Stanford Law School LSAT Score: Requirements, Medians, and Admissions
Stanford Law School is one of the three most prestigious law schools in the world — part of the “HYS” tier alongside Harvard and Yale. With the smallest class size of any elite law school, one of the most selective admissions processes, and exceptional career outcomes across every legal field, Stanford represents the pinnacle of law school admissions.
This guide covers Stanford’s LSAT requirements, admissions data, what makes a competitive application, and how to think about applying.
See where your score stands with the free LSAT Score Calculator.
Stanford Law LSAT Score Requirements (2024–2025)
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Median LSAT | 174 |
| 25th Percentile LSAT | 171 |
| 75th Percentile LSAT | 176 |
| Median GPA | 3.93 |
| 25th Percentile GPA | 3.81 |
| 75th Percentile GPA | 3.98 |
Data from Stanford’s ABA 509 Required Disclosures. Always verify against the current cycle’s LSAC data.
What LSAT Score Do You Need for Stanford Law?
- Below 170: Essentially no realistic path. Stanford admits fewer than 180 students per year and very few fall below 170. Apply only with a truly extraordinary application.
- 170–172: You are near or just above Stanford’s 25th percentile. Even at this exceptional score level, admission is very unlikely without an outstanding application — unusual background, major achievement, or distinction that very few applicants can claim.
- 173–174: You are approaching or at median. Your LSAT is not a disqualifier. Stanford becomes a realistic application, not just a lottery ticket. Still, Stanford rejects many applicants at this score level every year.
- 175–176: At or near the 75th percentile. You are a strong numerical candidate. Essays, recommendations, and narrative matter enormously at this level.
- 177–180: Above the 75th percentile. You are among the highest-scoring applicants in the country. Even at 180, Stanford is not guaranteed — but you are in the strongest possible numerical position.
Stanford Law Acceptance Rate
Stanford’s acceptance rate is approximately 8–10%. It admits roughly 170–180 students per year — the smallest class of any T6 school. This small class size, combined with a huge and high-quality applicant pool, creates intense selectivity at every score level.
To put it in perspective: Stanford receives thousands of applications from 170+ scorers each year. Many are rejected. LSAT alone does not get you in at Stanford.
Stanford vs. Other HYS Schools
| School | Median LSAT | 25th Pct LSAT | Class Size | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yale Law | 174 | 171 | ~200 | ~5% |
| Harvard Law | 174 | 170 | ~560 | ~11% |
| Stanford Law | 174 | 171 | ~175 | ~9% |
Yale, Harvard, and Stanford share a 174 median LSAT. The differences come down to class size (Harvard is much larger), acceptance rate, culture, and geography. Stanford is uniquely positioned for technology law, Silicon Valley, and venture-backed startup work.
Stanford Law Career Outcomes
- Technology and startup law: Stanford’s Palo Alto location gives it unmatched proximity to Silicon Valley. Graduates who want to work in tech company law, venture capital, or startup ecosystems have an advantage no other law school can match.
- BigLaw: Stanford places approximately 50–55% of graduates in large law firms — a lower rate than Columbia or NYU, reflecting Stanford graduates’ broader career choices (many go into tech, government, or public interest rather than BigLaw).
- Federal clerkships and SCOTUS: Stanford has one of the highest SCOTUS clerkship placement rates of any law school. Federal circuit clerkships are very accessible.
- Entrepreneurship and policy: Stanford graduates disproportionately found companies, join policy organizations, and enter non-traditional legal careers. The school’s proximity to Stanford University creates unique interdisciplinary opportunities.
- Public interest: Stanford has an extremely robust LRAP and a strong public interest culture. Many students choose careers in civil rights, environmental law, and international human rights.
What Makes a Strong Stanford Application Beyond LSAT?
Stanford is known for the most holistic admissions process among HYS schools. Its small class size means every admitted student brings something distinctive. Beyond LSAT and GPA:
- Distinctive background or achievement: Unusual work experience, research, publications, entrepreneurship, public service, or advocacy that few other applicants can claim
- Intellectual curiosity: Stanford values applicants who are genuinely curious and have pursued ideas beyond academic requirements
- Diversity of perspective: Stanford’s small class benefits from broad diversity of background, field, geography, and viewpoint
- Clear purpose: A compelling, specific story for why law and why Stanford — not generic ambition, but a genuine connection between past experience and future legal goal
Stanford’s essay requirements are among the most demanding of any law school. Treat them accordingly.
Should You Apply to Stanford with a 171?
Yes — a 171 is above Stanford’s 25th percentile, making it a legitimate application. The odds are long at any score below 174, but a 171 with an exceptional application is not impossible. Stanford has admitted students at 170 with the right combination of GPA, experience, and narrative.
Apply to Stanford as a significant reach, not an expectation, and have a realistic T14 list beneath it.
Next Steps
Use the LSAT Score Calculator to see your full picture. Then:
- Read LSAT Score 170+ for a full breakdown of T6 and T14 targets at your score level
- Compare Columbia Law and NYU Law as peer T6 options
- See LSAT and scholarships for financial aid context at top-tier schools
- Review What Is a Good LSAT Score? for full score benchmarks