Apply for Early Decision

Early decision application is now open for fall 2024!

Apply Early Decision

Students who are certain that Penn State Law is their first choice law school may submit an application to our J.D. program via our binding Early Decision application. 

• Early Decision applications are due by December 1. Decisions are guaranteed by December 31.
• Admissions standards and scholarships for early decision applicants are the same as regular admission.
• Early Decision is binding, meaning that applicants admitted Early Decision will withdraw all other law school applications and make a final commitment to Penn State Law.

Connect with us to talk with an admissions counselor about applying Early Decision.

EARLY DECISION INSTRUCTIONS AND RULES

The Early Decision Program is a binding application process and is designed for applicants who have thoroughly researched their law school choices and are certain that Penn State Law is their first choice. Because Penn State Law's Early Decision Program is binding, applicants should not apply to other binding Early Decision programs. 
 

Applicants to the Early Decision Program will enjoy benefits in the application process and if admitted via Early Decision. Those benefits include:

• Notification of an admissions decision by December 31;*
   
• Early consideration for admission and financial aid awards; 
   
• Required to submit only one academic or professional Letter of Recommendation; and 
   
• Applicants admitted via Early Decision are guaranteed an award of at least $10,000 per year off of tuition, which can be stacked with other awards. 

*Early Decision applicants will receive a decision of Admit, Deny, or Waitlist. Waitlisted applicants will be held for additional review in the regular admissions cycle and will no longer be subject to the binding nature of the Early Decision Application. They will not be required to submit additional Letters of Recommendation. Waitlisted applicants are not guaranteed a minimum award. Denied applicants may not reapply for admission during this admissions cycle. 

To be considered for the Early Decision Program, all application components must be submitted no later than December 1. This includes all components of the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report including test scores, transcripts, and Letters of Recommendation. Early Decision applications that are initiated but not completed by the December 1 deadline will be held over for review in the regular admissions cycle and will not be considered Early Decision applications. 

If admitted via the Early Decision Program, applicants must 1) withdraw all other outstanding law school applications, including from schools from which they have not yet received a final decision; 2) not initiate any new applications; and 3) submit a seat deposit of $750 to Penn State Law no later than January 15, 2024. Applicants who are admitted via the Early Decision Program and do not meet these criteria may forfeit their offer of admission and any awards or may be submitted to the LSAC Committee on Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admissions Process. By submitting an Early Decision application, you are agreeing to meet these criteria. 

Please note that successful applicants to the Early Decision program will be notified of merit scholarship awards at the time of admission, however, need-based financial aid awards will not be made until the late spring. Thus, those applicants for whom financial awards are tantamount may not be well-suited for this program. Penn State Law strongly encourages candidates to thoroughly research all of their law school options, including eligibility for merit- and need-based financial aid, prior to applying to the Early Decision Program.