Prospective students researching the UC Davis law school acceptance rate want a clear picture of what it takes to get into King Hall, the University of California, Davis School of Law. This guide breaks down recent admissions data, including LSAT and GPA benchmarks, class size trends, and practical strategies to strengthen your application.
Overview of This Law School
UC Davis School of Law, commonly known as King Hall, is a well-regarded public law school located in Davis, California. It offers a smaller class size than many peer schools, which allows for close faculty mentorship and a collaborative learning environment. The school is known for strong programs in environmental law, immigration law, and social justice, along with a solid record of bar passage and employment outcomes for graduates.
Admitted Students’ Score Range
LSAT Scores
Recent admitted classes at UC Davis Law have shown a median LSAT score in the low 160s, with the middle 50 percent range typically spanning from the high 150s to the mid 160s. Applicants scoring above this range are generally considered highly competitive.
GPA Scores
The median undergraduate GPA for recently admitted students at UC Davis Law has generally fallen between 3.6 and 3.8. The middle 50 percent range typically spans from the mid 3.3s to the upper 3.8s, reflecting a strong but not exclusively top-tier applicant pool.
Because exact figures shift from cycle to cycle, applicants should treat these as approximate benchmarks rather than guarantees.
Class Size and Acceptance Rate
UC Davis Law typically enrolls a relatively small first-year class, often in the range of 150 to 200 students, out of several thousand applicants each cycle. Based on recent admissions trends, the overall acceptance rate has generally ranged between roughly 35 and 45 percent, though this figure fluctuates with application volume and class size targets each year.
This acceptance rate places UC Davis Law in a moderately selective tier, competitive but attainable for applicants with strong numbers and well-rounded applications.
How to Increase Your Chances of Acceptance
LSAT Prep Strategy
Start preparation at least three to four months before your test date. Use official LSAC practice tests to simulate real exam conditions, and focus extra time on your weakest section, whether that is logical reasoning, reading comprehension, or logic games.
Personal Statement Advice
Write a personal statement that tells a specific, authentic story rather than a general summary of your resume. Connect your background or experiences directly to your motivation for studying law, and tailor at least part of your statement to what draws you to UC Davis specifically.
Letters of Recommendation
Choose recommenders who know your academic or professional work closely, such as a professor or supervisor, rather than someone with a prestigious title but limited direct knowledge of you. Give them at least four to six weeks and clear guidance on what to highlight.
Work Experience
Meaningful work or internship experience, particularly in legal, public interest, or research settings, can strengthen an application by demonstrating maturity and commitment to the field.
Application Timing
Apply early in the admissions cycle, ideally by November or December, since many law schools including UC Davis use rolling admissions. Early applications often benefit from more available seats and more attentive review.
Final Thoughts and Quick Summary
UC Davis School of Law offers a strong legal education with a moderately selective admissions process. Competitive applicants generally have an LSAT score in the low 160s and a GPA around 3.6 to 3.8, though the acceptance rate and class profile can shift each year. Strengthening your LSAT score, writing a focused personal statement, securing strong recommendations, and applying early are the most effective ways to improve your chances.
Admissions statistics vary from year to year and can change based on applicant pool size and institutional priorities. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or admissions advice. Readers should confirm current LSAT, GPA, acceptance rate, and enrollment figures through UC Davis School of Law’s official admissions page and the ABA 509 disclosures before making application decisions.