If any question below is left unanswered, your application may be denied at the sole discretion of the law school. If any question below is answered yes, give full details of all of the circumstances surrounding your answer on an electronic attachment. 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.

Has your college, university, graduate, or professional school attendance been interrupted for one or more terms for any reason?
Have you ever been subjected to adverse academic action (including warning, probation, suspension, or dismissal) by any academic institution for any reason? Disclosure is to be made even if academic action has been expunged from the records of the academic institution.
Have you ever been subjected to disciplinary action (including probation, suspension, or dismissal but not "detention") by any academic institution (other than elementary or middle school) for any reason? Disclosure is to be made even if disciplinary action has been expunged from the records of the academic institution.
Are there any disciplinary, academic, or criminal charges pending or expected to be brought against you?
Since the age of 18, have you ever been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime by a law enforcement agency, other than a minor traffic violation (i.e., parking or speeding citations) that has not been subsequently expunged?

If it has been more than 10 years since you turned 18, you need only list those convictions that occurred in the past 10 years.

Between the ages of 14 and 18, were you ever adjudicated delinquent of or pleaded guilty to a crime involving serious bodily injury to another person?
Have you ever been dismissed, discharged, or requested to resign by an employer?

Instructions: Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law - First-Year JD Program

299 Spring Mill Road, Villanova, PA 19085· www.law.villanova.edu · admissions@law.villanova.edu · (610) 519-7010 (p)

Thank you for your interest in applying to Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. The admissions process is designed to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your full abilities. Although selection to Villanova Law is competitive, the wide range of numerical scores of the matriculating class from year-to-year indicates a class selected using a variety of criteria. If you are interested in the J.D./LL.M. in Taxation, the J.D./M.P.A., or the J.D./M.B.A. program, you must apply and be accepted to both the J.D. and the other degree program.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you must have successfully completed your baccalaureate programs before matriculation at Villanova Law.
As a general rule, Villanova Law will summarily deny your application to enter the first-year class if you have matriculated at another US law school and either were academically excluded from that school or else completed any first semester course or exam that was graded. If this situation applies to you, please contact the Admissions Office prior to applying to discuss whether there are special circumstances that would persuade the Admissions Committee to consider your application.
Admission is only for the fall of each year and only a full-time program is offered.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE NOTICE

American Samoa Applicants - The curriculum of Villanova's Juris Doctor degree does not meet the educational requirements in American Samoa to become a licensed attorney.

For more information, please visit our professional licensure/certification resource page.

***International Applicants -***We are unable to determine if the curriculum of the Villanova Law Juris Doctor degree meets the educational requirements in the country in which you are located to become a licensed attorney or obtain an equivalent license. Please research applicable country/regional requirements.

For more information, please visit our professional licensure/certification resource page.

The Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

You must participate in the Credential Assembly Service and be registered with the Credential Assembly Service during the application year. Through this service, you are required to send the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) official transcripts (including single course or summer school transcripts) from all colleges, universities, junior or community colleges, and graduate or professional schools that you have attended.
If you have completed more than a year of undergraduate work at an international institution or if you have earned degrees from international institutions, you are also required to utilize the Credential Assembly Service.

LSAT/LSAT-Flex

You must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), administered by LSAC, before the end of April 2027. If you are submitting a later score, you must request, in writing, consideration of a later score, giving an explanation of the relevant extenuating circumstances. Your application may be submitted prior to taking the LSAT.
If you have substantially different scores on multiple testing dates, you should provide reasons for disregarding the lower score(s). The decision to disregard any test score is at the sole discretion of Villanova Law.
We will not accept an LSAT score that is more than five years old.

Deadlines

Early Decision (Binding) Application

Round 1

Submit and complete application by December 1, 2026 Receive decision by January 15, 2027 (or sooner)

Round 2

Submit and complete application by February 1, 2027 Receive decision by March 12, 2027 (or sooner)

*Early Decision applications must be submitted through LSAC no later than December 1 for Round 1 or February 1 for Round 2. All other required documents, including the LSAC Credential Assembly Service Report, must be received by December 1 for Round 1 or February 1 for Round 2 Early Decision consideration.

Once an Early Decision application is deemed complete, the application may immediately go to the Admissions Committee for review, regardless of a Round 1 or Round 2 option. Therefore, a decision could be made at any point and will be considered binding once made.

Regular Decision Application

Submit and complete application by May 1, 2027.

**Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in November and decisions are made beginning in December.

The Application

The Admissions Office requires that you apply online. The Application for Admission is located at the Law School's website. You may also access the application electronically through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service.
You must complete all sections of the application. Applications with unanswered questions will remain incomplete and may be subsequently denied. You must also update information on your application if any information changes throughout the process.
The application fee is waived for all new fall 2027 JD applicants.
Your application should not be submitted until after September 1, 2026 and may not be accepted after May 1, 2027. If your application is received after May 1, it will be considered on an individual basis at the discretion of Villanova Law.
In completing the application, you should provide an e-mail address that will remain current and accessible through August 2027. The Admissions and Financial Aid Offices will use that e-mail account to contact you throughout the admissions cycle. You should not use an e-mail account of a school from which you are graduating unless you are sure your account will remain accessible after graduation. Applicants should be aware of their service provider's procedures for spam filtering that may affect delivery of any email communications sent from the Admissions Office. Steps should be taken to ensure that messages can be delivered promptly.
Out of fairness to all applicants, the law school evaluates each application on the basis of materials contained in each application, any supplementary written materials provided by the applicant, the Credential Assembly Service report, and any recommendations provided for the applicant.
Colleges and universities are asked by many groups, including accrediting associations, to describe the ethnic/racial backgrounds of students and employees. In order to fulfill these requests, we ask that you provide the responses to those demographic questions on the application. Your responses are confidential, completely voluntary and will be concealed from the admissions committee that is evaluating your application. The Charles Widger School of Law and Villanova University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected category.

Interviews

The Law School conducts an Admissions Interview Program. Interviews are by invitation only. Applicants may not request an interview. Being invited to interview does not mean one applicant is viewed more or less favorably than another. All interview invitations will be communicated via e-mail. Each applicant invited to interview will have one week in which to accept the invitation to interview. Therefore, please check your e-mail inbox on a regular basis, as all applicants who do not accept the invitation to interview within the timeframe specified in the interview invitation will have their application evaluated without an interview. Any outcome is possible with or without an interview. Each application will be reviewed thoroughly and holistically, independent of the decision of the Committee to invite an applicant to interview.

Application Essays

Personal Statement- Required

Please respond to the following questions: What has inspired your decision to pursue a career in law, and how have your experiences prepared you for the study of law? As part of your response, discuss why you are interested in joining the Villanova Law community and how you envision contributing to it. Rather than simply reiterating accomplishments, activities, or information already reflected elsewhere in the application, applicants are encouraged to provide insight into the experiences that have influenced their educational and professional aspirations. Please complete the personal statement in an 11-point font size or larger, double-spaced, and two to three pages in length.

Optional Essay - Maximum 1 allowed

The Admissions Committee recognizes that every applicant's journey is unique. If there is additional information you would like us to consider that is not fully addressed elsewhere in your application, you are welcome to submit an optional essay. Only one optional essay will be accepted. Two pages maximum, 11-point font size or larger, double-spaced.

Additional Requirements

A résumé detailing all employment (including employment during the academic year as an undergraduate) is required. The résumé should also include extracurricular and community service activities.
The Admissions Committee requires that every applicant answer questions pertaining to character and fitness. If you answer 'Yes' to any of these questions on the application, you must provide a detailed explanation in your application. We caution you to err on the side of full disclosure.
Any supplemental information/documentation that cannot be sent through LSAC, should be sent as PDF attachments to admissions@law.villanova.edu. Be sure to include your full name and LSAC account number on each attachment.

Letters of Recommendation

One (1) letter of recommendation is required; two letters of recommendation are strongly encouraged. We require that you use the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service.
We will accept up to a total of 3 letters of recommendation during the admissions cycle.
We accept professional and academic letters of recommendation. Letters should be provided by persons with knowledge of your abilities, qualifications, motivations, and integrity. If you are completing or have recently completed undergraduate or graduate studies, recommendations from professors or other teachers who can speak to your intellectual abilities are particularly helpful. Please do not submit letters of recommendation from friends, family or relatives.

For questions concerning applying to Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, please contact the Admissions Office at 610-519-7010 or e-mail admissions@law.villanova.edu. You may also access our PDF instructions here.

52

UC - Davis

Each applicant is required to submit a personal statement with the admission application. The Personal Statement should not exceed four pages, double-spaced, using a 12-point standard font. A Community Contribution Statement (see below) may be included in addition to the Personal Statement, but the combined length of the Personal Statement, Community Contribution Statement, and optional addenda must not exceed four pages, double-spaced. The Community Contribution Statement should be included and appropriately labeled within the Personal Statement you upload. Each page should include the applicant's full name and LSAC account number.

