Law school essay prompts
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A free-topic personal statement is required and may include additional information you believe will assist the Admissions Committee in considering your application. Consistent with the goal of creating an intellectually stimulating, well-rounded, and professionally promising environment, GW Law is keenly focused on applicant potential in the application process, including evidence of leadership; ability to thrive in GW Law?s robust, dynamic environment with an expansive academic and experiential curriculum; resilience; work experience; and/or perseverance. Please label this section "Personal Statement". The statement should not exceed two pages (double-spaced).
Optional Statement: You are welcome to submit a free-topic optional statement, which may cover any subject not discussed elsewhere in this application. If submitted, please label this section "Optional Statement". This statement should not exceed one page (double-spaced).
Please include a copy of your résumé.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
If you respond "yes" to any part of the questions in this section, please attach a detailed response(s) on a separate page.
If you have any doubt concerning how to answer any of the following questions, feel free to contact the Associate Dean for Admissions at (202) 994-7230. Any discussion with the Associate Dean will be confidential and will not impact the decision of the Admissions Committee.
- Has any college, university, graduate school, or professional school you attended ever brought a disciplinary action against you (including honor code charges), issued you a warning or reprimand, placed you on academic or social probation, suspended you, or asked you to withdraw? You need not disclose any matter that has been expunged or removed from your permanent record or file.
- Have you ever been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a criminal charge (felony, misdemeanor, or other), including any charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but not including minor traffic charges? You need not disclose any charge or conviction that has been expunged or sealed by order of a court, a copy of which order you have in your possession.
- Are there any criminal charges (felony, misdemeanor, or other) pending against you?
- Has your college or university, graduate, or professional school course of study been interrupted for one or more terms for any reason?
- If you have ever served in the military and were discharged, was your discharge under conditions other than honorable?
J.D. REGULAR DECISION APPLICATION PROCESS
To be considered for admission to the J.D. program, applicants must have completed their bachelor's degree or be in the final year of a bachelor's degree program. The bachelor's degree must be awarded by an accredited U.S. college or university, or be an equivalent degree from a recognized non-U.S. institution. Applicants must have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or an alternative test (GRE, GMAT, JD-Next) within the past five years unless they are applying through the limited test-optional process (see below).
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Therefore, applicants are urged to submit all required documents before the March 1 deadline. The Admissions Committee will begin reviewing completed files in late October, and decisions typically take eight to ten weeks. Factors considered in the admissions process include: undergraduate record; writing ability as demonstrated in the personal statement; any graduate work completed; extracurricular and professional experience as reflected in the resume; and letters of recommendation.
Consistent with the goal of creating an intellectually stimulating, well-rounded, and professionally promising environment, GW Law is keenly focused on applicant potential in the application process, including evidence of leadership; ability to thrive in GW Law?s robust, dynamic environment with an expansive academic and experiential curriculum; resilience; work experience; and/or perseverance.
Please note: This application asks about race and ethnicity due to U.S. Department of Education and American Bar Association reporting requirements. Providing information related to race and/or ethnicity is not required and will not be visible during the decision-making process.
J.D. ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Application: All applicants are required to submit the application electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
Application Fee: Waived for the Fall 2027 admissions cycle.
Credential Assembly Service: All applicants, including international applicants, must register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Applicants must send all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to CAS, which will provide comprehensive reports that include an applicant's academic record, LSAT score(s), and LSAT writing sample(s).
LSAT: Information concerning the LSAT, including test dates, may be obtained from LSAC. Please note that students generally must register for the LSAT at least six weeks before the test date. Applicants must take the LSAT no later than February 2027.
Alternative Tests: Applicants who wish to sit for the GRE, GMAT, or JD-Next rather than the LSAT are welcome to do so. An alternative test will be assessed only when an applicant has not taken and does not plan to take the LSAT. In cases where an applicant has taken both the LSAT and an alternative test, only the LSAT will be considered for admission. Applicants who apply with an alternative test score and subsequently register for the LSAT must notify the Admissions Office immediately. Failure to do so will nullify the admission decision.
Personal Statement: All applicants are required to submit a free topic personal statement (two pages, double-spaced).
Résumé
One Letter of Recommendation (applicants may submit up to three)
Optional Statement: Applicants are welcome to submit an optional statement that covers any subject not discussed elsewhere in their application (one page, double-spaced).
Addendum: An applicant who wishes to provide context for an element of their academic history that otherwise would not be apparent to the Admissions Committee may do so by attaching an addendum to their application. An addendum may be included in the same document containing the personal and/or optional identity statement. This section must be clearly titled as an addendum. An applicant should exercise good judgment about whether an addendum is necessary.
Test-Optional Admissions Process: GW Law has a long tradition of enrolling students with a range of experiences. In recognition of the exceptional promise of select candidates, we have established a limited test-optional admission process. The requirement to submit a test score is waived for applicants who have significant experience through either: 1) full-time, professional employment of at least four years by the point of enrollment (August 15, 2027); 2) military service; 3) patent bar passage; 4) doctoral (Ph.D.) programs; 5) social entrepreneurship; or 6) enrollment in GW Law's international LLM program.
Test-optional candidates must not have a reportable LSAT score. Applicants who apply through the test-optional process and subsequently register for the LSAT, GRE, GMAT, and/or JD-Next must notify the Admissions Office immediately. Failure to do so will nullify the admission decision.
Seat Deposits: Applicants admitted to GW Law through the regular admissions process must make three non-refundable seat deposits totaling $2,250 to accept a seat in our incoming class. These seat deposits will be credited towards tuition for Fall 2027.
Please note: An applicant's personal statement, optional statement, addenda, and any and all other submissions must be original and may not be copied or provided in whole or in part from another source, including artificial intelligence software. An applicant is required to sign a certification statement upon submitting their application, attesting to their adherence to this policy.
The George Washington University Law School
Admissions Office, 700 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052
admissions@law.gwu.edu
Provide a personal statement as an electronic attachment. You may write about anything you deem relevant to your application for admission to the University of Georgia School of Law. Transfer and visiting applicants should state the reason(s) for desiring to attend the University of Georgia School of Law.
At the School of Law, we believe that students' experiences contribute to a dynamic and robust learning environment. We invite you to share how attributes of your personal experiences make you fit for the rigors of law school and how they would positively impact our student body and enrich our community. You may include aspects related to your background, perspective, or life journey, such as being a first-generation college graduate or veteran. (OPTIONAL)
At the University of Georgia School of Law, we value understanding each applicant?s professional aspirations. Please describe your career goals, including the area(s) of legal practice you hope to pursue and the geographic region where you intend to work. Additionally, share any particular interests in experiential learning opportunities or clinics offered at Georgia Law, and how you envision these experiences contributing to your legal education and future career.
If there is any additional information you wish to call to the attention of the Admissions Committee, please do so in this attachment.
Submit a resume detailing your education, employment, skills, honors, awards, leadership positions, and accomplishments. Upload document as an attachment to the application form.
Answer each of the following questions. If the answer to any question is "Yes," please give complete details on a separate attachment. Please put your name and LSAC account number on the attachment. Applicants who intend to practice law should be aware that in addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners at www.ncbex.org.
- Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on scholastic or disciplinary probation, expelled or requested to resign from any college, university, or law school, otherwise subjected to discipline by any such institution, or requested or advised by any such institution to discontinue your studies therein? Have you ever been formally charged with cheating, lying, or otherwise taking unfair advantage of fellow students at any college, university, or law school you attended or are presently attending?
Regardless of whether the record has been expunged, cancelled or annulled, or whether no record was made, have you ever been subject to proceedings before a school honor court or council (or any similar body)?
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Excluding only parking violations, have you ever been detained, arrested, formally accused, cited, or prosecuted for the violation of any law? You must disclose each instance, even if the charges were dismissed; you were acquitted; you pled nolo contendere; adjudication was withheld; your conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated; or the record was sealed or expunged.
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Have you ever been discharged from the armed forces other than honorably or are charges pending, which could result in such an outcome? (Check "No" if you have never been in the armed forces.)
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Have you ever been subject to disciplinary sanctions while holding a professional license or are charges pending, which could result in such an outcome? (Check "No" if you have never held a professional license.)
If you are a Permanent Resident of the United States, please provide a copy of your U. S. Permanent Resident Card. If you are applying for Permanent Resident Status, please provide a copy of the I-94 and I-485 forms.
(1) School of Law Application. All applicants are required to apply online through LSAC.org. A completed School of Law application must be received by the School of Law Office of Admissions by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 1, 2027, in order to be considered for admission to the 2027 entering class. All required supporting materials must be received by the School of Law Office of Admissions by June 15, 2027. For priority merit scholarship consideration, applications should be completed and received in the Office of Admissions by February 1, 2027. Applications completed after the deadline may be considered by the Admissions Committee at its discretion. Any additional materials sent directly to the School of Law should be mailed to the following address:
University of Georgia
School of Law Office of Admissions
225 Herty Drive
Athens, GA 30602-6012
Applicants need not possess a baccalaureate degree at the time the application for admission is submitted. Except for 3+3 applicants (described below), in order to register for classes, it is necessary to provide documentation that the degree has been conferred.
Application decisions are sent to applicants via regular U.S. mail or email; therefore, it is important that you provide us with any updates to the current mailing address and email address submitted with your application. In addition, application decisions post immediately online. You can check your application status online. Decisions are made on a rolling basis as files become complete, beginning in late fall and continuing through early summer.
Items to accompany the application form include:
(a.) Admission Essay. Each applicant is required to provide a brief personal statement.
(b.) Application and Processing Fee. All applicants are required to pay a $50 (U.S. funds) non-refundable application and processing fee. This fee must be paid online through LSAC.org.
(2) Standardized Test. All applicants must have a reportable Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score, unless applying as a UGA or USG Scholars applicant (see the section below labeled UGA Scholars/USG Scholars). Applicants applying with a GRE score must designate UGA School of Law Code No. 4814 in order for the School of Law to receive their scores. Applicants for the 2027 entering class must take the LSAT or GRE no later than the April 2027 test administration and are encouraged to register for an earlier administration. Test scores beginning with the June 2022 test administration for either exam are acceptable. Registration materials for the LSAT may be obtained at LSAC.org. Registration materials for the GRE can be found at ETS.org.
Note: If an applicant has taken both the LSAT and the GRE, they must report their LSAT score. An applicant cannot withhold an LSAT score if they have one, regardless of whether they have a GRE score. After you submit your application on LSAC.org, please send an email to Brandi Saunders, Enrollment Management Specialist, at bsaundrs@uga.edu stating you have applied with a GRE score.
For applicants using a GRE score:
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In the LSAT section of the application, applicants should check the box that says "This section does not apply to me."
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In the Additional Tests section of the application, applicants should enter the following information:
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Please indicate the type of test taken (GRE) and enter the score received
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Please indicate the month and year the test was taken
(3) LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). All applicants must register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and have an LSAC Law School Report sent to the School of Law. Transcripts of all academic work, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, must be sent to the CAS. All coursework taken before fall semester (quarter) 2026, must be forwarded to the CAS for the report. The resulting law school report, which includes LSAT score(s) and copies of all transcripts, is sent to the School of Law if no problems exist with the applicant's file at LSAC. GRE scores will be sent officially through ETS to School Code No. 4814, University of Georgia School of Law.
Foreign-educated applicants must register with the Credential Assembly Service and submit their transcripts through the authentication and evaluation feature of the CAS. Except for foreign work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, transcripts for all post-secondary work completed outside of the United States, its territories, or Canada must be evaluated by this service. The service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee.
(4) Letters of Recommendation. Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation. It is preferred that the letters of recommendation be no more than two years old. We prefer letters from professors, employers or other recommenders who can attest to your ability to enter a competitive professional program. If you have been out of school for multiple years, employer references will suffice. Applicants are required to use the letter of recommendation service provided by LSAC. Applicants using the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service must use the Letter of Recommendation Form provided on LSAC.org.
(5) Resume. Submit a resume detailing your education, employment, skills, honors, awards, and accomplishments. Upload document as an attachment to the application form.
International Student Requirement
All international students at UGA, including the School of Law, are required to check in with the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) by phone at 001-706-542-2900 or by email at immigration@uga.edu. F-1 and J-1 students in particular must be careful to check in with OGE in a timely fashion. Your student record cannot be registered with the government until you have completed the immigration check-in process. In addition, you will not be able to register for classes until you check-in with OGE.
Binding Early Decision The Early Decision process is designed for students who have considered their law school options carefully and are confident that the University of Georgia School of Law is their clear first choice. Early Decision admission is binding. An Early Decision applicant may apply to other law schools, but once admitted to the University of Georgia School of Law as an Early Decision candidate, the applicant must immediately withdraw all other law school applications. No new law school applications may be initiated. An applicant to the Early Decision Program may not be an Early Decision applicant at any other law school during the same admissions cycle. Failure to honor these commitments will result in the University of Georgia School of Law revoking its offer of admissions.
Early Decision applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1, 2026. All application components, including letters of recommendation and the LSAC Law School Report, must be received by the Office of Admissions by December 15, 2026. An Early Decision applicant must take the LSAT or GRE no later than the November administration. Early Decision applicants should follow the same application completion instructions for the Standard Admissions process found online at: http://law.uga.edu/standard-admissions-process. Early Decision applicants must sign the Early Decision Statement certification at the end of the application. Applications that are incomplete by the deadline will be considered as part of the Standard Admissions process.
The School of Law will release decisions on Early Decision applications on a rolling basis. The deposit deadline for Early Decision students admitted by mid-November is November 30, 2026. Early Decision students admitted after mid-November will have a deposit deadline of January 31, 2027.
Applicants who apply for early admission but are not admitted will either be (1) considered for admission in the Standard Admissions process, (2) placed on the general wait list, or (3) informed that their application for admission has been denied.
UGA Scholars/USG Scholars Applicant The UGA Scholars process is open to applicants who are completing their undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia or who have graduated from the University of Georgia within twelve months of law school matriculation. Similarly, the USG Scholars process is limited to those who are completing their undergraduate degree from a degree-granting institution within the University System of Georgia (USG) or who have graduated from a USG institution within twelve months of law school matriculation. To be eligible for either of these processes, qualified undergraduates must possess a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.50 and have scored at or above the 85th percentile nationally on either the SAT or ACT at the time the test was administered. To be eligible for either of these processes, qualified undergraduates must possess a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.50 and have scored at or above the 85th percentile nationally on either the SAT or ACT at the time the test was administered.
Applications for both the UGA Scholars and USG Scholars processes must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 1, 2026. All application materials, including letters of recommendation and the LSAC Law School Report, must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than October 1, 2026. Applicants who have an LSAT or GRE score are not eligible for the UGA Scholars process and will instead be considered through the Standard Admissions Process or the Binding Early Decision Process.
Applicants must submit an application to the School of Law through LSAC.org. UGA Scholars and USG Scholars applicants should follow the same application completion instructions for standard admissions found online at https://www.law.uga.edu/standard-admissions-process.
(1) In the LSAT section of the application, applicants should check the box that says "This section does not apply to me."
(2) In the Additional Tests section of the application, applicants should enter the following information:
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Please indicate the test (SAT or ACT) and enter your score
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Please indicate the month and year when you took the SAT or ACT test
(3) In the Attachments section of the application, applicants should upload a copy of the test score report from the testing site that provides their name, the date the test was taken, the score received, and the score percentile.
Admission is not guaranteed based on meeting the required credentials alone. Each application receives a holistic review. The Office of Admissions will release decisions on UGA Scholars and USG Scholars applications after the October 1st deadline. The deposit deadline for students admitted through these processes is 11:59 p.m. ET on November 30, 2026.
Candidates should also be aware that School of Law students matriculating under the UGA Scholars or USG Scholars processes will not be eligible to transfer to another law school after the 1L year without an LSAT score. These processes are designed for applicants who have considered their law school options carefully and are confident that the University of Georgia School of Law is their top choice.
3+3 Applicant This admissions process is only open to applicants who are currently enrolled as undergraduate students at the University of Georgia in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the School for Public and International Affairs, the Grady College of Journalism, and the Terry College of Business. Qualified University of Georgia undergraduates may apply to the University of Georgia School of Law during the Spring Semester of their 3rd or Junior Year of Undergraduate Study, and begin Juris Doctor course work full time during their 4th or Senior year of Undergraduate Study if admitted.
The 3+3 Admissions Process application deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on June 1, 2027. All application components, including letters of recommendation and the LSAC Law School Report, must be received by the Office of Admissions by June 15, 2027. Applicants with the required credentials who intend to apply to the University of Georgia School of Law through the 3+3 Admissions must take the LSAT or GRE no later than April 2027 to be considered for this process, and they must provide documentation from their undergraduate advisor that they have completed or will complete all of their major requirements by the end of their 3rd or Junior Year of Undergraduate Study.
Applicants must submit an application to the School of Law through LSAC.org. 3+3 Admissions Process applicants should follow the same application completion instructions for standard admissions found online at: https://www.law.uga.edu/standard-admissions-process.
Admission is not guaranteed based on meeting the required credentials alone. Each application receives a holistic review. The University of Georgia School of Law will release decisions on 3+3 Admissions Process applicants on a rolling basis. Students who are not granted admission through the 3+3 Admissions Process are still eligible to apply the following year or after graduation.
Reapplying Applicants for admission to the 2027 entering class will not be able to use any previously submitted materials.
Applicants for admission to the 2026 entering class who did not enroll must pay the application fee and submit a new application and supporting materials in order to be considered for the 2027 entering class. Updated transcripts must be sent to the LSAC, and a new law school report must be provided.
Notes to all applicants © 2026 University of Georgia School of Law.
The University of Georgia is a unit of the University System of Georgia.
An Equal Opportunity, Veteran, Disability Institution.
The University of Georgia Foundation is registered to solicit in states where required and provides state specific registration information atugafoundation.org/charity.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Application Materials
Application review at the University of Georgia School of Law is a holistic process. We value not only scored metrics, but also the reflective and explanatory writings found in the narrative portions of the application. Consistent with this approach, applicants are expected to ensure that all components of their application, especially written statements, essays, and other personal submissions, are their own original work. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate, edit, or revise any portion of the application is prohibited. While basic writing aids that check spelling and grammar are permissible, applicants must not use AI systems to draft, rephrase, or improve content. Any misuse of AI that undermines the authenticity of an application may lead to withdrawal of the application, denial of admission, or revocation of an offer of admission.
Non-discrimination Policy
The University of Georgia (the ?University?) is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work, and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, University System of Georgia (?USG?) policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person on the basis of an individual?s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (?protected status?) by any member of the University Community (as defined below) on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for any member of the University Community. Incidents of harassment and discrimination will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or expulsion from the University.
The University?s NDAH Policy is under the purview of the Equal Opportunity Office. Please direct all NDAH inquiries to that office at 278 Brooks Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. Telephone 706-542-7912 (V/TDD). Fax 706-542-2822. https://eoo.uga.edu/
Campus Security Report The University of Georgia?s annual Safe and Secure report for the campus community is produced by the University?s Police Department, the Clery Act Compliance Officer, Office of Legal Affairs, Division of Student Affairs, Division of Human Resources, and Division of Marketing & Communications. It includes policies and statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (the ?Clery Act?) and other federal laws and includes the University of Georgia?s Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs. The University of Georgia (?UGA? or the ?University?) has published on-campus crime statistics since 1969.
This report relates crimes as reported by the University of Georgia Police Department, the Athens-Clarke County Police, and other local law enforcement agencies at off-campus locations occupied or used primarily by students that have been determined to fit the guidelines for Clery geography, and provides information about the number of reports of alcohol, drug, and weapons violations referred to the UGA Office of Student Conduct during 2022, 2023 and 2024. The information in this report can also be found online: https://safeandsecure.uga.edu/.
If you have suggestions about information that should be included in future reports, or to request a paper copy, please call the Division of Marketing & Communications at 706-542-8090 or send an email to safeandsecure@uga.edu.
American Bar Association Accreditation The University of Georgia School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 800-285-2221.
You are required to submit a personal statement. Your statement should be between 2-3 pages, double-spaced, and 12-point font. Of the qualitative or "soft" factors of the application, the personal statement is of critical importance to the admissions committee. This is your primary opportunity to discuss who you are beyond the quantifiable components of your application. While there is no prompt, and we encourage you to approach the personal statement with an open mind, we are particularly interested in how your background (academic and otherwise) has led to your decision to study law. Please note, the personal statement is not the place to repeat items on your resume.
If you answered "yes" to the Background and Experience Statement question, please include your statement as an attachment. Please limit your statement to 1-2 pages, double-spaced, and 12-point font.
If you answered "Yes" to the academic action question (Conduct Information #1) and you need more space than provided for your explanation, please include your explanation here.
If you answered "Yes" to the conviction statement question (Conduct Information #2) and you need more space than provided for your explanation, please include your explanation here.
If you answered "Yes" to the prior law school matriculation question (Conduct Information #4) and you need more space than provided for your explanation, please include your explanation here. Additionally, if your matriculation was at a U.S. law school, you are required to submit a letter of standing from your previous law school explaining the circumstances of your prior matriculation. This should be sent directly to USC Gould School of Law Office of Admissions. If any grades were issued, you must also submit a transcript. The transcript may be sent via LSAC with your CAS report.
If your matriculation was at a foreign law school, you are not required to submit a letter of standing, however your transcript is required as part of your CAS report.
If you feel you need more space to explain other special circumstances regarding your application, please attach your explanation here.
If you answered "Yes" to the charges pending question (Conduct Information #3) and you need more space than provided for your explanation, please include your explanation here.
Submit your statement here for application to the Frank Rothman Scholars Program. This application is a requirement to be considered for the program and should be different than your Personal Statement. Finalists will be selected for an initial round of interviews and notified in late February. Frank Rothman Scholars Program
This scholarship honors the late Frank Rothman '51, a highly respected alum of USC Gould. Becoming a Rothman Scholar offers the following benefits:
Full-tuition scholarship guaranteed for 3 years (estimated at $250,000+)
$6,000 stipend each year for 3 years
This Scholarship is optional. The additional required statement should be between one and two pages and address the following statement:
Frank Rothman was renowned for his commitment to the law, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his creative approach to litigation. As he often said, "no one ever pays you to say no', find the yes' ". The Rothman Scholar program seeks to honor his legacy by finding and selecting a candidate who embodies Frank Rothman's values in their own unique ways.
We have read your application materials, personal statement and letters of recommendation; we know that you are an exceptional student. Take this opportunity to tell us what makes you truly singular. What traits, experiences, or ambitions of yours reflect the values and spirit of Frank Rothman? Which of your unique qualities will set you apart from your peers and set you up for success? Use this opportunity to tell us something new and interesting. The deadline to apply for the Frank Rothman Scholarship is January 1, 2026. Please note, this is prior to our application priority deadline. The application for the Frank Rothman Scholarship must be submitted with your admissions application.
You are required to submit a resume. Please indicate hours per week for each activity where applicable. Please limit your resume to no more than two pages.
Conduct Information In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction.
If you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions, you are required to submit an explanatory statement below. If you need additional space, please submit your explanatory statement via the Attachments section of the electronic application and indicate that in the box below.
- Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on academic or disciplinary probation, disciplined, expelled, or requested or advised to resign from any post-secondary school, college, university, professional school, or law school?
- Have you ever been convicted of the violation of a misdemeanor or felony, or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a violation of a misdemeanor or felony, whether or not the charges were dismissed, the court entered a judgement of conviction, or the court imposed a sentence?
- Are there any charges pending against you?
- Have you ever been or are you currently registered at another law school either foreign or domestic? (This includes LLM Programs or non-JD Certificate and Master's Degree Programs taken at another law school.)
Admission to USC Gould School of Law Admissions Policy Statement
The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience will enhance the student body and enrich the educational environment of the USC Gould School of Law. USC Gould's admissions process is guided by the view that a student body that reflects the broad richness of our society provides a superior educational environment for all students.
Submitting Original Work We expect that the written portions of the application reflect your own experiences, ideas, and perspectives. While you may use tools (including artificial intelligence) for editing or guidance, the final content should authentically reflect you.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, you must have received or plan to receive a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university before enrolling at USC Gould. We base our admission decisions on academic record, LSAT and/or GRE score, personal statement, resume, letters of recommendation, and other information in your application file.
Admissions Decisions and Timelines
Each year USC Gould receives a significant number of applications to fill the entering class. Applications that are complete by February 1, 2027, receive priority review. However, we will accept applications submitted through April 1, 2027. All additional application materials must be complete by April 15, 2027, or they will be administratively withdrawn. No exceptions to this policy will be granted.
All applications are evaluated. Decision notifications typically begin mid-December and continue on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. All decisions are final, and no appeals process exists. Candidates who are placed on a waiting list are encouraged to submit letters of continued interest. In addition, they may update their file with new information, which they believe may support their candidacy.
Application Components
Application Fee
The non-refundable application fee is $80. If you are experiencing hardship and would like to seek a fee waiver, you may reach out to admissions@law.usc.edu to make this request. We expect requests to be processed in 5-7 business days. An LSAC account number will be required to process your request. Requests will not be granted after January 30, 2027. If you have already paid the application fee, no refunds of fees paid will be processed.
Required Documents
Standardized Test Requirement (LSAT and/or GRE)
USC Gould accepts both the LSAT and GRE as fulfillment of the standardized testing requirement for regular decision applicants.
LSAT Only
The February 2027 test administration is the last test we will consider for admission in Fall 2027. No exceptions will be made. One LSAT Writing Sample is required to complete your application. Your CAS Report will not generate without the LSAT Writing Sample completed. If taking a future LSAT, your file will not be completed until that test administration date passes and your score has been posted. All valid scores from the past five years will be reported. We do not average test scores and generally will focus on the higher LSAT score. GRE Only
March 1, 2027 is the last GRE test date we will accept. No exceptions will be made. You must include all valid GRE test scores within the last five years; you cannot choose which test results to report. Please use the ETS school code for USC Gould School of Law, which is 4030. Please be sure to assign your scores on the ETS website to the USC Gould School of Law Office of Admissions. If your scores are assigned incorrectly to the USC Graduate Office of Admissions, they will not be forwarded to us. LSAT and GRE
If you decide to apply using both your LSAT score and your GRE score, please note that we will complete your file if you have a valid LSAT score available.
If you have taken both the LSAT and the GRE, and wish to apply with both, you must make your GRE score available on the ETS website. If you choose to apply with both your LSAT and your GRE score, and do not make your GRE score available on the ETS website, your file will go ahead and be completed. If there is a significant discrepancy (four or more points) in your scores, we encourage you to address this variance in the Additional Questions section of the application.
Transcripts
We will not accept unofficial transcripts or transcripts sent directly to us. All transcripts must be sent through LSAC.
Personal Statement
This is your primary opportunity to discuss who you are beyond the quantifiable components of your application. We are particularly interested in how your background (academic and otherwise) has led to your decision to study law.
The personal statement should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced, and 12-point font. The statement must be electronically attached.
Resume
You are required to submit a resume to illustrate your chronological work history. Indicate hours per week for each activity where applicable. Please limit your resume to no more than two pages.
Letters of Recommendation
We require two letters of recommendation (a maximum of three are allowed) to complete your application. The most influential letters of recommendation focus on your academic potential. They are written by people who know you well and will evaluate your academic performance. If you have been out of college for a number of years, then a letter from an employer would be appropriate. We encourage employers to discuss the candidate's written and oral communication skills, leadership skills, and potential for the study of law.
Optional Document
Background and Experience Statement
The USC Gould student body is an exceptional group of individuals working collaboratively, empathetically, and with cultural competency, to best serve the various communities they will represent as lawyers. USC Gould aims to generate lawyers that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to leadership, public service, and serving those in need. Please describe how your contributions to the USC Gould student body may be unique by highlighting anything related to your life experiences or personal background that will help us get to know you better. Some examples of this include, but are not limited to the following:
How your upbringing, culture, or other aspects of your life experience have influenced your goals and/or leadership development;
How your experience with discrimination, economic disadvantage, family or personal adversity, or other hardships demonstrates your ability to lead, or serve the public or those in need;
How living in a foreign country, rural or isolated community, or speaking a language other than English at home has better equipped you to attend and flourish in law school;
Any unusual career goals, employment history, or educational background (including graduate study);
Demonstrate unusual courage, determination, or inspiration that stems from overcoming hardship, including violence, illness, or natural disaster;
Any unusual extracurricular achievement (including school or community service). This optional statement must be uploaded in the Attachments section of the application and should be limited to 1-2 pages, double-spaced, and 12-point font.
Foreign-Educated Applicants
USC Gould requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS). If you completed any postsecondary work outside the United States (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service (unless your foreign education was through a study abroad, consortium or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript). A Foreign Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your CAS report. Foreign-educated applicants are not required to take the TOEFL exam. However, if you have taken the TOEFL exam, you may report your score as an addendum on the application. Non-resident applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships but are not eligible for federal financial aid. Requirements for Enrollment
If you are admitted to USC Gould, you are required to pay two non-refundable $500.00 tuition deposits by specified deadlines (typically May 1 and June 15). The enrollment instructions included with your admission packet will provide deadlines and instructions.
Prior to enrollment in August, you must submit your official transcript, verifying your receipt of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university to the USC Gould Admissions and Financial Aid Office.
Acceptance Deferral Policy
USC Gould may grant deferrals for one year. Deferrals are granted on a case-by-case basis and generally only where circumstances not present at the time of application submission have since arisen. You are encouraged to seek a deferral as early as possible in the spring/summer. The possibility of being granted a deferral is greatly diminished after July 1st. Candidates must agree to submit the required tuition seat deposit(s), withdraw all applications from other law schools (including waiting lists), and agree not to submit new applications during the next admission cycle.
Bar Admission Character Considerations
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
For admission to USC Gould, applicants are required to fully disclose responses to the following questions:
Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on academic or disciplinary probation, disciplined, expelled, or requested or advised to resign from any post-secondary school, college, university, professional school, or law school? Have you ever been convicted of the violation of a misdemeanor or felony, or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a violation of a misdemeanor or felony, whether or not the charges were dismissed, the court entered a judgment of conviction, or the court imposed a sentence? Are any charges pending against you? Have you ever been or are you currently registered at another law school either foreign or domestic? A full written explanation must accompany the application if you answer yes to any of the questions. You will be prompted to include your statement within the application, or you may include your statement via the Attachments section.
Ongoing Duty to Disclose
All candidates for admission have an ongoing duty to disclose material changes to their application especially as they relate to conduct matters (criminal or disciplinary) to the Dean of Admissions before enrollment. Candidates agree that providing inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information on the admission application, omitting information, or any additional changed information provided can lead to the rescission of any offer of admission and/or scholarship, or for discipline, dismissal, or revocation of the degree if discovered at a later date. Additionally, such a violation during the admission process may lead to a referral to LSAC for a finding of misconduct in the admission process.
Our Nondiscrimination Policy
USC Gould School of Law is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, political beliefs, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or age. The full non-discrimination policy is available at Notice of Non-Discrimination ? Office of Civil Rights Compliance.
Questions?
If you have questions about the admissions process, please call the Office of Admissions at 213.740.2523 or send an e-mail to admissions@law.usc.edu.
If your community college provided you with a certificate of completion of the Cal Law program and you?d like to share a copy with the Admissions Committee, please upload it here as a PDF. This is optional.
Please include a double-spaced, two to three page personal statement. A carefully prepared personal statement telling us about yourself and reflecting our admissions criteria, which are described on our website, is very helpful to the Admissions Committee. Include any special factors, problems, plans, explanations, or additional information that you think might help the Law School in acting on your application.
Once you submit your application materials, they cannot be changed or returned. If there is something we haven't asked about in the application that you want to highlight, you may include two to three paragraphs as an attachment marked "addendum."
Please provide us with a current résumé.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
You must answer all character and fitness questions carefully, thoroughly, and honestly. Omission or falsification of information relevant to these questions may serve as grounds for rescinding your admission to the University of Wisconsin Law School. When you apply to be admitted to the bar, the state bar organization may conduct a background investigation on you and may also seek a copy of your law school record. Any discrepancies between the character and fitness information you provide on your Law School application and the information compiled for your bar application may impede your admission to the bar. Please note that satisfaction of Character and Fitness requirements for the University of Wisconsin Law School does not mean that Character and Fitness requirements for any state bar have been satisfied.
If you are unsure whether a matter should be disclosed, you should err on the side of full disclosure. Nondisclosure of a pertinent matter will cause difficulty. In most circumstances, the BBE will consider a thorough, detailed, and honest disclosure of an incident for which you take responsibility as a factor tending toward a finding of adequate "character and fitness." Prior contacts with the criminal or civil justice systems, including felony convictions, do not, in and of themselves, necessarily disqualify you from practicing law nor do they necessarily preclude you from admission to the University of Wisconsin Law School.
- College/University Misconduct: With respect to college, university, professional school, or law school activities, has an honor court, council, or similar body ever formally accused you of misconduct; OR dismissed, dropped, suspended, expelled, disciplined, or placed you on academic or social probation?
Please include instances where you were asked to withdraw or allowed to withdraw to avoid any of the above actions.
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If your response to the Character and Fitness Question College/University Misconduct is yes, explain in detail the circumstances. (maximum characters 600)
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Criminal/Civil/Military Infractions: Have you ever been cited, arrested, charged, convicted or sentenced for any criminal, civil, or ordinance violation, at the federal, state, or local level? This includes, for example, any adult, juvenile, or military violations, as well as any forfeitures. You must answer whether or not the matter was resolved in a conviction, a dismissal, or was resolved at the same or a different level of seriousness as the original violation. You must also answer even if a finding of guilt or sentence was suspended or withheld, or the record was expunged or sealed.
You must include all citations and tickets, including traffic tickets, speeding tickets, and moving violations. Only parking violations may be omitted.
