Academics

Dickinson Law now accepting the Graduate Record Examination

CARLISLE, Pa. — Under the new leadership of Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway, Dickinson Law is now accepting the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission. Historically, the Law School has only accepted the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Dickinson Law will continue to accept the LSAT and to support Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) initiatives to increase access to legal education. Accepting both tests provides a benefit to prospective law students.

“Over the last few years, a growing number of law schools have begun to accept the GRE as an alternative to the LSAT as the entrance exam for law school admission,” said Conway. “Dickinson Law’s Admissions Committee’s decision to adopt the GRE demonstrates its commitment to not only increasing access to law school for applicants, but also diversifying the legal profession.”

“The vast majority of Dickinson Law’s applicant pool will likely continue to take the LSAT,” said Bekah Saidman-Krauss, assistant dean for admissions and financial aid at Dickinson Law. “I believe that this decision is nonetheless meaningful for the GRE test takers who now have the opportunity to apply to Dickinson Law.”

Under Dickinson Law’s new policy, a GRE score may be utilized only when a reportable LSAT score does not exist. If an applicant has a reportable LSAT score on file, a GRE score will not be considered in lieu of an existing LSAT score (and applicants are not required to report GRE scores in this instance).

Applicants should keep in mind that the standardized test score is only one component of the application. Most admissions committees consider myriad factors when evaluating candidates for both admission and scholarship opportunities. “Applicants should, of course, prepare seriously for whichever entrance exam they choose to take,” Saidman-Krauss advised. “They should also keep in mind that an LSAT or GRE score is merely one of many factors considered as part of Dickinson Law’s holistic application review.”

From a cost and frequency standpoint, applicants should decide whether the LSAT or GRE is best suited for them. New innovations at LSAC have led to additional administrations of the LSAT each year. The GRE is also offered frequently as well. Additionally, potential law school applicants who may be applying to various graduate programs may prefer to focus on one standardized entrance exam rather than two.

Learn more about how to apply to Dickinson Law.

Last Updated September 27, 2019

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