Community Contribution Statement - One important goal of the admissions process is a student body with a considerable variety of backgrounds, interests, and skills. Experience or background that enables an applicant to bring a unique perspective to the study of law or contribute to serving all populations of California may be taken into account. We also invite applicants to review the School of Law's Mission Statement. Applicants are welcome to submit a Community Contribution Statement, in addition to the Personal Statement, but it is not required.

We encourage all applicants to consider the below factors in crafting their Personal Statement and any optional addenda (including a Community Contribution Statement). We believe these factors can bear on the applicant's suitability for the study and practice of law.

Demonstrated history of character and determination sufficient to overcome obstacles despite economic disadvantage, challenging social environment, and/or specific experience(s) of hardship.

Unusual accomplishments, abilities, or skills (including skills in languages other than English) relevant to the study of law and not falling under other listed criteria.

Extra-curricular activities during undergraduate studies.

Community activities and employment experience during and after undergraduate studies.

Advanced degrees or other advanced studies.

Other objective evidence of growth, maturity and commitment to law study.

An affirmative answer to these questions does not necessarily preclude, or even prejudice, admission to King Hall. The Admissions Committee will review answers on an individual basis and in relation to all aspects of your experience, academic achievement, and potential. Do not assume that past problems will prevent future accomplishment. If your answer to any question is yes, you must provide a concise, separate statement that includes the date(s) of occurrence, the name and nature of offense, the locality of court/school/employer, an explanation of the relevant circumstances, and a summary of how the matter was resolved. Further, please describe any rehabilitative activities taken since the incident(s). This may include, but is not limited to, community service, substance abuse recovery program, abstinence from substances, paid restitution and fines, and successful completion of probation and parole. You should also include details about the occurrences relevant to your decision to apply to UC Davis School of Law.

You are not required to submit official documentation related to any disclosed occurrence as part of your application. However, the Admissions Office may request supporting documentation at a later date, including after you have matriculated if you are admitted. You also have an ongoing duty to disclose any occurrences responsive to these questions that arise after you submit your application, including throughout your enrollment in the Juris Doctor program.

Please note that state bar authorities may request a copy of your law school application as part of the character and fitness process. Any inconsistencies between your law school application and your state bar application may affect your ability to satisfy character and fitness requirements. Failure to provide complete and truthful information, or to promptly, notify the Admissions Office of any new or changed information responsive to these questions, may result in revocation of an offer of admission, disciplinary action by the law school, referral to the Law School Admission Council's Committee on Misconduct and Irregularities, and/or denial of admission to the practice of law in your chosen jurisdictions(s).

Should you have any questions about these directions, please contact the Admissions Office prior to submitting your application. For questions about individual state bar requirements, please visit the National Conference for Bar Examiners.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense (or the equivalent in juvenile court)? NOTE: Conviction includes a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest), or a verdict or finding of guilt, regardless of the sentence imposed by the court. You MUST report all offenses, including those for which the record has been expunged, and any traffic violations that resulted in a misdemeanor or felony conviction, including Failure to Appear, Driving without a License, Driving with a Suspend License, and Reckless Driving (or their equivalent).

You do NOT need to include parking or traffic violations that do not involve the use of intoxicants, or any arrest not resulting in a conviction, unless the charge is still pending.

Are you awaiting final adjudication of any investigation or arrest?
Have you ever been granted immunity in lieu of criminal prosecution?
Have you ever been subjected to dismissal, suspension, probation, or other disciplinary or academic sanctions by any college, university, or professional school?
Have you ever been involuntarily dismissed or terminated from employment? You are not required to indicate "yes" if your position was eliminated as part of a no fault layoff, merger, or other company reorganization.
Have you ever been subject to, or are you currently subject to, any disciplinary proceeding involving a professional or occupational license?
Have you ever been separated or discharged from the United States Armed Forces, or any foreign military, under conditions other than honorable discharge?