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If your response to the Character and Fitness Question Criminal/Civil/Military Infractions is yes, explain in detail the circumstances. (maximum characters 600)
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Impaired Driving: Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a violation that involved driving under the influence of alcohol or driving under the influence of drugs?
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If your response to the Character and Fitness Question Impaired Driving is yes, explain in detail the circumstances. (maximum characters 600)
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Pending Issues: Are any such issues currently pending, which relate to incidents described previously? Pending issues include, for example, any incident for which you are on probation or under supervision.
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If your response to the Character and Fitness Question Pending Issues is yes, explain in detail the circumstances. (maximum characters 600)
The Admissions Committee reviews applications based on the date they are complete, and does so on a rolling basis. The priority deadline for submission is March 1, 2027. You must submit the application itself by that date, but is possible for all other information to follow. In light of our rolling admissions policy, we strongly encourage applicants to submit all materials by December 1.
Completing the Application Applications are considered complete when the Law School Admissions Office has received the following:
Application for Admission. Due on or before March 1. Record of Residence Form. The Record of Residence Form must be completed by all applicants, both residents and nonresidents. After you have submitted your application, our Admissions Office will contact you by email to complete our Record of Residence form. $65 application fee. The application fee should be paid by credit card through LSAC. The $65 application fee is nonrefundable and does not apply toward tuition or other fees. Valid and Reliable Test Score. All applicants must submit a valid and reliable test score, which includes the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report. You must have a current CAS registration and have sent a transcript to CAS from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. Resumé. Personal statement. Two to three pages double-spaced, 12-point font, 1" margins. Two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through CAS. TOEFL score for international applicants only. The TOEFL is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English. You should have your score sent to LSAC and it will be included in your CAS report.
Once you submit your application materials, they cannot be changed or returned. If there is something we haven't asked about in the application that you want to highlight, you may include two to three paragraphs as an electronic attachment marked "addendum."
The Admissions Office will notify you when your application is complete. Normally, the Admissions Committee begins reading applications in mid-November and will notify the applicant of a decision within ten to twelve weeks after the application goes into review. You will receive an email indicating one of three decisions: admit, deny, or wait list. Applicants placed on the wait list will learn of a decision as soon as possible but may not receive an offer of admission until the first day of orientation in August. Unfortunately, we are unable to predict how many, if any, applicants will be accepted from our wait list in any given year.
Please make sure that you include the Admissions Office's e-mail address, admissions@law.wisc.edu, in your address book and keep us up to date on address changes to prevent missing important notices sent during the admissions process.
Standardized Test Scores: LSAT or GRE Applicants to the University of Wisconsin Law School are required to take either the LSAT or the GRE and submit valid results as a part of their application. LSAT results are sent directly from LSAC via your CAS report - if you have taken the LSAT and have a valid score on file, it will be automatically transmitted to Wisconsin Law and cannot be waived from your application. Alternatively, applicants may submit GRE scores if they have not taken the LSAT and will not have a valid LSAT score on file. If you elect to submit GRE scores and have taken the GRE more than once in the last five (5) years, then you must submit all valid GRE results. ETS requires that we manually download your GRE Score Report. Please use the school code 1311 to make the report available. Once we download your score from ETS, we will request your CAS Report. Please note: this takes additional time and should be accounted for by the applicant. Members of our staff typically log into the ETS system once a week during processing periods. If an applicant applies with a GRE score and receives an ADMIT decision but later obtains an LSAT score, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to reevaluate the applicant's file and make a new decision taking the LSAT into consideration.
Character and Fitness to Practice Law In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
You must answer all character and fitness questions on your application carefully, thoroughly, and honestly. The Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners (BBE), and any other jurisdiction you apply to, will review your student file as part of its investigation of your "character and fitness" for admission to practice law. The BBE will note any difference between the information you disclose to the Law School and the information you provide on your bar application. Nondisclosure of pertinent information on your Law School application may delay or preclude your admission to practice law. State bars, including the BBE, also conduct background investigations. These checks are extremely thorough and can reveal all contact with the criminal and civil justice system, including juvenile court records that may have been sealed or expunged. Discrepancies between information disclosed in your Law School application and information uncovered in your background investigation will require explanation and may delay or preclude your admission to practice law. Please note that satisfaction of Character and Fitness requirements for the University of Wisconsin Law School does not mean that Character and Fitness requirements for any state bar have been satisfied. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners http://www.ncbex.org/character-and-fitness/.
If you are unsure whether a matter should be disclosed, you should err on the side of full disclosure. In most circumstances, the BBE will consider a thorough, detailed, and honest disclosure of an incident for which you take responsibility as a factor tending toward a finding of adequate "character and fitness." Prior contacts with the criminal or civil justice systems, including felony convictions, do not, in and of themselves, necessarily disqualify you from practicing law nor do they necessarily preclude you from admission to the University of Wisconsin Law School.
In the event that you are admitted, you will be under a continuing obligation to disclose all character and fitness issues that occur prior to matriculation, even if the issues occur after the date of admission. If any character and fitness issues occur after you are admitted, you must notify the Admissions Committee in writing and submit an amendment to your application.
Personal Statement Our application requires that you prepare a personal statement, which should be two to three pages double-spaced. In your personal statement, we encourage you to share what is distinctive about your personal history and how that connects to your career and life aspirations. As an example, our law school is committed to access to justice so you might consider discussing how your background and experiences might help address the legal needs of people in communities that are not adequately served by our legal system, including those in urban and rural areas. We encourage you to write your personal statement in a narrative tone so that your personality and voice come through in your writing. You should envision the personal statement as your opportunity to have a "conversation" with the Admissions Committee. You should use your statement to highlight what you think is important or unique about your application, and may also use it to describe any special factors, problems, plans, or additional information you think might be useful to the Admissions Committee.
Letters of Recommendation We require two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through CAS. We will accept up to four letters sent as part of your CAS report. An application is considered complete upon receipt of two letters of recommendation and all other required application materials. We encourage you to choose your recommendations carefully. A well-thought-out letter from someone who can attest to your skills and abilities is more persuasive than a letter from someone who doesn't know you well. We discourage letters of recommendation written by family friends who have not had contact with you in either an academic or professional capacity. In the case of reapplication, we strongly recommend submitting two new letters of recommendation.
Admissions Office University of Wisconsin Law School 975 Bascom Mall Madison, WI 53706-1399 Phone: 608.262.5914 Fax: 608.263.3190 E-mail: admissions@law.wisc.edu Website: law.wisc.edu/prospective/
Please submit a personal statement of two to three typewritten, double spaced pages that use at least 10pt font. You may choose to write about any topic(s) that you believe would be most helpful to the Admissions Committee as they review your application for admission. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following: your motivation for the study of law and entrance into the legal profession; professional goals you have established for yourself; leadership goals you have established for yourself; particular challenges and obstacles you have confronted and which you believe are relevant to your past academic performance and/or to your potential for success in law school.
The Moritz College of Law has a strong history of preparing students for careers in the public interest and in public service. Many of our students have, prior to entering law school, already devoted a significant amount of time, resources, and talent to work in the public interest or public service. These scholarships may be awarded to students with a demonstrated record of engagement in public interest and public service activities. Examples include, but are certainly not limited to, members of the military, Peace Corp, AmeriCorps, Teach for America and a wide range of other programs or activities.
Please clearly label your essay with its type in the header.
Please attach any supplemental information you feel would be helpful in the admissions process. Common supplemental addenda include, but are not limited to, explanations for unsatisfactory grades and/or LSAT scores, interruptions in education, or an explanation of a learning disability.
Each year, the Moritz College of Law awards scholarships to students who demonstrate strong leadership potential. The scholarships are based on leadership qualities, professional and personal life accomplishments, past academic achievement, and commitment to making a difference in communities and organizations. Applications for this award are not required, though applicants are encouraged to submit an essay (not to exceed two pages) that speaks to their leadership abilities.
The Moritz College of Law requires each applicant to submit a résumé as part of the application process. Résumés should include present and past employment history, provide information regarding volunteer, service, and/or extracurricular activities (including sports) with which you have been involved in, and list any honors and/or awards you have received. If you have hobbies you enjoy, please feel free to include them. The résumé can be a maximum of three pages long and we encourage more detail than less.
- In order to practice law in the United States, a student must pass a state bar examination in the state or states in which the individual wishes to practice law. The bar examination evaluates an applicant?s knowledge of specified areas of substantive law, as well as the individual?s character and fitness to be a member of that state?s Bar. Approval of an applicant?s character and fitness is one of the most important components of the admissions process to the Bar, whether in Ohio or elsewhere. For example, no one may take the Ohio bar examination without first receiving character and fitness approval. Each applicant to law school is strongly encouraged, prior to matriculation to law school, to determine the specific character and fitness requirements of each state in which the applicant intends to practice. Applicants may determine the specific requirements in the state or states in which the individual intends to practice by consulting with the website of the National Conference of Bar Examiners. After a law student applies to take a bar examination, the respective bar examiners have the law school provide an evaluation of that student's character and fitness to practice law. An essential part of assessing a student's character and fitness to practice law must be completed when an applicant is considered for admission. The following questions have been narrowly tailored to reflect only those issues that need early consideration. If you answer any of these questions affirmatively, you must provide an explanation, which needs to include essential information (e.g., the date, the specific nature of the charge, the COMPLETE version of the facts that lead to the charge, and the disposition) in your own words. Simply providing court documents does not satisfy this requirement. See Attachments section.
Central to determining one's character and fitness to practice law is the act of voluntary disclosure. If the school learns that your answer to one or more of these questions was not accurate, your acceptance may be revoked or, if you are already enrolled, you may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. You need to disclose details of the result of any criminal charges. Even if the charges were dismissed, adjudication was withheld, a conviction was reversed, a conviction was set aside, a conviction was vacated, a conviction was expunged, or the record sealed, you must provide disclosure. Contrary advice by legal counsel does not exempt you from this requirement. The charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of drugs, and reckless driving must be disclosed as criminal charges.
Your answers to these questions are confidential and are limited to a determination of your character and fitness to practice law. You are under a continuing obligation to notify the Office of Admissions of any changes in your answers to these questions up until the time of your enrollment. Once enrolled, you are under a continuing obligation to notify the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of any changes in your answers to these questions:
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Were you ever on academic or disciplinary probation; have you ever been charged with, penalized for, or adjudicated guilty of a violation of a college or university honor code, student code of conduct, or TItle IX; or have you ever been suspended or dismissed from any educational institution?
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Are there any academic or disciplinary charges from any educational institution pending against you?
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Except for minor traffic and parking violations, have you been formally charged, cited, fined, posted bail, subject to a restraining order, or ordered to do community service for the violation of any law? This means the original charge and not the negotiated or plea bargained charge. This also includes juvenile, expunged, or dropped charges.
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Are there any criminal charges pending against you?
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Have you ever been the subject of a court martial hearing, dishonorably discharged from military service, or administratively separated from military service with other than an honorable discharge?
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Have you ever been involuntarily separated from a job as a result of an accusation that involved dishonesty?
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Have you ever been sued for a non-criminal act that was alleged to have been intentional? (e.g. invasion of privacy, fraud, assault, battery)
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Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action by a professional association or State Licensing Board, or had a professional license suspended or revoked?
Applying for Admission for the Juris Doctor Degree Applicants to the College of Law are required to apply electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at LSAC.org, register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). All applicants for admission must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the College of Law.
Please use standard writing when completing the application (i.e. do not use all caps or all lower case when completing the application) especially when completing addresses. Applications for admission to the College of Law should be submitted anytime between September 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027 11:59pm ET (with a priority deadline of March 31, 2027) of the calendar year prior to the planned date of enrollment. Regular admission decisions are completed on a rolling basis and may continue until the beginning of 1L Orientation. While all applicants will be considered for financial assistance if they are granted admission, we encourage you to complete the FAFSA.
Application Requirements A completed electronic application will include the following:
The application for admission and $60 application fee ($70 for international applicants)
Completed character and fitness section, including detailed explanations
Resume (1-3 pages)
Personal statement (2-3 pages, double spaced, 10pt. font)
The following items must be submitted in addition to the completed application via CAS:
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
A minimum of two and a maximum of three letters of recommendation (faculty letters of recommendation are preferred for those students that are currently in school or have graduated within the past year)
LSAT score
Optional ? Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to:
Complete optional essays addressing:
Leadership potential/experience
Commitment to careers in public service/public interest
All optional essays must be clearly labeled in the header
Provide any other addenda you need to add for explanation and clarification purposes
The Moritz College of Law is committed to enrolling highly motivated individuals with strong academic potential who bring to the College a broad range of personal backgrounds and intellectual experiences. All candidates offered admission should demonstrate likely academic and professional success based upon quantifiable and non-quantifiable indicia. In selecting members of each entering class, the College seeks to enroll students who will enhance the intellectual quality of life within the Moritz community who bring to the College those skills and attributes such as, but not limited to, creativity and innovation; problem solving; practical judgment; empathy; diligence; integrity; honesty; networking and business development; passion and engagement; community involvement and service; strategic planning; and multi-cultural experience/competency that are essential to success in the legal profession.
Early Binding Decision Program Applicants to The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law frequently indicate that Ohio State is their first choice for a legal education. For those students who have carefully researched their law school opportunities, the Early Binding Decision Option provides an expeditious evaluation and decision by the Admissions Committee. This early notification has the advantage of enabling successful Early Binding Decision applicants to pursue their educational, professional and familial engagements and responsibilities free of the time, expense and anxiety associated with the typical law school application process. Successful Early Binding Decision applicants will be notified of scholarship awards prior to the deposit deadline. Thus, the applicant should be in a position to commit to attending Ohio State even though they will not have a complete financial aid package at the time of their deposit. It is important to recognize that the benefits associated with admission under the Early Binding Decision Option are accompanied by a reduction in law school choice. Ohio State reserves the right to provide other law schools with the names of applicants accepted under our Early Binding Decision Option.
Prior to consideration of their application, the student will enter into an Early Binding Decision Agreement in which the student commits to attending the Moritz College of Law if they accept our admission, agrees to withdraw pending applications to any other law school, and further agrees not to initiate additional applications to other law schools.
Applicants wishing to be considered as a candidate for the Early Binding Decision Option must:
Submit the Early Binding Decision Agreement and an application for admission no later than 11:59pm ET on November 19, 2026.
The application must include:
Personal Statement (2-3 pages, double spaced, 10pt font)
Resume (1-3 pages)
Completed character and fitness section, including detailed explanations
Application for admission and $60 application fee ($70 for international applicants)
Submit all other materials no later than November 29, 2026. The application is considered complete when all required application materials, including a CAS report and Letters of Recommendation, have been received by the Office of Admissions. Note: We will accept the November LSAT for Early Binding Decision Applicants. All other materials must be submitted by the deadlines.
Early Binding Decision applicants may be admitted, denied, or held for consideration through the regular rolling admissions process. Applicants who meet the requirements for Early Binding Decision consideration will be notified by December 18, 2026. The seat deposit deadline for applicants admitted under the Early Binding Decision Option is 11:59pm ET February 1, 2027. Applicants who have not been admitted under the Early Binding Decision process are not bound by this Early Binding Decision Agreement.
Candidates admitted under the Early Binding Decision Option will not be eligible for deferral unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.
Buckeye Legal Scholar Program Applicants who have received or will receive their undergraduate degree from select Ohio colleges and universities may be eligible for the Buckeye Legal Scholar (BLS) Program. This admission process allows qualified individuals to apply to Moritz College of Law without an LSAT score. If you have taken the LSAT, you may not apply via the BLS Program.
If you are eligible and want to apply through this process, please complete the Fall 2027 BLS Application.
International Applicants Moritz College of Law welcomes applications from citizens of other countries. International applicants, or those with DACA status, should follow the application procedures established for U.S. citizens.
The Moritz College of Law requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). For any post-secondary work outside the United States (including its territories) or Canada, an applicant must use this service for the evaluation of foreign transcripts (exception if the foreign work was completed through a study abroad or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is indicated as such on the home campus transcript).
This service is included in the CAS registration fee. A Foreign Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into the CAS Law School Report.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proof of English proficiency through one of the following test options:
TOEFL 79 on the TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (4.0 on the updated TOEFL launched January 2026) 550 on the TOEFL ITP fo students in the American Language Program Note: Ohio State does not accept My Best TOEFL Scores
IELTS 6.5 on the IELTS Academic test or IELTS Online Note: Ohio State does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake Scores Duolingo 120 or higher on the Duolingo English Test Exemptions
Non-native English speakers who have been awarded a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a university in the countries or territories listed under the Proof of English Proficiency.
You must contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that your TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code for the Credential Assembly Service is 0058. Your score will be included in the Foreign Credential Evaluation document that will be included in your law school report. Our office will forward your TOEFL score to the Ohio State Graduate and Professional Admissions Office to satisfy the requirement at the university level.
To use CAS, login to your online account and follow the instructions for registering for the service. More time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts. Questions about the Credential Assembly Service should be directed to LSAC at (215) 968-1001.
Any non-U.S. citizen seeking admission to the College of Law should be aware of the financial resources required to attend the College of Law for three years. The expected annual cost of law school and living expenses is approximately $79,830 for non-U.S. citizens. Should admission be offered, the admitted candidate must provide documentation that sufficient funds exist to meet the cost of attendance.
An international applicant who does not wish to obtain a Juris Doctor from Ohio State, but who has undertaken previous legal education in another country, may apply to the graduate degree (LL.M.) program for non-U.S. citizens. Information about the LL.M. program may be found here.
Community and Culture The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law seeks to educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth and equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills and to reach their own, informed conclusions. We are a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion. By informing students of the significant impact law has and will continue to have on individual citizens, public and private enterprises, systems and structures, and by weaving varied viewpoints into the fabric of our curriculum, we equip our students with the interpersonal and criticial thinking skills that are essential to success in the complex, multicultural world in which they will serve as a member of the profession.
We welcome students regardless of their individual background, personal identitiy or, socioeconomic status. We seek to understand the broad range of human experience to better equip our students for the incredible breadth and depth of American and global society. We recognize that students who are exposed to, and can learn about, our society and its structures are better prepared to engage in a pluralistic world, to successfully navigate the legal profession and to uphold our professional obligations to promote justice and the rule of law. We strive to be a welcoming community in which every individiual is respected and valued, while understanding that others need not agree with an individual to demonstrate such respect. In building a community that values similarities and differences among its constituents, we seek to embody in our actions and in our relations with one another principles of fairness and justice as well as the values of honesty, respect, compassion, responsibility, access and opportunity.
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law is committed to equal opportunity and eliminating discrimination. This commitment is both a moral imperative consistent with an intellectual community that celebrates individual differences as well as a matter of law. Discrimination against any individual based upon protected status, which is defined as age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status is prohibited.
For further information, contact the Civil Rights Compliance Office, 1501 Neil Ave. Columbus, OH 43201, (614) 247-5838 or email civilrights@osu.edu.
Application Status Staff members of the Moritz College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid are available to answer questions relating to the application process and admission standards. Due to the high volume of requests, applicants are strongly encouraged to check the status of their application by referring to the Applicant Status Online Page (ASO).
The Office of Admissions will notify applicants by email when their application has been received and processed. While the Office of Admissions seeks to keep applicants informed of their status, it is the applicant's responsibility to make sure the application is received by the published deadline. It is important that the applicant keeps their contact information up-to-date in their ASO and checks their email regularly.
The Moritz College of Law Admissions Committee renders admissions decisions on a rolling basis after the application file is received and is complete (with supporting documents, such as the CAS report) until the start of 1L Orientation. Early Binding Decision applicants will receive a decision by December 18, 2026 and Buckeye Legal Scholars will receive a decision by . Applicants will be notified of their decision via email and decisions will be posted on the online status page. We will not provide decisions over the phone. We will only release information to applicants unless an applicant has indicated in writing a specific individual who may inquire information on their behalf.
The Moritz College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid can be reached at (614) 292-8810 or lawadmit@osu.edu. The Office of Admissions is staffed Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
Application for Admission as a Transfer Student In order for the Moritz College of Law to fully consider the application of a student desiring transfer into the 2L class, the applicant must have completed one year of study at a school accredited by the American Bar Association. The Moritz College of Law will accept up to, but not exceeding, 30 semester-hours of transfer credit. Admission into the Moritz College of Law as a transfer student is selective and based upon the applicant's academic record at the law school from which the transfer is requested, as well as the applicant's prelaw qualifications under the admission standards for Moritz. Final decisions concerning transfer applicants for the beginning of the academic year are made beginning in late June and will continue through early August.
If you are eligible and interested in applying as a transfer student, please complete the Spring 2027 Transfer/Visiting Application when it opens on December 1st or the Fall 2028 Transfer/Visiting Application when it opens on May 1st.
Application for Admission as a Visiting/Transient Student The Moritz College of Law permits students to enroll as visiting or transient students. Visiting students typically have completed the first two years of law classes at another ABA-approved law school.
Visiting students are admitted to the Moritz College of Law for one semester only. Students who wish to attend for a second semester must receive permission to do so from the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid.
If you are eligible and interested in applying as a transfer student, please complete the Spring 2027 Transfer/Visiting Application when it opens on December 1st or the Fall 2028 Transfer/Visiting Application when it opens on May 1st.
Additional Information Financial Aid Opportunities and Application The decision to attend law school is, in part, a decision to invest in one?s future. As with any investment, we advise that you seek financial guidance and make informed decision about debt load. The Moritz College of Law?s financial aid philosophy reflects the desire to provide meaningful financial assistance to a broad range of students including those who are likely to excel in their legal studies, who have a record of community/public service, who have demonstrated potential for leadership, or have a significant financial need.
In order to qualify for need-based aid from the Moritz College of Law and Federal Stafford Loans, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be completed at the earliest possible date after the FAFSA becomes available in October. The FAFSA form may be completed online. The Ohio State federal code is 003090. Questions regarding the FAFSA should be directed to the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-2343.
For full information on financial aid, including information regarding scholarships, need-based aid, and loan assistance, please refer to the Moritz College of Law Financial Aid website.
Retention of Records, Reapplication, and Deferral Requests The application and supporting documents become the property of The Ohio State University and may not be returned to the applicant, nor forwarded to another institution. All application material is retained for one year.
A reapplicant who wishes to apply to the next year's class may do so after submitting a new application fee and new application form. Letters of recommendation and the personal statement may be repeated from prior applications but must be resubmitted in the new application year. The applicant is required to provide the admission committee with a summary of new and/or significant developments since the time the first application was submitted; including but not limited to an updated resume and character and fitness addendum.
Admission applicants who wish to delay enrollment into the College of Law may request a deferral of admission. Such requests must be in writing (email is acceptable) and should outline the reason(s) for the request. Deferral requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Office. An applicant who is granted a deferral will be asked to submit their seat deposit to secure their seat for the following year. In the fall, deferred students will be contacted to confirm enrollment and provide updated information.
Office of Student Life Disability Services Applicants with documented disabilities who may require accommodations and services are encouraged to contact the Student Life Disability Services (SLDS). SLDS offers a variety of services and accommodations for students with documented disabilities, including learning disabilities, hearing or visual impairments, mobility impairments, attention deficit disorders (ADHD), or psychiatric or medical disabilities. Academic accommodations, auxiliary aids, and support services are individualized and based on disability documentation, functional limitations, and a collaborative assessment of needs. As SLDS is the designated campus office to determine appropriate accommodations and auxiliary aids for students with disabilities, documentation of the disability for eligibility determination should be submitted to SLDS as early as possible in the admission process.
If you want more information about academic accommodations and services for students with disabilities, contact SLDS at (614) 292-3307 (V/T), (614) 500-4445 (VP), fax (614) 292-4190 or visit The SLDS webpage.
Qualifications for Admission to the Bar In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).
Upload a personal statement that shares an insight into your life and experiences that may not be readily apparent from your academic record and resume. Your personal statement should be about you.
Examples of personal statement topics include, but are not limited to:
why you want to become an attorney;
aspect of your experience that is illustrative of your character and perspective, especially an aspect that demonstrates your courage, determination, ingenuity, and/or resilience;
discussion of an academic, professional, or personal interest that matters deeply to you.
Formatting requirements:
double-spaced
one-inch margins
text-only (do not include images or visuals)
accessible font (e.g., Aptos, Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Verdana)
black font color
10-point font size or greater
750 words or less
Upload a brief descriptive statement of a job, in terms of the job title and responsibilities, you envision holding (or hope to hold), a decade after graduating from law school and being admitted to the bar. Formatting requirements: double-spaced one-inch margins text-only (do not include images or visuals) accessible font (e.g., Aptos, Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Verdana) black font color 10-point font size or greater 100 words or less
You may upload an optional statement describing any other information about yourself that you wish to share that is not included in your personal statement. Examples of optional statement topics include, but are not limited to:
- interest or preference in attending Wake Forest Law compared to other law schools;
- describe how the ethos of Wake Forest University’s motto, Pro Humanitate (“for humanity”), applies to your past experiences and your plans for the future as a law student and attorney.
Uploading an optional statement is not required. There is a separate optional upload for an addendum related to test scores and academic performance.
Formatting requirements:
- double-spaced
- one-inch margins
- text-only (do not include images or visuals)
- accessible font (e.g., Aptos, Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Verdana)
- black font color
- 10-point font size or greater
- 750 words or less
You may upload an optional addendum explaining why you believe your LSAT score(s), GRE score(s), undergraduate GPA, and/or graduate GPA are not reflective of your ability and potential to succeed academically in law school.
This optional addendum can also be used to explain any significant increases or decreases in your LSAT or GRE scores.
Uploading an optional LSAT / GRE / GPA addendum is not required.
Formatting requirements:
- double-spaced
- one-inch margins
- text-only (do not include images or visuals)
- accessible font (e.g., Aptos, Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Verdana)
- black font color
- 10-point font size or greater 250 words or less
Upload your current up-to-date resume. Your resume may include extracurricular and volunteer work. If you are not currently employed or enrolled as a student, your resume should also list your current activity/activities which occupies a substantial portion of your time (e.g., volunteering, travel, taking care of a family member, etc.) and any relevant details.
Formatting requirements: text-only (lines, borders, and similar formatting-only visuals may be included, but do not include images, photos, graphs, maps, star rating scales, etc.) accessible font (e.g., Aptos, Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Verdana) black font color 10-point font size or greater two pages or less (A4 or 8.5" x 11")
Read the following question very carefully. If your answer to the following question is "yes" (including sub-parts of the question), you will be required to attach an explanatory addendum.
Have you ever engaged in any conduct that, or were subjected to a situation which:
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resulted in arrest, discipline, sanction, or warning;
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resulted in termination or suspension from school or employment;
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resulted in loss or suspension of any license or non-parking permit, including, but not limited to, professional, occupational, driver's, hunting, fishing, weapons;
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resulted in any inquiry, any investigation, or any administrative or judicial proceeding by an employer, educational institution, government agency, professional organization, or licensing authority, or in connection with an employment disciplinary or termination procedure;
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endangered the safety of others, breached fiduciary obligations, or constituted a violation of workplace or academic conduct rules (including honor code, academic probation, social/behavioral probation, and good standing policies);
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resulted, during the past five years only, in being given a written warning, or taken into custody, or accused, formally or informally of the violation of a traffic law or ordinance, other than parking offenses;
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resulted in failure to file any required personal federal, state, or local income tax return, or failure to pay any taxes due;
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involved being a named party to any legal action, including, but not limited to, civil, equitable, family law, probate, guardianship, bankruptcy, or special proceedings; or
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involved having organized or helped organize or become a member of any organization or group of persons which, during the period of your membership or association, you knew was advocating or teaching that the government of the United States or any state or any political subdivisions thereof should be overthrown or overturned by force, violence, or any unlawful means?
This question reflects information requested by the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners for the Bar Exam General Application. Answer "yes" if the answer to any of the above-numbered questions is "yes" with the following exceptions.
You may omit any arrest, charge, or conviction that has been expunged by a duly entered order of expunction. You may omit any non-criminal violations of traffic law or ordinance which occurred more than five years ago, if the non-criminal traffic violation did not involve driving under the influence of alcohol or another impairing substance and did not result in arrest or suspension/revocation of a driver's license. You may omit all non-criminal parking offenses, regardless of when such offenses occurred.
If you are unsure, you are advised to answer "yes" and explain in your addendum. An affirmative "yes" answer to this question does not automatically preclude you from admissions consideration. All information presented in your Character & Fitness Addendum will be considered.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
This is the Regular Decision first-year JD application for fall admission at Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, NC.
Do not start or submit this application if you are instead interested in applying to any of the following degree/admission programs:
Binding Decision for first-year JD Transfer JD Two-Year JD Visiting JD Visiting International Researcher (VIR) Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Master of Laws (LLM) Scientiae Juridicae Doctor (SJD) If you are interested in applying to any of the above programs, you should return and select the appropriate application.
Application Requirements
Complete and accurate application for admission Valid unexpired LSAT and/or GRE official score report Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended submitted and processed by LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Letter of recommendation submitted through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Resume Personal statement Imagining Your Future statement Character & Fitness addendum, if required based on application response Application fee In addition, if you have ever attended any law school in the United States of America or Canada, a letter of standing is required from each law school you attended. The letter should be emailed directly from the law school to the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid.
Optional Documents
Optional statement LSAT / GRE / GPA addendum Additional letters of recommendation submitted through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS), up to a maximum of two additional letters, for a total of three letters of recommendation English Language Proficiency
Applicants must submit a valid unexpired TOEFL or IELTS official score report, unless the applicant has earned (or will earn), prior to law school matriculation, a baccalaureate-level or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher education where English is the primary language of instruction and where the corresponding degree of study was undertaken primarily in one of the following countries:
Antigua and Barbuda Commonwealth of Australia The Bahamas Barbados Belize Canada Commonwealth of Dominica Grenada Co-operative Republic of Guyana Republic of Ireland Jamaica Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Saint Lucia Republic of Malta New Zealand Trinidad and Tobago United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United States of America Saint Vincent and the Grenadines The Office of Admissions & Financial Aid may, at its sole discretion, require a TOEFL or IELTS score of any applicant, regardless of education or other attributes.
Character & Fitness
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Certification, Completeness, and Accuracy
You will be asked to certify that all of your responses are complete and accurate as well as certify certain other statements prior to submitting your application. This includes a continuing duty to inform Wake Forest University School of Law and to update your responses without delay if the responses you provide later become incomplete or inaccurate.
Timeline
Your application will not be considered complete and cannot be reviewed until all required application information and documents are received and processed.
While we cannot guarantee a specific notification date, most applicants will not receive a decision prior to January 15, regardless of application completion date.
Decisions of the admissions committee are final and cannot be appealed. Other than providing a decision, we do not provide feedback on applications.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Wake Forest University is committed to the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices and its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic identity and expression, genetic information, disability, and veteran status.
Contact
Thank you for your interest in Wake Forest University School of Law. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid.
Your application requires submission of a personal statement not to exceed two pages, double-spaced. This is the opportunity for the you to provide the Admissions Committee with insights about yourself as an individual, over and above what is reflected in the other parts of the application. Apart from basic proofreading, no others may assist in the creation of the personal statement.
You must submit your personal statement as an electronic document uploaded to your LSAC electronic application.
At Scalia Law, we are dedicated to creating a vibrant learning environment where meaningful discourse flourishes both inside and outside the classroom. We recognize that a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives enrich our legal education. Each student contributes uniquely to our community, and we appreciate the journeys that have shaped you.
If you would like to share how your background, experiences, or perspectives could enhance the Scalia Law community, we encourage you to submit an optional statement. This is your chance to help us understand how you might engage with, challenge, and lead as a member of our community.
Your application requires submission of an additional statement not to exceed two pages, double-spaced, that discusses your interest in Scalia Law. You must submit your Mason statement as an electronic document uploaded to your LSAC electronic application.
Please attach any addendum to your application that you would like to be considered by the Admissions Committee.
You must include an up-to-date resumé. There are no format or content requirements, however, it should be a professional resumé. Scalia Law does not have a page limit for the resumé and so you should use your best judgement to decide the proper length.
- In addition to passing a bar examination, all U.S. jurisdictions require applicants to meet character, fitness, and other qualifications for bar admission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to research the specific requirements of any jurisdiction where they intend to practice. Contact for each jurisdiction is available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners at www.ncbex.org.
Scalia Law requires all applicants to answer questions related to character and fitness. If you answer "Yes" to any such question, you must provide a detailed explanation including the time, place, and circumstances surrounding the conduct. All applicants have an ongoing duty to disclose any character and fitness matters that arise after submitting this application to the Admissions Office. Admitted and matriculated students must also report such matters to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Academic Programs and the Director of Bar Support.
Failure to provide accurate and complete disclosures may result in revocation of scholarships, cancellation of matriculation, or denial or delay of bar admissions. Applicants are strongly advised to err on the side of full disclosure.
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Has any college, university, graduate school, or professional school ever brought a disciplinary action against you (including honor code or code of ethics charges), issued a warning or reprimand, undertaken any form of review or investigation of your conduct, placed you on academic or social probation, suspended you, expelled you, asked you to withdraw, or are you currently the subject of any pending or expected disciplinary action by any academic institution?
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Have you ever been charged with, convicted of, arrested, and/or pleaded guilty or no contest to any violation of the criminal laws (including misdemeanors and felonies) even if the record was expunged?
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Are there any criminal charges, felony, misdemeanor or other accusations, currently pending against you that, if resulting in a conviction, would require you to answer "Yes" to the previous question? You must answer "Yes" even if you have been advised by an attorney not to disclose.
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Have you ever been cited for any traffic infractions, including traffic camera violations, regardless of the outcome? Do not include parking tickets.
If you are applying under the Mason2Mason Program, please attach a copy of your ACT or SAT score report here. While PDFs of your score report are helpful aids to our Admissions Committee, you will still need to send an official score report to Scalia Law.
Instructions: George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School is located just a few miles from downtown Washington, D.C., the nexus of the world's most important legislation and jurisprudence.
