University of San Francisco

CA · Private · Pacific

Acceptance rate: 42% (2,100 applicants)
Median LSAT: 155 (middle 50%: 152–157)
Median GPA: 3.47 (middle 50%: 3.16–3.68)
Tuition: $59,800 (per year)
Bar passage: 80.9% (-1.8 pts vs. state average)

Deadlines

Application deadline: Feb. 2, 2026

Essays

Personal statement (No page limit (average 2 to 4 pages), double-spaced)

The statement should focus on your interest in and motivation for the study of law. The Committee is interested in your personal experiences, background, accomplishments and relevant obstacles overcome. You might consider sharing with the Committee relevant information about your work experience and career achievement, community or public service, career goals, the ability to contribute to law school programs and specializations, evidence of and potential for leadership, language ability, unusual life experiences, etc. that indicate you may significantly diversify the student body or make a distinctive contribution to the School of Law or the legal profession.

Supplemental statement (optional) (No page limit (average 2 to 4 pages))

In this statement, we invite you to share more about how your unique voice, perspective, and experience will enrich everyone's education and to make the law school class stronger than the sum of its parts.

Editor's notes

Apply early in the cycle. USF reads files in the order they're completed and warns that late files may hurt your chances, so a complete file in October or November does more for you than a slightly better draft in February.
There's no interview, so the personal statement is your only chance to talk to the committee. USF even says to put interview-type information in the statement or an addendum. Make sure it answers the one question the prompt leads with: why law.
USF takes the LSAT only, uses your highest score, and says to test by February 2027 for full consideration. If you're planning a retake, plan it by then.
Scholarships come automatically with the admit, and the big named awards are renewable only if you meet conditions such as a minimum GPA. Ask for the renewal terms in writing before you deposit.