The 2026 Fellowship Application is Closed
This year, we will select three Bay Area (California) based participants who have graduated from college at least two years ago for the inaugural JD Genesis Fellowship, beginning in late January 2026. The program will not only prepare participants for law school in the 2027-2028 academic year but also help kick start their careers in law with sustainable ambition and wellness as priorities.
Applications are due Monday, December 15 at 11:59 pm PST.
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for the fellowship program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.2.
- Taken the LSAT at least once. There is no LSAT score requirement.
- Graduated from college May 2023 or earlier.
- Plan to apply to an ABA-accredited law school by the end of December 2026.
- Plan to attend law school in the 2027-2028 academic year.
- Be available for the program’s time commitments.
- Attend the day-long JD Genesis Conference in Oakland, CA in late January 2026.
- Commit to (re)taking the LSAT by June 2026.
- Reside in the U.S. for the duration of the fellowship.
- Commit to serving as a mentor for a cohort member in the following year.
APPLICATION COMPONENTS
All components must be completed for your application to be considered:
- Completed application form.
- Resume (use the following resume template)
- Unofficial Undergraduate and/or
- Graduate Transcript(s)
- LSAT test score
- The answers to three short answer questions (between 250 to 350 words max per question).
Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”)
Are there any GPA or LSAT Requirements?
We require a GPA minimum of 3.2. There is no LSAT score requirement. However, you must have taken the LSAT at least once to be eligible for the fellowship. Our primary requirement is that you intend to submit your law school applications by November 2026.
What if I haven't taken an LSAT yet?
Please register for a free LSAT Lab account and follow these instructions to take a diagnostic test if you have not taken an LSAT yet.
Do I have to take the June 2026 LSAT?
Part of the JD Genesis Fellowship program includes access to free 1:1 customized LSAT tutoring and an LSAT course. JD Genesis Fellows must sit for the June LSAT. If a Fellow wants to retake the exam, we will continue to provide course support through the August LSAT.
Can I submit unofficial transcripts?
You may include an unofficial transcript when submitting your application. If you attended more than one institution, please submit unofficial transcripts per institution.
Do I need to have a specific background/experience in law to apply?
You do not need to have background/experience in law to apply. In fact, the JD Genesis Fellowship is set up to help guide you through the law school application process, law school, and beyond. This free program is open to all women, especially those with a wide range of experiences and perspectives. We especially encourage those who have overcome significant personal, academic, or financial obstacles, or are first-generation college or law students. We especially hope to welcome fellows who are trying to balance their personal lives with the demands of a legal career.
Can a submit a resume that is longer than one page?
Please do not submit a resume that is longer than one page. Use the following template to help keep your resume to one page.
What are the required short answer questions?
The required short answer questions are:
- Why do you want to go to law school? (350 words max)
- What responsibilities do you currently have that you will have once you start law school/legal career? (250 words max)
- What hobbies would you like to continue during law school and your legal career? (250 words max)
There is no minimum word requirement. However, the max word requirement is listed on each question.
What are the optional short answer questions?
The three optional short questions are:
- What scares you the most about attending law school/starting a legal career? (250 words max)
- What makes you feel supported and who are you going to lean on when you go to law school? (250 words max).
- Is there anything that will help us better understand you as a program participant? (250 words max)
Are the optional short answer questions really optional?
Optional questions are truly optional. Please do not feel like you have to answer them. We understand that you may be early on your law school career and these questions are not ones traditionally asked in pre-law fellowships. However, the answers to these questions will allow us to better understand your needs as a future law student/lawyer. Treat these questions as personal reflections and try to answer them honestly and with depth. Please do not give us answers you think we want to hear. Finally, thinking about the answers to these questions will also help prepare you for the interview if selected.
When is the JD Genesis in-person retreat and am I required to go?
The inaugural JD Genesis in-person retreat is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026. You must be available this day in order to be eligible for the fellowship.
Do I have to live in the Bay Area to be considered for the Fellowship?
The only explicit location requirement is residing in the U.S. for the duration of the fellowship. However, given the mandatory in-person retreat in Oakland, CA, at the beginning of the fellowship in January 2026, and in-person networking events in the Bay-Area applicants must be able to attend the retreat and in-person events to get the most out of the fellowship. Transportation is not included in the fellowship. We hope to one day expand. However, right now we are doing it for the Bay!
What is the application timeline?
Applications are now open!
Deadline: December 15, 2026 at 11:59 PST.
Interviews: On a rolling basis.
Program Acceptance Notification: Finalists will be selected by or before January 15, 2026.