Applicants for regular admission should submit their applications as soon as possible after September 17. We do not evaluate applications until we receive all required documents. Please provide your name and LSAC account number on each electronic attachment.
To be considered for admission to Scalia Law, applicants must provide the following items:
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Application All applicants must apply electronically via LSAC.
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LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Report All applicants, whether taking the LSAT or GRE, must register with LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). The CAS Report must reflect (a) all work done at undergraduate institutions, signifying that a baccalaureate degree has been or will be awarded before the start of the academic year for which admission is being sought and (b) if the applicant is applying with the LSAT, the CAS report must reflect the results of at least one Law School Admission Test (LSAT) taken within 5 years prior to the date of application submission.
The Scalia Law Credential Assembly Service Recipient Code is 5827.
The applicant is solely responsible for meeting all of LSAC?s requirements. Failure to register properly, maintain registration throughout the admissions process, or provide transcripts and other related materials to LSAC can delay or prevent release of a report to a law school. Scalia Law is not responsible for incomplete or missing reports and will not contact applicants about them.
- LSAT/GRE/Test-Optional All full-time applicants must take either the LSAT or GRE. Applicants with both LSAT and GRE scores should submit LSAT scores only. Flex-JD applicants may apply under test-optional.
LSAT
To be considered for our priority deadline of March 1, an application must be complete by March 4. The latest LSAT accepted for our priority deadline is the February administration. For applicants who are applying under our regular deadline of April 30, the latest LSAT accepted is the April administration.
GRE
To submit a complete application by our March 1 priority deadline, applicants must take the GRE before February 5. For applicants who are applying under our regular deadline of April 30, the applicant must take the GRE prior to April 3. Applicants who take the GRE in place of the LSAT must submit their scores separately via ETS. The ETS school code for Scalia Law is 2737. All applicants who apply with the GRE must subscribe to and utilize the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
Test-Optional (Flex-JD Applicants)
Flex-JD applicants may apply through the test-optional process. Applicants who choose this option should not have an active GRE or LSAT score. Any active GRE or LSAT score will be reviewed as part of the application. Flex-JD applicants must have significant work experience and hold a full-time position. All test-optional applicants must register for and use the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
- Character and Fitness Verification In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
An affirmative answer to any character and fitness question on our application requires a detailed written explanation. All applicants have an ongoing duty to disclose matters that arise after completing this application, but before matriculation at Scalia Law, to the Admissions Office. Omissions or failure to accurately disclose matters requested on this application may result in denial or delay of bar licensure. An applicant should err on the side of full disclosure.
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Personal Statement Applicants must submit a personal statement that is no more than two double-spaced pages. The thoughts and words in the personal statement must be uniquely the applicant's. With the exception of basic proofreading, no one else may assist in the creation of the personal statement. This includes the use of generative Artificial Intelligence.
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"Mason" Statement Applicants must submit an additional statement, no more than two double-spaced pages, explaining their interest in Scalia Law and how the Law School aligns with their academic, professional, or personal goals. This statement should articulate why Scalia Law is the right fit for the applicant and what they hope to contribute to and gain from the Mason community.
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Resumé The application requires a current résumé. There is no page limit; however, applicants should ensure their résumé accurately reflects their educational background, employment history, leadership, service, and other relevant accomplishments.
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Letter of Recommendation The application requires one letter of recommendation submitted through the CAS Letter of Recommendation Service in accordance with CAS procedures. Applicants may submit up to two letters of recommendation; however, once a letter has been received through CAS, it cannot be replaced or substituted.
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Application for In-State Tuition Rates (if applicable) Applicants seeking consideration for Virginia in-state tuition rates must submit the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates at the time they submit their admissions application. The form is available here. The form must be completed online. Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements outlined in Section 23.1-500 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, as well as the University's domicile guidelines available on George Mason University's Domicile Information page.
NOTE: Individuals must have lived in Virginia for twelve months prior to enrollment to establish domiciliary intent and qualify for in-state tuition. See registrar.gmu.edu/domicile regarding eligibility.
- Application for Flex-JD Public Interest Discount (if applicable) Flex-JD applicants seeking consideration for the Flex-JD Public Interest Discount must submit an online application in addition to their admissions application. The application can be found here.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS Scalia Law requires that international transcripts be submitted through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service. If an applicant has completed any postsecondary work outside the US (including its territories) or Canada, the applicant must use the Credential Assembly Service for the evaluation of international transcripts. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee. An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your Credential Assembly Service report. Questions about the Credential Assembly Service can be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
Note to all applicants: The one exception to required use of the Credential Assembly Service is completion of international work through a study-abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a US or Canadian institution, where the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript.
Post-Admissions Information for International Applicants Seeking F-1 or J-1 Student Visas For F-1 immigration status, international applicants must first receive notification of acceptance to Scalia Law. International admitted applicants must then submit the following forms and documents directly to George Mason University?s Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) (703-993-2970) as soon as possible:
International Certification of Financial Responsibility
F-1 Student Transfer Eligibility Form
Equal Opportunity Policy To promote all-inclusive diversity, George Mason prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment and seeks to provide equal opportunity for all students and employees (including applicants for employment), regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
George Mason University?s Policy 1201: Non-Discrimination prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation (collectively, ?Prohibited Discrimination?) across all protected characteristics recognized by law. University Policy 1201 addresses George Mason?s obligations to comply with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal funding (Title VI) and prohibits employment discrimination (including applicants) on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin (Title VII).
If you are applying with a GRE score, please attach copies of your score reports here. While PDFs of your score reports are helpful aids to our Admissions Committee, you will still need to send official score reports directly to Scalia Law by ETS.
If you are applying through the Early Decision Program, please attach a signed copy of the Early Decision Program Agreement Form (https://www.law.gmu.edu/assets/files/admissions/early_decision_form.pdf). The form must be submitted with your application.
Upload a personal statement that gives the admissions committee better insight into your life and experiences that may not be readily understood from your resume and application. Write about what you would like the committee to know about you. While you are not required to do so, you may find it helpful cover any of the following topics:
Why you want to be an attorney?
Why do you want to study law at the University of Iowa College of Law?
How would you contribute to the law school community and the practice of law?
Describe skills, talents, and abilities that you have demonstrated that you think will make you an effective attorney and/or law student.
Describe any life experiences that illustrate your drive, determination, motivation or leadership characteristics.
Your statement is expected to be your own work. The determination that any generative artificial intelligence was used in the creation of the statement will have an adverse effect on the success of your application. The statement should be two-three pages of double-spaced text. It may not include any images, pictures or other visuals.
If there is something that we have not asked, something about your application that you would like to further highlight, or something about your application for which you would like to provide an explanation, you may do so here.
Provide a 1-2 page resume. Include employment, internships, academic and research experience, community and campus engagement, significant honors and awards, and a one-line list of other interests (e.g.: Interests: biking, reading mysteries, cooking Italian food...). Your resume should reflect your work and accomplishments after high school.
If you answer "yes" to any of the following Character and Fitness questions, in an electronic attachment, describe each instance and/or circumstance. In your statement, please explain the impact (if any) this experience has had on you, and, in particular, on your decision to pursue a legal degree. Contact the College of Law Admissions Office if you have any questions about your responses to this question or what should be included in your statement. Please attach any relevant documentation.' Applicants for admission to a state bar will undergo an extensive evaluation to determine whether they have the character and fitness required for the practice of law. For this reason, both the College of Law and the American Bar Association (ABA) encourage all applicants to determine what those requirements are in the state(s) in which applicants intend to practice before they matriculate to law school. (ABA Standard 504(a).)
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Have you ever (either as an adult or juvenile) been cited or arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any violation of the law? (You must disclose each instance, even if you were granted any type of pretrial diversion, even if filed charges were dismissed; even if such charges resulted in a deferred adjudication; even if you were acquitted of such charges; or even if such charges resulted in a conviction that was reversed, set aside, vacated, or expunged. You need not, however, disclose speeding or parking violations.)
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Have you ever been disciplined in any way by any educational institution for any reason, whether academic or non-academic? This includes, but is not limited to, letters of reprimand, warning notices or findings of misconduct.
If you are a U.S. Permanent Resident, please attach a copy of your Permanent Resident card (Green Card).
Your interest in the College of Law is appreciated. We are proud of the excellence of our academic programs and believe that our students find the University and the community a satisfying and rewarding place to further their education.
Please answer all application questions that apply to you. See below for additional instructions for select sections.
If you have any questions about the application, please contact the University of Iowa College of Law Office of Admissions at law-admissions@uiowa.edu
Application Type If you are applying to Iowa Law through the Kinnick and/or 3+3 program, please indicate that here. Selecting no to both questions will advance you to the regular 3-year JD application.
3+3 applicants please note that your application is not complete until the College of Law receives notice from your school certifying that you are eligible for the program. Certification should be sent directly from the undergraduate institution to law-admissions@uiowa.edu See http://www.law.uiowa.edu/3plus3/ for a list of participating schools and links to their point of contact for the 3+3 program.
Kinnick applicants please note that your application is not complete until you submit ACT (school code 1356), SAT (school code 6681), or GMAT (school code 4RL-2J-92) scores.
Biographical Name List your legal name. Non-U.S. citizens list your name as it appears on your passport. If your name changes prior to your enrollment, please notify the Office of Admissions at law-admissions@uiowa.edu.
U.S. Social Security Number We will use your Social Security number to verify your identity for record-keeping purposes and to help match transcripts and other materials with your admission application. It will not be used as your student ID number. Your Social Security number will be safeguarded by the University and will not be displayed on official records or made available to others. If you do not have a Social Security number, leave this item blank.
Contact Information From August 15 through May 15, we will mail materials to you at your current mailing address. From May 16 through August 14, your permanent address will be used. Please notify the Office of Admissions at law-admissions@uiowa.edu of any address changes.
Note to international applicants: The information you provide will be reported to SEVIS. Federal guidelines require that you give us a permanent foreign home address. This is the address you will return to when you have completed your studies in the United States. Please list your current address separately, if applicable.
Residency The classification of residents and nonresidents for admission, fees, and tuition purposes is based upon information provided by you. If this information changes, notify us. The University of Iowa College of Law does not have jurisdiction over residency decisions. Eligibility for in-state tuition is determined by the University registrar's office. Information about residency requirements can be found at https://registrar.uiowa.edu/residency.
Demographics Citizenship Applicants who select "other" must provide their country of citizenship and type of visa they intend to hold while enrolled at the University. U.S. Permanent Residents must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident (green) Card.
For international students coming to study in the United States on F-1 and J-1 visas, obtaining employment after graduating from law school can be very challenging. U.S. immigration laws do not provide F-1 or J-1 visa holders with long-term work authorization after graduation, and the College of Law cannot provide sponsorship for employment-based visas for our graduates.
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders) are therefore advised to make careful and concrete plans for their post-graduation employment, considering the limitations imposed by U.S. immigration law.
When reviewing applications, the College of Law considers whether an applicant is authorized to work in the U.S. or has already been admitted to the bar in a U.S. state. Applicants without work authorization are required to provide a statement addressing what they intend to do with their U.S. law degree and any extenuating circumstances regarding their work authorization.
Education This listing must be complete and must include high schools attended. Include each institution attended, regardless of the duration of study or whether you earned a diploma or degree. Omission or misrepresentation of information concerning enrollment in other colleges or universities is sufficient grounds for canceling one's admission or registration.
English Proficiency for Nonnative Speakers All applicants to the Juris Doctor program whose first language is not English must meet the English proficiency requirement in one of these ways:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 6.0 IBT International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 8.0 with no sub score less than 7.0 Completed a bachelor's degree at an accredited university in the U.S. An equivalent degree at an accredited university where English is the primary language of instruction All testing scores are to be reported through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
Combined Law Degree Iowa Law offers several combined degree options with other colleges at the University of Iowa. For a complete list see: https://law.uiowa.edu/iowa-jd/combined-degrees
GRE - Only Applicants If you are applying to Iowa Law using a GRE test score as your sole standardized test, you must request that ETS send an official copy of your GRE score(s), no older than five years, directly to the University of Iowa. When ordering the score report, use school code 6681.
Letters of Recommendation The College of Law requires at least two, but no more than three, letters of recommendation. Recommendations from professors or others who can comment on your critical thinking, writing skills, and your potential for success in law school are particularly welcome. Letters of Recommendation must be submitted to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
Additional Information Application Deadline The application deadline is May 1. However, we highly encourage you to submit your application earlier, because space and scholarship availability in the admitted group is more limited later in the admissions cycle.
Deposits To hold their respective places in the class, applicants are required to submit nonrefundable deposits. These nonrefundable deposits are credited toward tuition and fees for those who enroll. Applicants who fail to make these deposits within the specified time forfeit their place in the entering class.
Applicants accepted before March 15 must submit the $250 deposit by April 1. Applicants accepted after March 15 have two weeks from the offer of admission to submit this deposit. Applicants must pay a second deposit of $150 by June 1.
Deferrals Admission is for the year of application. Deferrals are not generally granted except in extraordinary circumstances.
Financial Assistance Contact the College of Law at law-financialaid@uiowa.edu for information about scholarships and loans.
How to Reach Us College of Law Admissions Office: 319-335-9095; e-mail: law-admissions@uiowa.edu; website: www.law.uiowa.edu
Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences. The university also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to university facilities. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Senior Director, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, the University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1316, 319-335-0705, ui-ocrc@uiowa.edu.
If you have ever attended another law school, please explain fully in an attachment.
You must electronically attach a personal statement, which should be two to three pages, double-spaced, and in 12-point font. The personal statement must be your own work product, although others (e.g., your pre-law advisor) may review it and offer guidance. You may not use generative artificial intelligence to write your personal statement. This is your opportunity to persuade the Admissions Committee that you should be admitted to Baylor Law. Through the personal statement, the Committee will try to get a sense of your character and will evaluate your writing ability. Any number of factors could be helpful to the Admissions Committee, including your motivation to study law; past work experience and future career objectives; evidence of academic achievement, leadership, and responsibility; community involvement; educational, social, and economic background; and any special skills or training, such as language skills, advocacy skills, or scientific or technical training. The Committee is particularly interested in learning about any aspect of your background that would allow you distinctively to enrich our community. The Admissions Committee places considerable importance on the personal statement.
Response to Mission Statement: You may submit an addendum in response to our mission statement (https://law.baylor.edu/why-baylor-law/about/mission-statement-and-core-values), discussing how your experiences and/or beliefs align with that mission statement. Interest in Baylor Law: You may submit an addendum that explains your specific interest in Baylor Law.
Academic/LSAT Context: You may submit an addendum that discusses aspects of your academic background or LSAT performance that you believe are not otherwise clear from your application.
Adversity: You may submit an addendum that describes instances in your life when you have overcome significant adversity. Relevant information may include, but is not limited to: financial hardship; educational adversity (including first-generation college status); physical, mental, or psychological differences; an unusual rural or urban upbringing; foreign residence; military background; or unique family and/or personal circumstances.
Other Obligations: You may submit an addendum that discusses other family responsibilities, parenting or caregiving, cultural or religious roles or obligations, or other activities that may not appear on a resume but were taking place while you were in school or working.
Each addendum should not exceed one page in length, in twelve-point font, double-spaced, and it should not be used as an extension of your personal statement.
A résumé is required. It is not limited to one page or to your educational background and professional experience but should only include activities after high school. It should also highlight volunteer activities, leadership experience, and special skills.
Because of the high ethical standards governing lawyers, the failure to disclose an act or event such as the ones described below is often more significant and leads to more serious consequences than the act or event itself. Failure to provide full and truthful answers may result in denial of admission, withdrawal of admission, expulsion after matriculation, revocation of the law degree after graduation, other disciplinary action by the Law School, referral to appropriate legal education authorities and state bar examiners, and/or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek admission. Failure to answer a question and/or providing superficial explanations will result in your application file being considered incomplete. Full candor in the application process is required not only by Baylor Law but also by the state bar for the jurisdiction(s) in which you intend to practice. At the start of your studies, the state bar authorities will review your law school application answers for accuracy by means of a thorough background check. Additionally, your entire history will be checked again by the state bar authorities when you apply for admission to the bar, which you must do in order to practice law. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Read the following questions very carefully. If the answer to any of the following questions is "yes," you must provide a detailed explanation in a separate Word document as an electronic attachment. This explanation must be separate from any material provided as part of your personal statement.
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Have you ever been disciplined in any way for any matter by any college, university, law school, or other institution of higher learning, or by any professor, administrator, employee, or entity representing any college, university, law school, or other institution of higher learning; or have you been allowed to withdraw from such an institution to avoid such discipline, whether or not the record of such action was retained in your file? Discipline includes, without limitation, a letter or other written notice of reprimand or warning, suspension, expulsion, adjustment of grade, assignment of community service, any form of probation, or any other adverse action. Entity includes, without limitation, residential facilities or other facilities owned or managed by or in any way affiliated with a college, university, law school, or other institution of higher learning.
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Have you ever been accused within any academic setting of cheating, plagiarism, or any other academic dishonesty?
Instructions for the question below: You may exclude minor traffic violations. You must, however, report any traffic or other offenses involving alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances, or any offenses in which there was an attempt, successful or not, to suspend or revoke your driver's license. List and provide a detailed explanation of each instance, including its ultimate disposition. You must disclose each instance, even if no charges were filed, even if you were granted any type of pretrial diversion, even if filed charges were dismissed (with or without prejudice), even if such charges resulted in a deferred adjudication, even if you were acquitted of such charges, or even if such charges resulted in a conviction that was reversed, set aside, vacated, or expunged. Administrative license suspensions must also be disclosed. You must also disclose any matters involving a failure to appear or answer any citation or warrant, whether for a traffic violation or otherwise. Disclosure is required even if you have been informed by any source that you do not have to disclose any such instance and even if a search of your public records made by you or on your behalf did not disclose an instance that has in fact occurred.
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Have you ever, either as an adult or juvenile, been ticketed for, arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any violation of the law?
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If you have ever served in the Armed Forces (federal or state), were any administrative or disciplinary proceedings commenced against you, or did you receive a less-than-honorable discharge? List and explain each instance including its ultimate disposition and all details. (If you have never served in the Armed Forces, you may leave this question blank.)
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Have you ever been a part of a civil proceeding in which: (1) you were alleged to have committed fraud or any type of misrepresentation; (2) you were alleged to have engaged in grossly negligent or reckless conduct; (3) you were the subject of a proceeding to enact guardianship or commitment based upon incompetency, mental illness, or substance abuse; or (4) you were alleged to have engaged in any act of violence against person(s) or to have engaged in the willful destruction of property? If any of these instances have occurred, this question should be answered "yes", regardless of the outcome of the proceeding. List and provide a detailed explanation for each instance, including its ultimate disposition.
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Have you ever been terminated, suspended, disciplined, or permitted to resign in lieu of termination from a job?
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Have you ever been suspended, placed on probation or warning, or otherwise disciplined by any professional organization or state agency charged with reviewing professional conduct, or are any charges or proceedings pending or completed?
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Are you currently the target or subject of actual or potential grand jury proceedings?
Application Deadlines For Fall 2027, the early application deadline for first-year applicants is noon, Central Time, on December 1, 2026, and the application must be completed by noon on December 4, 2026. The regular application deadline for first-year applicants is noon, Central Time, on March 15, 2027, and the application must be completed by noon, Central Time, on March 19, 2027. The final application deadline for first-year applicants, is noon, Central Time, on July 15, 2027, and the application must be completed by noon, Central Time, on July 19, 2027. The Committee recommends submitting your application as early as possible.
Application Fee There is no application fee for any applicant who submits an electronic application.
Baccalaureate Degree and Transcripts Each applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from a four-year, accredited college or university or be enrolled in a course of study at a four-year, accredited college or university that will lead to the awarding of a baccalaureate degree. You should arrange to have all post-secondary transcripts included with your CAS report when you apply.
If you matriculate at Baylor Law, you are required to submit official transcripts from each institution of higher education in which you were enrolled prior to matriculation at Baylor Law, so that we may verify all academic credits undertaken and all degrees conferred. If the transcript(s) included with the law school application is/are the final transcript(s), nothing additional is needed. For Fall starters, all transcripts are due by October 15, 2026. For Spring and Summer starters, all transcripts are due by the Monday of the fifth week of class. Unless an exception is approved by the Associate Dean on the basis of extraordinary circumstances, a student will not be allowed to enroll in the second quarter of law school until all transcripts are received.
Current Mailing and E-mail Addresses A decision letter will be mailed to your current mailing address. We will also be sending communications to your primary email address. Therefore, if either of these addresses changes at any point prior to matriculation, you should update your address through the online status checker.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) All applicants are required to take the LSAT, and you must have an LSAT score on file prior to the application deadline for the term to which you are applying.
LSAT registration information is available by visiting LSAC.org or by sending an e-mail to LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
Credential Assembly Service (CAS) All applicants must register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and arrange to have each undergraduate transcript sent through that service. The CAS is the division of LSAC that collects and analyzes academic data and transcripts. All applicants must also comply with all Credential Assembly Service notifications and payment requirements. The CAS furnishes law schools with post-secondary transcripts, LSAT scores, and letters of recommendation.
Letters of Recommendation Baylor Law requires the submission of one letter of recommendation per applicant, preferably from someone who can attest to the applicant's ability to enter a competitive professional program. To avoid delays in the consideration of the application, Baylor Law requires that the letter be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service that serves all member schools. This service is included in the CAS registration. The letter will be copied and sent along with the law school report. To use this service, an applicant should follow the directions for submitting letters outlined at LSAC.org, making sure to fill out and give the letter writer a Letter of Recommendation Form.
Additional letters of recommendation are not necessary; however, you may submit a maximum of three letters. Baylor Law requires that any additional letters of recommendation also be submitted through the Letter of Recommendation Service. Since application files may be reviewed shortly after receipt of law school reports, Baylor Law cannot guarantee that additional letters of recommendation will be considered by the Admissions Committee if the letters are received after an application file has been sent to the Admissions Committee for review. Furthermore, Baylor Law cannot accommodate special requests to hold application files awaiting (an) additional letter(s) of recommendation.
Personal Statement You must electronically attach a personal statement, which should be two or three pages, double-spaced, and in 12-point font. The personal statement must be your own work product, although others (e.g., your pre-law advisor) may review it and offer guidance. You may not use generative artificial intelligence to write your personal statement. This is your opportunity to persuade the Admissions Committee that you should be admitted to Baylor Law. Through the personal statement, the Committee will try to get a sense of your character and will evaluate your writing ability. Any number of factors could be helpful to the Admissions Committee, including your motivation to study law; past work experience and future career objectives; evidence of academic achievement, leadership, and responsibility; community involvement; educational, social, and economic background; and any special skills or training, such as language skills, advocacy skills, or scientific or technical training. The Committee is particularly interested in learning about any aspect of your background that would allow you distinctively to enrich our community. The Admissions Committee places considerable importance on the personal statement.
Résumé A résumé is required. It is not limited to one page or to your educational background and professional experience but should only include activities after high school. It should also highlight volunteer activities, leadership experience, and special skills.
Applying for Admission to More Than One Quarter Baylor Law operates on a true quarter system and enrolls entering students in three of its four quarters?Spring (February), Summer (May), and Fall (August). The application pool for the Fall class typically is larger than the application pools for the Spring and Summer classes, making admission into the Fall class more difficult. Most law schools admit one class per year in the Fall; therefore, most applicants only consider applying to Fall classes. At Baylor Law, smaller application pools for the Spring and Summer classes provide students with a better chance of admission. Therefore, an applicant can apply for admission to more than one quarter at a time. If you are interested in applying to more than one quarter, you must submit a separate application form for each quarter for which you want to be considered.
Follow-up E-mails and Online Status-Checking Feature Within two business days of receiving any piece of your application, the Admissions Office will send an e-mail confirming receipt. This e-mail will contain instructions on how to check, 24/7, the status of the application. Additionally, within two business days of your application's completion, the Admissions Office will send an e-mail notifying you that your file is complete and ready for review. If you indicated on your application that you will be taking a future LSAT, the Admissions Office will hold the file pending receipt of that LSAT score, unless you notify us otherwise.
Prior Law School Attendance An applicant who enrolled at another law school, even for a brief amount of time, is required to submit a letter of standing to the Admissions Office. If exams were taken, a transcript must also be sent. Applications will not be considered complete until these items are received. These documents must be sent through the CAS or to Baylor Law directly. If you attend another law school while you still have an active application file at Baylor Law, you must notify the Admissions Office of this fact in writing to gobaylorlaw@baylor.edu.
International Degree Applicants Applicants who have earned undergraduate degrees from institutions outside the United States or Canada must submit copies of international transcripts through the CAS. If you completed any postsecondary work outside the United States (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of international transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if the international work was completed through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript. This service is included in the CAS registration fee. An international credential evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into the CAS Report. If the Admissions Committee determines that you need to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, you must contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that your TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code for the Credential Assembly Service is 8395. The score will be included in the international credential evaluation document that will be included in the law school report.
Applicants with international degrees must take the LSAT. Many forms of financial aid are not available to international students. Therefore, international degree applicants need to evaluate their abilities to meet the total education costs and to obtain the necessary visas. International degree applicants must be prepared for the possibility of funding all of their educational and living expenses for the entire three years of law school.
Personal Statement: Each year, the Admissions Committee receives applications from many more qualified individuals than the law school is able to admit. In making admissions decisions among applicants with comparable LSAT scores and GPAs, the Committee considers a number of other factors. These include: interesting or demanding work or service experience; leadership potential; rigorousness of undergraduate course of study; graduate study; economic need requiring significant employment during college; social or cultural disadvantages; and extraordinary family or personal responsibilities. Your personal statement should discuss any of these factors that you would like the Committee to consider. The statement should be two to three pages in length, typed and double-spaced.
OPTIONAL SEMINOLE STATEMENT Located within the heart of Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida, Florida State University College of Law is surrounded by a vibrant legal community. As Florida has the third largest economy of any state in the United States, there are ample opportunities to practice law in a rich variety of settings – law firms, state government, local and municipal government, courts, associations, non-profit organizations, business settings, and more – which work to serve the legal needs of a diverse clientele made up of a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. Florida State University College of Law is a values-based and purpose-driven law school that embraces all perspectives, backgrounds, and students. FSU College of Law is consistently ranked one of the top schools in terms of student satisfaction – and that is due to the emphasis on creating a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.
In no more than two typed pages (double-spaced, using a 12 point font), please feel free to submit a Seminole Statement to provide the Admissions Committee with insights and examples from your life to share a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability that you possess to describe how you would uniquely contribute to the academic and student communities at the Florida State University College of Law.
A detailed résumé should accompany the application and must be submitted as an attachment.
- Violation of Law Duty to Disclose: Have you ever been arrested, detained or restrained, given a notice to appear or taken into custody for the violation of a law or ordinance? You should disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. However, if your records were expunged pursuant to applicable law, you are not required to answer yes to this question.
If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.
If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include the written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.
- Violation of Law Duty to Disclose: Have you ever been arrested, detained or restrained, taken into custody or accused of driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving with an unlawful blood alcohol level or charged with vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide? You should disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. However, if your records were expunged pursuant to applicable law, you are not required to answer yes to this question.
If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.
If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include the written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.
- Violation of Law Duty to Disclose: Have you ever been charged with a traffic violation that resulted in a fine of $200 or more, charged with a traffic violation that resulted in time spent in jail, or had your driver license or your driving privileges revoked or suspended? You should disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. However, if your records were expunged pursuant to applicable law, you are not required to answer yes to this question.
If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.
If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include the written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.
- Educational Institution Discipline Duty to Disclose: Have you ever been accused of a violation of an honor code or student conduct code, warned, placed on academic, scholastic or disciplinary probation, suspended, requested or advised to discontinue your studies, dropped, expelled, or requested to resign or otherwise subjected to discipline by any college, law school or other post-secondary institution?
If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.
If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include a written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.
- Educational Institution Discipline Duty to Disclose: Regardless of whether the record has been cancelled or annulled, or whether no record was made, have you ever been accused of cheating, plagiarism, or other academic dishonesty at any school you attended?
If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.
If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include a written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.
By selecting YES to the Early Binding Decision Election question, you are required to complete the Early Binding Decision Agreement and upload it as an attachment with your application. The Early Binding Decision Agreement is available in the Forms section of the application for download.
If you are applying with an existing reportable GRE score, you must include a copy of your unofficial GRE score report with your application through LSAC.
If you are applying and have not yet taken the GRE test at the time of application, you must include a copy of your GRE test registration with your application.
The official GRE score report must be sent from ETS directly to Florida State University, designating LAW as the department. It can take four to six weeks for the university to process your score report into the system. The College of Law will not be able to access your score report until it has been added to the university system.
If you answered YES to the Florida Resident question, in addition to the Residency Affidavit, you must submit copies of the residency documents as proof of Florida residency for tuition purposes. The most common documents for proof of residency are the Florida Driver's License, Florida Voter Registration and Florida Vehicle Registration. Upload scanned copies of your residency documents here with your application.
If you answered NO to the Florida Resident question, you only need to submit the Non-Florida Resident Affidavit.
FLORIDA RESIDENT AFFIDAVIT INSTRUCTIONS You selected YES on your application to the question regarding whether or not you consider yourself a Florida resident for tuition purposes according to Florida Statute 1009.21. As such, you are required to complete a Florida Residency Affidavit and upload the completed and signed form as well as legible copies of two acceptable official documents supporting your Florida residency to the application.
Complete the Florida Residency Affidavit, make copies of your required documents, and upload everything as ONE attachment. If you are unable to attach all documents to your application as one attachment, they may be submitted by email to admissions@law.fsu.edu or by fax to 850-644-7284. Please make sure you include your LSAC Account Number on each document copy if not uploaded with your application through LSAC.
The most commonly used documents are a Florida driver's license, Florida voter registration card and a Florida vehicle registration.
NON-FLORIDA RESIDENT AFFIDAVIT INSTRUCTIONS
You selected NO on your application to the question regarding whether or not you consider yourself a Florida resident for tuition purposes according to Florida Statute 1009.21. As such, you are required to complete a Non-Florida Residency Affidavit and upload the completed and signed form to the application.
Applicant Instructions and Checklist for Florida State University College of Law Florida State University encourages applications for admission from qualified students regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected group status in accordance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws on non-discrimination and equal opportunity. The College of Law seeks to admit and enroll students who, together, bring to the law school a varied set of backgrounds, interests, personal and professional experiences and perspectives, who also have a record of academic success and a competitive LSAT or GRE score. Other factors considered include exceptional personal talents, interesting or demanding work experience, rigorousness of undergraduate course study, leadership potential, graduate study, maturity and the ability to communicate effectively. Although a holistic approach is taken when reviewing applications, most admission decisions are based on the combination of LSAT or GRE score and the cumulative undergraduate GPA. An applicant's responses to the character and fitness questions in the application are also a significant factor in the decision-making process.
If you have questions about the admissions process or Florida State University College of Law, please contact the Office of Admissions at 850-644-3787 or admissions@law.fsu.edu.
Social Security Number The Social Security Number (SSN) provided on your application MUST be your actual SSN AND match the SSN provided on your FAFSA. Your application cannot be completed without your actual SSN on record. If your SSN on your application does not match the SSN in the university system or on your FAFSA, you will be required to provide a copy of your social security card to the Office of Admissions to verify your true SSN. Financial Aid cannot be packaged if there is a discrepancy with your SSN.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA as close to the release date of October 1 as possible for priority consideration. Make sure you list Florida State University (school code #001489) on your FAFSA. www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Notice to Applicants Regarding Character and Fitness and the Need for Full Disclosure Each jurisdiction establishes bar registration and admission standards for individuals who wish to practice within the jurisdiction. One important aspect of admission to practice is an evaluation of an applicant's character and fitness to practice law. Applicants should take care to respond fully and accurately to each question on the law school application. Applicants are obligated to continuously and fully disclose any new issues that arise after the application has been submitted throughout the entirety of the admissions process. Applicants should be aware that, in conducting character and fitness investigations, bar examiners frequently request copies of candidates' applications for admission to law school to determine whether they have supplied erroneous, misleading, or incomplete information in the admission process. If discrepancies are found, bar examiners may conclude that such discrepancies demonstrate a lack of honesty, trustworthiness, diligence, or reliability so as to call into question the applicant's fitness for admission to the bar. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Eligibility Notice Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited, U.S. institution, will have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or hold the international equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree prior to the commencement of fall classes in order to be eligible for consideration.
Applicants applying through one of our formal 3+3 programs must have at minimum 90 credit hours and have met all other requirements set forth within the 3+3 program in order to be eligible for consideration. Applicants applying through the Seminole Scholars program must be a current FSU senior meeting the minimum requirements as set forth on our website.
Applicants that have previously attended law school are not eligible to apply as an entering 1L and must apply as a transfer. Please see the transfer application for details if you have previously attended law school. Individuals who have previously been academically dismissed from a law school are not eligible to apply to Florida State University College of Law.
Important Dates & Deadlines for First-Time J.D. Applicants September
1st: Florida State Law begins accepting applications. 15th: Seminole Scholars Program initial deadline. October
1st: Seminole Scholars Program initial deposit deadline. Decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the cycle beginning in late-October or early November. December
15th: Deadline to submit a completed application as an Early Binding Decision (EBD) candidate. Please visit our website for specifics regarding applying as an EBD candidate. January
15th: Early Binding Decision applicants notified of the decision on their application. 31st: Early Binding Decision deposit deadline for admitted EBD applicants. February
Latest LSAT test date acceptable for fall priority deadline (March 15) consideration. March
15th: Fall priority application completion deadline. Priority consideration given to the strongest applications completed by the priority deadline. April
15th: Primary deposit deadline for admitted students. Admitted students should refer to their admission packet for their specific deadline date. June
Latest LSAT test date acceptable for fall consideration. July
31st: Fall application deadline. All applications must be complete by the deadline to receive consideration. August
23rd: All final decisions will be communicated. Application Checklist For specific details regarding checklist items, visit Admissions & Financial Aid on our website at law.fsu.edu.
