First-Year JD Applicants

First-Year Full-Time JD Applicants

Early Decision

Northeastern University School of Law offers a binding early decision (ED) program to full-time JD applicants whose first choice is Northeastern Law. Candidates to the binding ED program may apply to other law schools but may not apply to any other binding decision programs. Upon acceptance, all outstanding applications to other law schools must be immediately withdrawn.

Applicants must sign and submit a binding early decision contract to confirm their intent to apply for early decision. The deadline for ED is December 1 and applicants must take the LSAT exam on (or before) the November test date. Admission decisions for ED applicants will be released no later than December 31 and admitted students will be required to submit the non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit by January 5. Applicants who are admitted ED cannot defer admission; they must matriculate in the fall.

All applicants who are admitted to the full-time JD program through the binding ED program for the fall 2025 entering class are guaranteed a $15,000 annual scholarship for a total of $45,000 over the course of three years. Other financial aid awards, including loan packages, will not be determined until later in the spring. 

If you apply through the ED program, you will either be admitted, waitlisted or denied by December 31. If you are offered a place on the waitlist, however, you are no longer bound to attend Northeastern Law. Northeastern Law reserves the right to provide other law schools with the names of applicants admitted under the binding ED program.

To apply early decision, submit the following:

• Application by December 1
• Early Decision Contract Form
• Résumé
• Personal statement
• Current CAS report that includes LSAT score(s) (no more than 5 years old), one letter of recommendation, and all required transcripts

Early Action

The School of Law offers an early action program for students who view Northeastern University School of Law among their top choices and would like to receive an admission decision sooner. The deadline for early action is December 1 and applicants must take the LSAT exam by (or before) the November test date in order to be complete by the deadline. Admission decisions will be released by mid-February and the enrollment deposit will be due by April 15.

To apply early action, submit the following:

• Application by December 1
• Résumé
• Personal statement
• Current CAS report that includes LSAT score(s) (no more than 5 years old), one letter of recommendation, and all required transcripts

There is no application fee for any application.

Regular Decision

Applicants who complete applications by the March 1 regular decision deadline receive a decision by mid-April. Applicants must take the LSAT no later than February. Students are welcome to submit applications after March 1; however, applications received after the March 1 deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis throughout the spring and summer.

To apply, submit the following:

• Application by March 1
• Résumé
• Personal statement
• Current CAS report that includes LSAT score(s) (no more than 5 years old), one letter of recommendation, and all required transcripts

There is no application fee for any application.