Loyola Law GRE Acceptance

Applications to any of Loyola Law’s JD programs must be submitted through the Law School Admission Council. All applicants to the JD program, whether taking the LSAT or GRE, must register for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service. The CAS report includes copies of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts and your letters of recommendation, in addition to any LSAT scores that you may have within the past five years.

Applicants who elect to take the GRE must instruct ETS to send Loyola University New Orleans College of Law all GRE test scores from the preceding five-year period. Applicants who have already taken the GRE can log into their ETS account and select Loyola University New Orleans College of Law as a recipient of GRE results using the school code: 4810.

The American Bar Association (ABA) requires law schools to “take a valid and reliable admission test to assist the school and the applicant in assessing the applicant’s capability of satisfactorily completing the school’s program of legal education.” Until recently, the ABA required each law school to show the reliability and validity of tests alternative to the LSAT, like the GRE, for its individual populations. In December 2021, the ABA announced that it was more broadly allowing law schools to accept the GRE. The ABA’s announcement comes after years of studying the success of GRE-takers in law school by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). 

Because the GRE is accepted by different graduate and professional degree programs across the nation, the pool of GRE-takers is vastly more diverse than that of the LSAT. The law touches every facet of society; the nation needs diverse and innovative leaders to solve tomorrow’s problems. Accepting the GRE means that those who might never have considered applying to law school may now do so. It reduces the time and financial burden of taking multiple exams, increases the diversity of thought and experience within the classroom and, ultimately, within the profession. 

The decision to accept the GRE is also part of a wider strategy at Loyola to expand access to higher and legal education. Since 2018, Loyola has continued to improve and adjust its long-term enrollment strategy to broaden access to higher education. The law school yielded its most racially and economically diverse class in history in 2020. Pre-Law Magazine recently ranked the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law #10 in the nation for Diversity.

ETS, the organization that administers the GRE, conducted a study of the GRE General Test using a sample of current and graduated law students. The study demonstrated that the GRE is a strong, generalizably valid predictor of first-year law school grades, with similar levels to that of the LSAT. Loyola Law recognizes that both exams only provide one data point as to a candidate’s likelihood of success in law school. 

Performance in law school is a better predictor of success on the bar exam. Loyola Law’s program of legal education is designed to support its students every step of the way. In the first year, students research, write, and advocate for clients in simulated cases. By the third year, students have the opportunity to work on actual cases through the clinic so that they are ready to enter the profession upon graduation. Loyola Law remains closely connected to alumni, providing extensive guidance to ensure success on the bar exam. In July 2021, 92% of Loyola Law test-takers passed the Louisiana bar exam, the highest among all law schools in the state.

As with the LSAT, Loyola Law does not require a minimum GRE score in order to be considered for admission to the JD program. Loyola Law does not prefer one exam over the other. The Admissions Committee weighs both the LSAT and GRE exams equally, including the newer versions of the LSAT and GRE General Test at Home exams. If an applicant submits scores for both the LSAT and the GRE, the Admissions Committee will evaluate all scores as part of the application package. If an applicant believes that one exam better reflects their abilities than the other, they may submit an addendum explaining their reasoning. 

The Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach in reviewing each application for admission. In addition to the LSAT or GRE score and undergraduate academic record, the Committee also considers a candidate’s graduate and/or professional school record if applicable; letters of recommendation; personal statement; resume; employment, leadership, and life experiences; extracurricular involvement; community service; military experience; character and fitness statements, if applicable; and, LSAT or GRE writing sample, if applicable; and other explanatory or supporting addenda. 

GRE and LSAT scores are valid for up to five years. The Law School Admission Council automatically reports to law schools all LSAT scores from the past five years. Loyola Law requires all GRE test-takers to submit their scores from the past five years as well. 

There are other ABA-approved law schools that also accept GRE scores in addition to the LSAT for admission. Loyola Law is the first and only law school in Louisiana to also accept the GRE exam for admission.

No. Loyola Law only renders one decision on an application per admission cycle. Applicants may reapply the following year with their new scores. Loyola Law does not charge an application fee.

Please contact the Office of Law Admissions with questions about applying to Loyola Law at [email protected] or 504-861-5575. You can also make an appointment to speak with an Admissions Counselor either virtually or by telephone. Evening appointments are available.