REQUIRED ITEMS
Register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Online application through LSAC Application fee: $30 paid through LSAC Submit transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework completed through CAS Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the LSAT Writing or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) [See LSAT/GRE note below]. Personal Statement (2-3 pages, typed and double-spaced) Resume (1-2 pages) Residency Affidavit (residency document copies are also required for Florida residents) Character & Fitness Disclosures (affirmative responses require a written explanation and official documentation for each violation) LSAT/GRE TEST NOTE:
Applicants may submit either the LSAT or GRE as part of their application, but not both tests. GRE scores may be utilized only when a reportable LSAT does not exist. If an applicant has an existing reportable LSAT score, a GRE score will not be considered in lieu of the existing LSAT. If the GRE is the test score submitted, all reportable test scores for the last five years must be submitted with the application. The latest LSAT score accepted for fall consideration is from the June administration of the admissions cycle. It can take four to six weeks for GRE scores to be processed by the university and included with the application once the official score report is received from ETS. An unofficial copy of the GRE score report should be uploaded to the application through LSAC. LSAT WRITING
Applicants must take the LSAT Writing portion, which is independently tested from the LSAT. LSAT scores will not be released by LSAC without an LSAT Writing on file for the CAS Report. Applicants with a prior reportable written portion on record with LSAC do not need to take the written portion again. Submission of a new LSAT Writing only portion after a decision has been made will not qualify for reconsideration of a previously denied application. The LSAT Writing is not required for GRE applicants as the GRE contains a written assessment as part of the test. OPTIONAL ITEMS
Academic Addendum (1 page) Seminole Statement (1-3 pages, typed and double-spaced) Letters of Recommendation (maximum of 2) Documents not submitted with the application through LSAC must be emailed or mailed to:
admissions@law.fsu.edu
OR
Florida State University College of Law
Attention: Office of Admissions R208
425 West Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306
International Students International students and others who have completed undergraduate education outside of the United States should submit their transcripts to LSAC through CAS for evaluation. A minimum educational equivalency of a bachelor's degree must be met for eligibility. Students are required to file the law school application and, if admitted and needing a visa, applicants will then be required to submit the Florida State University International Certificate of Financial Responsibility. International students whose native language is not English, and who did not receive a bachelor's degree from an undergraduate institution within the United States, are required to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS and have official scores submitted through LSAC as part of the application.
TOEFL Requirement
Minimum scores of 100 on the Internet-based, 250 on the computer-based, and 600 on the paper-based TOEFL test are required. Information on the TOEFL can be obtained by writing to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, or by visiting their website at www.toefl.com.
IELTS Requirement
Minimum score of 7.5 on the IELTS test is required. Information on the IELTS can be obtained by visiting their website at www.ielts.org.
Admission Decisions Applications are evaluated from October through August by the admissions committee. Decisions are made on a rolling basis and priority consideration is given to the strongest applications completed by the priority deadline of March 15. Applications completed after March 15 but by the final deadline of July 31 may not receive a timely decision and limit the opportunity for scholarship consideration.
Law School Scholarships Admitted applicants are notified upon admission regarding whether or not they qualified for and received a scholarship award. Scholarship awards are determined based on BOTH the highest LSAT score and the cumulative GPA. Scholarship awards are not negotiable. Eligible applicants admitted later in the cycle may not receive a scholarship based on funding availability at the time of admission.
The Personal Statement helps us understand who you are beyond your résumé and academic record. We are interested in the experiences, perspectives, and values that have shaped you and that you would bring to our law school community. There is no fixed set of qualities we are looking for. Please focus on what you believe is most important for us to know about you. You might choose to discuss a significant life experience, intellectual or extracurricular pursuit, personal relationship, or moment that changed or enriched your path. You may reflect on a challenge or obstacle you have faced and how you responded, an action you took in response to a political, philosophical, or personal concern, or a non-traditional path in your education, career, or family life. Experiences related to military service, sexual identity, disability, discrimination, or socioeconomic background may also be appropriate if they have meaningfully influenced your development. Please use this statement to share how these experiences have shaped your perspective and how they will inform your engagement with the law school community.
We will not accept revisions to your Personal Statement after you have submitted your application.
When drafting your personal statement you should use Microsoft Word and format all your documents to 8-1/2 x 11 inches, double spaced, with 12-point font and one-inch margins. Most importantly, please include your name, LSAC number, and statement type (e.g. Personal Statement, Why UC Irvine Law essay, etc.) in the top header of each page and abide by the word limit.
Please write a minimum of 350 words and a maximum of 750 words.
Embedded into the Law School's mission, UC Irvine Law is committed to inclusive excellence, celebrates all aspects of diversity, and strives for equity and inclusion. How do you define inclusive excellence and what experiences will you bring that contribute to this inclusive community? When drafting this optional statement, you should use Microsoft Word and format all your documents to 8-1/2 x 11 inches, double spaced, with 12-point font and one-inch margins. Most importantly, please include your name, LSAC number, and statement type (e.g. Personal Statement, Why UC Irvine Law essay, etc.) in the top header of each page and abide by the word limit.
Please write a maximum of 500 words.
We recognize that you have many options when choosing a law school. Please explain why you are interested in attending UC Irvine School of Law. What aspects of our program, community, or approach to legal education appeal to you, and how do you believe they will support your professional goals? Additionally, what experiences, perspectives, or qualities would you contribute to the School of Law, and how would they enhance our academic and community environment? We will not accept revisions to your Why UC Irvine essay after you have submitted your application.
When drafting this statement you should use Microsoft Word and format all your documents to 8-1/2 x 11 inches, double spaced, with 12-point font and one-inch margins. Most importantly, please include your name, LSAC number, and statement type (e.g. Personal Statement, Why UC Irvine Law essay, etc.) in the top header of each page and abide by the word limit.
Please write a minimum of 350 words and a maximum of 750 words.
We know that you may want to provide some additional information for the Admissions Committee to consider when reviewing your application. You may attach an optional statement, if desired. You are not required to provide the information below. Optional Statement on Your Academic Record: If you believe that your academic record does not accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, tell us about this.
Optional Statement about Your Standardized Tests: If you believe that your results from standardized tests (LSAT, GRE, or SAT/ACT) do not accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, tell us about this.
When responding to an optional statement prompt, you should use Microsoft Word and format all your documents to 8-1/2 x 11 inches, double spaced, with 12-point font and one-inch margins. Most importantly, please include your name, LSAC number, and statement type (e.g. Personal Statement, Why UC Irvine Law essay, etc.) in the top header of each page and abide by the word limit. If responding to more than one optional statement prompt; please begin each optional statement on a new page.
Please write a maximum of 500 words among either or both optional academic/standardized test statements (no more than 250 words per addendum).
If you have been separated from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces under less than honorable conditions, please explain the circumstances. Please note that an affirmative response to this statement does not necessarily preclude or prejudice admission to the School of Law. Applications are reviewed holistically and take rehabilitation into consideration. Please use this Separation Statement to explain the less than honorable conditions of your military separation and any rehabilitation measures undertaken. You should follow the rule that full disclosure is the best option. Failure to provide full, accurate information may result in the denial of an opportunity to take a state bar examination.
When preparing this statement, you should use Microsoft Word and format all your documents to 8-1/2 x 11 inches, double spaced, with 12-point font and one-inch margins. Most importantly, please include your name, LSAC number and that it is a military separation statement in the top header of each page. There is no word or page limit.
Please submit your current résumé. It should include the following information:
Academic and non-academic honors, awards, scholarships, fellowships, prizes, publications, and/or memberships in honor societies.
Your extracurricular activities since you entered undergraduate school, the number of hours you spent on those activities, and the dates of those activities. If you have been out of undergraduate or graduate school more than two years, include any community activities in which you have participated.
Your employment after graduating from high school (either full-time or part-time), the number of hours, and the dates of employment.
Hobbies or special areas of interest or academic pursuits; interesting travels; other skills or talents
When responding to the following questions, please note that an affirmative answer to any or all of the questions within this section does not necessarily preclude or prejudice admission to the School of Law. Applications are reviewed holistically. Any affirmative responses trigger an obligation to submit a supplemental Conduct Information Statement with additional information explaining the conduct issues and rehabilitation measures. You should follow the rule that full disclosure is the best option. Failure to provide full, accurate information may result in the denial of an opportunity to take a state bar examination.
- Have you ever been convicted of, or is any charge now pending against you, for any crime other than a traffic violation?
- Have you ever been dismissed, suspended, placed on probation or disciplined by any college, university, graduate, or professional school, or is any such charge pending against you, or expected to be brought against you?
- Have you ever been subject to discipline by a professional organization or discharged from employment for conduct-related issues? The American Bar Association (ABA) requires that applicants for admission to law schools be advised to obtain information regarding the requirements for admission to the Bar in the state(s) in which the applicant intends to practice. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the Bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
First-Year JD Applications for Fall 2027 To be eligible for admission to University of California, Irvine School of Law's Juris Doctor program, you must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or the equivalent from an international institution) or have completed the equivalent of six semesters and expect to graduate during the current academic year prior to the start of law school in Fall 2027. Typically, the Admissions Committee selects the first-year class from a pool of over 3,500 applicants. Decisions are based on several factors, including academic records, personal essays, optional essays, letters of recommendation, standardized test results, extracurricular activities, leadership, personal circumstances, and work experience. You must provide an electronic signature at the end of this application form to certify the information provided.
There is no application fee for those applying for admission to UC Irvine Law as a first-year student for Fall 2027. UC Irvine Law does not grant LSAC CAS Report fee waivers.
Application Filing Period Applications for admission will be accepted beginning September 1, 2026 and reviewed on a rolling basis starting in late November, with Early Decision Round 1 applicants reviewed first. You should complete the application process as early as possible, as an early application may yield an earlier decision.
Binding Early Decision Timeline
Early Decision (ED) Round 1
Applications must be received, fully processed, and marked "Ready for Review" by November 20, 2026. To ensure the final deadline requirement is met, we recommend submitting your application by November 1, 2026. October 2026 is the last LSAT administration that will be accepted for ED Round 1. Binding Early Decision Round 1 notifications will be sent late December 2026. Early Decision (ED) Round 2
Applications must be received, fully processed, and marked "Ready for Review" by February 1, 2027. To ensure the final deadline requirement is met, we recommend submitting your application by January 15, 2027. January 2027 is the last LSAT administration that will be accepted for ED Round 2. Binding Early Decision Round 2 notifications will be sent early- to mid-March 2027. Regular Decision
Priority application deadline: March 31, 2027 Final application deadline: May 1, 2027 April 2027 LSAT is the final administration that will be accepted. GRE applicants must complete the GRE no later than April 20, 2027. The Law School may exclude from consideration any application submitted after May 1 or any application that is "Incomplete" as of the end of the standardized testing window. Applications are considered only for the current year and for full-time registration. UC Irvine Law does not offer an evening program or mid-year entry.
Binding Early Decision The Binding Early Decision (ED) option at UC Irvine Law is designed for those who have thoroughly researched law school options and determined that UC Irvine Law is clearly their first-choice law school. If admitted through the ED program, you must commit to matriculating at UC Irvine Law in the Fall 2027 and submit a non-refundable $750 seat deposit by the date(s) indicated with your admission letter. You must also withdraw all your applications to other schools and refrain from initiating any new applications. Applicants who apply through the Binding ED program may apply to other law schools but may not have more than one Binding ED application pending simultaneously. If a Binding ED application has been submitted to another school, applicants may apply through the UC Irvine Law ED program only if and when they are released from their binding terms at the other school.
If you are interested in applying for Early Decision, please select the Early Decision Admission, Round 1 or Round 2 option. To be considered for the ED program, your application must be received and marked "Complete" with all required application components by the published deadlines. This includes your Credential Assembly Service Report and the Early Decision Certificate. Accordingly, we strongly encourage you to submit your application prior to the deadlines to ensure all materials are received on time. ED applicants must have at least one valid LSAT result. The GRE will not be accepted. There is a separate Early Decision Round 1 Certification and a Early Decision Round 2 Certification. The specific certification you include with your application should correspond to the answer you provided on the ED section of this application. Your ED Certification will not be transmitted by the Credential Assembly Service, so please do not upload it to your application. You can find the certifications in the Forms section of the application and you have two options to return the ED Certification: Submit via email: To electronically submit your Early Decision Certification, you may either: Sign electronically: Download the PDF, open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat (not your web browser), and use Adobe's Fill & Sign feature to apply your signature; or Sign by hand: Print the form, sign and date it, then scan it and save it as a PDF.
Email the completed PDF to admissions@law.uci.edu.
.
Submit via postal mail: Applicants who prefer to submit a paper copy may print the Early Decision Certification, sign and date the form by hand, and mail the original signed document to the UC Irvine School of Law Office of Admissions at the address below. To ensure timely processing, applicants should allow sufficient time for delivery and verify that the document will arrive by the applicable Early Decision deadline, not sent by date or postmark date. UC Irvine School of Law, Office of Admissions. 401 E. Peltason Drive, Suite 1000, Irvine, CA 92697-8000
Only original handwritten signatures will be accepted for mailed submissions.
Regardless of method, it is the your responsibility to ensure the Early Decision Certification is received and in a format that is readable. It must be received in our office by the application deadline, not sent by or postmarked. If your application file is not marked as "Ready for Review" by the deadline, it will be moved over to the Regular Decision pool and the binding nature of early decision removed. Early Decision Outcomes The UC Irvine Law Early Decision option allows you to receive a decision of either "Admit" or "Held for Regular Decision" by late December for Round 1 or by early- to mid-March for Round 2. If you choose to apply for ED Round 1 and are not admitted, your application will move to Regular Decision and you may not request to move to Round 2. If you apply in ED Round 1 but are unable to complete your application by the November 20 deadline, you may request that your application be considered for ED Round 2. To do so, you must submit a written request to admissions@law.uci.edu no later than November 20, 2026, and include the ED Round 2 Certification. If you do not request this by the deadline, your application will be moved to Regular Decision. No exceptions will be granted. If you apply ED Round 2 and are unable to complete your application by the February 1 deadline, your application will be moved to Regular Decision and will no longer be binding. No deferrals will be granted to applicants admitted under Binding ED for any reason.
Required Application Materials A complete application to UC Irvine Law consists of the following materials sent to us electronically either attached to your application for admission or within your CAS Report:
The following application for admission form Personal Statement Why UC Irvine Law? Statement Current résumé or CV (electronically attached to your application for admission) At least two letters of recommendation (no more than three) LSAT/LSAT-flex or GRE results (including writing samples). Note that GRE is only for Regular Decision. We do not accept the GRE for Early Decision Round 1 or Round 2. The Credential Assembly Service Report, which includes your LSAT results & LSAT Writing Sample, if applicable, and previous transcripts (sent to us electronically by LSAC) Conduct or character and fitness disclosures, if applicable Additionally, you may also include an Inclusive Excellence essay and a response to either or both optional addenda.
Application Updates Although the Office of Admissions seeks to keep you informed of the status of your application, it is your responsibility to ensure that all parts of your application are received. Applicants will receive application status updates via the email provided in the application, including receipt of application, ASO credentials, and final decisions. It is imperative that the email you provided remains accurate. We advise to add "admissions@law.uci.edu" to your email contact list to ensure that you receive all our email communications. Decisions will not be sent via U.S. mail, nor will decisions be provided over the phone.
How to Apply for Admission We require that all applicants complete their JD application to UC Irvine Law via the LSAC electronic application portal. If you have difficulty with the electronic application or lack access to a computer, you may request a PDF copy of the application. Please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@law.uci.edu. Being granted use of a PDF copy of the application does not absolve the applicant of all other requirements.
Required Statements
As part of our review process, we require two separate essays - the Personal Statement and the Why UC Irvine Law? Statement. In preparing any of your essay responses, you should use Microsoft Word and format all your documents to 8-1/2 x 11 inches, double spaced, with 12-point font and one-inch margins. Most importantly, please include your name, LSAC number, and statement type (e.g. Personal Statement, Why UC Irvine Law, etc.) in the top header of each page. Each statement has a strict word count of 750 words. We will not accept revisions to either required statement after you have submitted your application.
Personal Statement: The Personal Statement is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee and distinguish yourself from other applicants. You may discuss, among other topics, your personal or professional goals, or highlights from your personal, academic, or career history. The choice of topic is truly your own; it should be personal to you. When reviewing your application for admission, the Admissions Committee is most concerned about who you are and your writing ability. Personal statements that are most favorably received are those that represent your authentic self/voice. Why UC Irvine Law? Statement: As a young law school, the Admissions Committee is also concerned with how strong your interest is in the Law School, how our offerings align with your goals, and your potential fit within our community. Applicants are encouraged to connect their career goals with the program offerings and opportunities at UC Irvine Law. Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. You may also submit an additional LOR for a total of three (3) made for this cycle. The letters should be completed by someone who may evaluate your academic performance (e.g., college professor) or your professional performance (e.g., current or former supervisor, client, or co-worker). The Admissions Committee discourages purely personal references. Please be certain to designate UC Irvine School of Law as a recipient of these letters through your CAS account.
Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report
The Credential Assembly Service Report contains a summary of your academic work and LSAT results, as well as at least one LSAT Writing Sample (if applying with the LSAT). It also includes copies of all college/university transcripts. You are required to register for CAS. Please request official transcripts from all your undergraduate institutions (and graduate schools, if applicable) be sent directly to LSAC and included in your CAS account, regardless of age or number of credits earned. Although LSAC attempts to inform each applicant about the receipt of transcripts, you are responsible for ensuring all transcripts are received by LSAC. If you received your undergraduate degree from an educational institution outside the United States, its territories, or Canada, you are also required to register with CAS and have your transcripts and any other required documentation sent to LSAC for processing and evaluation. LSAC will then forward your complete CAS Report to the Law School. International transcripts often take more time; please allow for this when requesting and transmitting the transcripts.
Standardized Test Scores
For those applying Early Decision, you must take the LSAT and submit a valid test result(s) as part of your application for admission. We do not accept the GRE for Early Decision. For those applying Regular Decision, you must take either the LSAT or the GRE and submit valid test result(s) as part of their application for admission. The Law School will accept LSAT or GRE scores up to five years after the test date. If you take either test more than once, we will use your highest score when evaluating your file. You may submit official results from only one of these tests. We will not accept a GRE Score Report if you have taken, plan to take, or currently have a valid LSAT score on file. GRE is not accepted for Early Decision Round 1 or Round 2. If you would like to apply with the GRE, you can only apply Regular Decision.
Law School Admissions Test (LSAT): LSAT results are sent directly to the Law School from LSAC as part of your CAS Report. Therefore, if you have taken the LSAT and have or will have a valid reported score on file, it cannot be waived from your application. Applicants may register for the LSAT through the LSAC website. If you elect to apply for our Binding Early Decision program, your application must be complete by the deadline(s). Therefore, October 2026 LSAT is the latest test date acceptable for ED Round 1 applications and January 2027 for Round 2. For Regular Decision applicants, you should take the LSAT no later than February 2027 so that if admitted, you have the best opportunity to potentially participate in our Admitted Students Weekend (ASW) program. Although later test results are permitted, waiting for these results may delay reviewing your application. The last LSAT administration that will considered for the Fall 2027 entering class is April 2027. Graduate Records Examination (GRE): You may submit your GRE result(s) for the Admissions Committee to consider only if you are applying Regular Decision, have not taken the LSAT, or do not have a valid LSAT score on file. If you have taken the GRE more than once in the last five years, then you must submit all valid GRE results. GRE results are sent directly to UC Irvine from ETS. UC Irvine Law uses the graduate school's GRE school code 4859. Please see the application form for additional directions. The GRE will not be accepted for Early Decision applications. For Regular Decision applicants, we recommend taking the GRE in the Fall 2026 so that if admitted, you have the best opportunity to potentially participate in UC Irvine Law's Admitted Students Weekend (ASW) program. Although later test results are permitted, waiting for these results may delay reviewing your application. The GRE must be taken no later than April 20, 2027 to be considered for the Fall 2027 entering class. If you apply with a GRE score and receive a decision of "Admit" but later obtain a LSAT score, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to reevaluate your file and make a new decision taking the LSAT into account. Current Resume or CV
Applicants are required to submit a resume that illustrates their work history, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, and any awards and/or honors. The Admissions Committee encourages that the resume be professionally formatted with all sections listed in chronological order with the most recent first. There is no page limit; most resumes received are between 1-2 pages.
Optional Essays
Applicants are welcome to provide additional information about themselves through optional essays. This includes an Inclusive Excellence Essay and/or an Addenda. Revisions of these essays after application submission will not be accepted.
Inclusive Excellence Essay: One of the overarching values at UC Irvine Law is our commitment to inclusive excellence. This optional statement provides an opportunity for you to discuss how you will contribute to our commitment to inclusive excellence. The total word count for this optional essay must not exceed 500 words. Optional Addenda: An optional addendum is your final opportunity to give the Admissions Committee additional information about your candidacy. The two topics you may cover are (1) your performance on standardized tests and/or (2) your academic performance/undergraduate GPA. You may answer both prompts, but the total word count must not exceed 500 words.
Concurrent Degree Program Through the Program in Law & Graduate Studies (PLGS), students at UC Irvine can pursue a J.D. from the Law School concurrently with a Master's or Ph.D. in virtually any UC Irvine graduate program. Designed to be one of the broadest programs of its kind, PLGS allows enormous latitude and options, giving students a chance to combine law with graduate research degrees in such areas as humanities, social sciences, life sciences, information and computer sciences, physical sciences, and engineering, or with graduate professional degrees in business, urban planning, education, and public health. PLGS was created to promote interdisciplinary study of law while also enabling students to obtain both a J.D. and an M.A., M.B.A., M.S., or Ph.D. in less time than would be required to earn both degrees separately. The normative time for completion of the program is four years for J.D./Master's and J.D./M.B.A. and seven years for J.D./Ph.D. combinations. While you must submit a separate application to the eligible graduate program of your choice, you must comply with the admissions requirements of each program. You should also indicate your interest within various parts of this application including the Why UC Irvine Law? statement..
Securing Your Class Seat To secure your seat in the Fall 2027 entering class if admitted, you will be required to submit both an affirmative Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and pay a non-refundable deposit (collectively, "SIR Deposit") no later than the date(s) indicated within your offer of admission.
Reapplicants The Office of Admissions maintains applications from previous years in accordance with the UC records retention policy. However, the Admissions Committee requires reapplicants to submit full application, including updated application materials, for the current admission cycle. An updated application will enable the reapplicant to adequately present information that has changed since their previous application(s).
Foreign-Educated Applicants UC Irvine Law does not require a separate test of English proficiency for admission into the JD program.
Financial Aid and Scholarships UC Irvine Law offers a comprehensive financial aid program designed to enable any admitted student to attend law school, regardless of financial need. To that end, the majority of scholarships awarded are based on merit.
To be considered for need-based grants and federal financial aid, we recommend you submit the 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2, 2027, and designate UC Irvine Law as a recipient even if you have yet to receive a decision. Our Federal School Code is 001314. If you are not eligible to file a FAFSA but qualify for the CA AB540 fee exemption, then you can apply for certain types of financial aid by completing the California Dream Application. Please note that to be considered for a need-based grant, you must file the FAFSA or California Dream Application by March 2, 2027. International students do not need to file a FAFSA, as they are ineligible to receive federal financial aid. However, they may be eligible for scholarships and private educational loans. To apply for a Private Educational Loan, apply with the lender of your choice and inform UC Irvine Law's Student Financial Services Office of your pending application. You may use any lender, but we suggest that you compare loan terms with those on our Preferred Lender List. Applying for financial aid is separate from the admissions process, and financial aid information has no bearing on admissions decisions.
Consumer Information Information regarding institutional policies, program costs, student consumer disclosures, bar passage rates, employment outcomes, and other required consumer information is available at the link below. https://www.law.uci.edu/about/consumer-info/
Required Disclosure Please note that federal regulations require higher education programs that are intended to meet professional licensure and certification requirements to disclose to students whether the program meets licensure and certification requirements in other states. The regulations, which were enacted on November 1, 2019, can be found at 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v) (https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2019-23129.pdf).
The License and Certification Disclosures for the University of California can be found here: https://www.ucop.edu/institutional-research-academic-planning/content-analysis/academic-planning/licensure-and-certification-disclosures.html
The University of California, Irvine, School of Law is required to provide reports to various federal and state agencies about certain demographic information of our application pool, such as ethnicity and sex. We therefore ask that you answer these demographics questions in the application. This information is collected for statistical purposes and is not considered in the admissions review process. You may decline to state the answers to these questions.
Please upload your Personal Statement here. Be sure your name and the title of the essay are included at the top. Tell us who you are, what matters to you, and why you want to attend law school. Please keep it to two (2) double-spaced pages or less, and in a font we can read.
Please upload your Why UF Law Statement here. Be sure your name and the title of the essay are included at the top. We would like to know why you have chosen to apply specifically to UF Law. Most candidates can share these interests in one or two short paragraphs. You may also include connections to UF or UF Law through alumni, professors, or other ways.
If you wish to upload another Addendum or Explanation, you may do so here. Be sure your name is included at the top.
Please upload your Resume/CV here. Please submit a current and complete resume or curriculum vitae (CV), which should include specific factual information about education, honors and awards, extracurricular or community activities, publications, work history, military service and/or foreign language proficiencies. We strongly recommend time frames be clearly defined and descriptions be detailed. Please see our website for more information and suggestions.
UF Law requires that all applicants respond fully and accurately to the C&F questions on the application, irrespective of any expunging/sealing of the information from any record or anything purporting to authorize any person to deny the existence of such matters. Receipt of advice from any source, including legal counsel, that such information need not be disclosed does not relieve the applicant?s duty to disclose or justify a failure to disclose. Applicants must also disclose pending matters or charges expected to be brought against them. In general, if an applicant is unsure whether to disclose an incident, UF Law advises applicants to err on the side of disclosure. A ?Yes? answer to C&F questions will not automatically disqualify you from consideration for admission.
Applicants with an affirmative answer to any of the C&F questions must submit a description of the incident(s) that include the date, location, detailed explanation, and the resolution of the incident. Applicants must also submit a copy of corresponding official documentation from the applicable college/university, court, or agency regarding the final disposition of each incident. For academic probations, the official transcript is usually sufficient documentation. Official documents must clearly identify the entity that is providing the disposition of the incident. Official documents obtained from an online source must include a web link. UF Law strongly prefers that the C&F explanation and official documents be combined in one attachment to the application. The C&F attachment may be uploaded via the online application under the Attachments tab, then select C&F Addendum.
After submitting the application, candidates must immediately notify UF Law of any new C&F incidents or C&F updates that occur prior to a decision being rendered or matriculation to the law school and provide related explanations and documentation about those incident(s).
If your records have been expunged pursuant to applicable law, you are not required to answer Yes to question 3, 4, or 5 with respect to that particular charge. You should be aware that a state Board of Bar Examiners investigation into your fitness to practice law can extend beyond the scope of these questions (as well as questions 1 and 2), and you might be required to disclose expunged records as well as any convictions or charges that you are required to disclose in answering these questions.
More information about C&F/Need for Full Disclosure is found here. For states' bar admission requirements, see the National Conference of Bar Examiners website. Also, see University of Florida an
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
- Have you ever been charged with or subject to disciplinary action (of any type such as, but not limited to warning, reprimand, suspension, or dismissal related to code of conduct) at any institution of higher education? If Yes, please attach your explanation and supporting documentation to this application.
- Have you ever been subject to academic probation(s), including warnings, suspension(s), and/or dismissal related to poor academic performance at any institution of higher education? If Yes, please attach your explanation and supporting documentation to this application.
- Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of, or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime or traffic violation (other than a traffic violation resulting in a fine of $200 or less that did not result in revocation or suspension of your driver's license)? If Yes, please attach your explanation and supporting documentation to this application.
- Are there any criminal charges pending against you? If Yes, please attach your explanation and supporting documentation to this application.
- Are you currently on probation or parole, in a deferred prosecution program, required to perform community service obligations, or required to pay restitution or a fine in any criminal matter? If Yes, please attach your explanation and supporting documentation to this application.
Needed only if applying through the Gator Scholars option. Attach a copy of your official ACT or SAT results here. Your ACT composite score or SAT mathematics and critical reading total score must be at or above the 85th percentile for the administration of the exam that you took.
Application Instructions - JD
Please find our application instructions below. More information about our admissions process, standards, and eligibility may be found here. The Office of Admissions is available to answer your questions. Please email us at admissions@law.ufl.edu or call us at (352) 273-0890. Hard-copy materials may be sent to University of Florida Levin College of Law, Office of Admissions, 182 Holland Hall, Spessard L. Holland Law Center, P.O. Box 117622, Gainesville, FL, 32608.
JD APPLICATION OPTIONS
Regular Decision
Application opens at LSAC.org: September 1
Priority application deadline: January 15
*Application deadline for applicants who will require an I-20: April 1
Last LSAT accepted for admission: June
Application deadline: July 15*
We strongly encourage applicants to complete their applications by our priority deadline of January 15, 2027, so that applicants are better positioned for admission and scholarship consideration. To apply via Regular Decision, please select Regular Decision in the Certification section of the application.
Binding Decision
Application opens at LSAC.org: September 1
Application deadline: February 15
Please carefully review the obligations and requirements of the Binding Decision option here. This option is designed for applicants who are certain that UF Law is their top choice regardless of financial considerations. Binding Decision applicants must graduate from their undergraduate institution by May 2027 and must submit a final transcript through LSAC showing conferral of degree as soon as it is available. If an applicant is uncertain that UF Law is their first-choice law school, they should apply via Regular Decision. To apply via Binding Decision, please select UF Law Binding Decision in the Certification section of the application.
Gator Scholars
Without LSAT and/or GRE
Application opens at LSAC.org: August 15
Application deadline: September 1
Decision notification: September 15
Complete admission requirements: September 22
With LSAT and/or GRE
Application opens at LSAC.org: August 15
Application deadline: October 1 (Sept. LSAT will be accepted)
Decision notification: October 15
Complete admission requirements: October 22
This early, binding decision option is designed only for undergraduates at the University of Florida who will receive an undergraduate degree from UF between September 2026 and May 2027. Gator Scholars applicants must meet specific SAT or ACT and LSAC GPA requirements. To apply via Gator Scholars, please select the Gator Scholars option in the Certification section of the application.
JD APPLICATION COMPONENTS
Applicants are expected to submit the following materials in support of their application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all application materials are submitted in a timely manner. The Admissions Office may contact applicants in writing regarding missing materials; however, applicants should not assume that multiple reminders will be provided. If application materials remain outstanding after notice to the applicant, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to review and render a decision based on the materials contained in the application file.
Application for admission
LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report
Standardized test score(s) with the exception of Gator Scholars applicants
Personal statement
Resume
Letter(s) of recommendation
Character and fitness (C&F) addendum and documentation, if applicable
TOEFL/IELTS scores, if applicable
Why UF Law Statement
Addenda
Application for Admission
This application for admission must be submitted through LSAC.org after selecting the appropriate application option.
LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report
All UF Law applicants must register with the LSAC?s CAS. LSAC?s CAS creates a CAS Report, a compilation of an applicant?s undergraduate (including dual enrollment), graduate, and professional school records; LSAT scores; LSAT writing sample; letters of recommendation; and other materials. UF Law must receive transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, even if one undergraduate transcript shows the grades earned at another institution. Upon an applicant?s submission of the application for admission to UF Law, UF Law will request a CAS Report, and the LSAC will send the report to UF Law. UF Law?s CAS school code is 5812.
Transcripts for any work undertaken after an applicant has fulfilled the requirements of a complete CAS Report, such as the transcripts for the final term(s) of undergraduate work, should be submitted via LSAC?s CAS as soon as possible upon completion, even if a decision has been rendered on the application. If there is a decline in the academic record after admission, the Admissions Committee may, at its discretion, rescind an offer of admission and/or amend its scholarship offer once made.
Applicants to the JD program must have or be on track to earn a bachelor?s degree from a four-year, accredited, US institution or international equivalent in any field conferred prior to the first day of law classes of the application cycle.
More information about the CAS Report may be found here.
Standardized Test Score(s)
With the exception of those applying through the Gator Scholars Program opting to apply without an LSAT or GRE, all applicants must submit a valid score from the LSAT, GRE General Test, or both exams. Scores for the LSAT are valid for 5 testing cycles, as defined by LSAC. Scores for the GRE are valid for 5 years after the testing date. If you elect to submit an LSAT score and a GRE score, UF Law will choose which of the scores will be used in considering the application for admission. Your application will become eligible for review as soon as UF Law has one valid standardized test score. If you have multiple valid LSAT scores, your highest score will be given the most weight. If you have multiple valid GRE scores, the highest percentile scores from each section will be given the most weight. If you would like your application to be withheld from review until a future standardized test score is received, you must email admissions@law.ufl.edu to make this request.
Valid LSAT test scores are included as a part of the LSAC CAS Report and cannot be waived from your application. However, if you take the GRE, you may choose not to submit your GRE score(s) to UF Law. If you elect to apply with a GRE score, you must request that your score(s) received within the last five years be sent by ETS to UF Law. The UF Law GRE school code is 3945.
Gator Scholars applicants may opt to apply without an LSAT or GRE score. However, all Gator Scholars applicants must provide a copy of their official ACT or SAT score that was used to apply to their undergraduate institution. The ACT composite score or SAT mathematics and critical reading total scores must be at or above the 85th percentile for the administration of the exam taken. Please upload your ACT or SAT results via the online application under the Attachments tab, then select ACT or SAT score.
