Apply Early Decision

If the University of Chicago Law School is your first choice, consider applying to our binding Early Decision program. If you graduated from or will graduate from the University of Chicago College, you are also eligible to apply Early Decision through the Chicago Law Scholars Program. Applicants must apply through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Flexible Application, which is fully accessible to the visually impaired. Applicants with disabilities in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should contact the Admissions Office at 773-702-9484 or email admissions@law.uchicago.edu with their request.

Early Decision Application

There is one application for all applicants to the JD program. Early Decision applicants must submit all required application materials to LSAC. The Law School has a paperless admissions process and all materials must be submitted electronically; we will discard paper materials sent directly to the Admissions Office.

To be considered for the Early Decision program, applicants must

  1. indicate “Early Decision” in the Application Type question and
  2. complete the Early Decision Agreement in the JD Application.

You may not apply to a binding early decision program at another law school if you are applying Early Decision at the University of Chicago Law School.

Early Decision Timing

Early Decision Application Deadline

The Admissions Office must receive your application and all required materials on or before December 1. Check LSAC's website to see how long it takes them to process applications and CAS materials (like transcripts) so you can ensure your application and required materials are in by December 1. The November administration of the LSAT is the last test date we will consider for Early Decision

The Admissions Office will notify you by email

  1. when we receive your application and
  2. when it is complete and ready for review.

Please make sure you provide your email address accurately to LSAC and adjust your spam filters to allow emails from LSAC’s server and from the University of Chicago.  Email is our primary method of communication with you.

Early Decision Notification

Early Decision applicants will be notified that their applications have been accepted, waitlisted for further review, or denied by the end of December. Admission through the Early Decision program is binding on the applicant. If admitted through the Early Decision program, Early Decision applicants must confirm their intent to enroll at the Law School and must immediately withdraw all applications at other law schools (regardless of the status of those applications). Applicants admitted through the Early Decision program will need to commit to UChicago Law before they receive scholarship and financial aid information.

Some Early Decision applicants who are not admitted during the Early Decision cycle may be waitlisted and re-evaluated during the Regular Decision cycle. If an applicant is waitlisted for further review and reconsidered during the Regular Decision cycle, admission will no longer be binding upon the applicant.

Make sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the Early Decision program.