Top Law Coach School Profile: Yale Law School

My Top Line: Yale Law is not only the most highly regarded and selective law school in the country; it is the most academically oriented. You'll have to show your potential to make a mark as a jurist or scholar to get in.

Yale Law School, known as Yale Law, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1824, Yale Law is one of the oldest law schools in the country. Yale Law has consistently clinched the number one spot since the U.S. News, and World Report began ranking law schools four decades ago.

Is Yale Law Hard To Get Into?

Yale Law is the highest-ranking law school in the United States and one of the most competitive schools in the world. Yale had an acceptance rate of 4.1 percent in 2021, making it the most selective law school in the United States. 

What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Yale Law?

Yale Law has the highest median GPA for new law school admissions in the United States. If you’re considering applying, aim for top undergraduate grades. You should have a GPA of at least 3.88. The 25th and 75th percentiles for GPA in 2021 were 3.88 and 3.99, respectively. The median GPA was 3.94, the highest recorded median GPA in the last decade (2011-2021). The GPA thresholds have shown minimal variation over the past decade from 2010 to 2020. 

What LSAT Score Do I Need To Get Into Yale Law?

Yale Law has the highest median LSAT score for new law school admissions in the United States. The 25th and 75th percentiles for LSAT scores in 2021 were 171 and 177, respectively. The median LSAT score was 174, the highest recorded median score in the last decade (2011-2021). You can apply to Yale Law with your GRE scores as an alternative to the LSAT.

[Next Read: Law School Admissions Trends Since the Pandemic]

Is Yale Law a Good School?

Yale Law School is rated as the best law school in the country. However, it may not be the right school for everyone. More so than any other school, Yale Law graduates are likely to become law professors, judges, and lawyers at major firms. Many graduates clerk for federal judges.

Yale Law Ranking

Yale Law is one of the highest-ranked law schools in the United States. The U.S. News & World Report has consistently placed Yale Law at the top of the list of law school rankings every year since it started publishing these rankings four decades ago. 

Yale Law Acceptance Rate

Yale Law has the lowest acceptance rates of any law school in the United States. In 2021, Yale Law had an acceptance rate of 4.1 percent for the Fall 2021 admissions. Of those accepted, 201 students, or 70 percent, enrolled full-time in 1L class for Fall 2021.

Yale Law Graduation Outcomes 

According to the latest available employment data in 2020, the median salary for 2016-17 Yale Law graduates was $130,669. Of the 218 total Yale Law Class of 2021 graduates, 38.5 percent were employed in national law firms, 26.6 percent in public service, and 19.3 percent in federal clerkships. Less than one percent of graduates were employed by small law firms throughout the country. Yale Law is placed first on the list of best graduation outcomes, followed by Harvard Law, Stanford Law, and the University of Chicago.

How Much Does Yale Law Cost?

According to the 2019-20 data, the average tuition at Yale Law was $66,128. The total cost of living in New Haven, Connecticut, including books and living expenses, was $22,465. This amount has increased by 3.31 percent per year over the last five years. About 26.7 percent of students paid the full price of tuition, with the remaining 73.3 percent securing discounts on tuition through scholarships. Half of those students with scholarships successfully secured at least $32,236.

Yale Law does not provide any conditional scholarships to students. You can learn more about scholarships and student financial aid on the school’s official website.

Does Yale Law Accept the GRE?

In addition to the LSAT, Yale Law accepts the GRE. The school does not have a preference for any standardized exam. All GRE scores from the past five years are reported with your GRE score history. Yale Law reserves the right to reject your application if it does not comply with this school policy.

What Are The Downsides of Attending Yale Law?

While Yale Law is a prestigious school, it may not be the best fit for every law student. If you are more interested in practical legal education, other law schools may better fit your needs. In addition, many applicants might prefer to attend school in a big city, like New York City or Washington, D.C., rather than a small city like New Haven, Connecticut. New Haven is nearly two hours away from New York City by train and even further from Boston. Further, as a small school, Yale Law has fewer student activities and campus opportunities than other leading law schools.

[Check out Top Law Coach School Profiles for Harvard Law, Columbia Law, and NYU Law]

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Top Law Coach School Profile: Georgetown Law School