Personal Statement
Personal statements must explain why an applicant wishes to attend law school. This statement should be a maximum of two, double-spaced pages using a 12-point font such as Times New Roman or Arial. The personal statement should be written by the applicant alone, though review by others is acceptable. Please upload the Personal Statement via the LSAC online application website under the Attachments tab, then select Personal Statement.
Resume
Resumes should include specific, factual information about education, honors and awards, leadership roles in extracurricular or community activities, publications, work experience, military service, and/or foreign language proficiency. We strongly recommend that applicants include clearly defined, month and year time frames of positions held, hours per week devoted to each activity, and detailed descriptions. The résumé may be uploaded via the online application under the Attachments tab, then select Resume.
Letter(s) of Recommendation
Applicants may submit up to four letters of recommendation. Recommenders should provide a detailed evaluation of the candidate?s academic or professional work.
UF Law strongly recommends that recommendation letters be submitted via the LSAC Evaluation Service. This service is included in the LSAC CAS registration fee. Recommendation letters will be sent electronically to UF Law as part of the CAS Report. Letters received by LSAC after the initial report has been generated will be forwarded to UF Law as they are received at LSAC.
Character and Fitness (C&F) addendum and documentation, if applicable
Applicants must respond fully and accurately to the C&F questions on the application, irrespective of any expunging/sealing of the information from any record or anything purporting to authorize any person to deny the existence of such matters. Receipt of advice from any source, including legal counsel, that such information need not be disclosed does not relieve the applicant?s duty to disclose or justify a failure to disclose. Applicants must also disclose pending matters or charges expected to be brought against them. In general, if an applicant is unsure whether to disclose an incident, UF Law advises applicants to err on the side of disclosure.
Applicants with an affirmative answer to any of the C&F questions must submit a description of the incident(s) that include the date, location, detailed explanation, and the resolution of the incident. A copy of corresponding official documentation from the applicable college/university, court, or agency regarding the final disposition of each incident should be submitted. Official documents must clearly identify the entity that is providing the disposition of the incident. Official documents obtained from an online source must include a web link. UF Law strongly prefers that the C&F explanation and official documents be combined in one attachment to the application. The C&F attachment may be uploaded via the online application under the Attachments tab, then select C&F Addendum.
After submitting the application, candidates have a continuing duty to immediately notify UF Law of any new C&F incidents or C&F updates that occur prior to a decision being rendered or matriculation to the law school and provide related explanations and documentation about those incident(s).
If your records have been expunged pursuant to applicable law, you are not required to answer Yes to question 3, 4, or 5 with respect to that particular charge. You should be aware that a state Board of Bar Examiners investigation into your fitness to practice law can extend beyond the scope of these questions (as well as questions 1 and 2).
More information about C&F and the Need for Full Disclosure may be found here. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged, prior to matriculation, to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Members of the UF Law community are expected to review and abide by the law and the regulations of the University of Florida and the Levin College of Law, including the Honor Code and Student Handbook.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores, if applicable
Applicants whose native language is not English and who select option 4 or 5 under the English Proficiency Requirement section of the application should submit, via LSAC, an official TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency score. Competitive applicants generally possess at least a 5.0 of 6.0 (100 of 120) TOEFL, or 7.0 of 9.0 IELTS score.
Why UF Law Statement
Applicants may submit a statement explaining specific reasons why the applicant has chosen to apply to UF Law. The applicant should include any direct connection to UF or UF Law through alumni, professors, or other means, if applicable. Most applicants can communicate these interests in one or two short paragraphs. Please upload this optional statement via the online application website under the Attachments tab, then select Why UF Law.
Addenda
Applicants may upload addenda on topics that might include, but need not be limited to, information about unique life experiences or challenges, grade progression, standardized test scores, linguistic barriers, disability, or a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage. The addenda may be uploaded via the online application under the Attachments tab, then select the appropriate addendum title.
The following should not be included with your application: additional writing samples, newspaper/magazine articles, photographs, or links to external sites.
Application Fee
In an effort to make the application process more accessible to all, there is no fee to apply to UF Law.
OTHER INFORMATION
Confirmation Email
UF Law will send the applicant an email confirming receipt of the application within two business days of the receipt of the application. This email will include the link to LSAC's Applicant Status Online (ASO) where applicants may review their application status and document checklist.
Eligibility for In-State Tuition Privileges
All students, including students who are not claiming Florida residency, must complete the online Residency Declaration for tuition purposes. The Residency Declaration is accessible on and will be submitted via your MyAdmissions portal. Within 10 days after applying, the applicant will receive an email from the university admissions office with instructions to set up a MyAdmissions account. Applicants claiming Florida residency will provide supporting documents via the secure document upload on the MyAdmissions portal.
If an applicant claims Florida residency on their LSAC application but does not submit the Residency Declaration and/or supporting documentation required for UF Graduate Admissions to make a residency determination, the tuition charge will be the non-Florida resident rate.
The law school does not have jurisdiction over residency matters. All residency decisions are made by the university's Graduate Admissions Office in accordance with Florida Statute 1009.21. A request for further information related to residency is not uncommon. Graduate Admissions will communicate through the MyAdmissions portal and/or email reminders if additional information is needed to determine your residency. Documentation may be submitted through the MyAdmissions portal. If you have questions regarding residency or need assistance, please email UF Graduate Admissions, or phone (352) 392-1365.
Students with Disabilities
UF Law celebrates disability identity as a valued aspect of diversity. We champion a universally accessible community that supports the holistic advancement of students with disabilities. Prospective students who wish to provide information about their disabilities may do so in their personal statement or addendum. Prospective students who have questions about accommodations for disabilities (physical, learning, or otherwise) should contact the Disability Resource Center at DRCTesting@ufsa.ufl.edu or 352-392-8565.
Information Regarding Social Security Number (SSN)
The Federal Privacy Act of 1974 and Section 119.071(5)(a)2, 5(a)3 and 5(a)4 of Florida Statutes authorize the university to require the disclosure of SSNs by applicants and students for the purpose of identification and verification of student records, including registration, financial aid, and academic records and for verification of identity in the provision of university services. The University does not use SSNs for student identification. The SSN is used only to assign a UF student identification number. Please verify that the SSN is correct on the application for admission. An incorrect SSN can significantly delay the matching of transcripts, test scores, and financial aid information to your academic record.
Evaluative Interview
The Admissions Committee may, at its discretion, invite candidates to interview. Interviews are by invitation only; candidates may not request an interview.
You must electronically attach a personal statement with your application. Your personal statement should give the Admissions Committee a sense of the person behind the objective credentials presented in your application and supporting documents and should not be a restatement of your résumé in narrative form. Your statement should be no longer than 3 pages of double-spaced, Times Roman 12-point text. We regularly receive outstanding personal statements that fill only a single page; a lengthy statement is not required.
We understand that a student's background, educational and social environments can play a large role in who they are. We invite you to submit a brief statement telling us how your background and lived experiences have influenced your development, character, and perspectives. You may include information on challenges bested, skills built and/or lessons learned. Please feel free to include information related to your grit and determination in overcoming challenges and hardships, and/or your leadership experience(s). Statements may be written (no more than 2 pages) or you may upload a document containing a link to a brief (2-minute max) video.
You may electronically attach a 500-word double-spaced essay discussing the manner in which you dealt with an ethical dilemma. Failure to submit this optional essay will have no negative effect on your application.
We invite you to submit a brief statement explaining your interest in attending W&L Law. Statements may be written (500 words max) or you may upload a link to a brief (2-minute max) video.
Explanatory or informational addenda in addition to those required by this application may be submitted, but must be included as attachments when you submit your application. Subsequent submissions of additional information for inclusion in your application file are strictly limited to (a) any required document or answer omitted from your original submission; (b) disclosure of any new information as required by the ongoing duty to disclose set forth in this application (Section 15, Certification 1); and (c) additional letters of recommendation.
You are encouraged to attach a résumé detailing any scholastic honors, extracurricular activities, work experience, or other significant accomplishments or activities you believe are relevant to the consideration and evaluation of your candidacy. Though not required, a résumé is helpful as we seek to gain a deeper sense of you and your credentials.
- In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Though Washington and Lee University is prohibited by Virginia statute from requiring disclosure of information concerning arrests or charges that have been officially expunged (See Virginia Code 19.2-392.4), state bar examiners may require that bar applicants disclose such information and closely compare disclosures on law school applications with disclosures on applications for bar admission. We therefore encourage full, voluntary disclosure.
Each incident or circumstance that requires an affirmative answer of any of the following Character and Fitness questions must be described in detail in an attachment.
Disclosure pertaining to a speeding ticket or other moving violation under Question 2 must include the date of the incident; the violation with which you were charged; any reduction in the charge (whether at a court hearing, as a result of attendance at an instructional class, or by other means); and the fine or other penalty imposed.
Disclosure pertaining to an arrest, prosecution, or charge under Question 2 or an agreement or arrangement under Question 3 must include (1) a detailed description of the incident, event, and/or circumstances leading to such arrest, prosecution or charge, (2) the original charge(s), and (3) the ultimate disposition of the matter. Mark this box to confirm your understanding of the information in the foregoing paragraphs.
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Have you ever been cited, ticketed, taken into custody, arrested, or prosecuted for, or charged with, any violation of law other than (a) citations for parking violations and (b) arrests, charges, prosecutions, or convictions that have been officially expunged in accordance with applicable statutory provisions?
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Have you ever entered into a plea agreement or any arrangement to avoid prosecution other than agreements or arrangements specifically involving arrests, charges, prosecutions, or convictions that have been officially expunged in accordance with applicable statutory provisions?
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Are you now the subject of a criminal or administrative investigation?
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Have you ever been the subject of or a party to a civil or administrative proceeding?
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Have you ever been reprimanded, suspended, expelled, placed on probation, or been the subject of any other disciplinary action by any college or university, or were you required or permitted to withdraw in order to avoid academic or disciplinary action?
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Have you ever been found to have committed any honor violation?
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Are you now the subject of an honor investigation, or are allegations of an honor violation pending against you?
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Have you ever been denied admission to any profession or had any type of license revoked?
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Do you know of any other matter that might adversely affect your admission to law school or to the bar of any state?
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I understand that failure to provide complete and accurate information as required by this application, and as required by my continuing duty to provide accurate and complete disclosures, may result in one or more of the following: denial of admission, revocation of an offer of admission, action under the Washington and Lee University Honor System, dismissal from the School of Law, and may otherwise jeopardize my application for admission to the bar and my ability to practice law. I acknowledge that, because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the failure to make a disclosure or the failure to make a full and complete disclosure as required by this application may be considered more significant and could lead to more serious consequences than those that may result from proper disclosure.
To Apply for JD Admission: Important Admission Deadlines
Regular Decision applications to the School of Law are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants whose admissions files are complete by March 1 will receive a decision no later than March 31. Applicants whose admissions files are not complete until after March 1 cannot be guaranteed a decision by March 31. Applications received after July 1 may not be considered. Application files completed by February 1 will receive full consideration for merit-based scholarships. Application files completed after February 1 will be considered for scholarship assistance to the extent funds remain available. Applicants for federal student loans should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For additional information about Financial Aid at our school, please refer to the University's Financial Aid website. The University's Financial Aid Office may request supplemental financial information. Questions regarding educational loans should be directed to the University's Office of Financial Aid at 540.458.8715.
Application Instructions To Apply for Admission to the School of Law:
Submit an application with required attachments. No application fee is required. You must comply with the electronic certification instructions when submitting your application through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Please refer to our website, www.law.wlu.edu/admissions, for guidance on individual elements of our application.
Register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). All applicants must register with the LSAC CAS even if applying with the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and not the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
All applicants must take the LSAT or the GRE. See application question for instructions.
Direct LSAC CAS to send a law school report to Washington and Lee. If you completed any postsecondary work outside the US (including its territories) or Canada, submit transcripts from foreign institutions to be included in your CAS report. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee; the Transcript Request Form is available online from LSAC. Foreign Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report. Note that only work completed outside the U.S. and Canada that exceeds the equivalent of an academic year will be authenticated and evaluated by LSAC's transcript services. When any lesser amount of work is completed, up to and including one academic year, a copy of that transcript will simply be forwarded to the law school. Questions about the Credential Assembly Service should be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
Obtain a minimum of one letter of recommendation. Because we seek to evaluate your potential as a law student, faculty recommendations that discuss your academic performance are particularly helpful. Letters from Teaching Assistants (TAs) are also accepted. We encourage you to use the LSAC Letter of Recommendation and Evaluation Service. This service is included in your CAS registration. Submissions made through the LSAC service are included in your law school report. We will accept additional references, but will consider your file complete when one letter has been received.
Once your application has been submitted, you must inform the Office of Admissions of any changes in the information provided, or any new event or information that would have been required to be disclosed had it occurred or been known on the date the application was submitted. For details, please refer to the Application. If you intend to apply for federal educational loans, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
All applicants for admission are considered for merit-based scholarship assistance; no separate application form is required.
Notice Regarding Ethnicity & LGBTQ+ Questions:
With respect to the question regarding Ethnicity within the Demographics section of the application, the information provided will not be seen or used by the Admissions Committee in the review of your application for admission. We ask this question solely for post-admission reporting purposes and you may select "Decline to respond".
With respect to the question regarding LGBTQ+ identification, the information provided will be masked from reviewers and will not be used by the Admissions Committee in the review of your application for admission. This is an optional question, and we ask this solely for post-admission reporting purposes.
Notice:
As a part of efforts to introduce students to our law school community, our Office of Admissions may provide your email address or phone number to select current students, faculty members or alumni who can answer your questions. Please notify Admissions if you do NOT want your contact information shared outside of the admissions committee for such informative purposes. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 540.458.8503 or LawAdm@wlu.edu with questions.
Personal Statement: 500 words, double spaced, 12 point font required. You will be required to submit two essays: a personal statement, and a Why W&M Law statement. Please attach both documents. This personal statement is your opportunity to help the Admissions Committee better understand who you are & what perspectives, experiences, values, interests, or aspirations have shaped you into the person you are today. We invite you to share information that you believe is important to your candidacy and that will help us get to know you beyond the other components of your application.
In addition, What is something true about you that won't fit on a resume.
Topics may include academic interests, significant accomplishments, and educational achievements, and/or any way in which your perspective and experience will enrich the William & Mary Law School community. https://law.wm.edu/admissions/jdprograms/howtoapply/firstyearjd/index.php.
Please be concise, keeping this statement to no more than approximately 500 words.
Required Essays: 500 words, 12-point font. You will be required to submit two essays: a personal statement, and a Why W&M Law statement. Please attach both documents.
Why W & M Law Statement: As the nation's first law school, William & Mary Law School seeks to enroll a class of talented and engaged students committed to advancing our long-standing tradition of achieving and celebrating academic and professional excellence in an inclusive environment. We recognize the challenges of our history and our responsibility to pursue the realization of justice through the rule of law. This statement is your opportunity to share how your experiences, perspectives, values, and future goals align with William & Mary Law School's vision and mission. Please be concise, keeping this statement to no more than approximately 500 words.
Applicants may attach optional addenda with whatever additional information they wish to have considered as part of their application for admission.
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Were there any personal, cultural or economic factors that, in your opinion, adversely affected your academic performance?
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If yes, please explain here: (maximum characters 1000)
Attach a résumé with your application, including your work experience, educational history, extracurricular/community activities, and any awards or honors received.
Earning a law degree does not guarantee you the right to practice law. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. A good resource to begin with is The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, published annually and available at www.ncbex.org. Most states will either request a copy of your law school application directly from the law school or require you to provide a copy as part of your application to sit for the state bar examination. Accordingly, it is very important that you disclose all information that may, in any way, reflect on your character and fitness to practice law, including but not limited to, disciplinary and criminal proceedings. You must disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed or reduced, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. You are not required to disclose any officially expunged or sealed records. You must disclose both the original charge or citation and the ultimate disposition, including any reduced charges or lesser included offenses. If you have any question as to whether a given incident should be disclosed, you should opt for full disclosure.
Your duty to disclose continues after you file this application and up through your graduation. This continuing duty to disclose means you must timely disclose matters that arise which would have required you to answer ?yes? to one or more of the following questions. To make a timely disclosure after you file this application and before you enroll in law school, contact the Dean of Admissions and Dean of Academic Support & Student Affairs.
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Have you ever been suspended, warned, placed on academic or any other type of probation, expelled, disciplined, excluded, or requested or advised to withdraw by ANY post-secondary school, college, university, or other similar institution?
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If yes, provide all documentation pertinent to the incident and provide a complete explanation: (maximum characters 3000)
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Are there any academic or employment related disciplinary charges pending or expected to be brought against you?
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If yes, provide all documentation pertinent to the incident and provide a complete explanation: (maximum characters 3000)
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Are there any criminal proceedings pending or expected to be brought against you?
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You are not required to disclose any officially expunged or sealed records. You must provide official copies of both the original charge or citation and a complete and accurate explanation of the incident. We recognize that in limited situations, records cannot be obtained. In the event that you are unable to obtain official documentat a detailed explanation of the charge/arrest is acceptable; however, the Board of Bar Examiners in the state in which you seek licensing may still require official documentation of the charge/arrest. (maximum characters 3000)
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Have you ever been arrested, charged, convicted, taken into custody for the violation of a law, court order, or for any offense, including any moving vehicle traffic offense or infraction (e.g.speeding, reckless driving, driving on a suspended or revoked license, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, DUI/DWI/OWI offenses, or formally accused of, charged with, or indicted for such violations? This includes charges which did not require your appearance in court, such as any camera violations. You must include offenses that were dropped, dismissed, or reduced. Any felony offense, arrest, citation or charge (even if reduced or otherwise amended) must be disclosed. You may omit offenses that were either officially expunged or sealed by a court, parking violations, and any non-moving vehicle offenses, Even if you perceive a matter to have been minor, or to have happened a long time ago, you must disclose the information. (These questions conform to those asked by the Virginia and other State Bar Board of Law Examiners).
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If yes, you must disclose, and fully and accurately describe each instance, even though the charges may have been dismissed or reduced, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. You are not required to disclose any officially expunged or sealed records. You must provide us with official copies of both the original charge or citation and the ultimate disposition, including any reduced charges or lesser included offenses. (maximum characters 3000)
Applicants claiming entitlement to Virginia in-state educational privileges must complete the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges. Download the Domicile Form. After completing the form, attach to your application. If you need to supply additional information, please attach additional documents to the application. Alternatively, you may send the completed domicile application and supporting documents via email to domicile@wm.edu, via fax to 757.221.2151, or mail to: Office of the University Registrar William & Mary PO Box 8795 Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
First-Year Application Procedure
William & Mary's priority deadline to submit applications is April 1. Applications will be accepted after April 1, until the class is filled, however be advised there is a distinct advantage to submitting your application on or before the published deadline. Applications should be submitted electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at www.lsac.org as early as possible and will be reviewed in the order they become complete. Applicants must receive a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution before beginning the J.D. degree program at William & Mary Law School. Please complete the following steps to apply:
Application Checklist
The following items are required. You will be notified by email once your application has been received. Required items should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications that are missing required material will be reviewed later in the cycle and final decisions will be rendered based on the information that exists in the file at that time.
JD application (submit electronically through LSAC at www.lsac.org $85 non-refundable application processing fee (submit electronically with the application) Required statements and optional addenda (use attachments to submit electronically with the application) Two recommendation letters (submit through LSAC to be included in the CAS Report) Résumé, including work experience, educational history, extracurricular/community activities, and any awards or honors received. All applicants must register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Applicants must send their official transcripts from (ALL) universities/colleges attended to LSAC How to Apply:
Applicants should use the LSAC Electronic Application to complete their application. For information on applying, contact LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSAC.org. It is important to review the application checklist and instructions available through LSAC and on our website at https://law.wm.edu/admissions/jdprograms/howtoapply/firstyearjd/index.php.
Application Fee: The application processing fee is $85. The non-refundable payment must be submitted electronically directly to LSAC with the application.
Required Essays: Each of the two essays which are required (a personal statement, and a Why W&M Law Statement) should be no more than 500 words each, using a 12 point font. Please attach both documents.
Personal Statement: This personal statement is your opportunity to help the Admissions Committee better understand who you are & what perspectives, experiences, values, interests, or aspirations have shaped you into the person you are today. We invite you to share information that you believe is important to your candidacy and that will help us get to know you beyond the other components of your application.
In addition, What is something true about you that won't fit on a resume.
Topics may include academic interests, significant accomplishments, and educational achievements, and/or any way in which your perspective and experience will enrich the William & Mary Law School community. https://law.wm.edu/admissions/jdprograms/howtoapply/firstyearjd/index.php.
Please be concise, keeping this statement to no more than approximately 500 words.
Why W & M Law Statement: As the nation?s first law school, William & Mary Law School seeks to enroll a class of talented and engaged students committed to advancing our long-standing tradition of achieving and celebrating academic and professional excellence in an inclusive environment. We recognize the challenges of our history and our responsibility to pursue the realization of justice through the rule of law. This statement is your opportunity to share how your experiences, perspectives, values, and future goals align with William & Mary Law School?s vision and mission. Please be concise, keeping this statement to no more than approximately 500 words.
The personal statement, and all other writing samples must be your own work. This means that the ideas and expressions originated with you, and you wrote all drafts and the final product. It does not preclude asking family members, friends, pre-law advisors, and others for proofreading assistance or general feedback.
Resume: Please include your significant work experience, educational history, college and community activities, honors and awards you have received, and any prior W&M affiliation. Include dates for all items listed on your resume. Please provide complete information; there is no required length and your resume may exceed one page.
Recommendation Letters and Evaluations: You must submit two required recommendation letters through LSAC. The LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service is included in your CAS registration and will accept generic and school specific letters. Professors who have personal knowledge of your academic performance and potential should write your letters of recommendation. If you have been out of school for two years or more, you may substitute letters from employers or others who are well acquainted with your personal traits and intellectual potential.
LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Registration: Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and arrange to have all undergraduate and graduate transcripts sent to LSAC from all colleges and universities attended by April 1 or as soon thereafter as possible. W&M considers an LSAT score valid for a period of 5 years, therefore the oldest LSAT score acceptable for the 2026-27 application cycle is June 2022. All Applicants must have a reportable LSAT score on record with LSAC. The school code for William & Mary is 5115.
Law School Admission Test: Applicants should take their first LSAT no later than April 2027. Please list ALL test dates on the application, including future test dates even if you do not have a score yet. William & Mary Law School conducts a thorough review of every application and considers the LSAT score in the context of the entire application (transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, evidence of leadership and engagement, and other information). If you feel that one or more of your test scores does not accurately reflect your ability or potential, please use the Miscellaneous Addendum attachment to explain this disparity. Contact LSAC to request information about the LSAT or LSAT preparation at 215.968.1001 or LSAC.org. If applicant has taken the J.D. Next exam, they may submit their J.D. Next Score as a supplement to their application. A J.D. Next Score will not be reviewed in lieu of your LSAT score as the LSAT is still required for admission.
Academic Transcripts: All applicants must register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). CAS information is available online at LSAC.org. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work must be submitted directly to the CAS.
Foreign Transcripts: William & Mary Law School requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through the CAS if you received your degree from an institution outside the U.S. or Canada, or if you completed the equivalent of more than one year of undergraduate study outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada. This service is included in the CAS registration fee. An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your LSAC CAS report. Log in to your online account and follow the instructions for registering for the service. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it promptly to them. Additional time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts; please plan accordingly. Questions about foreign transcripts can be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
TOEFL/IELTS: If your first language is not English and English is not the language of instruction at your undergraduate institution, you may submit a score from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in addition to the LSAT.
Prior Law School Matriculation: If you attended another law school, you must include an addendum to explain why you did not complete the program as well as a letter from your law school indicating your dates of attendance, reason for withdrawal, academic and disciplinary standing.
Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges: Applicants claiming entitlement to Virginia in-state educational privileges must complete the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges.
Download the Domicile Form. After completing the Domicile Form, attach it to your application. If you need to supply additional information, please attach additional documents to the application. Alternatively, you may send the completed domicile application and supporting documents via email to domicile@wm.edu, via fax to 757.221.2151, or mail to: Office of the University Registrar William & Mary PO Box 8795 Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Applicants who are active duty military personnel or honorably discharged veterans are eligible for in-state tuition privileges once they have moved to Virginia. Upon moving here, applicants should submit the Domicile Form and their military orders showing permanent duty station (active duty) or their discharge papers (veterans) to the Domicile Office at domicile@wm.edu.
Application for Need-based Financial Aid: All Applicants seeking student loans or need-based scholarships must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The recommended deadline is February 15. The Financial Aid Office will process FAFSA data following transmittal to William & Mary. The FAFSA Title IV code for William & Mary is 003705. All admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships awarded by the Law School based on the information submitted to complete the application for admission. No additional information is required.
Note: Law School Scholarships cannot exceed total cost of tuition. If you receive military funding or external scholarships in excess of yearly total cost of attendance, your scholarship will be reduced accordingly. Additionally, Law School Scholarships awarded to non-Virginia residents will be prorated if the student applies for and ultimately receives Virginia in-state educational privileges.
Character & Fitness: Earning a law degree does not guarantee you the right to practice law. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. A good resource to begin with is The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, published annually and available at www.ncbex.org.
Most states will either request a copy of your law school application directly from the law school or require you to provide a copy as part of your application to sit for the state bar examination. Accordingly, it is very important that you disclose all information that may, in any way, reflect on your character and fitness to practice law, including but not limited to, disciplinary and criminal proceedings. You must disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed or reduced, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. You are not required to disclose any expunged or sealed records. You must disclose both the original charge or citation and the ultimate disposition, including any reduced charges or lesser included offenses. If you have any question as to whether a given incident should be disclosed, you should opt for full disclosure. Note: By applying to William & Mary Law School you consent to being subjected to a criminal background check; applicants for admission to the law school will be subjected to criminal background checks prior to being permitted to matriculate at the law school.
If you fail to fully disclose information in this application, the subsequent background check conducted by the state board of law examiners will reveal the discrepancy between your actual record and your law school application. This discrepancy will cause concern for the character and fitness committee of the state bar as they evaluate your character and fitness to practice law. The failure to fully, completely, and candidly answer all questions, therefore, may result in the rejection of your application to law school, expulsion from law school if admitted, or denial of admission to a state bar.
Your duty to disclose continues after you file this application and up through your graduation. This continuing duty means you must timely disclose matters that arise which would have required you to answer ?yes? to one or more of the following questions. To make a timely disclosure after you file this application and before you enroll in law school, contact the Dean of Admissions. Once enrolled, contact the office of the Registrar to make such a disclosure.
NOTE CAREFULLY: You must disclose all matters requested on this law school application unless the matter was officially expunged or sealed, even if you have been advised otherwise by anyone else, including legal counsel. Your disclosure requirements include, but are not limited to, everything that appears on your official record. That means you must disclose matters even when an arrest did not lead to a charge, a charge was reduced or dismissed, you were acquitted or found not guilty, adjudication was withheld, deferred, or diverted, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. Full disclosure means that you must avoid answers and supplemental reports that are vague, superficial, misleading, evasive, or only partly true. An error of omission is considered to be as serious as one of commission.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Unless otherwise constrained by law, William & Mary is committed to providing an environment for its students that is free from discrimination based on any personal factor unrelated to qualifications or performance such as race or color, citizenship, national origin or ethnicity, ancestry, religion or creed, political affiliation or belief, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, parental status, height, weight, military service, veteran status, caretaker status, or family medical or genetic information. (Full non-discrimination notice available online at http://www.wm.edu/policies/eoaa.)
The Code of Virginia and the regulations thereunder require that every institution of higher education located in Virginia provide to the State Police the name, date of birth, and certain other directory information of each student who enrolls with the institution. The intent of this law is to ensure compliance with the requirement under Virginia law for sexual offenders to register with local law enforcement.
Your application must include a personal statement. Your personal statement gives us a chance to learn more about you than may be apparent from the facts and figures included in the remainder of your application. Your personal statement will help us further evaluate your potential to succeed at Alabama Law and in the legal profession, your potential to contribute to the rich intellectual life of the Law School community, and your commitment to using your legal education to serve the public good. Your personal statement will also serve as a writing sample, allowing us to evaluate clarity, persuasiveness, thoughtfulness, organization and other writing skills. The subject matter of the essay is entirely up to you. For inspiration, you might consider addressing lessons that you have learned based on your unique life experiences or reasons that you have chosen to pursue a legal career. Again, however, the substance of the essay is entirely within your discretion. Please limit your personal statement to 2-3 pages, double space, and use at least 11-point font. Artificial intelligence may not used to draft or generate your personal statement.
If there is any information in your application you wish to clarify (particular grades, standardized testing scores, gaps in employment, etc.), you may provide that information here. It is recommended that you provide explanations or further details if you have any grades lower than a C on your transcript(s).
Please submit a résumé that includes any employment, honors, activities, and community and volunteer service. If you have had multiple employment experiences, include at least your last three positions of full-time employment, including summer employment.
- The University of Alabama has vital interests in the safety of its campus and the fitness of its students to be members of the University community. The Law School shares these interests, and, as a professional school, it has a heightened concern for the behavior, honesty and integrity of its students. Therefore, the Law School may deny admission to, or revoke admission of, any applicant whom it deems to be detrimental to these interests. To assist in that consideration, the Law School requires applicants to provide certain information about their disciplinary or criminal history. A criminal or disciplinary history is not an automatic bar to admission. Any admission decision relating to a criminal or disciplinary disclosure is made on a case-by-case basis considering the entirety of the file. Qualifications for Bar Admission. Earning a JD degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, like the University of Alabama School of Law, qualifies a person to apply for admission to the state bar where they intend to practice law. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. In addition, you are encouraged to review the additional information here concerning your degree program and state requirements for professional licensure: https://www.ncbex.org/jurisdictions.
You are required to promptly inform the Law School if there is any change to any of the responses below in this application, including new or additional information, whether the same occurs during the application process or, if admitted, at any point during your time as a student at the University of Alabama School of Law.
Conduct Questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you must attach an addendum describing the dates, circumstances, and any resolution. If there are multiple reasons to say "YES" to any of the questions, you must identify each situation. You are also invited to provide information about how you believe you can positively contribute to the campus community despite any prior issue(s) disclosed (e.g., evidence of rehabilitation, reflection, community service, etc.)
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Have you ever been disciplined, warned, reprimanded, placed on academic probation or disciplinary probation, suspended, expelled, removed (by trespass warning or otherwise), or requested or advised to withdraw, by any college, university, or other postsecondary institution or are you currently the subject of any pending or expected disciplinary action by an academic institution?
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Have you ever received a restraining order, protective order, no contact order, or similar directive to avoid contact with a group or individual? If you have received a mutual no contact order as a supportive measure, please indicate that in your statement.
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Have you ever been dismissed or discharged due to job-related misconduct, or are you under a pending investigation (internal or external) regarding job-related misconduct?
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Have you ever been subject to disciplinary sanctions while holding a professional license or are charges pending, which could result in such an outcome? (Check "No" if you have never held a professional license.) For the following questions, you are under no obligation to disclose offenses in which you were found to be a juvenile, granted youthful offender status, or where the offense was expunged for purposes of admission. However, many state bars, including Alabama, require disclosure of juvenile, expunged, and/or sealed records for assessing character and fitness for admission to the bar. Thus, admission to the University of Alabama School of Law does not indicate that you will be admitted to the practice of law in any particular jurisdiction, and you should consider such bar requirements for any jurisdiction in which you intend to seek admission before moving forward. Please note that expungement and dismissal are distinct and all offenses that have been dismissed must be disclosed.
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Have you ever been cited for, arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any crime other than a minor traffic violation? You should disclose this information even if the charges were dismissed or you were acquitted, the conviction was stayed or vacated, or you were told you need not disclose this information. Do not include parking violations and speeding citations of 20 mph or less over the limit.
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Have you ever been cited for, arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any traffic violation that was alcohol- or drug-related? You should disclose this information even if the charges were dismissed or you were acquitted, the conviction was stayed or vacated, or you were told you need not disclose this information.
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Are you currently the subject of pending criminal charges or an indictment, or subject to arrest for a crime? Appeal. The Law School will notify an applicant if he or she is denied admission based solely on the conduct questions 3-8 above. In that particular case, the applicant may appeal the denial by providing a written statement of appeal to the Law School within seven calendar days from when the denial was received. The appeal statement should be directed to the Associate Dean of Admissions at the Law School.
If you are not a citizen of the United States, please attach a copy of the front and back of your resident card or your visa, whichever is applicable. If you require a visa to study at the Law School, you must provide any required visa and immigration documents to participate in your course of study. If you are unable to timely obtain and/or provide any required visa and immigration documents, you will be unable to enroll, or will be removed from courses in which you have already enrolled, and will need to re-apply for admission to a future term.
Fall 2027 JD Program University of Alabama School of Law
Law School Admissions Office
Box 870382
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0382
205.348.5440
admissions@law.ua.edu
www.law.ua.edu
An applicant must submit the following:
Dated and signed School of Law application.
You may apply to the University of Alabama School of Law by completing an electronic application through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). www.lsac.org.
$40.00 nonrefundable application fee.
The fee may be paid online through LSAC. We will waive the application fee for the following: 1) veterans and current members of the United States military; 2) current or former Teach For America and AmeriCorps members; and 3) current and former Peace Corps volunteers. To request any of these waivers, send an email to admissions@law.ua.edu.
Personal Statement.
Your application must include a personal statement. Your personal statement gives us a chance to learn more about you than may be apparent from the facts and figures included in the remainder of your application. Your personal statement will help us further evaluate your potential to succeed at Alabama Law and in the legal profession, your potential to contribute to the rich intellectual life of the Law School community, and your commitment to using your legal education to serve the public good. Your personal statement will also serve as a writing sample, allowing us to evaluate clarity, persuasiveness, thoughtfulness, organization and other writing skills. The subject matter of the essay is entirely up to you. For inspiration, you might consider addressing lessons that you have learned based on your unique life experiences or reasons that you have chosen to pursue a legal career. Again, however, the substance of the essay is entirely within your discretion.
