How To Get Accepted To UCLA School of Law

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Robert Schwartz, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at UCLA Law, highlights the unique opportunities the program offers students while sharing tips for those seeking to attend law school.
In this episode:
Can you give us an overview of the more distinctive elements of UCLA Law School's JD program?
UCLA is famous for its strength in arts, entertainment and media law. I read that 29% of the students specialize in media, entertainment and technology law and policy. Can you touch on what UCLA offers in those areas, both in the classroom and outside of it, in terms of extracurricular opportunities?
What are the seven areas students can specialize in?
How has COVID affected the curriculum and experience at UCLA Law?
Last year saw a surge in applications to all law schools. What do you see, in your crystal ball, for this cycle?
UCLA accepts both the LSAT and the GRE. Do you have any preference for one over the other?
Is full-time work experience nice to have when applying to UCLA Law? Or, is it really important to the admissions committee at UCLA Law?
Is it important that the work experience be legally related, like working in a law clinic or a law office, or something like that? Or, do you take a broader perspective?
What factors, if any, do you weigh in addition to the GPA?
UCLA Law is a little different from many law schools in that the personal statement asks students to discuss what would enable them to make a distinctive contribution to UCLA Law or to the legal profession, in addition to the more traditional elements like their ability to succeed in law school or why they want to become a lawyer. Where is this coming from?
How do you view addenda that address a dip in grades, perhaps an academic infraction, challenges overcome or something along those lines?
What about the reality of a student who has some kind of criminal record?
Under what circumstances do you invite people to interview?
Does UCLA Law accept and consider update letters from applicants who feel they have something significant to add to their application after they submit it and before hearing back from you?
What is a common mistake you see applicants make during the application process?
What do you see as the appropriate role for parents in this process?
What advice do you have either for applicants trying to apply this cycle or for those planning ahead, to apply next year or later?
When does UCLA's application open?