Motivation for JD (optional)
“What is your motivation for pursuing a JD degree?”
5. Undervalued Trait (optional)
“What strength or quality do you have that most people might not recognize?”
6. Academic/Score Context (optional)
“If you do not think that your academic record or standardized test scores accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, please tell us why.”
Character and Fitness
Standard: disclose any relevant issues with a brief, honest explanation.
3. Penn Law Resume Requirements
A resume is required. Focus on substance and impact. Penn values professional, academic, and leadership experience. 1-2 pages is standard.
4. Penn Law Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required through LSAC. You may submit up to four. Academic letters are preferred for recent graduates; professional letters are appropriate for experienced applicants.
5. Penn Law Interview Process
Penn does not conduct interviews as a standard part of the regular decision process. However, the school has occasionally conducted interviews for Early Decision applicants. An interview is not required for admission under any track.
6. Penn 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
Penn accepts the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT. 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 Round I Deadline: November 15 (binding).
- Early Decision Round II Deadline: January 7 (binding).
- Regular Decision Deadline: March 1.
- Application Fee: $85. Automatically waived for LSAC fee waiver recipients, AmeriCorps/Peace Corps/TFA alumni, and US military.
Penn offers two rounds of binding Early Decision, which is unusual in the T14. ED I gives you the earliest read; ED II allows you to commit after seeing November/January LSAT scores.
For a full breakdown of early decision strategy, see Should You Apply Early Decision to Law School?
7. Penn Law Scholarships and Financial Aid
Merit Scholarships
All admitted applicants are automatically considered. Penn offers a range of merit-based awards.
Named Scholarships
Penn offers several named scholarships. Levy Scholars receive full tuition, recognizing exceptional academic and leadership potential. Toll Public Interest Scholars receive full tuition plus summer public interest stipends. Alexander Scholars receive full tuition. Silverman Scholars receive full tuition during 1L and half tuition during 2L. Penn has also introduced full-tuition need-based scholarships for incoming students with the greatest demonstrated financial need.
Need-Based Aid
Applicants seeking need-based aid must complete both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. Penn has also introduced full-tuition need-based scholarships for incoming students with the greatest demonstrated financial need.
For more on scholarship strategy, see How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships.
8. Penn Law Joint Degrees and Certificate Programs
Penn Carey Law offers one of the most extensive cross-disciplinary programs in legal education, with access to 11 Penn schools and more than 35 joint degree and certificate options. A significant percentage of the class earns at least one certificate (the Wharton Certificate in Management requires only a single course), and a smaller but meaningful number pursue full joint degrees.
Joint Degrees: – JD/MBA with Wharton (three-year accelerated or four-year track). The Carey JD/MBA is one of the most prestigious in the country. – JD/MBE (Master of Bioethics) with the Perelman School of Medicine – JD/MCIT (Master of Computer and Information Technology) with Penn Engineering – JD/MSE (Master of Science in Engineering) with Penn Engineering – JD/MA or JD/MS in Criminology with the School of Arts and Sciences – JD/MSSP (Master of Science in Social Policy) with the School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) – JD/MS in Nonprofit Leadership with SP2 – JD/MSW with SP2 – JD/MSEd in Education Policy or Higher Education with the Graduate School of Education – JD/MES (Master of Environmental Studies) with the School of Arts and Sciences – JD/MCP (Master of City and Regional Planning) with the Weitzman School of Design – JD/MPH with the Perelman School of Medicine – JD/MPA with the Fels Institute of Government – JD/MD with the Perelman School of Medicine – JD/DMD with Penn Dental Medicine – JD/MA or JD/PhD in Philosophy with the School of Arts and Sciences – JD/PhD in Anthropology, Communications, Legal Studies and Business Ethics, and Psychology – JD/AM in Islamic Studies with the School of Arts and Sciences – JD/MA in International Studies with the Lauder Institute – JD/MPA or JD/MPP with the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (cross-institutional) – JD/BA, JD/BS, JD/BSE, JD/BSN submatriculation for Penn undergraduates
Certificate Programs: – Wharton Certificate in Management: Available to all JD students through the Business Management for Lawyers pathway at Wharton – Certificate for Applied Data Ethics, Law, and the Social Good (new for 2025-2026) – Certificate in Global Human Rights – Certificate in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies – Certificate in Law and Politics – Certificate in Latin American and Latino Studies – LGBTQ Certificate – Certificate of Study in History and Historical Research Methods (new for 2025-2026)
Penn Carey Law also allows students to take up to four courses at other Penn graduate schools as part of their JD, even without pursuing a formal joint degree.
Penn also offers international 3L-year-abroad dual degrees: a JD/Master’s in Economic Law with Sciences Po (Paris) and a JD/LLM with the University of Hong Kong.
9. Penn Law Employment Outcomes (Class of 2024)
Penn Class of 2024 employment outcomes (reported to the ABA, measured 10 months after graduation):
- Full-time, long-term bar-passage-required employment (ABA): 91.8%
- BigLaw (firms with 100+ attorneys): 69.4%
- Federal clerkships: 8.2%
- Public service (including government): 15.1%
Penn’s 0.3% underemployment rate is effectively zero. New York, Philadelphia, and D.C. are the top hiring markets.