Please limit your personal statement to 2-3 pages, double space, and use at least 11-point font. Artificial intelligence may not used to draft or generate your personal statement.
Letter of Recommendation.
At least one letter of recommendation is required. The best letters are those from professors, employers, or others who assess your analytical abilities, writing, and intellectual development.
Résumé.
Please submit a résumé that includes any employment, honors, activities, and community and volunteer service. If you have had multiple employment experiences, include at least your last three positions of full-time employment, including summer employment.
Supplementary page providing details if you answer "Yes" to any portion of the Disciplinary and Criminal History section.
If you have questions about any part of this section, please call the Law School Admissions Office. You should be aware that state bar association may require disclosure of all criminal matters and may consider these matters in bar admissions decisions. Earning a JD degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, like the University of Alabama School of Law, qualifies a person to apply for admission to the state bar where they intend to practice law. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. In addition, you are encouraged to review the additional information here concerning your degree program and state requirements for professional licensure: https://www.ncbex.org/jurisdictions.
LSAT Score or GRE Score.
The Law School requires that you submit an LSAT OR GRE Score. If you have an LSAT score or plan to take the LSAT, you must indicate this on your application and your highest LSAT score will be the primary score used in the admissions decision. For the GRE score, you must request an official GRE score report from Educational Testing Service (ETS) that includes all scores from the last five years. Please indicate the Law School as a recipient of your test scores. The Law School GRE school code is 4627. For more information on submitting official score reports, please visit the ETS website. The Law School accepts GRE scores that are no more than five years old. Although the LSAT is not required to apply to the Law School, a score may be necessary for an applicant to apply to another law school as an incoming first-year student or to apply to transfer to another law school after the first year.
Completed Credential Assembly Service (CAS) file.
An applicant must register for the Credential Assembly Service and the file must be complete, with all transcripts from universities and colleges attended and at least one letter of recommendation, before the Law School's Admissions Committee will review the application. It is the applicant?s responsibility to register with CAS and to ensure that all transcripts, fees, and letters of recommendation have been received by LSAC. If you received your degree from an institution outside the U.S., you also must register for the Credential Assembly Service authentication and evaluation service. LSAC provides an applicant with status information via the LSAC website at www.LSAC.org.
TOEFL or IELTS Score if English is not your primary language.
If you are an international applicant and English is not your primary language, an official TOEFL score report must be sent from Educational Test Service (ETS) or an official IELTS must be sent to LSAC to include with your Credential Assembly Service. The score must be no more than 2 years old.
Please remember that your file remains incomplete until all of the above materials, including the CAS report and GRE score(s), have been received by the Law School. The University of Alabama School of Law has no specific application priority deadlines or cutoff dates and will begin admitting applicants early in the process, before November or December of the preceding year. Seats are filled as the admissions season progresses.
You may choose to write about any topic(s) you believe would be most helpful to the Admission Committee. There is no specific page limit bust most personal statements are about two pages.
You are invited (but not required) to submit up to two additional essays addressing the prompts below. Please be sure to include the number of the prompt you are responding to at the top of your essay. Optional essays should not exceed two pages.
Prompt One: Why is Emory Law the right the law school for you?
Prompt Two: Tell us why you might want to live in Atlanta for the next three years (or longer).
Prompt Three: Is there a lawyer whose career you wish to emulate?
Prompt Four: Tell us more about your greatest accomplishment.
Prompt Five: Tell us more about the hardest thing you've ever done.
Prompt Six: What was your most spectacular failure, and what did you learn from it?
Prompt Seven: Describe a situation in which you chose to advocate for someone who was different from you or for a cause or idea that was different from yours.
Prompt Eight: What kind of lawyer do you want to be and why?
Prompt Nine: What problem(s) do you hope to address during your legal career?
Prompt Ten: What is the most important thing in your life, and what makes it so special to you?
If there is additional information you wish to share with the Admission Committee that could not be addressed in other sections of your application, please attach it here. If you have taken the LSAT three or more times, or have a high LSAT score four points or more higher than your average score, you are encouraged to tell us about the circumstances of your testing history. Similarly, if you have ever paused or discontinued a degree program, please share the details with us.
Please submit an up-to-date resume, listing all of your professional activities since you graduated from high school. Please clearly indicate the month and year you participated in each activity or employment and the weekly hours dedicated to each.
- American Bar Association Character and Fitness Statement: In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every US jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Please note our fitness and character questions may differ from other schools to which you apply. Consider them carefully and answer each question honestly and completely. Failure to do so may result in the denial or revocation of your admission, suspension or dismissal after matriculation, withdrawal of certification of graduation, or revocation of your degree.
We understand that these fitness questions are both unique to the admission of law school, and in some instances, unique to Emory Law. We have provided additional guidance and explanation regarding these questions at end of the instructions to this admission application. We require that you review this guidance before you submit your application to provide a more complete understanding on the fitness requirements of Emory Law and to assist in answering any concerns you may have. The guidance is located in the instruction section of this application.
By initialing here, you certify that you 1) read the additional guidance in the instructions to this application; and 2) understand that you have a continuing obligation to ensure that these responses are correct (and amend, if and when necessary) until graduation from Emory Law. 2. THE FOLLOWING TWO QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED:
Academic Conduct
Please see the instructions to this application for additional guidance on the following question. When in doubt, please disclose. Have you ever been subject to any academic disciplinary action while in college, or any educational setting since high school, regardless of the outcome of the action? This includes academic probation, warning, reprimand, suspension, expulsion or dismissal, or any type of academic discipline.
If yes, submit an addendum titled "Academic Conduct" to explain the situation. 3. Social Conduct Please see the instructions to this application for additional guidance on this question. When in doubt, please disclose.
Have you ever been accused of, reprimanded for, detained for, or charged with any criminal offense or school conduct violation, regardless of the outcome? This includes any criminal accusations, excluding misdemeanor traffic and parking offenses. This also includes any reprimands or social actions while in college, or any educational setting since high school (such as noise violations).
Please disclose even if any charges were dismissed, or if you were acquitted or allowed to plead nolo contendere, or if the conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated, or if the record was sealed or expunged. You must disclose regardless of whether you have been told you need not disclose any such instance.
If yes, submit an addendum titled "Social Conduct" to explain the situation, including the background and circumstances of the situation as well as the outcome and resolution.
All applications should be received by LSAC no later than March 15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. If you apply after the aforementioned deadline, we cannot assure you seats will still be available in our class. Questions about the application should be addressed to jdadmission@emory.edu.
FIRST-TIME LAW APPLICANT Emory Law's JD admission application consists of six parts.
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Application for Admission ("E-App") An application is complete only if all questions are answered.
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Letters of Recommendation Please have your letters submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. This service is included in your Credential Assembly Service (CAS) registration. Your letters will be copied and sent to us along with your CAS report as soon as your file becomes complete. One letter is required, but we recommend you provide three or more from a mix of academic and professional sources. If you have been in a current employment position for three months or longer, we encourage you to submit one from your current employer. If you have ever worked in the legal field, a recommendation from an attorney who has supervised your work may be particularly helpful to our reviewers.
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Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report A complete CAS report consists of the following:
LSAT score You must provide a valid and unexpired LSAT score. Official transcripts from all post-high school institutions A transcript from each college and university attended should be sent directly to: Law School Admission Council, Box 2000-M, Newtown, PA 18940-0993. Please do not send this information to Emory Law. The Credential Assembly Service will analyze your transcripts and then send an electronic copy to Emory Law. At least one letter of recommendation Once we receive your "E-App" to Emory Law, we will request your CAS report from LSAC.
- Graduate Record Exam (OPTIONAL) We are willing to consider an application complete with a valid Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score in place of an LSAT score if, and only if, the applicant is either a dual degree applicant simultaneously applying to Emory Law and another Emory graduate program, or if the applicant is a current graduate student and planning to begin the JD immediately after graduation from their current program. That being said, the evidence of the GRE's correlation with law school performance is questionable at best, and we encourage all applicants to submit an LSAT score.
Applicants applying with just a GRE score must designate school code No. 9684 for Emory Law to receive their scores.
In the LSAT section of the application, applicants should enter 0 for the test score. In the additional tests section, applicants should enter the following information: the month and year the GRE was taken. If applicants have taken the LSAT and the GRE, they must report their LSAT score. Applicants cannot withhold an LSAT score if they have one, regardless of whether they have a GRE score.
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Personal Statement You may choose to write about any topic(s) you believe would be most helpful to the Admission Committee. There is no specific page limit, but most personal statements are about two pages.
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Resume or Statement of Activities Please submit an up-to-date resume, listing all of your professional activities since you graduated from high school. Please clearly indicate the month and year you participated in each activity or employment, and the weekly hours dedicated to each.
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Application Fee Please submit the $85 nonrefundable application fee through LSAC. We award need-based fee waivers only if LSAC grants the applicant a fee waiver to take the LSAT. If so, please email jdadmission@emory.edu a copy of the LSAC fee waiver, and an admission representative will respond.
REAPPLICANT To reapply, submit a new application through the LSAC electronic application service. On your application, indicate you are reapplying. We cannot reactivate previous applications. It will be necessary for you to submit all documents required of new applicants.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT In addition to the standard application, we require the following:
International Credential Evaluation (for those educated outside of the US)
International transcripts must be submitted through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service. If you completed any postsecondary work outside of the United States (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your international transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the international work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a US or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee. An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your LSAC Law School Report. Questions about the Credential Assembly Service can be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
GUIDANCE ON BAR CHARACTER AND FITNESS REQUIREMENTS The Character and Fitness questions on Emory Law's application sometimes provide a bit of anxiety for applicants. This guide is intended to ensure your answers are complete and accurate, which will greatly assist you when you apply to be a licensed lawyer in your chosen state after graduation from law school.
When you apply for Bar licensure to practice law, you will undergo a rigorous character evaluation from the Bar Admission's Character and Fitness Committee in the state(s) in which you wish to practice. As part of the Bar application, many states ask you to submit a copy of your law school application. The committee will compare your answers to its questions with those provided in your school application.
If your answers are inconsistent, the Bar Committee will initiate a more intensive review of your file. For example, it may contact your law school to question whether you would have been admitted in light of this new information. You may suffer sanctions and revocation of law school admission for failing to disclose. The Bar Committee may schedule an in-person hearing to ask you why you failed to disclose information earlier. In some instances, the committee may delay your certification of fitness, which in turn may prevent you from becoming a lawyer as soon as you may like.
Each state's character and fitness questions are unique to that jurisdiction. Emory Law's questions capture as much information as possible to assist you when you apply to be a licensed lawyer in your chosen state(s) and when you undergo the evaluation by the state?s Bar Admission Character and Fitness Committee.
Below is specific guidance on the character and fitness questions found on Emory Law?s application for admission. Three principles govern you while completing this part of the application:
When in doubt, disclose. You have a continuing obligation to ensure that these responses are correct (and amend, if and when necessary) until graduation from Emory Law. If you have any questions, please email us at jdadmission@emory.edu. We understand that our character and fitness questions may be more rigorous than other schools to which you apply. As with all aspects of the Emory Law experience, your integrity, honesty, and character in answering these questions completely is fundamental to the community we strive to maintain.
- Guidance on Academic Misconduct Question:
Have you ever been subject to any academic disciplinary action while in college or any educational setting since high school, regardless of the outcome of the action? This includes academic probation, warning, reprimand, suspension, expulsion, dismissal, or any type of academic discipline.
This question concerns any sort of academic misconduct or allegations of misconduct with which you may have been involved. Regardless of the resolution, you must disclose. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, accusations of using internet research or AI inappropriately in a class assignment, allegations of inappropriate collaborations on a take-home exam, accusations of misbehavior during an assignment or exam, academic probation, academic suspension, expulsion, or any other academic irregularities.
You must disclose these allegations regardless of what an adjudicator, dean of students, professor or anyone else told you. We understand that at some schools allegations and sanctions may be removed from your file after a certain time. However, you still must disclose that they did occur. If you were found responsible/guilty, describe any sanctions levied against you (failing grade, grade reduction, community service, expulsion, etc.).
When in doubt, disclose. If you have any questions, please contact us at jdadmission@emory.edu. Sample Scenario: During his freshman year, Alex attended orientation at State University. During the program, he had to write an essay about the school's history. He and a friend worked together on their papers and shared research. The orientation coordinator discovered similarities in the papers and initiated academic proceedings against them. The dean of students met with Alex, verbally reprimanded him and sent Alex on his way. The dean said he would not make a notation on Alex's file and that this event would be between them unless Alex repeated the offense. Alex graduated four years later with a 3.9 GPA with no further issues.
Alex should report this incident to Emory Law.
- Guidance on Social Misconduct Question:
Have you ever been accused of, reprimanded for, detained for, or charged with any criminal offense or school conduct violation, regardless of the outcome? This includes any criminal accusations, excluding misdemeanor traffic or parking offenses. This also includes any reprimands or social actions while in college or any educational setting since high school (such as noise violations). If yes, submit an addendum titled Social Conduct to explain the situation, including the background and circumstances as well as the outcome and resolution. Disclose even if any charges were dismissed, or if you were acquitted or allowed to plead nolo contendere, or if the conviction was reversed, set aside or vacated, or if the record was sealed or expunged.
This question should be viewed in two parts.
First, have you ever been accused of or sanctioned for any criminal conduct, regardless of when it occurred? This includes allegations of juvenile criminal conduct. It does not matter if the situation was sent to a diversion program or any other alternative resolution forum, was dismissed before court, was removed from your record after community service was performed, or was expunged or otherwise removed from your record. You must disclose the allegations. In addition, if you were punished, you must also explain the sanctions, including whether they were probation, incarceration, community service, curfew, or other punishment.
We understand that at the time of the allegations and dispute resolution, a judge, lawyer, adviser, or someone else may have told you the matter would be removed from your record or that your record would be sealed. You still must disclose the incident. The underlying point of this question is to disclose any interaction you have had with the criminal system, regardless of the outcome.
The second part of this question relates to social conduct allegations or violations. This deals with incidents that occurred while in college or other post-secondary education such as noise violations, alcohol citations, disruptive behavior, or other incidents that violated your school?s conduct policy. Even if the allegation, violation, citation, or other reprimand was removed from your record, and regardless of whether someone told you otherwise, you must disclose it to Emory Law.
Sample Scenario 1: Georgette shoplifted from a store when she was 13 years old. As part of the county's juvenile justice program, she was sent to an alternative juvenile court where a jury of high school peers sentenced her to write a letter of apology. All records of the incident were destroyed, and the incident never appeared on Georgette's criminal record. Moreover, the supervising attorney coordinating the juvenile court specifically told Georgette she would never need to tell anyone about this incident.
Emory Law requires Georgette disclose this incident.
Sample Scenario 2: During orientation, Sam was cited for playing his radio too loudly in the dorm. The floor RA told Sam never to do it again and required Sam write an email of apology.
Sam should disclose this incident.
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Emory University School of Law adheres to the policies of the Association of American Law Schools on nondiscrimination.
Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at accessibility@emory.edu or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least four weeks prior to the first day of classes to allow adequate time for coordination.
While the topic of this required essay is up to you, the most successful personal statements are those that develop a sense of the applicant and their values, aspirations, and concerns. As Fordham Law School’s motto is “In the Service of Others," we are also interested in hearing about contributions you would like to make to our student body, the legal profession, and ultimately the larger society.
Please limit this essay to two pages, double spaced using 11 or 12 point font.
Educating lawyers to represent clients whose problems and perspectives grow out of a wide range of life circumstances is fundamental to Fordham Law School's mission. For this optional personal essay, please discuss how your life experiences or aspects of your personal identity have motivated or inspired you, posed challenges, helped you build skills, and/or taught you valuable lessons. We are eager to learn how these experiences or aspects of your identity have helped shape who you are and prepared you for the study and practice of law, to help others who need your expertise to solve hard problems.
Please limit this essay to 2 pages, double spaced using 11 or 12 point font.
To compliment your personal and optional statement(s), you may include any additional information you would like to share with us.
You may submit an addendum listing your scholastic honors and achievements.
Please attach a résumé.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
If you answer yes to any of the questions below, you must provide a detailed explanation. If you need more space than the application provides, you may submit an electronic attachment.
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Have you ever been placed on probation, dropped, suspended, expelled, or otherwise been subjected to discipline by any institution of learning above elementary school level for conduct which might reflect upon your character?
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Please explain the circumstances.
Note: If you need more space to provide a detailed account you may include an electronic attachment. (maximum characters 500)
- Are you a defendant in a pending criminal matter, or have you, at any age, unless specifically excluded below, been charged with, indicted for, tried for, convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, any felony or misdemeanor or the violation of any law? In your response to this question, disclose any matter in which you were adjudicated a youthful offender or received an equivalent adjudication in another jurisdiction.
Do NOT report: (a) any matter in which you were adjudicated a juvenile delinquent in Family Court or other noncriminal proceeding; (b) any citation, ticket or arrest that did not result in criminal charges or an indictment, trial, conviction or guilty plea; (c) vehicle and traffic matters that occurred more than 10 years before the filing of this application, EXCEPT alcohol or drug-related traffic violations, which must be reported in all cases, irrespective of when they occurred; or (d) parking violations.
- Please explain the circumstances.
Note: If you need more space to provide a detailed account you may include an electronic attachment. (maximum characters 500)
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Have you ever been a complainant, party or witness to or otherwise involved in any civil or criminal action, proceeding or investigation?
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Please explain the circumstances.
Note: If you need more space to provide a detailed account you may include an electronic attachment. (maximum characters 500)
- Have you have ever been charged with fraudulent conduct or any other act involving moral turpitude?
Please explain the circumstances.
Note: If you need more space to provide a detailed account you may include an electronic attachment.
HOW TO APPLY Please Note: This application is for individuals who are taking the LSAT as part of their admissions process. If you plan to ONLY take the GRE or JD-Next, please submit the Fordham Law - GRE/JD-Next Only JD Application, also available on LSAC.org.
We strongly encourage applicants to submit their application through the Law School Admissions Council (www.lsac.org). Should you require a paper application, please email your request to lawadmissions@fordham.edu, with your name and mailing address and it will be sent to you within 5 - 7 business days.
The application fee is $75.
If you are applying electronically through LSAC, you will need to pay the fee using a major credit card. If applying through a paper copy, please send a check or money order (payable to Fordham Law School) along with your application to:
Fordham Law School
Office of JD Admissions 150 West 62nd Street, Suite 4-104 New York, NY 10023
Within 48 hours of submitting your application, you will receive an email giving you access to an online status checker. If you do not receive it within 72 hours, please email lawadmissions@fordham.edu.
DEADLINES
Early Action: October 15 We have a non-binding Early Action program for the full-time and part-time programs. To qualify, you must apply with a completed application by October 15. The last LSAT we accept for Early Action qualification is the October LSAT administration. You don't need to indicate you're applying for Early Action anywhere on the application. Any applicant who abides by these guidelines will receive a decision around December 15.
An Early Action decision can be: admitted, denied, or Early Action waitlist. If your application is placed on the Early Action waitlist, the Admissions Committee will conduct a second review of your file in February (likely toward the middle of the month). At that time, you will receive another decision: admitted, denied, or waitlisted. While it's not required, you're welcome to submit additional materials before your application is reviewed in February.
Regular Decision: March 15 The deadline to apply to the JD program at Fordham Law is March 15. Once an application has been received and marked as complete by our team, applicants can expect decisions in approximately 12 business weeks.
REQUIREMENTS
Credential Assembly Service (CAS): Transcripts from each college or university you have attended should be forwarded to LSAC, which will prepare and transmit a Law School Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report to Fordham Law School. In addition, applicants who have received academic credit for coursework taken abroad must request that the issuing institution send their international academic records directly to LSAC, if the credits do not appear on their home school transcript. To register for the CAS service, visit LSAC.
Personal Statements/Essays: Fordham Law School welcomes, and celebrates the equal dignity of, students of all backgrounds. In evaluating admissions applications, we want to learn who you are as an individual, to hear your personal story. We value the diversity of a vibrant law school community in the center of the most diverse city in the world, and we celebrate the many ways that individual students can bring wisdom and passion to the law school and to those they will serve in their legal careers. Both the required personal essay and the optional personal essay give you an opportunity to complete your application by communicating, effectively and concisely, other aspects of yourself as an individual beyond your undergraduate grades and test scores.
Please limit each essay to two pages, double spaced using 11- or 12-point font.
REQUIRED PERSONAL ESSAY
While the topic of this required essay is up to you, the most successful personal statements are those that develop a sense of the applicant and their values, aspirations, and concerns. As Fordham Law School?s motto is ?In the Service of Others," we are also interested in hearing about contributions you would like to make to our student body, the legal profession, and ultimately the larger society.
OPTIONAL PERSONAL ESSAY
Educating lawyers to represent clients whose problems and perspectives grow out of a wide range of life circumstances is fundamental to Fordham Law School's mission. For this optional personal essay, please discuss how your life experiences or aspects of your personal identity have motivated or inspired you, posed challenges, helped you build skills, and/or taught you valuable lessons. We are eager to learn how these experiences or aspects of your identity have helped shape who you are and prepared you for the study and practice of law, to help others who need your expertise to solve hard problems.
Resume: Your resume should highlight your professional and academic achievements, volunteer experiences, and extracurricular involvement. While one page is preferred, you may submit a longer resume. Please use discretion when determining your resume length.
Letters of Recommendation: We require all applicants submit two (2) letters of recommendation with your application. If you have been out of school for less than five years, we strongly suggest that at least one letter be from an academic source. If you graduated five or more years ago, professional letters are acceptable. We strongly prefer that you utilize the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service that is included as part of the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) registration. Your CAS report will not be released to us until we have the required two letters of recommendation to complete your file.
ELIGIBILITY Applicants for admissions as candidates for the degree of Juris Doctor at Fordham Law School must:
Be at least 18 years of age upon starting the first-year class. Have taken the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) on or after June 2021 but no later than February 2027 or the GRE/JD-Next within the same time frame. Have graduated from an American college or university accredited by an agency approved by the American Bar Association. Please note: Applicants who have earned a baccalaureate degree in a foreign country will need to demonstrate that the degree earned is the equivalent of a US four-year baccalaureate degree. Applicants must submit their academic transcripts to LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). This service is included in the CAS registration fee. An International Credential Evaluation will be incorporated into your LSAC Law School Report.
If you need more space outside the application or resume, you may include an attachment.
Please provide a personal statement that highlights aspects of your background that you believe will be of interest to the Admissions Committee. There is no specific required topic or question to address. Write about something personal, relevant, and individual to you. This may include writing about a significant aspect of your background, a quality or trait that you believe defines you, a transformative experience, or the things that interest and motivate you. The Admissions Committee is particularly interested in aspects of your background that may not be evident from other parts of your application. This statement should be approximately 2-3 double-spaced pages.
Include a brief paragraph concerning your motivation for applying to SMU Dedman School of Law, including academic reputation, interest in a specific area of study, interest in Dallas, ties to the area or to SMU, and personal reasons such as family, spouse, or significant other moving to, or located in, the area. This statement should be 1 double-spaced page or less.
If you have other addenda you would like to submit, please attach them here.
Please attach your resume. It may include employment experiences, extracurricular or community activities, internships, memberships, volunteer activities, and any honors, awards, or other recognition. (This should be approximately 1-2 pages.)
Please note: in addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additionally, because of the high ethical standard to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose an act or event such as the ones described in this section is often more significant, and leads to more serious consequences, than the act or event itself. Failure to provide truthful answers or failure to inform the Admissions Office of any changes to your answers may result in the revocation of admission or disciplinary action by SMU Dedman School of Law or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek admission.
You must answer these questions for your application to be considered complete. If you answer yes to question 2 or 3, you understand and agree that the University has the right to check your criminal background and to follow its policies and procedures relative to the admission of students who have criminal records or are under indictment. If you answer yes to any of these character and fitness questions, you must provide the dates, causes, outcomes, and a narrative description of any/each event.
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Have you ever been disciplined in any way for any matter by any college, university, law school or other institution of higher learning, or by any professor, administrator, employee or entity representing any college, university, law school or other institution of higher learning, or have you been allowed to withdraw from such an institution to avoid such discipline, whether or not the record of such action was retained in your file? (Discipline includes, without limitation, a letter or other written notice of reprimand or warning, suspension, expulsion, adjustment of grade, assignment of community service, any form of probation, or any other adverse action). (Entity includes, without limitation, residential facilities or other facilities owned or managed by a college, university, law school, or other institution of higher learning.)
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Please provide the date(s), outcome(s), and narrative description of the event. (maximum characters 4000)
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Have you ever been arrested, cited or ticketed for, or charged with any violation of the law? You must report all offenses, including offenses involving alcohol or drugs. You may exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations, however you must report any failure to appear charge or warrant resulting from any offense, including Class C misdemeanors. An offense is not a minor traffic violation if it involved alcohol or drugs, or if there was an attempt, whether successful or not, to suspend or revoke your driver's license as a result of the violation.
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Please provide the date(s), outcome(s), and narrative description of the event. (maximum characters 4000)
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Are you currently under indictment or have you ever been convicted of any offense, placed on probation or granted deferred adjudication or any type of pretrial diversion? You must report all offenses, including offenses involving alcohol or drugs. You may exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations, however you must report any failure to appear arrest or conviction for any offense, including Class C misdemeanors.
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Please provide the date(s), outcome(s), and narrative description of the event. (maximum characters 4000)
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Have you ever been discharged or dismissed from the armed forces (other than honorably) or sentenced in a court-martial proceeding?
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Please provide the date(s), outcome(s), and narrative description of the event. (maximum characters 4000)
The goal of our admission process is to identify applicants who will flourish in law school and who will gain a distinct lifelong advantage by having attained a Dedman law degree. The application process is our opportunity to look at you as a whole person. We want to know about you and your accomplishments. Throughout the admissions process, the Admissions Office will make every effort to give you prompt and individualized attention. Every application is read in its entirety; no decisions are made on the "numbers" alone. When evaluating an application, we look for well-rounded students who have proven evidence of academic success and who will enrich our overall educational community.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU?s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Assistant Vice President for Equal Opportunity/Title IX1 Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX. The Assistant Vice President/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, equalopportunity@smu.edu. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.
Preliminaries Register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Registration for CAS can be accomplished at the same time that you register for the LSAT, if you intend to submit an LSAT score with your application. Please note that LSAC will not send any law school a report until they have received transcripts from every undergraduate institution you have attended, including summer sessions and semesters abroad. You also must pay any necessary fees. SMU's LSAC code is 6660. Please be aware that candidates must have a complete LSAT writing sample in their file in order to see their score or have their score released to schools.
Applicants must complete this application by using an LSAC electronic application. LSAC permits applicants to complete more than one application at a time by asking for common information only once. For information about LSAC electronic applications, please contact LSAC at 215-968-1001 or LSAC.org.
If you intend to apply with a GRE score rather than an LSAT or JD-Next score, please register for the GRE at https://www.ets.org/gre. SMU's GRE code is 4690.
If you intend to apply with a JD-Next Exam Score Report rather than an LSAT or GRE score, please register for JD-Next at https://jdnext.org/. SMU's JD-Next code is J1121.
Your file will not be reviewed until all required materials have been received. Please save a copy of your application, as it will be required for many bar applications.
Letters of recommendation are optional. If you choose to submit letters of recommendation, we will accept up to three (3). Submit your letters of recommendation through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. This service is included in your CAS registration.
Applicants to the combined JD/MBA or JD/MA in Economics degree programs must submit separate applications to the Graduate Division of the Edwin L. Cox School of Business or to the SMU Department of Economics in Dedman College. Applications to the MBA program may be obtained at https://www.smu.edu/cox/business-degrees/mba-programs/jd-mba-program. Applications to the MA in Economics program may be obtained at https://www.smu.edu/dedman/academics/departments/economics/graduate/ma.
Race and Ethnicity Data Collection Information regarding race and ethnicity collected in this application will not be available to the admissions committee or considered in the admission process. We collect the information to comply with and satisfy reporting requirements of the American Bar Association and federal agencies.
Waiver of Minimum-Hour Requirement (Reduced Load) A limited number of well-qualified JD applicants, who show good cause why they are unable to take the standard number of credit hours required in the first year, may request a waiver of the minimum-hour requirement. Applicants seeking admission under the reduced-load option should submit a written statement explaining their interest in this option.
Deadlines Regular Decision Applications must be submitted and all supporting documentation, including your CAS report, must be received by April 1. All Regular Decision Admission applicants will receive a decision by May 31 whether their application has been accepted, denied, or placed on a waiting list.
Late Decision Late decision applications are considered on a space-available basis. Applications will be reviewed upon completion, and decisions will be made shortly thereafter.
Scholarships All applicants are considered for a Dean's Scholarship at the time they are considered for admission, and a separate application is not required to receive a scholarship from SMU. One or more students per entering class are awarded the prestigious Hutchison Scholarship. This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and fees and does not require a separate application. A limited number of SMU scholarships consider financial need as a criterion for eligibility. To be considered for these scholarships, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for SMU using the following link: https://www.smu.edu/enrollment-services/student-financial-services/apply-for-aid.
If you are awarded a scholarship, we will notify you with your admission decision or shortly after you have been admitted.
In addition to the scholarships above that are funded and awarded by SMU, there are also several scholarships available to our admitted students that are funded by private organizations, including the following: The Sumners Foundation Scholarship: https://www.sumnersfoundation.org/scholarships/ The Sarah T. Hughes Scholarship: https://www.dallasbarfoundation.org/sarah-t-hughes-diversity-scholarship
Tuition and Expenses Please refer to our website (https://www.smu.edu/law/admissions/costs-and-financial-aid/estimated-cost-of-attendance) for tuition and fees and estimated costs for the JD programs or contact the Admissions Office with any questions.
Contact Us
Office of Admissions
SMU Dedman School of Law
PO Box 750110
Dallas, TX 75275-0110
Phone: 214-768-2550
E-mail: lawadmit@smu.edu
Website: https://www.smu.edu/Law/Admissions
SMU Financial Aid PO Box 750181 Dallas, TX 75275-0181 Phone: 214-768-5555 E-mail: manedesk@smu.edu Website: https://www.smu.edu/enrollment-services/student-financial-services
SMU Residence Life and Student Housing PO Box 750215 Dallas, TX 75275-0215 Phone: 214-768-2407 E-mail: housing@smu.edu Website: https://www.smu.edu/studentaffairs/housing
Attach a personal statement of no more than three double-spaced, typed pages with a font size no smaller than 11 point. The admissions committee seeks a dynamic group of individuals that will provide an engaging learning environment. The personal statement should give the committee a better picture of who you are beyond your academic achievements and resume. It should be compelling, well written and include some discussion of why you want to go to law school.
Since 2002, ASU has been committed to inclusive excellence. Our charter states that ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves. With this in mind, please discuss what experiences and perspectives you would bring to the ASU Law community. (no more than two double-spaced, typed pages with a font size no smaller than 11 point).
You may submit an optional elevator pitch video as part of your ASU Law application in addition to your written materials. The elevator pitch is a concise and compelling summary of yourself that shows your oral advocacy skills utilizing one of the following prompts:
Why do you want to attend ASU Law?
Why are you applying to law school now?
What are your motivations for applying to law school?
What is an interesting story that happened to you recently?
If you could meet one famous person who would it be?
The video should be no longer than 1 minute. You should create or upload an unlisted YouTube video and provide the link in a document that you upload with your application materials. To create or upload an unlisted YouTube video, take the following steps:
Click on the video camera icon in the top right corner on YouTube in a web browser, or the plus icon in the bottom ribbon on the YouTube mobile app. Through either menu you can record or upload.
If you are uploading a video, follow the upload instructions.
Under the visibility option for the video, select ?unlisted.?
To get the link for the video, go to Your videos on YouTube in a web browser. Click on the three dots icon for the video (you may need to hover on the web browser to get the three dots icon) and choose Get shareable link from the drop down menu. On the mobile app you will need to tap on Library to select Your videos. Tap on the three dots icon and choose Share video
- Optional: Please briefly explain what inspired you to apply to ASU Law. You may discuss your specific interest in ASU Law, the Phoenix metro area, the state of Arizona, or anything else you think relevant. (maximum characters 1000)
- Optional: Please list any connections, affiliations, or interactions you have had with members of the ASU Law community, people in the Phoenix metro area or the state of Arizona, or anything else you think relevant. (maximum characters 500)
OPTIONAL ADDENDUM—OTHER INFORMATION If there is any other information you would like to provide to the admissions committee, please attach here. (maximum one double-spaced, typed page with a font size no smaller than 11 point)
OPTIONAL ADDENDUM?STANDARDIZED TEST PERFORMANCE
If you took the LSAT/JD-Next more than one time and received significantly different scores, you may wish to provide an explanation for that difference. Candidates sometimes seek to establish that their academic potential is not accurately reflected by scores on standardized tests or that one LSAT/JD-Next score is more representative than another. If you claim this to be true in your case, please explain, and, if applicable, submit appropriate documentation (e.g., ACT or SAT scores). (maximum one double-spaced, typed page with a font size no smaller than 11 point)
OPTIONAL ADDENDUM—UNDERGRADUATE PERFORMANCE
If your college transcripts reveal that your grades for one or more semesters were markedly different from those in the other semesters, please explain. You may also wish to address significant breaks in your academic career or multiple moves among colleges. Please make any other comments about your college transcripts or your preparation for college that you believe will help the admissions committee in evaluating your application. (maximum one double-spaced, typed page with a font size no smaller than 11 point)
Attach a descriptive resume of no more than two typed pages with a font size no smaller than 11 point. Please include details about your educational background, work history, military service, leadership roles, honor societies, scholarships, extracurricular activities, public/community service, honors and awards, publications, foreign language proficiencies, and any other significant achievements and involvements. Include significant employment during and post-college (including organization name and dates of employment)
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Failure to disclose an act or event, provide truthful answers and/or notify the admissions office or any changes to your answers may result in revocation of admission, revocation of a law degree, disciplinary action by the College of Law, or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek admission. Failure to disclose is often more significant and leads to more serious consequences than the act or event itself. There are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction in addition to the bar examination. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction.
