Early Decision Program
Applicants who have thoroughly researched their law school options and who have identified Northwestern Pritzker School of Law as their first choice law school are encouraged to apply through our binding Early Decision (ED) program.
Applicants admitted through the ED program and who begin the three-year JD program in August 2027 will receive a $135,000 merit scholarship, split evenly over the three years of their legal education. The only requirements are to maintain good academic standing and remain enrolled in classes at the Law School.
Overview of the Process
Northwestern Pritzker Law's ED program is binding. If admitted through the ED program, you must commit to matriculating at Northwestern Law and submit a nonrefundable $750 seat deposit by the date indicated within your letter of admission. Additionally, you must withdraw all of your applications to other law schools and refrain from initiating any new applications if and when you are notified of your acceptance through the ED program. You may not be an early decision candidate at more than one law school with binding contracts.
Application Timeline
To be considered for Northwestern's ED program, your entire application must be complete by October 31. Accordingly, to ensure your application is complete (and contains the early decision certification form, the Credential Assembly Service report, and your interview) by the October 31st deadline, applications must be submitted by October 15. The October LSAT administration is the last opportunity to sit for the exam and to be considered for ED admission. If you plan to take the October LSAT exam, you are required to have all other applicaiton materials submitted by October 15, with your LAST score being added once available from LSAC. ED applicants will be notified of their admission decision by the end of November.
Standardized Test
ED applicants may satisfy the Law School's admission test requirement by submitting the LSAT, the GRE, or both. Through the CAS process, the Law School will be able to access LSAT results and will consider those score(s) in its review if an applicant has previously taken the exam. Additional guidance is detailed in our Application Instructions.
Interviews
Completion of an online video interview is a requirement for ED applicants. Upon submission of your ED application, the Office of Admissions will send you an invitation and detailed instructions to complete this requirement through our online video interview portal. In order to have enough time to complete the interview in advance of the October 31 deadline, an ED application must be submitted by October 15.
Certification
As a requirement of the ED application, you will be required to sign and return the 2027 Early Decision Certification directly to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Your Early Decision Certification may be transmitted through the addendum section of the LSAC application or you may attach your completed Early Decision Certification to an email as a PDF, and send it to: admissions@law.northwestern.edu.