Law school

USC Gould School of Law

Los Angeles, CA

#26 in U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools (2026-27)

Admissions profile

Fall 2025 entering class

LSAT (25th / median / 75th)
165 / 169 / 170
GPA (25th / median / 75th)
3.73 / 3.91 / 3.97
Admit rate
11.2%
Entering class
227
Applications
7,205
Admitted
805

Source: USC Gould — JD Class Profile (Class of 2028)

Where your numbers sit

Against the published percentiles above — not an estimate, not a prediction.

LSAT

Published LSAT: 25th 165 · median 169 · 75th 170.

GPA

Published GPA: 25th 3.73 · median 3.91 · 75th 3.97.

See your chances at USC Gould

Percentiles: American Bar Association Standard 509 Information Report · Fall 2025 entering class

Application deadlines

2026–27 application cycle

Priority deadline
February 1
Verified August 29, 2026

Source: USC Gould School of Law — J.D. Application

Essay prompts

2026–27 application cycle · quoted from the school

Personal Statement

Required · 3 pages

The personal statement is your primary opportunity to discuss who you are beyond the application basics. We are particularly interested in how your background (academic or otherwise) has led to your decision to study law. This is not the place to repeat items on your résumé. The personal statement should be two to three pages, double-spaced and in at least 12-point font. The Admissions Committee values essays that are clear, concise and compelling. The personal statement is a writing sample, and you should pay particular attention to the details of your composition. The statement must be attached electronically.

Source: USC Gould School of Law — J.D. Application

Background and/or Experience Statement

Optional · 2 pages

The USC Gould student body is an exceptional group of individuals working collaboratively, empathetically, and with cultural competency to best serve the various communities they will represent as lawyers. USC Gould aims to generate lawyers that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to leadership, public service, and serving those in need. Please describe how your contributions to the USC Gould student body may be unique by highlighting anything related to your life experiences or personal background that will help us get to know you better. Some examples of this include, but are not limited to the following: - How your upbringing, culture, or other aspects of your life experience have influenced your goals and/or leadership development; - How your experience with discrimination, economic disadvantage, family or personal adversity, or other hardships demonstrates your ability to lead, or serve the public or those in need; - How living in a foreign country, rural or isolated community, or speaking a language other than English at home has better equipped you to attend and flourish in law school; - Any unusual career goals, employment history, or educational background (including graduate study); - Demonstrate unusual courage, determination, or inspiration that stems from overcoming hardship, including violence, illness, or natural disaster; - Any unusual extracurricular achievement (including school or community service). The optional statement should be one to two pages, double-spaced and in at least 12-point font.

Source: USC Gould School of Law — J.D. Application

Addenda

Optional

If you believe any item in your application requires clarification, you are welcome to submit a brief addendum to address the issue. However, an addendum is not another opportunity to submit a personal statement; it should be a concise statement addressing a particular aspect of your application.

Source: USC Gould School of Law — J.D. Application

Sources

  1. USC Gould — JD Class Profile (Class of 2028) — USC Gould School of Law
  2. USC Gould School of Law — J.D. Application — USC Gould School of Law
  3. Best Law Schools (2026-27) — U.S. News & World Report

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