If you answer “yes” to any of the questions in this section, you must include a separate statement under the Character and Fitness attachment providing a complete description of your actions and full details of the allegations. You will be contacted by email if the admissions committee requires additional information from you.
- Have you ever been subject to an investigation, discipline, or penalty of any kind by any academic institution for any reason, whether in the past or currently pending? You should disclose any academic actions or behavioral misconduct of any kind, including dorm or residence hall, student code of conduct, academic or course policies or any other sanctions from the academic institution.
- Whether in the past or currently pending, have you ever been subject to an investigation, arrested, charged with, convicted of, pled guilty, pled no contest, or received any kind of penalty for a crime? All crimes other than a minor traffic violation should be disclosed (note traffic violations that involve drugs or alcohol are not minor). Crimes that have been expunged, sealed, set aside or deferred should still be disclosed. Your statement must include a personal account of the events that led to the charges or discipline, a description of all charges, whether it is a felony or misdemeanor, the status of the matter, the name of the authority involved in the matter and relevant dates.
- Have you ever been separated from any branch of the US armed forces or foreign military under something other than Honorable Discharge? This includes Dishonorable Discharge and General Discharge. (If you have never enrolled or served in any branch of the armed forces, please check "no.")
- Have you ever been disciplined for any professional ethical violation (i.e professional license revocation, suspension, or censure)?
- Have you previously matriculated in a JD program at any US law school? If you answer "yes," please upload a statement explaining the circumstances under which you left the other law school.
- Do you have any other violations you believe should be disclosed that includes other categories besides the ones listed in questions 1-5 of this section? This could include, but is not limited to, a violation of established rules.
This statement is only required for those applicants applying to the Indian Law Leadership Program. All other applicants may skip this section. Please attach a statement of no more than two double-spaced, typed pages with a font size no smaller than 11 point discussing any of your leadership experience in and ties to Indian Country and your future goals.
APPLICATION PROCESS ASU is committed to a more sustainable and resilient future and requires applicants to apply electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website at LSAC.org. The LSAC Help Desk is available at 215.965.1393 if you have questions or difficulties with the application.
Admission and scholarship decisions are made on a rolling basis. For best consideration applicants should make every effort to apply as soon as possible after the ASU Law application is available, beginning August 10, 2026. The admissions committee aims to return decisions within 20 business days from the date the application is marked complete. However, the admissions decision time frame may increase around and after the priority application deadline of February 28, 2027. ASU Law will invite selected applicants to participate in a virtual admissions interview with members of the Admissions Committee and ASU Law community. The Admissions Committee selects interview requests by invitation and does not extend interview invitations to all applicants. Applicants invited to interview will receive an email with further information about the interview process.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required documents are received by our office. Applicants will typically receive a confirmation email and instructions on accessing the application status checker within 3 business days of submitting the electronic application.
Applicants should pay close attention to page length and formatting requirements for application materials. Applicants are also encouraged to closely review the required transcript policy for the LSAC CAS report. ASU Law allows applicants to use generative artificial intelligence in the preparation of their application materials. Applicants are expected to use this technology responsibly and must certify that the information they submit in their application to ASU Law is true.
Be aware that during the application review process the admissions committee may request additional information. Please check your email regularly and ensure that your voicemail box is set up and can receive messages should the admissions office need to contact you to request information.
ASU Law offers binding and non-binding JD admissions options. All applications must be submitted electronically through LSAC. February 28, 2027 is the priority deadline for all applications. Applications are accepted until July 31, 2027 for all options.
Regular Admission Program Binding Admission - O'Connor Honors Program (full tuition scholarship) Binding Admission - O'Connor Merit Scholars Program Binding Admission - Indian Law Leadership Program Binding Admission - ASU Achievement Program
(for a description of each admission program please visit: https://law.asu.edu/admission/apply/jd)
All applicants must register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) for submitting applicable application materials. An application for any of the admission programs listed above must include:
electronic application (application fee waived for all 2027 applicants);
personal statement (no more than three pages, double-spaced and font size no smaller than 11 point);
resume (no more than two pages and font size no smaller than 11 point);
transcript(s) from each undergraduate and graduate institution you attended must be sent to LSAC.
character & fitness statement(s), if applicable, explaining affirmative answers to questions 1-6 in the Character & Fitness section
binding admission contract, if applicable
Your application may also include:
a valid LSAT score or JD-Next score*
- Both LSAT and JD-Next scores are valid for 5 years. Your LSAT score is considered valid if earned on or after June 2022. LSAC will automatically report all LSAT scores for the past five years. JD-Next score(s) must be submitted directly through Aspen Publishing.
Letters of Recommendation: You may submit no more than two letters. Please note that since they are not required, the admissions office will not wait for letters to complete your file for review.;
Optional Addenda: You may submit an LSAT addendum, GPA addendum, and any other information you would like to disclose to the admissions office.
Personal Experience Addendum
Elevator Pitch Video
If your phone number, address, or email address changes at any time during the application cycle, please notify us by email (asulaw.admissions@asu.edu) of your new contact information. You are welcome to contact us at this email address if you have any questions during the admissions process.
DECISION NOTIFICATION Decisions are communicated via email and you are encouraged to monitor your junk folder. The application status checker will also reflect when a decision has been made but may not reflect what decision has been reached.
DECISION RECONSIDERATION Admission decisions are final. An applicant who wishes to have their decision reconsidered must submit a formal request in writing to asulaw.admissions@asu.edu explaining the reasons for their request. Requests for reconsideration are granted only in rare and exceptional circumstances, such as when the applicant is able to provide significant, new information that was not available at the time of our decision.
CERTIFICATION Applicants are attesting as part of the certification in the application form that the information provided is wholly accurate and true. If ASU Law discovers that an applicant has knowingly, recklessly, or negligently provided false, incomplete, or misleading information or that the applicant has failed to notify ASU Law of new information, the admissions committee will take appropriate action.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO THE BAR In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
CONTACT INFORMATION asulaw.admissions@asu.edu P: (480) 965-1474 F: (480) 727-7930 Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid 111 E. Taylor St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 www.law.asu.edu
The statement(s) you are submitting as part of your application are viewed as a document(s) demonstrating your writing ability; therefore, the statement(s) must be written by you and no one else should assist in their drafting beyond basic proofreading or critiquing. As noted in the application certification, you may use Artificial Intelligence in the drafting of your statements but you are required to disclose. The statements must be written in the following format: one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt. The statement length limits are indicated in the prompts for each statement.
Candidates are required to submit a personal statement of no more than (2) two pages in length. The Admission Committee's goal is to assemble an intellectually stimulating community of students composed of individuals who have varied backgrounds and perspectives. In addition to outstanding academic ability, we seek students whose life experiences, backgrounds, and interests will enhance our educational community. This includes, but is not limited to, qualities such as leadership, maturity, organization, knowledge of other languages and cultures, sincere commitment to community service, a history of overcoming disadvantage, extraordinary accomplishment, or success in a previous career. The subject matter of your personal statement is up to you. The personal statement should let the Admission Committee know more about you as a person and should address the above qualities if that information is not presented in other areas of your application. Issues addressed in your personal statement may include the background, experiences, and events (positive or negative) that have affected you. You may address the perspectives and experiences you will bring to classroom discussions and the law school community or your motivations for seeking a legal education.
The statement(s) you are submitting as part of your application are viewed as a document(s) demonstrating your writing ability; therefore, the statement(s) must be written by you and no one else should assist in their drafting beyond basic proofreading or critiquing. As noted in the application certification, you may use Artificial Intelligence in the drafting of your statements but you are required to disclose. The statements must be written in the following format: one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt. The statement length limits are indicated in the prompts for each statement.
The S.J. Quinney College of Law seeks to enroll students who will enrich the classroom environment and represent a broad spectrum of perspectives. As part of this commitment, we invite you to submit additional relevant information in this life perspective statement. If you choose to submit a life perspective statement, it should describe the ways in which you will contribute to the life and vibrancy of the College of Law by virtue of your life experiences. Discussion points may include, but are not limited to, neurodivergence, linguistic barriers, or a history of cultural, educational, or socioeconomic challenges. This statement should highlight topics which have not been discussed in your personal statement. The life perspective statement may not exceed (2) two pages in length.
The statement(s) you are submitting as part of your application are viewed as a document(s) demonstrating your writing ability; therefore, the statement(s) must be written by you and no one else should assist in their drafting beyond basic proofreading or critiquing. As noted in the application certification, you may use Artificial Intelligence in the drafting of your statements but you are required to disclose. The statements must be written in the following format: one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt. The statement length limits are indicated in the prompts for each statement.
We invite you to submit a leadership statement. The S.J. Quinney College of Law values the impactful leadership roles many lawyers undertake in their communities and civic organizations. In the leadership statement, please describe an experience where you held a leadership role in an organization or as part of an activity. What was your role, and what contributions did you make in this capacity? What did you learn from this experience? How will you apply these skills in law school and beyond? The leadership statement may not exceed (1) one page in length.
If you would like to submit any additional information not already included in your Personal Statement, Résumé, Leadership Statement, Life Perspective Statement, or Character & Fitness, please attach it here.
Candidates are required to submit a résumé that includes your employment history and/or activities for the previous five years, including dates, employer or affiliation, activity or title, and location. Also, include a brief description of your involvement with public service organizations or activities, and list academic honors and memberships in scholastic societies.
Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose an act or event such as the ones described below may result in revocation of admission, disciplinary action by the S.J. Quinney College of Law, or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek bar admission.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
If the answer is "yes" to any question, you must provide a detailed explanatory statement in an electronic attachment. The statement must give full details, including the date(s), facts, location, and disposition of the matter.
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Have you ever been enrolled in any other J.D. program?
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Have you ever been convicted of a crime or are charges pending against you? A conviction includes a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, a plea in abeyance or deferred adjudication if it is in its period of probation, or a verdict or finding of guilt regardless of whether a sentence was imposed. All drug and/or and alcohol-related offenses must be reported. All convictions must be report even if expunged from your records. You are not required to report minor traffic offenses.
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Have you ever been convicted of a juvenile offense that was classified as felony, or equivalent to a felony? You are not required to report juvenile infractions or misdemeanor juvenile offenses.
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Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on academic or disciplinary probation, disciplined, expelled, or requested or advised to withdraw from any post-secondary school, college, university, professional school, or law school - including campus housing?
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Have you ever been disciplined in connection with any misconduct matter related to any educational, personal, professional, military, business, or employment behavior or activity? Being disciplined includes, but is not limited to, being sanctioned, placed on probation, suspended, dismissed, resigning in lieu of termination, surrendering a professional license, or having a civil judgment obtained against you.
If discharged from the military, provide a copy of DD214.
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law Application Instructions for Entering JD Candidates
(U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Non-Resident Aliens)
ACADEMIC PREPARATION FOR LAW SCHOOL
No specific pre-law curriculum is required for admission to the S.J. Quinney College of Law. Generally, you should seek rigorous courses from instructors who insist upon high standards of performance. Many undergraduate courses and majors can help you develop the specific skills you will need to succeed in law school and in your career. In particular, you should take courses that develop written and spoken communication, reading and comprehension, logic and analytical thinking, and problem-solving. It is critical that you master English and learn efficient study skills. A helpful resource is the Steps to Apply: JD Programs on LSAC's website
ENTERING JD APPLICANTS
First-year students must attend full-time and begin their study in the 2027 Fall Semester. All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). LSAT exemptions are possible for recent University of Utah bachelor's degree graduates or applicants to the joint degree programs more information can be found on our FAQ. Materials submitted in connection with your application file become the property of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law (hereinafter S.J. Quinney College of Law) and cannot be returned, copied, or forwarded elsewhere. We require applications to be electronically submitted through LSAC's electronic application service. This service allows you to electronically complete and submit applications for a vast majority of ABA-approved law schools. The electronic processing service will allow you to submit both your application materials and our $75 application fee through the CAS.
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE REQUIREMENT
You may apply before you receive your undergraduate degree. Before you matriculate, however you must submit official transcripts showing the conferral of a baccalaureate degree, or the foreign equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). For domestic applicants, the U.S. college or university awarding the degree must have an accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
BROAD SET OF ADMISSION CRITERIA
Admission to the S.J. Quinney College of Law is highly competitive; however, no candidate is admitted or denied solely on a numerical basis. The range of grades and test scores of admitted candidates is broad. Factors such as breadth and difficulty of academic background, extracurricular and community activities, leadership ability, advanced degrees of study, geographic and language background, and significant work experience or life-broadening activities are also considered. You may disclose any factors such as your age, disadvantaged socioeconomic or educational background, non-traditional cultural background, or other similar information you deem relevant to our review of your application. See our Apply Now page for a comprehensive list of admission factors.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
For the 2026-2027 admissions cycle, applications may be submitted beginning on September 1, 2026. The JD program has three (3) application deadlines:
October 30, 2026: Early Decision Program application deadline (for early decision consideration, candidate is required to complete the Early Decision Program J.D. application found on LSAC's website); February 6, 2027: Regular Admission process priority consideration deadline; and May 15, 2027: Regular Admission process final application deadline. Files will be processed once all components of the application have been submitted (including a valid LSAT score and LSAT Argumentative Writing or LSAT Writing sample), unless the candidate requests a hold on review. Applications submitted or completed after the May 15 deadline will be reviewed only if circumstances allow. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that the application file is complete.
J.D. APPLICANT CHECKLIST
The Admission Committee will consider your file incomplete until the following items have been received and processed:
Completed Application form
Non-refundable $75 application fee
Official Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report
All official transcripts sent directly to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (or foreign equivalent)
LSAT Score(s)
LSAT Writing Sample or Argumentative Writing
Letter(s) of Recommendation (one required, but you may submit a maximum of three)
Personal Statement
Résumé
For applicants educated outside the U.S., foreign transcript evaluation from LSAC and a TOEFL or IELTS score report (if necessary)
APPLICATION FEE
A nonrefundable $75 application fee is required. The fee must be submitted via the LSAC electronic application processing service and must be paid using a credit or debit card.
USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND DATE OF BIRTH
The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law confidentially maintains your Social Security number and date of birth for routine uses. Disclosure of this information is voluntary, but failure to provide it may result in confusion regarding your identity and could lead to a delay in the processing of your application. Additionally, if you are admitted, there may be a delay or loss of federal and state financial aid, tax credits, student loan deferments, veteran's benefits, and other benefits under law. A separate University of Utah identification number will be assigned to you during the application process.
APPLICATION FORM
Providing your Social Security number, date of birth, and the information requested in the "Personal Background" and "Miscellaneous" sections of the application form is voluntary. You must respond to all other questions and digitally sign and date the form. Completion of the Personal Background section is optional and in no way will adversely affect your candidacy. The question set will be used to identify students whose ability to overcome disadvantages or obstacles of any sort correlates with success in law school and the profession. Your responses will be held in the strictest confidence. Answer the questions to the best of your knowledge. You may add clarifying comments about any answer by attaching an addendum. The gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity information in the demographics section is for accreditation reporting and federal financial aid reporting. It will appear blank on your application and will not be provided to admission file reviewers as part of the decision-making process. Please answer the questions asked on the application form in the space provided and use additional pages or electronic attachments only when necessary. Failure to answer required questions may delay the processing of your application. Re-applicants must submit a new application. In connection with many state bar licensing requirements, copies of law school applications are provided to the state bar as part of the character and fitness evaluations of bar applicants. Because the requirements of each state bar vary considerably, you are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements from the bar organization of each state in which you intend to practice law.
LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION COUNCIL ACCOUNT NUMBER
The Law School Admission Council issues individual account numbers to candidates when they register for services such as the LSAT or the Credential Assembly Service. You may obtain your LSAC account number by going to the LSAC website.
LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST
All candidates must take the LSAT. LSAT scores from tests taken before September 2021 will not be accepted for candidates seeking admission in Fall 2027. April 2027 LSAT scores will meet our May 15 completion deadline. LSAT exemptions are possible for recent University of Utah bachelor's degree graduates or applicants to the joint degree programs more information can be found on our FAQ.
CREDENTIAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE
Applicants must register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that transcripts from each U.S. college or university ever attended are sent to the CAS, regardless of credits being transferred or applied toward degree requirements. If an applicant is seeking readmission, they must submit a new CAS report. Once the CAS file is complete, applicants should allow four (4) to six (6) weeks for the S.J. Quinney College of Law to receive and process the CAS report.
A complete CAS Report includes:
CAS Banner/Summary Page (produced by CAS when the applicant requests the CAS Report)
All Official Transcripts
Submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions ever attended, including those reflecting any degree conferral(s). This requirement includes, but is not limited to, concurrent or dual-enrollment coursework (e.g. while in high school), certificates, advanced degrees, study-abroad coursework completed outside the degree-granting institution, and credits earned at institutions outside the United States. LSAT Score(s)
LSAT Writing Sample
Letter(s) of Recommendation
STATEMENTS
The statement(s) you are submitting as part of your application are viewed as a document(s) demonstrating your writing ability. As noted in the application certification, you may use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in drafting the content of your statements. If you elect to use AI in drafting the content of your statements, you must disclose this and acknowledge the statements in which you used AI. The statements must be written in the following format: one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt. The statement length limits are indicated in the prompts for each statement.
REQUIRED PERSONAL STATEMENT
Candidates are required to submit a personal statement of no more than (2) two pages in length. The Admission Committee's goal is to assemble an intellectually stimulating community of students composed of individuals who have varied backgrounds and perspectives. In addition to outstanding academic ability, we seek students whose life experiences, backgrounds, and interests will enhance our educational community. This includes, but is not limited to, qualities such as leadership, maturity, organization, knowledge of other languages and cultures, sincere commitment to community service, a history of overcoming disadvantage, extraordinary accomplishment, or success in a previous career. The subject matter of your personal statement is up to you. The personal statement should let the Admission Committee know more about you as a person and should address the above qualities if that information is not presented in other areas of your application. Issues addressed in your personal statement may include the background, experiences, and events (positive or negative) that have affected you. You may address the perspectives and experiences you will bring to classroom discussions and the law school community or your motivations for seeking a legal education. The personal statement must be written in the following format: one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt.
OPTIONAL LIFE PERSPECTIVE STATEMENT
The S.J. Quinney College of Law seeks to enroll students who will enrich the classroom environment and represent a broad spectrum of perspectives. As part of this commitment, we invite you to submit additional relevant information in this life perspective statement. If you choose to submit a life perspective statement, it should describe the ways in which you will contribute to the life and vibrancy of the College of Law by virtue of your life experiences. Discussion points may include, but are not limited to, neurodivergence, linguistic barriers, or a history of cultural, educational, or socioeconomic challenges. This statement should highlight topics which have not been discussed in your personal statement. The life perspective statement may not exceed (2) two pages in length and must have one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt.
OPTIONAL LEADERSHIP STATEMENT
We invite you to submit a leadership statement. The S.J. Quinney College of Law values the impactful leadership roles many lawyers undertake in their communities and civic organizations. In the leadership statement, please describe an experience where you held a leadership role in an organization or as part of an activity. What was your role, and what contributions did you make in this capacity? What did you learn from this experience? How will you apply these skills in law school and beyond? The leadership statement may not exceed (1) one page in length and must have one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt.
LETTER(S) OF RECOMMENDATION
You are required to have one (1) but may have up to three (3) letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf. Letters of recommendation should come from people who know you well and have had the opportunity to observe you, preferably, in an academic or professional setting. Letters must be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. To use this service, follow the instructions outlined on LSAC's Letters of Recommendation webpage.
APPLICANTS EDUCATED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
The S.J. Quinney College of Law requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted through the Credential Assembly Service. If you completed any postsecondary academic work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study-abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee. An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), and will be incorporated into your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report. To use the Credential Assembly Service for your international documents, follow the online instructions for registering for the service. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it promptly to them. More time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts. Questions about foreign transcripts and the Credential Assembly Service can be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
APPLICANTS WHOSE NATIVE LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit official results from the TOEFL or IELTS test. The test must have been administered within 12 months from application. You are not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score if you have received a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.
TOEFL
You must contact the Educational Testing Service and request that your TOEFL score is sent to LSAC to be incorporated into your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report. Your score will be included in the International Credential Evaluation Document. LSAC's TOEFL code for the Credential Assembly Service is 8395.
IELTS
You must contact your IELTS testing center and request that your IELTS score is sent to LSAC to be incorporated into your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report.
UTAH RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
Initial residency classification will be determined when your JD application is reviewed. For admitted candidates, the official letter of admission will include their residency classification.
University of Utah Residency Policy for S.J. Quinney College of Law Students
University of Utah's residency policy is based Utah State Law 53B-8-102 and the Board of Regents R512, Policies and Procedures. Students attending the S.J. Quinney College of Law who are coded as a non-resident for tuition purposes are required to pay non-resident tuition. Law students classified as non-residents are not eligible for residency reclassification once they begin their law school studies. For first-year law students, the beginning of law school studies is the first day of Orientation in August. Non-resident students will pay tuition at the non-resident rate for the duration of their law school studies; this includes periods of approved "Leaves of Absence." This University institutional residency policy supersedes all other means of qualifying for residency reclassification (as outlined in the Board of Regents Policy R512), except for the designated exceptions found in R512.6.
Reclassification of Residency Prior to Enrollment
For law students who question their classification as a non-residents, or who believe they will qualify for Utah resident status before their law school studies begin, they may complete the Residency Reclassification Application available on the University Residency Office webpage. Also, the University's Institutional Policy for residency reclassification is on the same web landing page. The University Admissions Office may be of assistance and can be reached at (801) 581-8761.
Please Note: Residency applications will not be processed after the published deadlines. Also, please be aware that obtaining supporting documentation (Utah driver's license, Utah car registration, etc.) for the residency reclassification must be completed by the published deadlines. These deadlines are earlier than the residency application submission deadlines. For example, to apply for fall semester reclassification, one must obtain supporting documentation by May 1 and the application submission deadline is July 1.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The S.J. Quinney College of Law provides a high-quality education at a competitive price. The typical first-year student can meet the cost of law school with a financial aid package that may include federal student loans, private loans, a college scholarship, and personal savings or a family contribution. First-year students are encouraged not to work during the academic year. Many advanced law students may borrow less than first-year students because when they have summer and/or part-time compensated employment. The University of Utah requires students wishing to be considered for financial aid to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By submitting the FAFSA, a need-analysis is conducted, including determining the amount a student can be expected to contribute to their educational costs. Even if you have not received an admission decision, you should complete and submit a FAFSA by February 1. Information about the FAFSA and Federal Student Loan Programs can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The University of Utah Title IV school code: 003675.
COLLEGE OF LAW MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
The S.J. Quinney College of Law offers privately funded merit-on-entrance scholarships to selected first-year students. All admitted candidates (including international applicants) are considered on the basis of their admission applications. There are also some merit-based scholarships, fellowships, and stipend programs available to second- and third-year students. See our Fellowships and Scholarships webpage for more information.
S.J. QUINNEY COLLEGE OF LAW NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
These private-source scholarships are awarded by the S.J. Quinney College of Law. A need-based application form (made available only to applicants offered admission) and a FAFSA are required to be considered. Only U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible for College of Law Need-Based Scholarships. Need-based scholarships are non-renewable and must be applied for each year. Awards generally range from $500 to $2,500.
CAMPUS HOUSING
University housing for single students and students with families is available on campus in one- or multi-bedroom apartments. Some complexes feature community centers, preschool and early childhood educational programs, adult activities, landscaped grounds, gardens, and picnic areas. For housing information, you may contact the follow offices:
Housing & Residential Education 801.587.2002
University Student Apartments 801.581.8667
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
Housing in pleasant neighborhoods is available within walking distance of campus and throughout Salt Lake City. Accommodations include large, medium, and small apartment complexes, condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, single-family residences, and rooming houses.
Learn more about University of Utah Off-Campus Housing.
OFFICE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The University of Utah is committed to providing a supportive learning environment and fostering safe, healthy relationships among our students. To do so, the University will immediately and appropriately respond to reports of sexual misconduct, including the offenses of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are the most egregious forms of sex discrimination. University policy also prohibits discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. These offenses are subject to the same accountability standards as offenses against individuals in any protected class and the same kinds of support are available.
When OEO receives a report of sexual misconduct, the university will respond by providing information about support and resources on campus and will also explain options for addressing the behavior including filing a Formal Complaint with the OEO under university policy and/or reporting to law enforcement. Supportive Measures are available to those who experience Sexual Misconduct, whether or not you choose to file a Formal Complaint or report to law enforcement.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, we encourage you to report it to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX:
Jess Morrison
Director
Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO)
383 South University Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
801-581-8365
oeo@utah.edu
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu.
More information about the University policies can be found at our website at
oeo.utah.edu. Relevant University of Utah's policies can be found at:
regulations.utah.edu/general/1-012.php
regulations.utah.edu/general/1-011.php
Include a typed personal statement of 2 to 3 pages, double-spaced. There is no formula for a successful personal statement, and different applicants will have different approaches and topics for their essays. At Illinois Law, we look beyond test scores and grades to find the applicants that are best suited for success. We encourage you to discuss significant life experiences; meaningful extracurricular activities; why you have chosen to pursue a career in the law; significant obstacles met and overcome; particular political, philosophical, or religious beliefs; prior careers; or experiences relating to disadvantage of any kind. Any of these subjects, and countless others, could be appropriate for your personal statement and will assist the committee in selecting the best individuals to study at Illinois Law.
Supplemental essays allow you an opportunity to provide us with relevant information that you were not able to include elsewhere in your application materials or that did not fit thematically with your personal statement. If you think writing on any of the topics below would help us get a better understanding of what you individually bring to the law school class, we encourage you to consider submitting your responses to one or two (but no more) of the following topics. Your response to each essay should be less than 500 words. Please use a minimum of 11 point font and double space your responses. Please be sure to include the number of the prompt you are addressing at the top of your essay.
Essay Prompt #1 Describe a challenge, failure, or setback you have faced and overcome, whether long-term and systemic (e.g., socioeconomic, health, or complex family circumstances) or short-term and discrete (e.g., a workplace scenario or a particularly demanding course). How did you confront it? What, if anything, might you do differently?
Essay Prompt #2 Describe a quality or skill you have and discuss how you expect it will help you in your legal career.
Essay Prompt #3 Tell us about a time in the recent past when you changed your mind about something significant.
Essay Prompt #4 Our law school culture is one of encouragement, cooperation, and collaboration. We actively seek out students who exhibit those characteristics, even when it is not convenient or easy. Describe a recent experience when you exhibited any or all of these characteristics.
Essay Prompt #5 One of the goals of our admissions process is to enroll students who will enrich the quality and breadth of the intellectual life of our law school community and the legal profession. How have your lived experiences and perspectives positively shaped who you are today in a way that contributes to our admissions goals?
Essay Prompt #6 Think of someone who knows you in an academic or professional setting, but doesn't know you well (i.e., not a family member or a close friend). How would they describe your work ethic, written or oral communication skills, and/or professionalism? Would their description be accurate? Why or why not?
Essay Prompt #7 Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with varied perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively.
- This question is optional. Please describe why you are interested in attending the University of Illinois College of Law. This statement should address how Illinois Law is uniquely situated to help you reach your academic and professional goals. This could include specific academic programs or professional outcomes; it could include family and personal obligations. (maximum characters 4000)
Please address any concerns you may have in your application. If, for example, you do not believe that your academic credentials demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. Also, describe any gaps in your academic career and work experience or any extenuating circumstances in your profile of which the admissions committee should be made aware. Please limit your response to 250 words or less, minimum 11 point font, double-spaced.
For law school application purposes, we are interested in learning about your professional and academic pursuits AFTER high school. You do not need to include your high school information or test scores on your resume. Additionally, it is perfectly acceptable to submit a resume that is longer than one page if that is necessary. Finally, we love a brief hobbies and interests section. We want to get to know you! A successful resume can include:
(A) positions of full-time or significant part-time employment, paid or unpaid, including the name and location of your employer, your job title, and the dates you held the position, along with any other information you think will be useful;
(B) significant extracurricular/non-work-related activities;
(C) academic and non-academic honors and awards received, including fellowships, prizes, and memberships in honor societies; and
(D) hobbies or special areas of interest or academic pursuits.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
When answering the questions below, if you are unsure whether an incident in your past requires an affirmative response, you are advised to contact the Office of Admissions at (217) 244-6415 to request clarification. Failure to respond candidly and completely to one of these questions is a serious matter in itself. Answering "yes" to any of the questions below will not automatically bar you from admission to the College of Law. If, following your completion of this application, matters arise that would require you to answer "yes" to any of the questions below, you are required to supplement your application with complete details. Your answer will be reviewed on an individual basis in relation to all aspects of your experience, academic achievement, and potential. You must submit a supplementary statement with any affirmative responses providing complete details, including dates and resolution. Your supplementary statement must be self-contained. The College of Law will not conduct its own investigation into the matter.
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Have you ever been subject to disciplinary proceedings or actions for academic or other reasons in any of the colleges and universities, graduate, or professional schools you have attended, or are such charges pending or expected to be brought against you?
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Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense, either as a juvenile or as an adult, or is there now pending against you any indictment, criminal information, or criminal complaint? This includes matters that have been expunged or sealed.
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Have you ever served in the military?
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If you did serve in the military, did you receive less than an honorable discharge (other than discharge based solely on sexual orientation)? If your response is "no," a supplementary statement is not required. If your response is "yes," attach your explanation in the Supplementary Statement Attachment.
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Did you answer "yes" to any of questions 1, 2, or 4 in this Character & Fitness Section?
If you have additional documents for your application file, attach them here.
University of Illinois College of Law Admissions Timeline September 1: College of Law begins accepting applications.
October 1: Anticipated earliest date to submit FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov) to begin financial aid process. FAFSA code for the College of Law is 001775.
March 15: Preferred application deadline.
Admissions Checklist:
Complete all required sections of the application and submit electronically through LSAC by March 15;
Attach a résumé submitted electronically through LSAC;
Attach a personal statement (2-3 pages double-spaced preferred) submitted electronically through LSAC;
Two letters of recommendation (submitted electronically through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service) are required. For applicants who will graduate from their undergraduate institutions within a year of attending law school, it is strongly recommended that at least two of your Letters of Recommendation be academic in nature (i.e., from a professor or teaching assistant). You may submit up to 2 additional Letters of Recommendation for a maximum of 4 Letters of Recommendation. All letters of recommendation should be either academic or professional in nature. Letters of recommendation should not come from family, friends, or relatives;
English language proficiency requirement: Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate degree at an English-speaking institution within the last five years will be required to submit a qualifying English language proficiency score. Please review our website for more details.
Illinois Law does not charge an application fee.
If you have questions about the application, please email law-admissions@illinois.edu.
Contact Information:
University of Illinois College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid 201 Law Building 504 East Pennsylvania Avenue Champaign, IL 61820 Telephone: 217.244.6415 Fax: 217.244.1478 www.law.illinois.edu
Personal Statement: Your personal statement is your opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee your significant personal, social or academic experiences that demonstrate why you are interested in attending law school and how your ability to learn, adapt and excel will propel you as a law student and lawyer. Please format it as a 2-3 page double spaced statement.
This section is optional.
Optional Life Experience Statement: In a separate attachment, please share with us your life experiences or personal characteristics that are concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that speak to your potential for future academic or professional success. This statement may include your experiences overcoming discrimination, hardship or any other lived experience that shaped you as a person.
This section is optional.
Optional Kansas Statement: The University of Kansas School of Law seeks to attract students from all fifty states and every nation. In a separate attachment, please briefly share with us any personal interest or connection to Kansas, the University of Kansas, or the University of Kansas School of Law.
This section is optional.
If you wish to address any additional qualifications or concerns not covered in the application, personal statement, or résumé, please attach your additional addendums here. This is entirely optional.
Please attach a résumé to your application that includes all your relevant education, work experience, volunteer activities, honors, scholarships, awards and other activities that reflect your background and experience. You must list all post-secondary (after high school) institutions where you enrolled. Please include the start and end date for each institution.
10. Character and Fitness
If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, please provide a thorough explanation on a separate sheet or electronic attachment submitted with your application. Include the date, nature of the event or proceeding, name and location of the court or tribunal, disposition of the matter, and any other relevant information to fully explain the situation.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
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Have you ever been subject to any sanction, probation, or disciplinary actions for any reason in any of the secondary schools, colleges, or universities you have attended (include records that have been sealed or destroyed under a school's file management policy, include actions related to university or college residential living)?
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Have you ever had a protective or restraining order entered against you?
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Have you ever been arrested for, issued a citation for, noticed to appear or summoned, charged with, taken into custody, indicted or convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or infraction other than a minor traffic infraction (include diversions, sealed or expunged records, and juvenile offenses)?
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Have you ever been subject to proceedings at an academic institution related to accusations of personal or academic dishonesty (include records that have been expunged, canceled or annulled)?
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Have you ever had your driver's license suspended or revoked, or have you ever been arrested for, charged with, summoned, taken into custody, indicted or convicted of a traffic violation involving alcohol or a controlled substance? (include diversions, sealed or expunged records, and juvenile offenses)
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Have you ever been charged with a military offense (include diversions and sealed or expunged records)?
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Have you ever been investigated in connection with a professional certificate or license, or had a professional certificate or license denied, revoked or suspended?
