Lexington, United States of America
Washington and Lee University doesn’t offer traditional master’s degrees apart from its Juris Doctor (JD) program through the School of Law, which is a graduate-level professional degree rather than a conventional MA or MS. Based on that, here are six key admission requirements for W&L’s graduate-level JD program—each explained with the context and clarity you asked for.
1. Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Institution
First things first—you need a completed undergraduate degree (or equivalent) from a recognized, accredited institution. W&L treats this as the foundation of your academic readiness. It’s non-negotiable.
2. LSAT or GRE Score
W&L Law requires applicants to submit either LSAT or GRE scores. No skirting this—your application won’t count as complete until they receive one of these.
If you’re looking for how competitive that needs to be, recent data shows JD applicants averaged:
LSAT: ~154
GPA: ~3.60
3. Official Transcripts & CAS Credential Assembly
You’ll need to submit transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you've attended. For law applicants, those transcripts go into the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS)—it handles verification, GPA calculation, and distributing your transcripts to law schools. l
4. Letters of Recommendation
You’ll need letters—typically written by people who know your academic or professional character (faculty, mentors, employers). These give the admissions committee insight into who you are beyond grades and scores.
5. Personal Statement (Essay)
Write one that’s sharp and personal. It should reflect your motivations, goals, and fit for W&L Law. This is your moment not just to say why law school, but why W&L. Bring voice and purpose.
6. (If Applicable) English Proficiency
If English isn’t your first language or hadn’t been the medium of instruction for your earlier education, you'll need to submit an English proficiency test. Acceptable tests include TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo—but W&L doesn’t accept self-reported scores or certain versions like TOEFL Home Edition.
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