Binding Decision Programs
If you already know that Boston University School of Law is your top choice, you can receive priority review and express your commitment to attend BU Law by applying through one of two binding decision programs. Candidates to either the Distinguished Scholar Binding Early Decision Program or the BU Bound Binding Decision Program may apply to other law schools but may not apply to any other binding decision programs.
In order to be considered for either program, you must agree that if you are admitted to BU Law you will withdraw all pending applications to other law schools within five days and will not submit any additional applications to other law schools. You must indicate on the application that you are applying via one of the binding decision programs and sign and submit a binding decision contract available as a supplemental form. You must select one of the two binding decision programs when you submit your application; candidates may not apply to both binding decision programs.
Should you apply through one of the binding decision programs but fail to complete your application by the deadline indicated below, your application will not be considered for that program. However, once you complete your application, the admissions committee will consider it for regular decision.
BU Bound Binding Decision Program
Applicants admitted through the BU Bound Binding Decision Program will not be considered for merit scholarships. Applicants for whom financial aid is necessary for enrolling should not apply through the BU Bound Binding Decision Program but rather through the regular decision program. BU-Bound applicants may qualify for need-based scholarship, but those decisions will not be made until after the deposit deadline for the BU Bound program.
In order to be considered for the BU Bound Binding Decision Program you must have a reportable Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score. The November 2023 administration is the last acceptable test date for candidates seeking admission through this program for the 2024 entering class.
Deadlines:
- Application Deadline: January 5, 2024
- Notification by: February 1, 2024
- $1,000 Non-refundable Deposit Due: Two weeks after admission
If you apply through the BU Bound Binding Decision Program, you will either be admitted, waitlisted or denied by February 1. If you are offered a place on the waitlist, however, you are no longer bound to attend BU Law.
Distinguished Scholar Binding Early Decision Program
Applicants who are granted admission through this program will be named Distinguished Scholars and will be granted a three-year, full tuition scholarship. The admission process through the Distinguished Scholar Binding Early Decision Program is highly competitive.
In order to be considered for the Distinguished Scholar Binding Early Decision Program, you must have a reportable Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score. The October 2023 administration is the last acceptable test date for candidates seeking admission through this program for the 2024 entering class.
Deadlines:
- Application Deadline: November 9, 2023
- Notification by: December 21, 2023
- $1,000 Non-refundable Deposit Due: Two weeks after admission
If you apply for the Distinguished Scholar Binding Early Decision Program and are not admitted as a Distinguished Scholar, your application will be held for consideration during the regular admission cycle.