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Have you ever been a party to bankruptcy proceedings, had a tax lien filed against you, or been a party to any other civil or criminal proceeding related to unpaid financial obligations?
Application Instructions 2026-2027
Thank you for applying to The University of Kansas School of Law. Please review the following before submitting your application.
The University of Kansas School of Law only accepts applications from applicants who will have completed a bachelor?s degree prior to the term start date, or who are participants in the LEAD program.
- The scholarship priority deadline is February 20, 2027. Candidates will continue to be considered for scholarship, but only to the extent that remaining funds are available.
- The priority deadline to apply is February 20, 2027. Candidates may still submit their application after this date, but they will be reviewed only if there are seats available in the incoming class.
- If you are a transfer student, the priority deadline to apply is June 1, 2027. For visiting students, please apply thirty days prior to the start of the semester you intend to enroll.
If you have any questions about the admissions process, please visit our website at www.law.ku.edu or contact the Office of Admissions at admitlaw@ku.edu.
This section is optional.
If you answer "yes" to any of the Character and Fitness questions, you must provide a thorough explanation in an electronic attachment submitted with your application. Include the date, nature of the event or proceeding, name and location of the court or tribunal, disposition of the matter, and any other relevant information to fully explain the situation.
This section is optional.
For students applying for transfer admission.
Pepperdine does not provide a specific prompt or question for applicants to address in their personal statement. Instead, you are encouraged to write about something personal, relevant, and unique to you. This may include discussing a significant aspect of your background, a quality or trait that you believe defines you, a transformative experience or mentor, your motivations for pursuing law, or an interest that would allow you to make a distinctive contribution to the Pepperdine community. Write authentically and in your own voice.
We value clear and concise writing. The personal statement should be two to four pages, double-spaced in a 12-point font.
Optional Statements You may choose to respond to either or both prompts below to provide the Admissions Committee with additional information about yourself and the contribution you would make to our unique Pepperdine Caruso Law community.
#1 Christian Mission Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Pepperdine Caruso Law?s dedication to our Christian mission drives our deep desire to embody and imbue in our students the highest standards of ethics and morality. We are proud to have a strong Christian faculty that also includes several professors from other faiths. We welcome students of all faiths, as well as students who are not part of any faith tradition. Our complete mission and vision can be found here.
Please share with the Admissions Committee how you would contribute to the Christian mission as part of our unique Pepperdine Caruso Law community.
#2 Background, Life Experience, and Perspective
Pepperdine Caruso Law is a community of belonging with students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to creating a culture in which each person?s voice and convictions enhance our shared community.
Please share with the Admissions Committee how your background, life experiences, and perspective have shaped your courage, determination, and character and ability to contribute uniquely to the culture of the Pepperdine Caruso Law community.
OPTIONAL - Please use this space if you need to add supplemental information not already disclosed elsewhere in your application.
Please attach a résumé including record of employment, scholastic honors, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
The following information must be completed before your file can be evaluated.
If you answer "YES" to any of the four questions, attach a statement or an electronic attachment giving details and return it with this application.
Should your response to any of the four questions change at any time during the course of your application, after you have been placed on the wait list, or after you have been offered admission, you must immediately inform the Office of Admissions in writing and update your application accordingly.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
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Have you ever been subject to any academic or disciplinary action while in college, law school, or any other educational setting, regardless of the outcome?
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Have you ever been charged, cited, prosecuted, or convicted of any crime for an offense other than a minor traffic violation? Include any instance of drunk driving, whether a felony, misdemeanor or minor traffic violation, regardless of the outcome.
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Have you ever been a party to or are you presently a party to any civil action or administrative proceeding? (This does not include divorce or dissolution.)
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Do you know of any matter which might otherwise adversely affect your admission to this school or the Bar?
Scholarship Opportunities Faculty Scholars Award Full-tuition plus a $10,000 living stipend Criteria: Suggested minimum GPA 3.75 and minimum LSAT 165. A separate application and campus visit are required. You must submit the Faculty Scholars application with your complete Eapp and CAS report.
Dean's Merit Scholarship One-quarter to full tuition Criteria: Minimum GPA 3.3 and minimum LSAT 165. All applicants are immediately considered upon acceptance; no separate application is required.
Caruso Scholars Award and Dean's Excellence Scholarship
To be eligible to apply, you must plan to receive a bachelor?s degree from an accredited college or university before enrolling at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Filing of Application Complete the Application for Admission. Ensure that each question has been answered completely, as failure to do so will delay the review of the application.
You must complete the following:
Character and Fitness Résume Personal Statement Optional Statements LSAT test scores through LSAC or GRE test scores through ETS Registration with the Credential Assembly Service. Your CAS must include your writing sample. Request your official transcript(s) and two letters of recommendation be sent directly to LSAC.
Application Deadlines Priority Deadline: February 1 Final Deadline: April 1
Standardized Tests Pepperdine Caruso Law accepts both the LSAT and the GRE as acceptable tests for admission consideration.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) Applicants are encouraged to take the LSAT early, but by no later than April of the year in which admission is sought. LSAT scores are valid for five years. Applications for the LSAT and information regarding testing centers are available at LSAC.org.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Test Pepperdine only accepts official GRE score reports from ETS. Please indicate Pepperdine University as the recipient of your test scores and include our school code, 4371. Applicants are encouraged to take the GRE early but no later than April of the year in which admission is sought. GRE scores are valid for five years. Additional information regarding applying to Pepperdine with a GRE score can be found on our website here. GRE registration information and how to submit official score reports can be found on the ETS website.
Credential Assembly Service LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Reports are requested upon receipt of the application. All applicants must register with the CAS through LSAC.org. Once registered, an official transcript from each educational institution you have attended must be sent to LSAC. Information on sending your official transcripts to LSAC can be found on LSAC.org.
Internationally educated applicants must use the Credential Assembly Service. All international transcripts must be sent to LSAC.
Letters of Recommendation Pepperdine Caruso Law requires two letters of recommendation. Recommendations should be furnished by those individuals who can best assess your ability to succeed in law school. It is highly recommended that one letter be provided by a faculty member with whom you pursued your undergraduate studies. Pepperdine requires letters to be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. This service is included in the CAS registration. To use this service, follow the directions for submitting letters outlined on LSAC's website, LSAC.org.
Application Review Process We admit students on a rolling basis, with decisions typically made between December and May. You will be notified of your decision via email. We do not have an admissions appeals process, but you may reapply in a subsequent year. Application files are maintained from previous years, so you should consider updating your personal statement and supplemental information. We recommend you submit at least one new letter of recommendation.
Accepting the Offer of Admission Admitted students who accept our offer must make a non-refundable seat deposit(s) to Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Admitted JD students are required to make two non-refundable deposits. The first deposit of $500 is required by April 15. The second deposit of $500 is required by June 15. Applicants admitted after April 1 will be given a later first seat deposit deadline, and those admitted after June 1 will be given a later seat deposit deadline. Seat deposits are applied to the student's tuition in their first semester.
Official Undergraduate Transcript After accepting the offer of admission, incoming 1L students must have an official transcript from each college or university that granted a degree, showing the degree and conferral date, sent directly to Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law. The transcripts must be on file by October 1st. All transcripts and documents become the property of Pepperdine University and are not returnable. A student's final admission to Pepperdine cannot be granted until such transcripts are on file.
Please note that transcripts sent to the School of Law via LSAC during the application process can fulfill this requirement only if the degree is posted on the transcript.
Qualification for Admission to the Bar
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
An affirmative answer to any character and fitness question on our application requires a detailed written explanation.
All candidates for admission have an ongoing duty to disclose material changes to their application, especially those related to conduct matters (criminal or disciplinary), to the Dean of Admission prior to enrollment. Candidates agree that providing inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information on the admission application, omitting information, or additional changed information provided can lead to the rescission of any offer of admission and/or scholarship, or for discipline, dismissal, or revocation of the degree if discovered at a later date. Additionally, such a violation during the admission process may lead to a referral to the LSAC for a finding of misconduct.
Please submit a 2-3 page personal statement that provides insight about you, describes your motivation to attend law school, and/or highlights your interest in Indiana University Maurer School of Law. A compelling statement will be clearly written, well-organized, and highlight the special strengths and experiences you would bring to our law school and the legal profession. These may include, but are not limited to, demonstrated evidence of leadership, creativity, commitment to justice, service to others, cross-cultural competency, and significant work or volunteer experience. The personal statement must be a maximum of 3 pages, double-spaced, using 12-pt font with 1-inch margins.
Please share any information about adversity or challenges that you would like us to consider about your life which may have limited your educational opportunities or negatively impacted your academic performance. This may include social, economic, or educational obstacles, exposure to bias, health issues, disability, immigration status, surviving abuse, experiencing discrimination or complex family circumstances like incarcerated parents, homelessness, or being raised in foster care. This is not an exhaustive list; it's an opportunity to share any additional aspects of your background that may provide the admissions committee with a better sense of your strengths as a student and classmate. The adversity statement should not exceed three pages, double-spaced, using 12-pt font with 1-inch margins.
If you wish to submit additional information that you believe will provide further insight into your candidacy please attach this information here.
Please submit a current resume which outlines your professional and volunteer experience, academic accomplishments, and other pertinent aspects of your background you wish to share with the admissions committee.
Because of the high ethical standards of the legal profession, law school applicants need to be aware that "failure to disclose" an act or event that pertains to your character and honesty on this application may result in revocation of admission or disciplinary action by the Maurer School of Law or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which an applicant seeks admission. Under Indiana law, you do not have an obligation to disclose expunged offenses to the law school as part of your application for admission. However, you are strongly encouraged to do so. Many state bars, including Indiana, require disclosure of expunged and/or sealed records for assessing character and fitness for admission to the bar. As such, admission to law school and completion of JD requirements does not guarantee that you will be able to sit for or be admitted to the Indiana bar (or another state?s bar). In addition to the bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners at http://www.ncbex.org. State Bar authorities investigating you in the future will expect that anything they find in their security clearance checks or through other inquiries will have been reported on this application. Therefore, please respond fully to the following questions. Resolve doubts by disclosing the information (see Attachments section).
By electronically transmitting this application, you acknowledge that, if you are admitted and then do matriculate, you will have a continuing obligation to disclose promptly any incidents that occur from application submission to enrollment as well as throughout your time as a law student that might reflect adversely on your good character and fitness to practice law. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission based on the misconduct of an applicant after he/she has been admitted.
- Have you ever been suspended, expelled, placed on probation, or otherwise disciplined (including being requested or advised to resign to avoid discipline) by any college or university (including a residence hall system) for any academic, legal, ethical, or other reasons?
- As a juvenile or adult, have you ever been arrested, charged with or convicted of a crime that has not been expunged or sealed by a court? Please note that expungement and dismissal are distinct and all offenses that have been dismissed in your favor must be disclosed.
- Have you ever been charged with any traffic violations or infractions (omitting parking violations)?
- Within the meaning of the general phrase "good moral character," are there any other incidents that might challenge your character, honesty, and integrity? If you answered YES to any of the above questions, please use an electronic attachment to explain. Please be detailed and specific with your explanation describing the incident(s), including the location(s) and date(s) of the charge(s) or conviction(s), your status at the time of release, and the court deposition(s). In your own words, provide a description of the impact the incident(s) had on you. Resolve uncertainty by consulting with a member of our Admissions Office.
- If I am admitted and then matriculate, I will have a continuing obligation to disclose promptly any incidents that occur during my time as a law student that might reflect adversely on my good character and fitness to practice law.
Please read the following instructions carefully. Applicants must complete and submit the full application electronically via LSAC. Please keep a copy of your application for your records.
Application Fee The application fee has been waived for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle for domestic and international applicants. An international applicant is defined by their citizenship. Please contact the Office of International Services with questions about citizenship.
Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and Standardized Test Scores All applicants must register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Other than GRE and JD-Next scores, all supporting application materials, including transcript(s), letters of recommendation, and LSAT scores must be sent directly to the CAS and not the Law School. Applicants who plan to use GRE scores should log in to their ETS account and select the Indiana University Maurer School of Law as a recipient of GRE results using the ETS IU code: 4703. Applicants using JD-Next must designate which schools to submit score reports to directly from JD-Next.
Letters of Recommendation Please submit 2 letters of recommendation through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service that is included with the CAS that attest to your potential success as a law student and as a member of the legal profession. Additional letters of recommendation and letters sent directly to the Law School will not be accepted. While preference is given to letters from faculty members who are familiar with your academic strengths, we gladly welcome letters from employers or individuals who know you professionally and can assess you objectively.
Personal Statement Please submit a 2-3 page personal statement that provides insight about you, describes your motivation to attend law school, and highlights your interest in Indiana University Maurer School of Law. A compelling statement will be clearly written, well-organized, and highlights the special strengths or unique experiences that you would bring to our law school and the legal profession. These may include, but are not limited to, demonstrated evidence of leadership, creativity, commitment to justice, service to others, cross-cultural competency, and significant work or volunteer experience. The personal statement should not exceed three pages, double-spaced, using 12-pt font with 1-inch margins.
Resume Please submit a current resume which outlines your professional and volunteer experience, academic accomplishments, and other pertinent aspects of your background you wish to share with the admissions committee.
Race and Ethnicity Information provided in the Demographics section of the application under Ethnicity will NOT be included in the evaluation of your application. In compliance with the Department of Education and the American Bar Association, IU Maurer collects this information for reporting purposes only.
Residency for Tuition and Scholarship Purposes Residency for tuition purposes is determined solely by the Indiana University Office of the Registrar, not by the Maurer School of Law. Information about residency requirements, including the Rules Determining Resident and Nonresident Student Status for Indiana University Fee Purposes, is available on the Registrar's website.
For the purpose of awarding admissions scholarships, the Admissions Office will make a preliminary residency determination based on the Permanent Address you provide in this application. Please list the address that reflects your true permanent residence. This should generally be the place where you have established domicile and have lived continuously for the past 12 months?not a temporary address, mailing address, or address used only while attending school.
Your official residency status will be determined later by the Office of the Registrar as part of the Indiana University graduate application process. If the residency status determined by the Registrar differs from the information provided in this application, your tuition classification and any scholarship awards based on residency may be adjusted accordingly.
Adversity Statement (Optional) IU Maurer recognizes that some applicants have faced and overcome significant adversity in life. In this optional essay, you may share any information about adversity or challenges that you would like us to consider about your life which may have limited your educational opportunities or negatively impacted your academic performance. This may include social, economic, or educational obstacles, exposure to bias, health issues, disability, immigration status, surviving abuse, experiencing discrimination or complex family circumstances like incarcerated parents, homelessness, or being raised in foster care. This is not an exhaustive list; it's an opportunity to share any additional aspects of your background that may provide the admissions committee with a better sense of your strengths as a student and classmate. The adversity statement should not exceed three pages, double-spaced, using 12-pt font with 1-inch margins.
Addendum (Optional) If you believe that the admissions committee would benefit from an explanation about part of your application, you should submit an addendum. Addenda will usually explain problems with, or unusual aspects to, your application. Typical reasons for submitting an addendum include, but are not limited to, the following: a poor semester of grades, an unusually low grade on a particular course, an unusual gap in college attendance, or an LSAT or GPA that is not indicative of your true abilities.
Please note that if you answered 'Yes' to any question under the Character and Fitness section of this application, you must submit an addendum to explain each incident.
English Proficiency for International Applicants If your first language is not English you must include results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test with your application materials. TOEFL scores and IELTS scores are valid for two (2) years.
The admission committee recognizes that in certain circumstances an applicant may have English language fluency that is sufficient for success in the JD program at Indiana Law. In such cases, the applicant may request a TOEFL or IELTS test waiver from the admissions committee by emailing lawadmis@iu.edu. Please explain why you believe you have the English proficiency to request a TOEFL or IELTS test waiver.
Application Deadline The deadline for submission of the application form is June 1st. International applicants should submit the application by May1st. We do encourage you to apply as early as possible after the application opens. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and could be made as early as the beginning of December. It is your responsibility to make sure that all materials that are needed to complete your file are received by our office. You may check the status of your application online by following the instructions in the email confirming that your application has been received.
Early Decision JD applicants may ask to be considered for admission as a part of the Early Decision Program. This program is designed for those high-caliber applicants who have a strong level of interest in the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Details regarding this program may be obtained on the law school's website (https://law.indiana.edu/admission/jd-apply/questions-and-answers.html) or by contacting the Office of Admissions. Early Decision Applications must be submitted no later than October 15th. All supporting application materials, including test scores, must be submitted by November 1st (we will extend the deadline into the first week of November for those taking the October LSAT). Early decision notifications will be made in early November. During the early decision process, your application may be accepted, denied, or held for later review. If your file is held for later review, you will no longer be bound by the early decision agreement.
Scholarship Assistance No separate application is necessary for scholarship consideration. Scholarship assistance is made possible by the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and by the generous support of alumni and friends of the school. Awards vary in amounts and are primarily based upon merit. In recent years, awards have been made to more than 75 percent of each entering class and have ranged from $5,000 to full tuition. Most scholarships will be renewed each academic year if you maintain satisfactory academic progress (maintain a 2.65 GPA or higher). A small group of scholarships have additional renewal criteria. All admitted applicants are considered for scholarships, but priority may be given to those who have completed their admissions application by March 1st. In cases where a student enrolls in a joint degree program, scholarship awards may not exceed total tuition for each semester.
Loan Programs If you need information regarding loan programs, you should contact the Director of Financial Aid at Indiana University Maurer School of Law at 812.855.7746 or iulawfa@iu.edu.
The form used to apply for federal student financial aid is called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. For the academic year, you will be using your prior year's income and asset information to complete the FAFSA. It's best to complete your federal tax return early to have the data available, but you can file the FAFSA before you actually file your taxes. You may complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/. For additional help in completing the FAFSA, please go to www.studentaid.gov, or call 1.800.4.FED.AID (1.800.433.3243). Be sure to make a copy of the FAFSA for your own records. The Federal School Code for Indiana University Bloomington is 001809.
You may file the FAFSA any time after October 1. The ideal time to file the FAFSA is prior to March 1st.
*International applicants, in most cases, if you apply for a Private Education Loan to attend school in the U.S., you will need to obtain a cosigner who is a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident in order for your loan application to be approved.
Nondiscrimination Policy The Indiana University Maurer School of Law, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and campus policies, does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender (including identity and expression), disability, age, citizenship, status as a veteran, or other legally protected class, and it prohibits sexual harassment in its programs and activities. Inquiries about Maurer School of Law student-related policies or compliance with state and federal laws and campus regulations relating to nondiscrimination may be directed to the Office of Student Services, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 211 S Indiana Ave, IN 47405, or to the Office of Civil Rights, US Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 50 W Madison St., Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-4544.
Get to Know Indiana Law Find ways to experience Indiana Law by visiting https://law.indiana.edu/admission/jd-apply/visit.html.
Questions? Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions or concerns. We would be glad to help!
Email: lawadmis@iu.edu Phone: 812.855.4765
Greg Canada, Dean of Admissions
Janet L. Hein, Director of Admissions
Amanda Gallaga, Director of Admissions Operations
Jeremy Whatley, Associate Director of Admissions
Rachel Arnold, Admissions Coordinator
If you have attended another law school as a J.D. candidate, you must submit a letter of good standing from your previous law school. Failure to produce a letter of good attending will disqualify you from consideration.
A personal statement is required of all applicants. Please refer to the application instructions for more information on the personal statement.
We invite all applicants to submit an optional Sp.A.C.E. statement. Please refer to the Admission Evaluation Process section of the application instructions for more information on Sp.A.C.E. and submitting an optional Sp.A.C.E statement.
You may supplement the employment question by attaching an additional page, if necessary.
Please feel free to include any additional information you feel would be helpful to the Admissions Committee.
In the event that an award is made after you have submitted your application, you should email the Admissions Office and we will include the information with your application materials.
Please feel free to attach a copy of your résumé.
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Have you ever been subject to a warning, dismissal, suspension, probation, or other disciplinary or academic action by any college, university or professional school? If the answer is yes, please detail the exact nature of the action and the dates and attach in a separate statement to your application. (You should refer to the Character and Fitness & Qualifications for Admission to the Bar section in the Application Instructions for more information.)
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Have you ever been arrested, accused, charged, prosecuted, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a crime for an offense other than a minor traffic violation? If the answer is yes, please detail the exact nature of the offense and the dates on a separate page or electronic attachment and enclose with your application. This does NOT include summary (minor) motor vehicle violations for which you were give a citation/ticket. It does include all alcohol-related traffic citation (e.g. DUI, OWI) If you are unsure whether to answer yes, it is strongly recommended that you answer yes and provide a detailed explanation of the incident in a separate statement attached to your application. (You should refer to the Character and Fitness & Qualifications for Admission to the Bar section in the Application Instructions for more information.)
You should submit an additional statement to provide specific details and explains the circumstances of your previous enrollment. Please refer to the Applicants Who Have Previously Attended Law School section of the application instructions for more information.
We are pleased that you are applying to Temple University Beasley School of Law. It is important to read the application instructions carefully prior to completing and forwarding your application. You should think about the best way for you to demonstrate your unique skills and experiences and give us your most complete and thoughtfully prepared responses to all questions on the application. A personal statement is required of all applicants and additional statements may be used to expand or explain in greater detail the answers submitted on the application form. When completing your application and written statements, you are welcome to ask family, friends, or advisors for feedback, but all written statements should be the product of your own original ideas and work.
Please notify the admissions office immediately in writing if you change your address, phone number, or e-mail address. E-mail is the primary method used to notify applicants of their application status and all decisions will be communicated by email.
Please note that all material submitted with, or in support of, an application becomes the property of the law school.
This application is for applicants seeking admission as a beginning, first-year law student. Applicants for transfer or visiting status should apply using the Transfer/Visiting application.
Admission Evaluation Process If you are admitted to Temple Law School you were chosen because your skills, abilities, achievements, experiences, and potential earned you the opportunity.
Consistent with the ideals of Russell Conwell, the founder of Temple University, Temple Law School takes seriously its mission of offering opportunities to students who might otherwise be foreclosed from pursuing a high-quality education. Temple Law School began as an evening program over 125 years ago, providing students in our region whose jobs and family commitments made full time study prohibitive the chance to pursue a law degree. Over 50 years ago, the faculty at Temple Law School established a discretionary admissions program, Sp.A.C.E., creating an admissions process that avoided over-reliance on the LSAT/GRE or other arbitrary, abstract admission criterion. Today, the values underlying Sp.A.C.E continue to guide the evaluation process helping us to select the very best students from our pool of talented applicants.
Our admission process is competitive and is designed to look at the whole person. Through a careful and individualized evaluation of each application, the admissions committee selects applicants who have outstanding performance records and exceptional aptitudes for the study and practice of law.
In determining whether a particular applicant should be offered admission to Temple Law School, the admissions committee continues to consider traditional Sp.A.C.E. characteristics. We are committed to providing a quality legal education and want to include in our class applicants who have faced and overcome serious long-standing economic deprivation, discrimination or arbitrary adversity, and those historically foreclosed from higher education. Because of our history and commitment to inclusion, we welcome applicants whose families are recent immigrants to the United States. Because we view law as a service profession, applicants who have demonstrated exceptional leadership ability in college, community or career activities, or who have evidenced a commitment to service through AmeriCorps, VISTA, military, or other service work are valued. Because we value academic excellence, we look favorably on applicants with academic honors, graduate or undergraduate degrees of unusual merit, or impressive undergraduate accomplishments that might or might not be consistent with standardized test scores. Because we believe in the value of hard work while recognizing that not everyone is free or well-suited to focus solely on their studies, we take into account applicants who worked during college to finance their education or to support their families. We value the discipline and work of student athletes either as a means of financing their education or out of a passionate commitment to personal excellence and teamwork. Our commitment to diversity includes applicants who identify as members of the LGBTQI+ community. We appreciate the talents of applicants with significant or unusual career achievement since graduation from college. Recognizing that adversity and discrimination takes many forms and that strength of character is shown in many ways, applicants with serious physical disabilities continue to be a part of our discretionary review. So too are applicants with other unique strengths and achievements. We emphasize that these factors are part of a holistic review of every applicant?s strengths and ability to contribute to the law school community and to the practice of law.
Personal and Sp.A.C.E. Statements
Information about your personal background and achievement can be included in your required personal statement. You are also invited to submit an optional Sp.A.C.E. statement. There is no specified length required for either the personal or Sp.A.C.E. statement; on average statements are two to three pages in length.
Beyond the academic indicators in your application, keep in mind that the readers of your personal and Sp.A.C.E. statements will be trying to get a sense of you as a person, as a prospective Temple Law School student, and as a future member of the legal profession.
At Temple, we believe in the value of diversity. It reflects our reality. It enriches our lives. It vitalizes our communities. It maximizes our ability to succeed as legal professionals. It makes possible a viable future for the rule of law as we understand it. We share a vision of the practice of law as a service profession and believe that life is made more meaningful by serving others. We are steadfast in our commitment to excellence, and we support those forging new paths forward through legal education and practice. Our admissions process reflects these values and we encourage you to be as candid and thoughtful as possible in your written statements and to let us know how your interests and experiences align with our values.
Minimum Admission Criteria
All matriculants in the JD program must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution which is approved by one of the regional accrediting associations of the United States. Applicants with degrees from a foreign institution should refer to that section below. Possession of the minimum criteria, however, in no manner assures acceptance.
Admission to Temple Law remains competitive, with a 2025 entering class LSAT median of 165 and median grade point average of 3.75. The middle 50 percent of the class presented LSAT scores ranging from 162-168 and grade point averages ranging from 3.59 to 3.90. However, we have no minimum standardized test score or GPA requirement to apply or be admitted to Temple Law. Every application is evaluated under our holistic review process and we encourage all who are interested in attending Temple Law to apply.
Submitting Your Application Application Form and Fee
The completed application form must be electronically transmitted to LSAC, or mailed to Temple Law School, on or before March 1, 2027. The application fee is $65. If you mail your application it should be sent to the following address with the $65 application fee:
Office of Admissions Temple University Beasley School of Law 1719 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19122
If you submit your application electronically through LSAC, you may pay the $65 application fee using a credit card. Payment may also be submitted with a check or money order made payable to Temple University and drawn on a U.S. bank. The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be credited toward any charges if an applicant subsequently enrolls as a student.
Applicants may request an application fee waiver by emailing their name and LSAC account number to the Law School Admissions Office, LawAdmis@temple.edu. The law school application fee will automatically be waived for any applicant who has been approved for a fee waiver from LSAC.
If you choose to pay your application fee using a method other than payment by credit card via LSAC, you must forward the application fee along with the signed Certification Letter directly to the Law School Office of Admissions at the address listed above.
Admission Test (LSAT or GRE)
A standardized test score is required from all applicants. To be considered for admission, applicants must indicate if they are taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
If you plan to apply using an LSAT score, you must have a reportable LSAT score within the last five years (i.e., not before July 2021), and have the score reported to Temple Law School as part of an LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Report. Our registration code number is 2906. The last LSAT test administration acceptable for fall 2027 admission is April 2027.
If you plan to apply using a GRE score, you must have your GRE score reported directly to the Temple Law School Admissions Office by ETS. Our school code is 3934. GRE scores must be submitted by April 1, 2027.
Please note: If you have taken both the LSAT and the GRE, the Admissions Committee will consider both scores when reviewing your application.
Temple Law School has received a variance from the ABA to accept scores from the JD-Next program in our admissions process. However, we currently only accept JD-Next scores as a supplement to an applicant's LSAT or GRE score. The Admissions Committee will consider a JD-Next score as a factor in the review of your application, but a valid LSAT or GRE score is still a requirement for all applicants.
Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and Transcripts
All applicants must be registered with the Credential Assembly Service for the academic year during which application is made. It is the applicant's responsibility to have a transcript from each undergraduate college or university attended sent directly to the Credential Assembly Service. The Credential Assembly Service will analyze and duplicate the transcript(s) and send an unofficial copy to the law school as part of your CAS report.
Applicants who have not yet completed their undergraduate work are encouraged to send updated transcripts to the Law School Admission Council upon completion of each semester/quarter so that the Admissions Committee has the most up-to-date academic record when reviewing an applicant?s credentials.
Applicants who have completed courses in graduate or professional school must provide a copy of their transcript. Official transcripts of all graduate and professional school courses can be sent either to the Credential Assembly Service or directly to the Office of Admissions.
Letters of Recommendation
Although letters of recommendation are not required as part of the admissions process, the Admissions Committee suggests that no more than four letters of recommendation be submitted. Recommendations should come from professors or employers directly acquainted with your academic or professional capabilities. Letters of recommendation should be submitted directly from the recommender to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), or letters can be sent directly to the Office of Admissions at Temple Law School. Do not have a recommender send the same letter to both LSAC and Temple. Letters sent directly to Temple should be accompanied by one of the waiver forms included with the application. These forms should be completed by the applicant and provided to the author of each letter of recommendation.
The "Buckley Amendment" to the General Education Provisions Act gives students who register at Temple University Beasley School of Law the right to inspect and review the letter(s) of recommendation contained in their law school records, unless that right is waived and the applicant consents to the letter(s) remaining a confidential communication between the law school and the writer. Applicants may waive the right of access provided by that legislation, but are not required to waive the right as a condition for admission to the law school. If a letter of recommendation is received by the law school unaccompanied by a waiver form executed by the applicant and the author of the letter, the letter will be treated as a confidential communication between the writer and the law school.
Personal Statement
All applicants are required to submit a personal statement with the application. It is up to you to decide what you want to write about and how you want to express your thoughts. This is your opportunity to present yourself, your background, your experiences, and your ideas to the Admissions Committee. You may want to write about your intellectual interests, your career goals, your achievements, your family background, or your involvement in your community.
Sp.A.C.E. Statement
We invite all applicants to share with us your personal history, highlighting for the committee how your unique life experience has been enriched or made more difficult by opportunities, circumstances, and obstacles. This information will assist the Admissions Committee in fully evaluating your candidacy.
Character and Fitness & Qualifications for Admission to the Bar
If you answered Yes to any of the character and fitness questions on the application form, you must attach an addendum to your application which explains the circumstances. It is imperative that the section on character and fitness on the application be answered fully. Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose any academic or disciplinary action, criminal conviction or pending criminal charge is often more significant, and can lead to more serious consequences, than the action, criminal conviction or charge itself.
If in doubt as to whether or not to disclose a particular incident, we recommend that you err on the side of disclosure. If the record has been expunged or sealed, you are encouraged to disclose the information. Many states require expunged or sealed records to be disclosed on an application for admission to the bar, and will inquire as to what information an applicant has disclosed to their law school. Inconsistencies or discrepancies in the information could serve as a barrier for admission to the bar.
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Day/Evening Division Preference
In most cases, admission to a particular division is made according to each applicant's preference. If space is not available in the applicants preferred division, however, the Admissions Committee may offer a place in the other division to candidates meeting the common admissions standards. Applicants must obtain written approval in order to matriculate in a division other than the one to which they were admitted.
Resume
While resumes are not required, you are strongly encouraged to submit one as part of your application materials. Your resume does not have to be limited to one page. Do not leave out any of your work history because you feel that it is not relevant to the legal field.
Additional Information and Updates
If you need to submit additional information after your application has already been submitted, you may email the information to our office at LawAdmis@temple.edu, and we will upload it to your application file. Please be sure to include your name and LSAC account number on any additional information or documents you provide.
Application Processing and Decision Notification Applicants will be notified via e-mail when their application has been received and processed by our office. The email will also provide log in instructions for the Admissions Office Online Status Check through which applicants can check their current application and decision status, and can also see which letters of recommendation have been received by the admissions office.
An application will be considered complete when we have received a completed application form and current Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report containing LSAT score(s), if applicable, and undergraduate transcripts. Guided by past experience, applicants whose files are complete before January 15th may have a more favorable chance of admission if they are competitive within the applicant pool. Most applicants can expect notification of a decision eight to ten weeks after their files are completed; however, requests for additional information and April 2027 LSAT scores may delay the evaluation process.
Admissions decisions are made from December until May, and files are reviewed as they are completed. All applicants will be notified via email of their admissions decision. Applicants may also check the status of their application at any time using the Online Status Check.
Applicants who are admitted to Temple Law School will receive an acceptance notification with instructions on accepting their seat in the entering class. To reserve a place in the 2027 entering class, an accepted applicant must submit a non-refundable admission deposit of $150 by April 15, 2027, or within 10 days of acceptance, whichever is later. A second non-refundable deposit of $300 is due by June 15, 2027. Both the first and second deposits are credited toward tuition.
Applicants Who Have Previously Applied to Temple Law School All admission procedures and deadlines for reapplicants are identical to those for new applicants. Please note that reapplicants are required to submit a new application form, application fee, and a new personal statement and must have a current registration with the Credential Assembly Service.
Applicants with Degrees from Foreign Institutions If an applicant presents a degree from an institution situated outside the United States (other than a Canadian affiliate), the academic work required by the awarding institution must be the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution situated within the United States. Standardized test scores (LSAT or GRE) are required of all applicants with foreign degrees. Temple Law School requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service. If you completed any postsecondary work outside the US (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study-abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a US or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee. Be advised that more time is usually required to receive and evaluate foreign transcripts. An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your law school report.
Applicants Who Have Previously Attended Law School An applicant who has previously attended any law school as a matriculated student must indicate so in the appropriate place on the application form. The applicant must give the name of the school(s) and date(s) of attendance and, in a separate statement, explain the circumstances in detail. A letter verifying these circumstances must be sent directly to the admissions office from the dean or appropriate officer of the law school attended before the application can be reviewed.
Except upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances, admission will be denied to any candidate who has matriculated and taken examinations at a law school which is not a member of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS), or has matriculated at any law school and subsequently been dismissed, whether for academic or other reasons.
Applicants applying for transfer or visiting student status should complete the Transfer/Visiting Application.