Columbia University

Albany Law School Of Union University American University Appalachian School of Law Arizona State University Atlanta's John Marshall Law School Ave Maria School Of Law Barry University Baylor University Belmont University Boston College Boston University Brigham Young University Brooklyn Law School California Western School Of Law Campbell University Capital University Case Western Reserve University Catholic University Of America Chapman University Charleston School Of Law Cleveland State University Columbia University Cornell University Creighton University CUNY DePaul University Drake University Drexel University Duke University Duquesne University Elon University Emory University Florida A&M University Florida International University Florida State University Fordham University George Mason University Georgetown University George Washington University Georgia State University Gonzaga University Harvard University Hofstra University Howard University Illinois Institute of Technology (Kent) Indiana University - Bloomington Indiana University - Indianapolis Inter American University School of Law Lewis And Clark College Liberty University Lincoln Memorial Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University - Los Angeles Loyola University - Chicago Loyola University - New Orleans Marquette University Mercer University Michigan State University Mississippi College Mitchell Hamline New England Law | Boston New York Law School New York University North Carolina Central University Northeastern University Northern Illinois University Northern Kentucky University Northwestern University Nova Southeastern University Ohio Northern University Ohio State University Oklahoma City University Pace University Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law Pennsylvania State - Penn State Law Pepperdine University Pontifical Catholic University Quinnipiac University Regent University Roger Williams University Rutgers University Saint Louis University Samford University Santa Clara University Seattle University Seton Hall University Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Southern Methodist University Southern University South Texas College Of Law - Houston Southwestern Law School Stanford University Stetson University St. John's University St. Mary's University St. Thomas University (Florida) Suffolk University Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University Texas Southern University Texas Tech University Touro College Tulane University University of Akron University of Alabama University of Arizona University of Arkansas, Fayetteville University of Arkansas, Little Rock University of Baltimore University of Buffalo - SUNY University of California - Berkeley University of California - Davis University of California (Hastings) University of California - Irvine University of California - Los Angeles University of Chicago University of Cincinnati University of Colorado - Boulder University of Connecticut University of Dayton University of Denver University of Detroit Mercy University of Florida (Levin) University of Georgia University of Hawaii University of Houston University of Idaho University of Illinois - Chicago University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign University of Iowa University of Kansas University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Maine University of Maryland University of Massachusetts Dartmouth University of Memphis University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Mississippi University of Missouri University of Missouri - Kansas City University of Montana University of Nebraska University of Nevada - Las Vegas University of New Hampshire University of New Mexico University of North Carolina University of North Dakota University of North Texas at Dallas University of Notre Dame University of Oklahoma University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Puerto Rico University of Richmond University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of South Carolina University of South Dakota University of Southern California University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) University of Tennessee University of Texas at Austin University of the District of Columbia University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge) University of Toledo University of Tulsa University of Utah University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin University of Wyoming Vanderbilt University Vermont Law School Villanova University Wake Forest University Washburn University Washington and Lee University Washington University in St. Louis Wayne State University Western Michigan University (Cooley) Western New England University Western State College Of Law West Virginia University Widener University - Delaware Widener University - Pennsylvania (Commonwealth) Willamette University William & Mary Law School Yale University Yeshiva University (Cardozo)

Application requirements

Deadline

Feb 15, 2026

Application fee

$85.00

Recommendations

2 to 0

Updated for 2025-2026 application cycle

Optional Supplementary Statements. Please note that these questions are completely optional and if an applicant chooses not to submit a response to any of these questions, it will not have an impact on their admissions decision. Applicants should choose no more than one supplemental statement, which should be no longer than 500 words double-spaced. Kindly note that supplemental statement may be shorter than 500 words.

A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s collaborative community.
Describe a time when you engaged with someone whose beliefs or experiences differed from your own. What did you learn, and how did it shape your perspective?
We recognize that many applicants have faced adversity in myriad ways and to varying extents throughout their lives. Tell us about an example of adversity or a challenging circumstance in your own life and describe how you overcame it and how that experience has shaped your life and your own perspective.
Columbia Law School aims to prepare its students to be advocates as well as effective leaders. Tell us about an example of leadership in your own life whether in an educational, professional, or personal setting and how those leadership skills and qualities would contribute to your legal education and the profession.
Columbia Law School’s mandatory pro bono program requires that every student devote at least 40 hours to public interest law service during their time in law school. Tell us about your own commitment to public service and describe how volunteer work, advocacy, community service, pro bono work, and/or extra-curricular activities have shaped who you are today and how you want to continue serving the public good during law school.
Tell us why you are applying to Columbia Law School and how the Law School’s programs, faculty, curricular and extra-curricular offerings, location, and/or community would be a good fit for your legal education given your own academic, professional, or personal goals.

If you answer “Yes” to questions 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, or 9.6 in the “Character and Fitness” section, you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful written explanation in the “Attachments” section of the application. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary. Should you have questions about whether or not to report an infraction, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions for clarification. If you answer “Yes” to question 9.1 and/or 9.2, please have the dean or administrative officer in charge of student records forward a detailed explanation of the incident to the Columbia Law School Office of Admissions at deanscerts@law.columbia.edu. Please read the application instructions for additional information.

Have you ever been on academic probation or subjected to disciplinary action for scholastic or other reasons by any college, university, graduate school, or professional school you have attended? This should include matters that have been expunged. In addition to attaching a written explanation in the “Attachments” section of the application, kindly have the Dean or administrative officer in charge of student records forward a detailed explanation of the incident.

Are there any disciplinary charges pending or expected to be brought against you? In addition to attaching a written explanation in the “Attachments” section of the application, kindly have the Dean or administrative officer in charge of student records forward a detailed explanation of the incident.

Have you ever been cited, charged with, indicted, convicted or tried for, or pleaded guilty to, the commission of any felony or misdemeanor or the violation of any law, except minor parking violations? Please note that you should have available and be prepared to submit or exhibit copies of police and court records regarding any matter you disclose in reply to this question. You may answer “no” if your record has been expunged or sealed; if your conviction was vacated; if you were the subject of a juvenile delinquency or youthful offender proceeding; or if you have received a pardon. If you answered “yes,” you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful explanation, including a statement of the charge(s), the disposition thereof and the underlying facts. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary.

Are there any criminal charges pending or expected to be brought against you?

Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action by a professional organization, e.g., an employer, certifying agency, or accreditation board?

Will you be enrolled in an undergraduate program on or after August 1, 2026?

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.