Application Process
Apply to UC Law's JD program today!
Cincinnati Law is a destination for the determined, but don't just take our word for it. Apply today and join our collaborative community of diverse individuals. Discover how Cincinnati Law will ensure you graduate prepared to lead and ready for the next step in your career.
Admissions Requirements
Competition for seats in our incoming class is competitive but not unyielding. We are looking for students who have demonstrated ability, drive, and passion and can meet the rigors and intellectual challenges of our program.
The review process is multi-factored in nature, and each application is carefully reviewed on the basis of several factors, including difficulty of undergraduate courses, profile of LSAT/JD-Next and UGPA, prior history of leadership, service, and/or employment, a well-written personal statement, and strong letters of recommendation.
We have a rolling admissions policy, meaning we notify you as decisions are made. We offer a full-time program but are able to accommodate you through our FlexTime Program should you need more flexibility in your class and work schedule.
| Date | Deadline | Date | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Application Opens | March 15, 2026 | Recommended App. Deadline ($40) |
| December 1, 2025 | Spring Transfer App. Deadline | July 15, 2026 | Fall Transfer App. Deadline |
| February 1, 2026 |
First Choice App. Deadline (No Application until 2/1) | July 15, 2026 | Final App. Deadline ($40) |
When applying to UC Law, we require the following items:
- A completed online application for admission (lsac.org)
- Application fee (free before February 1, 2026 | $40 after February 1, 2026)
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or JD-Next score(s)
- The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report, including academic transcript(s)
- Two (up to three) letters of recommendation through LSAC CAS Report
- Personal statement
- Résumé
- Character & fitness disclosures (if applicable)
- Statement on Applicants with International Degrees (if applicable)
- Prior Law School Information (if applicable)
This list, as well as more detailed information for each item, can be found on the "Requirements and Policies" page. View the "Admissions Timetable" below for the applications, deposit, transcript, and residency application deadlines, as well as open house dates.
| Date | Event |
| September 1, 2025 | Application Opens |
| November 14, 2025 | Fall Open House |
| December 1, 2025 | Spring Transfer Student Application Deadline |
| February 1, 2026 | First Choice Application Deadline |
| March 7, 2026 | Accepted Students Open House |
| March 15, 2026 | Recommended Application Deadline |
| April 11, 2026 | Admitted Students Open House |
| April 15, 2026 | First Enrollment Deposit Deadline |
| June 1, 2026 | Second Enrollment Seat Deposit Deadline |
| July 15, 2026 | Final Application Deadline |
| August 1, 2026 | Deadline to Submit Final Transcripts |
Q. What are the requirements to apply for law school?
A. Applicants to the JD program must:
- Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (any discipline)
- Take an admissions test (Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or JD-Next)
- Complete an online application on the Law School Admissions Council website
- Send all academic transcripts to the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
More information about Cincinnati Law's admissions requirements are available here. International applicants are encouraged to read requirement nine carefully. More information on the LSAT and CAS is available at www.lsac.org.
Q. When can I apply for admission?
A. The College of Law only offers fall admission for first-year students in the JD program. Applications may be submitted any time between September 1 and July 15 with priority given to students who apply before February 1.
Q. How do I apply for scholarships from the College of Law?
A. All students who are admitted to the College of Law are automatically considered for scholarships.
Q. When are applications reviewed and who reviews the applications?
A. The admissions committee, composed of the Office of Admissions, faculty members, and current Cincinnati Law third-year students, begins the review process each fall. Using a full file review process, the committee considers all factors, including personal statements and letters of recommendation, along with numerical measurements such as the LSAT (or JD-Next) and undergraduate grade point average.
Q. When are applicants notified of an admission decision?
A. The Admissions Office will notify you by email when your file is complete. Once you have received this email, the committee has begun reviewing your file and you will often hear a decision within, on average, 4-6 weeks. Applicants may also use the LSAC online status checker.
Q. How much does it cost to attend Cincinnati Law?
A. Ohio resident tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year are $24,010, with non-resident tuition and fees at $29,010.
Q. Is admission competitive?
A. Annually, approximately 1,000 candidates apply to join our first-year class. Because many applicants apply and are admitted to more than one law school, the College admits more applicants than ultimately matriculate. The same admissions standards apply for both Ohio residents and non-residents. The median LSAT and GPA for the entering Fall 2025 class were a 159 and a 3.80.
Q. Can I attend Cincinnati Law part time?
A. While we do not offer a part-time evening program, a limited number of seats are available in our Flex-Time Program, which is a reduced full-time, day program. Click here for details.
For further information, please contact us at the following addresses:
University of Cincinnati College of Law
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210040
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0040
admissions@law.uc.edu
(513) 556-0078