FAQs: Admissions Process

What process does the Admissions Committee use to review applications?

The Admissions Office utilizes a rolling admissions process. We process applications in the order (i.e. by date) they are received from LSAC. Once an application is deemed complete by our office, it is then assigned to the Admissions Committee for review. The Admissions Committee generally considers applications in the order they were completed. 

When does the Admissions Committee release decisions?

We begin our review of applications in the early fall and issue decisions on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. We usually do not begin releasing decisions for Regular Decision applicants until January. We will continue releasing decisions on a periodic and rolling basis throughout the winter and spring until all decisions have been released. Applicants to the Early Decision Program and the Chicago Law Scholars Program will receive decisions by the end of December.  

When will I receive a decision on my application?  

It depends on the date you applied. It can take up to 2-4 weeks for the Admissions Office to process your application materials and mark your file complete (particularly during the busiest times of the admissions cycle). After your application is complete, it may take several weeks for your file to be assigned to the Admissions Committee for review (your status will change to “Application Under Review” on your Online Status Checker). Once your application has gone under review, it may still take an additional 6-8 weeks (or longer) to receive your decision. How long your file remains at each status depends on when you applied and our application volume at that time. Most applicants will receive a decision within 8-10 weeks after their files are marked completed. You can find more information about the timing of our review process on the Checking Application Status page.

How can I check the status of my application? 

The best way to check the status of your application is by monitoring your "Current Status" on our Online Status Checker. After we receive your application, the Admissions Office will send an email indicating that your application has been received. This email will also contain your login and password for the Online Status Checker. We will send all emails to the email address you provided on your application. Therefore, please make sure you have provided a valid personal email address that you check frequently. If you are not receiving email notifications, please email admissions@law.uchicago.edu.

How will I be notified of my decision?

Consistent with our paperless admissions process, the Admissions Committee will send decision notifications by email and will also update the Online Status Checker. Please read more about our decision notification procedures.

When will you receive my CAS report if I submitted only a GRE score or a GMAT score?

Your CAS report will automatically be sent to us when we waive the LSAT for you. We will waive the LSAT for you when we process your application. It takes approximately two to four weeks after you apply to process your application.

If I am admitted, can I defer my admission?

UChicago Law grants deferrals on a limited, case-by-case basis. We anticipate that admitted students will matriculate in the fall after the application cycle during which they applied.  However, we understand that circumstances may change after admission due to fellowships, graduate programs, and other personal and professional circumstances. 

In partnership with Teach For America, we will offer a two-year deferment to admitted students accepted to Teach For America.