JD Application Deadlines

Aren’t sure which program format or application timeline suits your needs? Here, you can find key deadlines for applying to Case Western Reserve University School of Law’s Juris Doctor (JD) programs—including early and regular decisions and online options—to ensure your application is complete and submitted on time.

Early Decision (binding) – On-Campus JD 

The early decision process is for applicants who are certain they will attend CWRU if admitted. It is a binding agreement: if admitted, you must withdraw all other applications and enroll in the fall of the next year. 

Early Decision applications are considered completed when all required application materials, including the Early Decision Agreement, a CAS report, and a refundable early decision deposit have been received by the Office of Admissions. If you’re admitted under this process, you’ll be notified of a scholarship award, if any, prior to the Jan. 15 deposit deadline. 

Early Decision applicants may be admitted, denied, or held for consideration throughout the regular decision process. If not admitted through early decision, you’ll be released from the agreement.

To go this route, apply by Nov. 30 with all required materials. You must:

• Submit an Early Decision application and $200 application deposit by the Nov. 30 deadline; 
• Agree you will not submit an early decision application to any other law school this year; 
• Agree that, if admitted under this process, you will withdraw all other law school applications and not submit any more; and
• Agree that, if admitted, you will enroll at Case Western Reserve University School of Law in the fall semester. 

Regular Decision – On-Campus JD

Our application is available in September. Our priority application deadline is March 1. Regular decision applications are considered complete when all required application materials, including a CAS report, have been received by the Office of Admissions. 

You can check your status anytime on the Application Online Status page. Please note:

• We begin reviewing applications in January and follow a rolling admissions process—decisions are made and shared as files are reviewed. 
• Most decisions are issued between Jan. 1 and May 1. 
• After that, a waitlist may be created, and qualified candidates will be admitted as space becomes available.

First Choice Option – On-Campus JD

If we are your first choice for law school, we invite you to make an early commitment to enroll through our First Choice Option—an agreement between you and us. First Choice Option students are required to make only one deposit in the amount of $500 by the designated deadline date. If not making a First Choice Deposit, first seat ($300) and second seat ($400) are required by the designated deadline date.

JD Application Timelines

Important dates for each application type are noted below. For questions, contact us at lawadmissions@case.edu or request more information.

On-Campus JD Early Decision Timeline

On-Campus JD Regular Decision Timeline

Online JD Decision Timeline

3+3 JD Decision Timeline

Note: A valid LSAT score is required to apply to the 3+3 program.