1L Regular Decision Application

The following application is for 1L, regular decision applicants. If you wish to apply binding early decision, use the binding early decision application on LSAC.org. You will need to delete this application in order to begin a new application. Application submission must be electronic unless a physical or other disability precludes your ability to do so. The priority deadline is March 15, 2027, 11:59pm PDT. The final deadline is June 1, 2027, 11:59 PDT. There is no application fee. Before completing the application, read the checklist information below. Additional instructions are available on the "How to Apply" page of the UC Davis School of Law Website. Students who have been disqualified at another law school are ineligible for admission to UC Davis School of Law. Applications from formerly disqualified law students will not be reviewed. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (or California Dream Act Application for eligible undocumented students) is required and due March 2, 2027, for need-based aid and federal loans. This deadline applies to all applicants, even if you have not yet received your admission decision. In addition, admitted students are REQUIRED to submit the UC Davis Law Need Application to receive consideration for need-based gift-aid in addition to merit-based gift aid. The UC Davis Need Application is available to admitted students only via the Admitted Students website. We encourage applicants to complete the FAFSA (or Dream Act) as soon after submitting the application for admission as possible. More information is available on the financial aid section of our website. The FAFSA school code is 001313. E-mail will be the primary means of communication for both the admission and financial aid offices. Applicants must provide at least one e-mail address that remains valid through August 2027 for this purpose. Please add admissions@law.ucdavis.edu and the domain @ucdavis.edu to your safe senders list to ensure communications from our office do not go into your spam or junk mail folder. Monitor the progress of your application and check for your decision via the status check website. Decisions will be sent through email. International applicants (i.e., those attending a university outside the U.S. or Canada for their undergraduate and/or graduate degree studies) should read carefully the additional requirements regarding the TOEFL and the Credential Assembly Service's International Credential Evaluation available under the "Additional Requirements for International Students" section of our website. If applying with an LSAT score, you must have taken the LSAT, including Argumentative Writing, between October 2021 and April 2027. It is strongly recommended that applicants take the LSAT by February 2027 and submit their application by the priority deadline of March 15. There are far fewer offers of admission awarded after the priority deadline, and first-time test takers applying with an April 2027 LSAT score will not have a completed application until after our priority deadline of March 15. Visit our law school admissions page for more information about the priority and final deadlines. If applying with a GRE score, you must have completed the GRE between October 2021 and April 15, 2027, with a recommended testing date no later than February 2027 to ensure that your application is completed by the March 15 priority application deadline. Submit GRE scores through ETS using school code 4185. The same advisory regarding taking the LSAT in April applies to all applications with a GRE score taken after the March 15 priority deadline. Applications with at least one valid LSAT and/or GRE score on file will be considered complete and will advance to review. In limited circumstances, we will hold an application for a future LSAT or GRE score for a limited period upon written request via email to admissions@law.ucdavis.edu. Please review our FAQs for more information. Applications submitted after April 30, 2027 without a valid LSAT or GRE score on file will be deemed incomplete and the file closed. Original Work Requirement. All written materials submitted as part of this application must represent the applicant's own original work and authentic perspective. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) or similar technologies to generate or compose any portion of these materials is strictly prohibited. All substantive content must be written by the applicant. By submitting this application, you certify that all written materials are entirely your own work and expressed in your own words.

The University of California, Davis, School of Law does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability, age, medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or service in the uniformed services (includes membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services), status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran, following all applicable state and federal laws, and with University policy. As required by Title IX, the University of California, Davis, School of Law does not discriminate based on sex in its educational programs, admissions, employment, or other activities. The University's student-related non-discrimination policy can be found in its entirety on the website.

