JD Wait List Information

All applicants who have been placed on the wait list are strong candidates for admission. We hope that you will be able to remain under consideration for vacancies that may occur in NYU Law's 2025 entering class.  The following information is intended to help you understand why and how we use our wait list. We hope that knowing more about our wait list process will help you plan for the fall.

WHAT IS THE WAIT LIST?

The Committee on Admissions has already offered admission to a number of applicants. We will not know the actual number of admitted students who will choose to attend NYU until they respond to our offer of admission. Even then, some who have indicated they will enroll will change their plans over the summer. Although we can make a good guess at the number of admitted students who will choose to enroll at NYU, we must enroll an exact number of students within narrow parameters. We therefore need to have a list of students to whom we can offer admission if the number of admitted students who choose to enroll is smaller than the class size we plan to enroll.

The wait list is made up of applicants whom the Committee on Admissions has identified as the next group from which to make offers of admission. If spaces in the class become available, the Committee will review the applications of those who have expressed an interest in remaining on the wait list and select an appropriate number for admission. This process will continue as necessary until classes begin.

HOW BIG IS THE WAIT LIST?

We offer the opportunity to be placed on the wait list to several hundred applicants out of an overall applicant pool of more than 10,500. Typically, between 20% and 40% of the applicants decide not to remain on the wait list. The group which becomes the "active" wait list consists of those who respond to our offer indicating their desire to remain under consideration. The number who will remain "active" is unknown until everyone responds, but even then the size of the wait list may change daily as some are admitted and others withdraw. Since the size of the wait list constantly fluctuates, it is impossible for us to provide any meaningful information about the size of the wait list. 

The active wait list will be reduced as the summer progresses. We will notify candidates on the active wait list if and when it becomes clear we will not be able to offer them admission. 

IS THE WAIT LIST RANKED?

We do not rank our wait list. Since the active wait list is constantly changing, we feel that a static ranking is potentially misleading and that keeping the entire active wait list under consideration is in the best interest of those on the wait list and the School of Law. When it is clear we can make additional offers of admission, we will consider the entire active wait list for those spaces.

WHEN WILL DECISIONS BE MADE?

If and when to admit applicants from the wait list depends entirely on the actions of applicants who have already been admitted. As long as you are on the wait list you are under active consideration for any of the places that become available in the class. In recent years, we have admitted applicants as early as May and as late as the end of August. We will continue to make offers from the wait list, if we have space, until orientation in late August.

We endeavor to stay in close contact with our admitted students and make additional offers as soon as it is clear that we can. We will also reduce the wait list if we reach a point where it is clear we will not be able to offer admission to those who have expressed an interest. 

HOW MANY STUDENTS WILL BE ADMITTED FROM THE WAIT LIST?

We have historically admitted applicants from our wait list every cycle. However, the number of students admitted from the wait list depends entirely on the actions of the admitted applicant pool and accordingly, changes from year to year.

WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF BEING ADMITTED?

For the reasons outlined above, we are unable to determine the likelihood of admission from the wait list. Because of this uncertainty, you may want to plan to attend a school to which you already have been admitted. You may choose to remain on NYU's wait list even though you are holding a place at another school. Please be assured that if we are able to extend an offer of admission, we will contact you immediately.

If you make plans to attend another law school and reach a point where you must make commitments (e.g. pay tuition, sign a lease) which will preclude the possibility of attending NYU, please let us know in writing. You may send an email to the Office of JD Admissions. 

MAY I HAVE AN INTERVIEW?

Applicants who are on our active wait list have the opportunity to interview via online video. Once an applicant has confirmed their interest in remaining on our active wait list, they will receive more information on how to complete the online interview.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO IN THE MEANTIME? 

• Reply to the wait list notification email and confirm that you wish to stay on our active wait list.
• Send any additional information that you think may be helpful including all 2024-2025 grades and graduation honors.
• Provide the Office of Admissions with your up-to-date mailing address, email address, and phone number(s) should your contact information change during the summer. It is also a good idea to provide the name, telephone number, and email address of another contact person.
• If you will be traveling during the summer, please make sure to check your email on a regular basis. The Committee on Admissions might require a prompt response from you should there be movement on the wait list.

WILL FINANCIAL AID BE AVAILABLE IF I AM ADMITTED?

Students admitted from the wait list will be evaluated for need-based financial aid. Federal loans will be available, and all NYU Law JD graduates who work in an eligible public interest position are eligible to receive benefits from our generous LRAP Plus program. Students who are admitted will receive a financial aid decision within one week of receipt of the completed NYU financial aid application. 

CAN I STILL GET LAW SCHOOL HOUSING?

While we hope to have space in our residence halls for all students who wish to live in them, the availability of Law School housing varies from year to year. In the past, Law School housing has been available to students who were offered admission during the summer.

CAN I DEFER MY ADMISSION FOR A YEAR?

Applicants are admitted from the wait list to fill spaces in the current class. At this time, we are not granting deferrals to students admitted from the wait list.  You should remain on the wait list only if you are interested in enrolling in August 2025 and are able to do so.