American University

DC · Private · South Atlantic

Acceptance rate: 33% (5,952 applicants)
Median LSAT: 162 (middle 50%: 157–163)
Median GPA: 3.63 (middle 50%: 3.32–3.75)
Tuition: $66,990 (per year)
Bar passage: 86.6% (+2.3 pts vs. state average)

Deadlines

Early Decision Round 1 Early Decision Round 2 priority last day to…: Dec. 11, 2026
Early Decision Round 1 Early Decision Round 2 priority last day to…: Feb. 10, 2027
Early Decision Round 1 Early Decision Round 2 priority last day to…: March 1, 2027
Early Decision Round 1 Early Decision Round 2 priority last day to…: July 16, 2027

Essays

Personal statement (2 to 3 pages, double-spaced, at least 11-point font)

Your personal statement should focus on who you are and why you want to attend law school, either in general or at AUWCL specifically.

Community Impact Statement (About 1 page)

When submitting the electronic application, there is an optional Community Impact Statement where you can attach a separate statement explaining how your personal circumstances are of special relevance to your application. Suggested length is one page and should cover topics not already addressed in your personal statement.

Addendum (One page or less)

If there is information the Committee on Admissions should know about you or your educational background that would be better addressed separately from the personal statement or optional diversity statement, you may attach an addendum to your application. Please make this addendum concise and one page or less.

Editor's notes

Early Decision here comes in two rounds, and Round 2 (Feb. 10, 2027) is the one many people miss. It's binding and you can't defer or switch divisions, but scholarships are considered on the same terms. If AUWCL is your first choice and you don't need to compare aid offers, it's worth a hard look.
Apply by fall if you're going the regular route. The FAQ says files are read in order and early completion means more offers are still available, and the fee is waived through Dec. 31, 2026.
One letter is required and two is the maximum. Choose the professor who knows your work best; AUWCL strongly prefers academic letters for recent graduates.
If public interest is your plan, the PIPS Scholarship is the big one: full tuition for three years. It has its own deadline (Jan. 31, 2027) and three short essays, so plan them alongside your personal statement rather than as an afterthought.