Quick Start and Fast Facts
In this document...
Welcome to the Indiana University School of Law—Bloomington. If this is your first visit, or if you are new to Bloomington and Indiana University, please take this opportunity to learn more about our wonderful school and community. And use our fast facts to get a quick overview of our programs and community,
If you do not find what you are looking for, contact us for additional information.
Who may apply
If you have a bachelor's or an equivalent degree from an approved college or university, and have taken (or plan to take) the Law School Admission Test, you are eligible to apply for admission to the IU School of Law. We do not require any special course of undergraduate study, but we do expect that at least 90 hours of your undergraduate work be in academic, rather than skills-training courses. A broad academic background, whatever the major, with an emphasis on precision in written and oral communication, is the best preparation to study law.
LSAT scores and GPA
In recent years, the number of applicants has exceeded the number of spaces available by as many as 20 to 1; admission, therefore, is highly selective. The median LSAT score has been at or near the 90th percentile, and the median undergraduate grade point average in the 3.4 — 3.5 range. The admissions committee relies heavily on these two numerical indicators — but not to the exclusion of other factors. We also look at the quality of the applicant's undergraduate school, rigor of coursework, letters of recommendation, graduate work, employment, extracurricular activities, potential for service to the profession, educational/ geographic/ socioeconomic diversity, and the applicant's personal statement, and we look for students we think will enrich the educational program of our school. We know that a number of circumstances (e.g., necessary employment, illness, lateness in discovering one's native talents) may result in unsightly blemishes on an undergraduate record; if you think you would be a great student anyway, tell us about it! And if you feel you have been disadvantaged by economic, educational, racial, or cultural factors, please bring this to our attention as well.
How to apply
We provide three ways to apply to the School of Law's J.D. program: an online application, a printable application, and a pre-printed application. See our application page for details.
An application fee of $35 is required.
Applicants must take the LSAT and register for the Law School Data Assembly Service, which requires that transcripts be mailed to LSDAS rather than to the School of Law. You may register at www.lsac.org, or by telephone at (215) 968-1001. Registration forms are also available from our office or from Law Services, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940-0998.
When to apply
Applications may be submitted no earlier than September of the year preceding the year in which you wish to enroll. We follow a rolling admissions policy, meaning that there is no true deadline, but we begin admitting applicants in early February. We encourage you to apply early, as seats are filled as the season progresses. Many of our scholarship decisions are made in March, so you may wish to apply by March 1; however, we continue to accept applications through the spring and summer.
Transfer Students
The School of Law welcomes the application of students from other law schools. Typically, those who are admitted are in the upper quarter of their class with at least a B average and express compelling educational or personal reasons for transferring. Transfer applicants are not required to register with the LSDAS if they have previously submitted an application to us or if the law school in which they are currently enrolled will provide us with a complete LSDAS report. An official law school transcript, letter of good standing and class rank from the law school previously attended must be sent directly to the school along with a completed application form.
Graduate Students (LL.M., M.C.L., S.J.D)
The School of Law is internationally known for its Graduate Legal Program, which has trained lawyers and students around the globe for more than 75 years. You can read more about how to apply for our highly regarded LL.M, M.C.L., and S.J.D. programs.
General Policies
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
Indiana University pledges to continue its commitment to the achievement of equal opportunity within the university and throughout American society as a whole. In this regard, Indiana University will recruit, hire, promote, educate, and provide services to persons based upon their individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on arbitrary consideration of such characteristics as age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Students with Disabilities
It is the policy of Indiana University to provide reasonable, effective accommodations or academic modifications, when necessary, to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you believe you have a disability and would like accommodation, please contact Disability Services for Students at (812) 855-7578. TTY (812) 856-2264.