Early Decision (Binding)
What is the Early Decision Process?
The Early Decision process is a binding early notification process. When applying via Early Decision, your decision will be mailed within 3 weeks of your complete date if your application is complete with all required documents by February 1st. If your Early Decision application is submitted after February 1st, the Admissions Committee will expedite review of your application but will not guarantee a decision within three weeks of completion. Early Decision applications may be submitted as early as September 10th. Early Decision applications should be completed with all required documentation by the strongly recommended application deadline of March 1st.
May I apply Early Decision if I am taking the February LSAT?
Yes. You should submit all required documentation by the strongly recommended application deadline of March 1st. Since your Early Decision application will not be complete with all the required documents by February 1st, the Admissions Committee will expedite review of your application but will not guarantee a decision within three weeks of completion.
What decision may I receive by applying through the Early Decision process?
Admit, Deny, Waitlist, or Defer. In the past we have deferred about 15% of the applicants to the regular admissions process in order to get a better sense of the applicant pool. Early Decision applicants that receive a Deferred or Waitlisted decision are no longer bound to attend Georgetown.
What if the Admissions Committee defers my Early Decision application to the Regular Admissions Process?
If the Admissions Committee chooses to defer an applicant to the regular admissions process, your decision will be non-binding.
If I am denied through Early Decision, may I apply through the regular admissions process?
No. Since an applicant has a better chance by applying through the Early Decision process, we do not allow applicants to reapply through the regular admissions process during the same admissions cycle.
Should I apply Early Decision if the receipt of institutional financial aid is a prerequisite for enrolling?
No. Any candidate for whom receipt of institutional financial aid is a prerequisite for enrolling should not apply through the Early Decision process. Instead, candidates for whom receipt of institutional financial aid is a prerequisite for enrolling should apply Regular Decision. Applicants to Georgetown Law will not be able to complete the Georgetown Institutional Aid application until after they have been admitted.
