The law school will begin accepting scores from the Graduate Record Exam in addition to the traditional Law School Admission Test for applicants entering the school in fall 2018, according to a University release Tuesday.

Sophia Sim, the law school’s associate dean for admissions, said GRE scores will be considered only in situations where an applicant hasn’t yet taken and doesn’t plan to take the LSAT. She said the move will increase the diversity of the law school’s applicant pool, which has consistently been one of the largest in the country among law schools in recent years.

“We are committed to attracting a diverse student body with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and career paths,” Sim said in the release. “This change in our admissions policy will provide expanded access to legal education for an increased number of qualified applicants.”

The announcement follows a nationwide trend of top law schools accepting the GRE, a general standardized test traditionally used by most graduate programs in the United States. About 13 other law programs, including three of GW’s peers, accept the test.

The country’s most famous law program – Harvard Law – announced in March that it would allow applicants to submit GRE scores beginning this fall.

GW’s law school saw a bump in applications last spring after it removed its $80 application fee – a move officials said was also meant to improve accessibility and increase prospective student interest.

Sim said GW’s D.C. location could help attract students who have already taken the GRE or plan to take it.

“We receive a large number of applications from individuals with graduate degrees and a high level of interest from many who are considering graduate school,” she said. “This will open the door for many who otherwise may not apply to law school.”