UC Berkeley

CA · Public · Pacific

Acceptance rate: 15% (6,562 applicants)
Median LSAT: 170 (middle 50%: 167–172)
Median GPA: 3.92 (middle 50%: 3.84–3.99)
Tuition: $76,149 (per year, nonresident)
Bar passage: 94.8% (+11.2 pts vs. state average)

Deadlines

Binding early decision regular decision: Nov. 16, 2026
Binding early decision regular decision: Feb. 15, 2027

Essays

Personal statement (Up to 4 pages, double-spaced, 11-point (3 recommended))

The subject matter of the personal statement is up to you, but keep in mind that the reviewer will be focused on determining your potential to be a successful law student and graduate of Berkeley Law. Specifically, we are interested in how your personal background/lived experience shapes, informs, and enhances that potential.

Short answer questions (choose up to two) (1 page each, double-spaced, 11-point)

1. Setting aside our academics and curriculum, how does Berkeley Law's location and broader environment align with your personal values, ambitions, or goals for your future? 2. If law school was not an option, what would you do instead, and why? 3. Aside from being capable and smart, what else will you contribute to the classroom or community? 4. Fast forward several years – it is your law school graduation. Who are you scanning the audience to find first, and why? 5. Describe a recent time when you defied or exceeded the expectations someone else had of you? 6. What's the last new thing that you tried? How did it go? 7. Describe a time when you made a difference or a place where you had an impact that does NOT appear on your resume. 8. We all make mistakes. When was the last time you made a mistake, and what was the outcome of that realization? 9. Tell us about a moment where laughter helped build a bridge with someone. 10. Describe a time when you had to put aside personal beliefs to stand up for fairness or justice.

Academic Potential Addendum (350 words)

If you do not believe that your standardized test score(s) or academic record accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, then you may tell us why and share what you believe indicates your potential.

Berkeley Law Opportunity Scholarship essay (1 to 2 pages, double-spaced, 11-point)

How do you think being a first generation college student has shaped your perspective, and how will that perspective contribute to the Berkeley Law community and the broader legal profession?

Public Interest Scholars essay (1 to 2 pages, double-spaced, 11-point)

Knowing the challenges that can come with pursuing a public interest legal career, what drives you toward your goals, and how do you plan to make a meaningful impact with your legal degree?

Editor's notes

Decide early whether money or certainty matters more. BED gets you a decision by mid-December and a guaranteed $120,000, but Berkeley tells you to presume that's your total gift aid, while BLOS and Public Interest Scholars (full tuition) aren't decided until mid-March or later. If aid will decide where you go, read that line twice.
The scholarship deadlines come first. BLOS and Public Interest Scholars need a complete file, essay included, by Dec. 15 and a test taken in November. Holding your file for a January LSAT takes you out of both.
Berkeley reads your writing as a third of the decision. Its FAQ gives rough equal weight to grades, test score, and the personal statement with letters. Plan the personal statement and two short answers as one set, each showing something different.
Get ready for the video. Every BED applicant and some regular applicants get a Kira invitation, with four minutes on why Berkeley and four on a random situational question, due within days. Know your Berkeley reasons before the email arrives.