Summary: UCLA School of Law has opened their admissions requirements up to accept the GRE as a test score instead of the LSAT for all prospective students.
The University of California – Los Angeles School of Law announced they will start accepting Graduate Record Exam scores instead of Law School Admissions Test scores next year. UCLA Law made the announcement in a move to keep with a number of other law firms that are now accepting the alternative test, including Harvard and Northwestern.
The law school’s faculty approved the change Monday, hoping it will encourage prospective students of different backgrounds to apply to law school, according to a story in the Daily Bruin.
The law school still expects most of their applicants to submit LSAT scores but allowing GRE scores gives students the option in which standardized test they want to take. The GRE is more readily available and may prove to be the more convenient option.
School of Law Dean Jennifer Mnookin explained that their research indicates that the school’s admissions office can still select strong candidates with either the GRE or LSAT as their test. There are a number of other factors that are considered besides just the test score, including writing skills, work experience, and more.
UCLA Law was already allowing students applying to law school from one of their graduate programs to submit GRE scores, so opening the option up to all students is not a big move.
Do you think the ABA should make an official change to admission standards accepting the GRE? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
To learn more about the law schools accepting the GRE, read these articles:
- UA Law First to Allow GRE Test Scores
- Washington University in St. Louis Law School Accepting GRE Scores
- Acceptance of GRE Scores Instead of LSAT Catch On
Photo: law.com