University of Memphis

TN · Public · East South Central

Acceptance rate: 41% (582 applicants)
Median LSAT: 155 (middle 50%: 152–159)
Median GPA: 3.53 (middle 50%: 3.22–3.77)
Tuition: $24,354 (per year, nonresident)
Bar passage: 72.6% (-7.1 pts vs. state average)

Deadlines

Application deadline: April 1, 2027

Essays

Personal statement (1,000 words)

This statement provides you the opportunity to describe your background and any unique experiences, characteristics or circumstances you want the admissions committee to consider. You should explain your desire to study law, why you believe you will be a successful law student, and what you hope to do with your law degree. You are encouraged to explain your interest in attending our law school and may discuss any information not otherwise apparent from your application.

Supplemental essay, prompt 1 (No stated limit)

What life experiences have had the biggest impact on shaping your character and why?

Supplemental essay, prompt 2 (No stated limit)

How do you believe your experiences or perspective will make you a better law student or lawyer?

Supplemental essay, prompt 3 (No stated limit)

Discuss the importance of divergent thoughts and perspectives and whether you have ever been persuaded to change your opinion after having a conversation with someone with a different perspective than your own.

Supplemental essay, prompt 4 (No stated limit)

Discuss any circumstance(s) that have had an impact on your educational opportunities, character, or perspective(s).

Supplemental essay, prompt 5 (No stated limit)

How do you feel your perspective, your voice, or experiences will contribute to the classroom.

Editor's notes

Apply by March 1 and ignore the later dates. The application stays open into July, but the school says missing the priority deadline can hurt your chances and that seats are very limited by the June LSAT. Scholarships start going out in late January and last only while funds do.
Read the scholarship terms before you celebrate. Most of Memphis's renewable awards require a minimum law GPA, from 2.5 to 3.0. In the 2024-25 entering group, 9 of 36 renewable awards were reduced or eliminated. Ask which award you have and what its GPA floor is.
Answer all four questions in the personal statement prompt. Memphis wants why law, why you'll succeed, what you'll do with the degree and, if you like, why Memphis. Your 1,000 words should cover each, with the most space on the story that proves the first two.
If you're from Tennessee or the border counties and your numbers are below the class medians, look at TIP. It's free, pays a $500 stipend, and admits people by performance in a six-week summer program instead of by the file alone.