10. Penn Law Areas of Study and Specializations
Business and Corporate Law: Penn Carey Law’s Institute for Law & Economics, the Penn Program on Regulation, and the school’s broader integration with the Wharton School make it one of the top destinations for corporate, regulatory, and transactional law. The cross-registration and JD/MBA pathway are distinctive advantages.
Intellectual Property and Technology Law: The Center for Technology, Innovation, and Competition (CTIC) supports work in patent law, data privacy, AI, and technology regulation.
Law and Public Policy: Penn’s strong connections to the Fels Institute of Government and the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy provide structured pathways into government and policy work.
International Law: Penn’s international dual degrees with Sciences Po and HKU, combined with the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law, support students pursuing international law and human rights.
Criminal Justice and Criminal Law: Penn’s Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice focuses on evidence-based criminal justice reform. Clinical programs cover defense, prosecution, and appellate work.
11. Penn Law Clinics and Experiential Learning
Penn operates a strong clinical program:
- Civil Rights Litigation Clinic: Students handle civil rights cases in federal courts.
- Transnational Legal Clinic: International human rights litigation and advocacy.
- Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic: Transactional work for startups and entrepreneurs.
- Criminal Defense Clinic: Students represent defendants in Philadelphia courts.
- Legislation Clinic: Students draft and advocate for state legislation.
- Appellate Litigation Clinic: Students brief and argue cases in federal appellate courts.
- Mediation Clinic: Students serve as mediators in community and court-referred disputes.
- Interdisciplinary Child Advocacy Clinic: Representation of children in dependency and delinquency proceedings.
Pro Bono and Experiential Learning
Philadelphia provides a strong legal market for externships at federal and state courts, major firms, and public interest organizations. Penn’s pro bono requirement and Toll Public Interest Center create structured pathways for public service engagement. The school’s proximity to New York (90 minutes by train) expands the career landscape.
12. Penn Law Notable Faculty and Journals
Faculty
- Cary Coglianese: Edward B. Shils Professor of Law. Administrative law, regulatory policy, and AI in government.
- Sophia Lee: Dean and Bernard G. Segal Professor of Law. Administrative law, civil rights, constitutional law, and legal history. A legal historian who helped pioneer the study of administrative constitutionalism. Named dean in 2023.
- David Hoffman: William A. Schnader Professor of Law. Contracts, empirical legal studies, and consumer law.
- Tobias Wolff: Professor of Law. Civil procedure, constitutional law, and sexual orientation and the law.
- Rangita de Silva de Alwis: Associate Dean of International Affairs. International women’s rights, comparative constitutional law, and global gender equality.
Journals
- University of Pennsylvania Law Review: One of the oldest and most prestigious law reviews in the country.
- University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law
- University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law
- University of Pennsylvania Journal of Business Law
- University of Pennsylvania Journal of Law and Social Change
13. Penn Law Culture and Student Life
Penn Carey Law’s campus in University City is integrated into the broader Penn campus, giving law students access to the full university ecosystem. The class of ~265 is mid-sized for the T14, which creates a genuinely collegial community. The culture emphasizes collaboration, interdisciplinary exploration, and professional development.
Philadelphia is an increasingly attractive city for law students: lower cost of living than NYC or DC, a strong food scene, walkable neighborhoods, and a growing legal and business ecosystem. The proximity to New York and DC by train makes Penn a strategic base for students targeting multiple markets.
14. Tips for Your Penn Application
Penn’s optional essay structure gives you significant flexibility. The Core Strengths essay (Prompt 1) is the most important optional essay for most applicants.
Tips for the Core Strengths Essay (Why Penn)
Do not just mirror the prompt. Penn lists five core strengths. You do not need to address all five. Pick the one or two that most naturally connect to your background and goals, and go deep.
The Wharton connection is Penn’s biggest differentiator. If your interests involve business law, corporate transactions, entrepreneurship, fintech, or any business-adjacent legal work, the Wharton cross-registration and JD/MBA pipeline are worth naming. But only if they genuinely connect to your goals.
Name specific clinics, faculty, or programs. “The Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic aligns with my three years of startup advisory work” is vastly stronger than “Penn has great clinical offerings.”
One page is short. At one page double-spaced, every sentence has to earn its place. Lead with your strongest connection to Penn, support it with one or two specific examples, and close cleanly.
Tips for the Community Contribution Essay (Diversity/Perspective)
Treat this as a diversity/perspective statement. “How you will contribute to our Penn Carey Law community” is a broad prompt. Ground it in a specific experience or moment, then show how it shaped your values, goals, or approach to legal work. Do not duplicate your PS.
General Application Strategy
Penn values interdisciplinary thinkers. If your background spans multiple fields, this is a school where that breadth is an asset, not a liability. The application should convey intellectual curiosity and a willingness to cross boundaries.
The class size matters. 265 students means the committee is building a community, not just filling seats. Your application should demonstrate that you would thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.
Want Help Getting Into Penn Law?
Penn’s optional essays create real opportunity to demonstrate fit. The Core Strengths essay is where most applicants either distinguish themselves or blend into the pile. A sharp, specific response to that prompt can change the trajectory of your application.
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Note: While this guide is kept up to date, always verify deadlines, requirements, and policies at the Penn Carey 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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