Accelerated Two-Year Juris Doctor (J.D.) Applicants

These accelerated program options are only open to applicants who originally applied for spring 2026 term start.

The accelerated 2-year JD degree is a competitive program for highly motivated students to earn a law degree in two years, eliminating tuition for the third year. Along with saving a year of tuition, another major advantage of graduating in two years—rather than the traditional three— includes sitting for the Bar Exam and entering the workforce sooner.

There are two formats available:

1. Two-Year Option.  Fall 2026 – Summer 2028.  Students who are admitted to the two-year accelerated Juris Doctor would be enrolled in classes during the following semesters: Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027, Fall 2027, Spring 2028, and Summer 2028.  Students who elect this option would not be eligible to take the bar exam in July 2028.  Students would prepare to sit for the February 2029 Bar Exam.
2. Two and ½ Year Option.  Fall 2026 – Fall 2028.  Students who are admitted to the two-year accelerated Juris Doctor would be enrolled in classes during the following semesters: Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027, Fall 2027, Spring 2028, and Fall 2028.  Students who elect this option would seek employment during Summer 2028 and would sit for the February 2029 Bar Exam.

All applications to this program MUST be submitted electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) webpage.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Please carefully complete all required sections. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application.

All completed applications are carefully reviewed in its entirety to determine whether the applicant possesses the academic preparation and motivation to successfully complete a rigorous law school curriculum. Admissions Committee members attempt to gauge each applicant's prior academic performance, expected performance, and writing skills. While LSAT or GRE scores and undergraduate GPA are important factors, the Admissions Committee also considers personal statements, letters of recommendation, and supplemental materials during the holistic review process.

Checklist of application requirements:

• Completed application (no application fee is charged)
• Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Report, including all transcripts and letters of recommendation
• LSAT score report (included within you CAS report) OR GRE score report directly from ETS
• Two letters of recommendation are required.
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Submit the application online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).

Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Either an LSAT or GRE score is required for all JD applicants.

A valid reportable score must be received directly from LSAC or ETS before the application deadline date. 

Should you opt to take the LSAT more than once, Albany Law School will consider all LSAT scores presented by an individual applicant, but more weight is given to the highest LSAT score. Test scores older than five years from the anticipated year of matriculation will not be accepted.

We currently accept the GRE in lieu of an LSAT score for those applicants who do not have a reportable LSAT score. We recently adopted this change in order to offer more flexibility and opportunity to our prospective students who may have been impacted by COVID-19 related disruptions.  GRE Comparison Tool (provided by www.ets.org):  List of US Law Schools that Accept the GRE 

Applicants are welcome to submit a GRE score in lieu of an LSAT score only if they have no reportable LSAT score.

If you wish to submit a GRE score, you can request one be submitted to us through ETS (Educational Testing Service). The Albany Law School Code is 2946. You must then proceed with the remainder of our application procedures as listed on our website. All applications must be submitted through LSAC, and a CAS report requested for all transcripts.

For more information, please contact the Admissions Office.

Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Report

Registration with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is required. The following materials must be submitted through this service:

• Two letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty who can address your academic and intellectual abilities. Letters from employers or professional recommendations are also acceptable, especially from applicants who received their undergraduate degree five or more years prior. Only two letters are required, but up to four will be accepted.
• Transcripts from ALL colleges, graduate, professional, or technical schools you have attended, as a matriculant or non-matriculant, whether or not a degree was earned. Please note that the J.D. degree program requires that, at minimum, a Bachelor-level degree has been earned prior to the start of J.D. coursework.

Personal Statement

A personal statement is required.

Your personal statement should be written in your own words and limited to 2-3 pages on a topic of your choice that will provide additional insight into your qualifications and interests. While there is no required topic, if you are unsure of a topic, you may consider sharing:

• why you are interested in pursuing a law degree.
• what your anticipated career goals/interests are

Résumé

Please include all employment, publications, any substantive extra-curricular activities, and community service.

Character & Fitness

If you answer “yes” to any Character & Fitness questions, you must submit a statement outlining, in detail, the facts and circumstances of each reported event. The statement should include dates, exact name and location of courts (if any), and final disposition of all matters. Your statement must be attached in order to submit your application. Failure to provide sufficient description and/or explanation of reported events may prompt the Admissions Committee to request additional information from you, thereby causing a delay in the processing of your application.

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Please note that in regard to answering “yes” to questions involving academic or criminal records, the Board of Bar Examiners may ask for more detailed information. Inconsistencies between your law school application and your application to the Bar may cause difficulty with bar admission. Failure to make a complete disclosure when answering the below questions may subject a student to disciplinary action.

Additional Addenda (optional)

Albany Law School values a wide range of lived experiences and perspectives that our students contribute to our community and classes. We also acknowledge that many applicants have overcome obstacles or hardships to achieve their current level of education. If you feel there is information not shared elsewhere in your application that the Admissions Committee may find relevant to their review process, you may choose to submit an optional statement and/or additional addenda.

Brief optional addenda may also be useful to explain LSAT score discrepancies, grade inconsistencies, gaps in work history, or to provide context for reviewers on any other topic you feel is relevant to their decision. If not already included in your personal statement, you may also wish to share why you are specifically interested in pursuing your goals at Albany Law School.

Certification

All applicants must electronically certify that the information provided in this application, including supporting documents and attachments, is correct, true, and subject to verification. The applicant understands that any offer of admission and/or financial assistance is contingent upon the accuracy and completeness of this application. The applicant has an ongoing obligation to promptly notify the Albany Law School Admissions Office should there be any change to information included in this application, supporting documents, or attachments, even after acceptance or enrollment.

Evidence of English Proficiency

If English is not the primary language in which your prior education was delivered, applicants are required to provide evidence of English proficiency. TOEFL® or IELTS is preferred.

Financial documentation (not required for U.S. citizens or permanent residents)

A completed "International Student Financial Statement" is required to document the applicant's ability to pay the cost of attendance and in order to prepare the I-20 necessary to obtain the F-1 student visa. This financial statement should be submitted upon receipt of an official offer of admission.

Questions

Contact the Admissions Office at 518-445-2326 or admissions@albanylaw.edu.

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