Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Embraces Innovation

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law is the first and only law school in Louisiana to accept JD-Next scores as a part of its admissions process. Effective immediately, Loyola Law will allow candidates to its Juris Doctor (JD) program to apply for admission with either JD-Next test scores, Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Dean of the Law College, Madeleine Landrieu, expressed her support for the addition, saying, "What's important to us is enrolling students who can analyze the law, who are curious thinkers. The course shows the students who can do that. We're excited to have them."

Developed by the University of Arizona with the support of AccessLex Institute, JD-Next is a fully online, eight-week academic course that introduces students to fundamental legal analysis skills. The course concludes with an examination that applicants may use for law school admission. The JD-Next exam tests the participant's grasp of the material. After a long period of study and testing, the American Bar Association (ABA) announced, via its accrediting body, that it will allow this exam in addition to or in lieu of the GRE and LSAT scores. This month, the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law faculty voted to support accepting JD-Next scores beginning in the current application cycle.

Accepting JD-Next is part of Loyola's broader strategy to expand access to higher and legal education. The JD-Next exam aims to reduce admission test score disparities for underrepresented groups by providing a different form of testing for law school admission.

Since 2018, Loyola has continued to improve and adjust its long-term enrollment strategy to create wider access to higher education. In utilizing this opportunity, Loyola Law College reaffirms its commitment to recognizing and valuing each applicant's unique strengths and talents.

Associate Dean of Law Admissions Kimberly Jones expressed enthusiasm about this development, stating, " Our decision to accept JD-NEXT scores is a testament to our dedication to inclusivity. We want to attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates who will contribute to our learning community, and we know this is another step in that direction."

Applicants to any of Loyola Law's J.D. programs may submit one of the following as their standardized test score: JD-Next, GRE, or LSAT score. To be eligible to apply with only a JD-Next score, an applicant must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

For more information about Loyola University New Orleans College of Law's admissions process and the acceptance of JD-NEXT scores, please contact the Office of Law Admissions at [email protected] or 504-861-5575.