School Becomes Second Law School in NY State to Accept GRE
November 9, 2017
St. John’s University School of Law announced today that it will accept Graduate Record Exam (GRE®) scores starting with applications for Fall 2018 admission to its J.D. program. St. John’s and Columbia Law School are now the only two law schools in New York State accepting GRE scores.
In addition to the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), the School of Law will now accept the GRE, or both scores, for Fall 2018. The announcement was made by St. John’s University School of Law Dean Michael A. Simons, who said the decision came after a Faculty Council discussion.
Vice Dean Larry Cunningham spearheaded the process for St. John’s. “This decision follows an extensive review process we undertook with the ETS (Educational Testing Service), the educational testing and assessment organization that administers the GRE,” noted Dean Cunningham. “After correlating GRE performance to performance in the first year of law school, we’re confident that the GRE predicts student success in law school.” Notably, while the ABA (American Bar Association) requires all accredited law schools to utilize a valid standardized test as part of the application process, it doesn’t specify that the test must be the LSAT.
“The GRE also opens the Law School’s doors to a broader, more diverse set of applicants, increasing access to legal education,” Dean Cunningham added. “Not only is the GRE offered throughout the year at an extensive network of locations, it meets the needs of a growing number of applicants who pursue a law degree after obtaining a graduate or doctorate degree in another field, and who have already taken the GRE.”
“Accepting the GRE and creating a more expansive and inclusive applicant pool is consistent with our mission,” Dean Simons said. “St. John’s Law has provided underserved populations access to a top legal education since we first opened our doors in 1925. Today, with our decision to accept the GRE, we continue that proud tradition.”
About St. John’s University School of Law
Established in 1925 and located on the beautiful Queens, NY, campus of St. John’s University, St. John’s School of Law prepares students with the skills and values required for global legal practice. Over 700 Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) students achieve academic excellence through rigorous teaching, scholarly research, and hands-on application of knowledge in clinics, externships, and other programs. The National Law Journal named St. John’s Law the #38 “2017 Go-To Law School” for placing graduates in the 100 biggest law firms, and the Law School ranks #28 for placing graduates in full-time, long-term legal jobs (2016 ABA Employment Summary). St. John’s bar passage rate for first-time July 2017 exam takers was 89.2%, exceeding New York’s statewide average of 86%. St. John’s Law has a strong, worldwide network of over 16,000 alumni, including distinguished public servants, leaders of preeminent international law firms and corporations, and pioneering global entrepreneurs.
For more information, please visit www.stjohns.edu/law. For media inquiries, please contact Jen Tucholski at 917-209-7164 or [email protected].