Notre Dame Law School
regular Mar 1, 2027
0 of 7 required items complete· next deadline in 135 days
Your numbers against the class of 2025
This is a comparison against published numbers, not a prediction. Admissions committees weigh essays, letters, and experience that no percentile captures.
3,579 applications, 575 offers, 185 enrolled · Verified 2026-08-14 · view source
What it costs, how graduates fare
- Tuition2025-26
$73,430 full-time · plus $520 annual fees
Living expenses $25,990 on campus
Tuition and the fees the school certifies alongside it — not a full cost of attendance.
Verified 2026-08-27 · ABA Standard 509 report
- Bar passageclass of 2025
89.4%first-time+7.8
81.6% is the average for all ABA-accredited schools’ graduates in the same jurisdictions this school’s graduates sat in · 144 of 161 first-time takers passed
98.2% of the class of 2023 were admitted within two years of graduating
A pass rate on its own says as much about which states a school feeds as about the school, so the ABA’s own like-for-like average is shown with it.
Verified 2026-08-27 · ABA bar passage report
- Employmentclass of 2025
153 of 164 (93.3%) in full-time, long-term jobs requiring bar admission
Ten months after graduation · 0 more in JD-advantage jobs · 1 still seeking · 5 of the bar-admission jobs are funded by the school
The ABA collects employment status and job type only. It collects no salary, so no salary figure comes from this filing.
Verified 2026-08-27 · ABA employment summary
- First-year attrition2024-25
1.0% of the first-year class · 1 student
No law school publishes a graduation rate, so this is not one. It is the students who left in their first year, academic and other, as filed. Transfers out are reported separately and are not counted here.
Verified 2026-08-27 · ABA Standard 509 report
- EarningsCollege Scorecard
Not a starting salary.
$103,733 median one year after finishing · $142,699 after four
$107,773 is the national median at four years for the same credential
A College Scorecard median for 2017-18 and 2018-19 completers who received federal aid, measured a fixed number of years after they finished — not what this year’s graduates are being paid, and not a figure the school or the ABA publishes. The ABA collects no salary data at all.
Verified 2026-08-27 · College Scorecard
Essays
- Personal statementRequired · 2 pgstart by Feb 8, 2027
In what ways have your culture, upbringing, or experiences inspired and motivated you and your pursuit of a legal education?
Notes & source
The prompt above is Notre Dame's suggested focus; the statement 'should provide the Admissions Committee with insights about the applicant and the applicant's interest in pursuing both a legal education and career.' No more than two double-spaced pages, original work, with name, LSAC account number, and the title 'NDLS Personal Statement' in the header.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
- Why this schoolOptional · 2 pgschool-specificstart by Feb 19, 2027
How can the unique legal education at NDLS (both in program and in mission) assist in your professional and personal formation?
Notes & source
First of two prompts for the 'Why Notre Dame Law School?' statement — optional but 'highly encouraged.' Respond to one or both prompts in a single statement of no more than two double-spaced pages, with name, LSAC account number, and the title 'Why NDLS Statement' in the header.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
- Why this schoolOptional · 2 pgschool-specificstart by Feb 19, 2027
How do your actions and community involvement demonstrate your commitment to the values Notre Dame Law School promotes, e.g., law as a vocation, excellence with purpose, inclusion and belonging, and integration of reason and faith?
Notes & source
Second of two prompts for the 'Why Notre Dame Law School?' statement — optional but 'highly encouraged.' Respond to one or both prompts in a single statement of no more than two double-spaced pages, with name, LSAC account number, and the title 'Why NDLS Statement' in the header.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
- Perspective statementOptional · 2 pgstart by Feb 15, 2027
How have your experiences, identities, or communities positioned you to become a Different Kind of Lawyer? Consider your triumphs, inspirations, hardships or discrimination, as well as your future goals and impact.
Notes & source
Notre Dame calls this the optional 'Different Kind of Lawyer' statement. No more than two double-spaced pages, with name, LSAC account number, and the title 'DKL Statement' in the header.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
- AddendumOptionalstart by Feb 26, 2027
Notes & source
Optional addenda may add context on the academic record, test scores, resume items, background, Spring 2020 grading policies, or military-benefits eligibility. Double-spaced, with name, LSAC account number, and the title 'Addenda.' Separately, the application form itself includes two required character-and-fitness questions (academic discipline and criminal charges) with a continuing obligation to report updates.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
Letters & documents
- Letter of recommendation (1 of 2)Requiredstart by Feb 1, 2027
Notes & source
Two letters required; the application-requirements page says 'up to three letters' may be submitted (the JD FAQ page says up to four — the school's pages disagree, so the stricter requirements-page figure is used here). Preference for letters from academic instructors (undergraduate or graduate); an employer or supervisor letter is acceptable for applicants who have been working. Submit via the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
- Letter of recommendation (2 of 2)Requiredstart by Feb 1, 2027
Notes & source
Two letters required; the application-requirements page says 'up to three letters' may be submitted (the JD FAQ page says up to four — the school's pages disagree, so the stricter requirements-page figure is used here). Preference for letters from academic instructors (undergraduate or graduate); an employer or supervisor letter is acceptable for applicants who have been working. Submit via the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
- RésuméRequired · 2 pgstart by Feb 22, 2027
Notes & source
Should highlight educational, professional, leadership, and service experiences plus honors, awards, and skills. Typically 1-2 pages; no strict limit (page_limit reflects the typical length, not a rule).
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
- Transcripts via LSAC CASRequiredstart by Feb 8, 2027
Notes & source
Register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (Notre Dame's CAS code is 1841) and send transcripts from all post-secondary institutions to LSAC. LSAC calculates the undergraduate GPA; advanced-degree coursework is considered but not included in the LSAC GPA.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
- LSAT or GRERequiredstart by Dec 31, 2026
Notes & source
LSAT or GRE required; 'all valid scores from the past five admissions cycles must be reported and may not be withheld.' GRE scores go to ETS Institution Code 4295. Testing within one year of applying is recommended. Per the school's JD FAQ page (law.nd.edu/admissions/apply/j-d-frequently-asked-questions/): the last score considered for a cycle must come from an exam taken by February 28, scores are valid five years from the test date, and the score must remain valid through October of the enrollment year. International applicants without a post-secondary degree from an English-language institution also need TOEFL or IELTS.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
Administrative
- Application feeRequiredat submission
Notes & source
$75 US, non-refundable, payable by credit card. Fee waivers available for applicants facing financial burden and for those with military or service-organization experience, via the school's fee waiver application.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
- InterviewOptionalat submission
Notes & source
By invitation only — 'The Admissions Committee may request an interview with selected candidates either prior to or after submission of an application,' conducted by telephone or Zoom. Applicants cannot request an interview.
Verified 2026-08-14 · source page
Every item above was verified against law.nd.edu on 2026-08-14. Expand any item for its own source. Always confirm against the school before you submit — and if we have something wrong, report an error.