Howard University

DC · Private · South Atlantic

Acceptance rate: 24% (2,428 applicants)
Median LSAT: 156 (middle 50%: 153–160)
Median GPA: 3.63 (middle 50%: 3.40–3.80)
Tuition: $39,780 (per year)
Bar passage: 78.0% (-6.7 pts vs. state average)

Deadlines

Application deadline: March 1, 2027

Essays

Personal statement (Up to 3 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font)

Please discuss how Howard University School of Law's mission resonates with your own personal experiences, achievements, values, interests, and career aspirations. For example, how has the ongoing struggle for racial or social justice affected your own life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise? How do you envision using your legal education to promote justice, equality, and positive change in your community or in the broader society? Additionally, please reflect on how you plan to contribute to the legacy of leadership and service that Howard Law embodies.

Diversity statement (No set limit)

Please be very thoughtful about a decision to submit a Diversity Statement to HUSL. Review the mission of HUSL and HU and make a thoughtful and strategic decision about this specific statement. Additionally, please be sure to not confuse adversity with diversity.

Addendum (2 to 3 paragraphs total)

Applicants should submit a brief, factual statement if any of the following apply: Their cumulative LSAT score and/or highest LSAT score falls below the median of the previous entering class. Their LSAT or GPA falls near or below the 25th percentile for the previous entering class. They have taken the LSAT more than once and experienced a score change (increase or decrease) greater than 2–3 points, in which case they should outline the factors that contributed to the change.

Editor's notes

Your personal statement is also your why-Howard essay. The school says so outright and asks you not to send a separate one. If the mission paragraph could be pasted into another school's application, rewrite it until it couldn't.
Apply early even though there's no early decision. Howard says it no longer admits on a rolling basis, but it also starts reviewing complete files in the fall and warns that seats and scholarships shrink for late LSAT takers. A complete file in December beats one on March 1, 2027.
Your first scholarship offer is the offer. Howard doesn't reconsider or negotiate awards, so there's no second round to plan for. Put your best LSAT on the file before you apply.
Read the addendum triggers carefully. Howard asks for a short, factual addendum whenever your LSAT or GPA sits near or below its 25th percentile or your LSAT moved more than 2 to 3 points. Most schools make this optional. Howard is telling you it wants the context.