University of Virginia School of Law
1 required essay, 2 optional for the 2026-27 cycle.
Deadlines
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | September 1, 2026 |
| Regular decision | March 1, 2027 |
| Binding expedited decision | March 1, 2027 |
Essays
Personal statement · should not exceed two pages double-spaced in 12 pt font · required
A personal statement based on the prompt provided in the application is required for all candidates. This is your opportunity to discuss how your background, perspective, and individual life experiences have led you to pursue law school and/or how they have influenced what you hope to achieve through your legal education. The statement should be written in your own voice without the help of artificial intelligence tools.
Other essay · no limit stated · optional
Optional Addenda: UVA Law accepts optional addenda. The application includes optional prompts related to specific interest(s) in UVA Law and the opportunity to expand upon relevant household contributions. Should you wish to address other topics, please include them in the 'Optional Addenda' section. If multiple topics are addressed, please upload them as separate, descriptively labeled documents. You will not be penalized if they do not submit optional addenda. Please use your best judgment as to whether optional addenda are relevant to your situation.
Addendum · no limit stated · optional
Additional personal statements or any other addenda may be submitted (listed under required items: 'At least one personal statement and resume. Additional personal statements or any other addenda may be submitted').
law.virginia.edu returns 403 to the fetch tool; read with curl using a browser user agent. Page is current-cycle (accepts applications from Sept. 1, 2026, deadline March 1, 2027 at 5 p.m. ET for both Regular Decision and Binding Expedited Decision). The exact wording of the personal statement prompt and the optional why-UVA and household-contributions prompts lives inside the LSAC application, not on the page.
Checked against www.law.virginia.edu/admissions/admissions/jd-application-information on September 9, 2026. Programs change their prompts between cycles; confirm on the program’s own page before you submit.
Paste your essay
Pick which of UVA Law’s prompts it answers. The first look is free.
Applying to college instead?
Prompt
Your essay
Common questions
- How many essays does University of Virginia School of Law require for 2026-27?
- 1 required and 2 optional, 3 in total. Every prompt is listed on this page word for word, with the length each one states.
- How long should the UVA Law personal statement be?
- Should not exceed two pages double-spaced in 12 pt font. That is the length the program states on its own page, which this record was read from on September 9, 2026.
- When is the UVA Law 2026-27 deadline?
- Application opens: September 1, 2026. 2 other rounds are listed on this page.