To get a big envelope from the University of Virginia Law School, you will probably need an undergraduate GPA in the 3.7+ range and an LSAT score in the high 160 range.
Check out the numbers for the class of 2023. Numbers from recent enrolling classes give you a fairly clear idea of what kind of numbers a school is looking for:
University of Virginia School of Law Class of 2023 LSAT:
- 25th percentile: 164
- Median: 170
- 75th percentile: 172
University of Virginia School of Law Class of 2023 GPA:
- 25th percentile: 3.49
- Median: 3.90
- 75th percentile: 3.96
Source: University of Virginia Law School 2023 Entering Class Profile
The table above provides a detailed breakdown of LSAT and GPA admissions statistics from LSAC. According to the most recent data, UVA had an overall acceptance rate of 14.05 for the class for 2023. As the table above shows, that acceptance rate jumps up to 38% for applicants with an LSAT score of 170+ and a GPA above 3.75.
- 48% of all offers went to students with a 170+ LSAT score
- 76% of all offers went to students with a 165+LSAT score
- 95% of all offers went to students with a 160+ LSAT score
- 99.8% of all offers went to students with a 155+ LSAT score
LSAT & GPA Numbers Are Important, But…
UVA, like all top law schools, does take a holistic view of each applicant:
Rigid standards based simply on a combination of an LSAT score and cumulative undergraduate grade-point average cannot be the only criteria for selecting an entering class. We assess each applicant as an individual. This assessment takes into account not only LSAT scores and undergraduate grades, but also the strength of an applicant’s undergraduate or graduate curriculum, trends in grades, the maturing effect of experiences since college, the nature and quality of any work experience, significant achievement in extracurricular activities in college, service in the military, contributions to campus or community through service and leadership, and personal qualities displayed. (Source)
That said, you will have a much better shot if your numbers are in the above ranges. A 170 median means that at least half the class had an LSAT score of 170 or better. If you want to earn admission to UVA as close to a sure thing as possible, you want to get your LSAT up over that median. This score greatly increases your chances of a merit aid offer as well.
Is UVA Law School Getting Harder to Get Into?
Like many other schools, UVA is likely to get slightly more difficult to get into over the next couple of application cycles. This is because the number of students taking the LSAT and applying to law school has seen a massive peak in the wake of the pandemic. Therefore, it is a relatively safe assumption that the LSAT median will increase by 1-2 points when we get the data back for the class that applied in 2021.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about the LSAT or law school admissions. I was able to improve my LSAT score by over 20 points, which allowed me to get into the University of Chicago Law School, so I’ve been through this process myself & I’m here to help. For a detailed look at what I did to rock the LSAT, check out my post on LSAT self-study. That post outlines the approach that helped me get a 99.8th percentile score on the LSAT.
If UVA Law is your top choice law school, make sure that you study the right way and use the best LSAT prep books available.
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3 Comments
I am graduating at the end of April with my BA. I plan on taking your program and studying for 3-4 months for the December LSAT. Do you have a recommendation for those that want the best GMAT possible. I live in New Hampshire and Dartmouth’s average GMAT is 717. Veritas touts itself as the top program, but I don’t know if that is just good marketing and hype. Your insight would be helpful. Thank you.
As someone just beginning her LSAT study journey, I find this site invaluable. I could not be more grateful for it! I’m having an issue though: my raw LSAT score is quite high, having never studied, but two wrongful F’s (which should be W’s) from a rough semester a while back are KILLING my GPA. I’m trying to contend with my old university to switch them, but I’m not hopeful. If my LSAT ends up being stellar, will this help negate those F’s? I’m worried that my wrongful GPA will hurt my chances of ending up at a top school. Thank you!
Include with your application materials a brief factual statement explaining why the F’s should have more appropriately been W’s. Don’t whine. Don’t blame. Just state the facts with the clinical attachment they could be expected of a lawyer. I would also include the calculation of what your GPA would be if those two courses were not considered.