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Iran sanctions are now disrupting law school admissions, not just LSAT access
New reporting shows the fallout from US sanctions reaching admissions offices, including at UBC's Allard School of Law.
According to The Michigan Daily, US sanctions ban Iranian students from taking the LSAT. According to The Ubyssey, those same sanctions are now affecting the admissions process at the University of British Columbia's Allard School of Law. Together, the two reports show the disruption has moved past test access alone and into how international law schools handle applications from Iranian students. This builds on our earlier report on Iranian students being barred from taking the LSAT.
What's new since our last report
Our earlier coverage focused on the direct problem: Iranian students losing access to the LSAT itself because of US sanctions. The Michigan Daily's new headline confirms that the ban on LSAT access for Iranian students stands. What's new is The Ubyssey's reporting that the same sanctions regime is reaching further, into the admissions process at a specific law school outside the United States.
Allard Law and the reach of US sanctions
According to The Ubyssey, US sanctions on Iran are affecting the admissions process at UBC's Allard School of Law. The headline does not specify which parts of that process are affected or how many applicants are involved. What it does establish is that a Canadian law school's admissions operations are now entangled with US sanctions policy, which marks a shift from the earlier story's narrower focus on LSAT test-taking access.
Two headlines, one widening problem
Read together, these two reports describe a problem that started at the test-taking stage and has since spread to admissions processing at schools that are not even in the United States. The Michigan Daily's headline keeps the focus on the LSAT itself. The Ubyssey's headline shows the same underlying sanctions creating friction at the admissions level for a school in Canada. Neither headline offers further detail on scope, numbers, or next steps, and this article does not speculate beyond what each source states.
What this means for your prep
If you are an international applicant, or you are tracking how policy changes ripple through the admissions cycle, this story is a reminder that forces outside your control can affect timelines and access. The practical response is to control what you can control. Start with our LSAT guide to build a study plan that does not depend on last-minute scheduling. If you are unsure how much work is ahead of you, our breakdown of how hard the LSAT is can help you set realistic expectations and a timeline with buffer built in.
Because policy disruptions can affect when and where you test, it is worth applying to a range of schools rather than banking on one path. Compare your target score against average LSAT scores by school so you know where you stand, and check LSAT scores and scholarships if funding is part of your decision. If sanctions or other policy shifts affect your plans, talk to us. A free consultation can help you figure out your options with current information.
Talk to a 170+ tutor, freeQuestions students are asking.
Do the sanctions affect LSAT access for Iranian students?
Yes. According to The Michigan Daily, US sanctions ban Iranian students from taking the LSAT.
Is this only an LSAT problem or does it affect admissions too?
According to The Ubyssey, the same sanctions are also affecting the admissions process at UBC's Allard School of Law.
Does this story explain exactly how admissions processing is affected?
No. The available reporting states that admissions are affected but does not detail the specific mechanics.
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