Elle Woods, a sorority president and fashion merchandising major at UCLA, is devastated when her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, breaks up with her before heading to Harvard Law School. Determined to win him back, Elle applies to Harvard and, much to everyone's surprise, gets accepted. She arrives on campus armed with pink outfits and bubbly charm, but immediately faces ridicule and skepticism from classmates and professors, especially Warner's new girlfriend, Vivian Kensington. Despite the chilly reception, Elle remains determined to prove herself and win Warner's love.

As Elle navigates this unfamiliar academic world, she befriends Emmett Richmond, a kind-hearted teaching assistant who sees her potential. Her unexpected knack for the intricacies of law starts to shine, and with the help of her new friends, she earns a coveted spot in a prestigious internship under Professor Callahan. However, Elle's journey at Harvard is filled with challenges that test her resilience and force her to reconsider her true aspirations. As she confronts various obstacles and discovers her own capabilities, she begins to realize that her self-worth extends far beyond external validation.