First Year J.D.

Each essay must be 500 words each, double-spaced, and 12 point font. 

Personal Statement: This personal statement is your opportunity to provide the Admissions Committee with information you believe to be relevant to your admission decision. Topics may include academic interests, significant accomplishments, and educational achievements, and/or any way in which your perspective and experience will enrich the William & Mary Law School community.

Why W&M Law Statement:  As the nation’s first law school, William & Mary Law School seeks to enroll a class of talented and engaged students committed to advancing our long-standing tradition of achieving and celebrating academic and professional excellence in an inclusive environment. We recognize the challenges of our history and our responsibility to pursue the realization of justice through the rule of law. This statement is your opportunity to share how your experiences, perspectives, values, and future goals align with William & Mary Law School’s vision and mission.

While optional, the following optional statement, addenda, and information may be beneficial in the evaluation of merit-based scholarship aid.  

Optional Statement: You are invited to submit an essay that describes your life experiences with an emphasis on how the perspectives that you have acquired would contribute to William & Mary Law School’s intellectual community and enhance the diversity of the student body. Examples of topics include (but are not limited to): an experience of prejudice, bias, economic disadvantage, personal adversity, or other social hardship (perhaps stemming from one’s religious affiliation, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity); experience as a first-generation college student; significant employment history (such as in business, military or law enforcement, or public service); experience as an immigrant or refugee; graduate study; or impressive leadership achievement (including college or community service).  Please be as concise as possible.

LSAT, GPA, and/or Character & Fitness Addenda: Context around an LSAT score, grade point average, or a more detailed explanation of a "yes" answer to the Character & Fitness section is accepted. We ask that you devote an individual page to each within your application where necessary. 

JD-Next Score. If an applicant for admission also has taken the J.D.-Next exam, they may submit their J.D.-Next score as a supplement to their application.

Those who intend to to submit their application by the April 1 priority line should take the LSAT no later than April 2026; subsequent exam scores may be submitted as supplemental material in support of your application. For applications submitted after the April 1 priority deadline and before August 1, the Law School will accept June 2026 LSAT scores on a space available basis.

W&M considers an LSAT score valid for a period of five years; therefore, the oldest LSAT score acceptable for the 2025-2026 application cycle is June 2021.  All applicants must have a reportable LSAT score on record with LSAC.

Addendum Regarding LSAT Score

William & Mary Law School conducts a holistic review of every application and considers the LSAT score in the context of the entire application (transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, evidence of leadership, and engagement and other information). If you feel that one or more of your test scores does not accurately reflect your ability or potential, please submit an explanation in an attachment to explain this disparity. Learn more about addenda in the Optional Essays section above.

Note: Applicants who are active duty military personnel or honorably discharged veterans are eligible for in-state tuition privileges once they have moved to Virginia. Upon moving here, applicants should submit the Virginia Application to Determine Physical Residency and In-State Tuition Eligibility and their military orders showing permanent duty station (active duty) or their discharge papers (veterans) to the Domicile Office at domicile@wm.edu.