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Neither admission to, nor degree conferral from, UC Davis School of Law guarantees that you will meet these requirements for admission to any state bar. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction or by visiting the Conference of Bar Examiners website.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST Electronic Application Score(s) from one of the following two entrance exams: A Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score and LSAT Argumentative Writing for a test taken between October 2021 and April 2027. -- or-- A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score for a test taken between October 2021 and April 2027. Submit GRE scores through ETS . The GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code for UC Davis Law School is 4185. LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Report. Personal Statement - Not to exceed four pages, double-spaced, using 12-point standard font. A Community Contribution Statement may be included in addition to the Personal Statement, but the combined length of the Personal Statement, Community Contribution Statement, and optional addenda must not exceed four pages, double-spaced. The Community Contribution Statement and any optional addenda should be included and appropriately labeled within the Personal Statement you upload. Letters of Recommendation - Two letters are required. You may submit up to three. Letters may come from academic sources (preferred) or professional sources. Fall transcript of grades - If you are in your final year of undergrad, a fall transcript is preferred for evaluation although not required unless specifically requested by the Admission Office. Fall transcripts should be submitted to LSAC for electronic transmission to the Admission Office. Résumé - Recommended length is one page using 12 point standard font. Applicants with extensive work history may submit one to two pages. Credential Assembly Service's International Credential Evaluation (authentication and evaluation of international transcripts). Any applicant whose bachelor's degree was earned at a university outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada must register with the Credential Assembly Service to provide the required credential evaluation report. TOEFL scores are required of international applicants. Waiver of this requirement may be requested if the applicant's undergraduate language of instruction was English, regardless of whether the university was located outside the U.S. or Canada. TOEFL scores should be submitted to LSAC (code 8395) as part of the Credential Assembly Service report. LSAC will transmit the score to the Admission Office. ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION: NOTE: Be sure to complete each section of the application. Applications will be considered incomplete until all required information has been provided. Please do not submit hard-copy documents unless requested. The admission decision-making process begins as early as November and continues through June. FINANCIAL AID (INSTITUTIONAL FUNDING & LOANS) INFORMATION: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (or California Dream Act Application if you are an eligible undocumented student) AND the UC Davis Law Need Application (available to admitted students only) is REQUIRED for need-based aid (i.e., need-based grants and need-sensitive scholarships) gift aid consideration, and federal loans. The FAFSA school code for UC Davis is 001313. More information about the types of financial assistance available are described at Types of Financial Assistance. Although undocumented students are ineligible for federal loans, they may be eligible for the CA Dream Loan and for private student loans. Please see Financial Aid for Undocumented Students for more information.

March 2, 2027 is the FAFSA priority deadline and must be met by all applicants even if you have not yet received your admission decision. Late submission may preclude an applicant from consideration for the maximum amount of gift aid.

In addition to the FAFSA or Dream Act Application, the financial aid office REQUIRES admitted students to submit the UC Davis Law Need Application to receive consideration for need-based gift aid. Admitted students can access the form on the Admitted Students website. Instructions on how to access this website will be included in the email offer of admission.

For detailed information on how to apply for aid, please visit Types of Financial Assistance.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarship consideration takes place during the initial evaluation of the application for admission. All eligible applicants are automatically considered for merit aid based on information supplied in their application. Aid awards are sent separately from the admission decision. Please visit types of Financial Assistance for more information.

Some scholarships have donor-specific criteria that may be addressed in the personal statement and/or resume if applicable. For example, personal experience in the foster care system (as a recipient of social services, not as an employee or volunteer); family farm, or other agriculture backgrounds (immediate family only); and academic background in mathematics or the physical sciences, and dedication to a legal career in public interest.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Public Interest Scholarship (MLK) requires the submission of a separate scholarship application, available on the website. Consideration for the MLK scholarship is based on demonstrated commitment to the public interest and/or an educational or economic background indicative of limited access to graduate or professional opportunity. The deadline for submission of the MLK scholarship application is March 1, 2027. Two recipients are selected each year.

RACIAL ETHNIC DATA The University of California is required to report to federal and state agencies the ethnic/racial composition of enrolled students. Therefore, we ask that you answer the questions about your ethnic and racial identity. The application form is the primary data source for demographic data for enrolled students. The University holds such information confidential and uses it only for aggregated statistical purposes. Furthermore, this information will in no way influence the application review process. The information you submit will be communicated to the Admission Office for statistical purposes only. The ethnicity data will not be made available to the UC Davis Law Admission Committee. If offered admission, this information may be used to connect you with affinity student organizations and other resources. Admitted students may opt out of these communications at any time by contacting us at admissions@law.ucdavis.edu.

ADMISSION OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: admissions@law.ucdavis.edu

Web: www.law.ucdavis.edu

Phone: (530) 752-6477

Mailing Address: School of Law, Admission Office, University of California-Davis, 400 Mrak Hall Drive, Davis, CA 95616-5201

APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Priority Deadline - March 15, 2027, midnight Pacific Daylight Time.

Final Deadline - June 1, 2027, midnight Pacific Daylight Time

52

U Washington

UW Law understands that questions about involvement in legal proceedings can be stressful. These application questions are intended to focus on your record of conduct and provide you an opportunity to explain any conduct disclosed in your application materials including how you addressed the behavior or what you learned from the experience. What is important is your current character and fitness. Please read the application questions carefully and respond as completely and accurately as possible. Applicants are encouraged to provide documentation of pending matters or final disposition of closed matters in order to facilitate the review of your application. UW Law reserves the right to require documentation as necessary to facilitate review of your application. Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or other serious crime are eligible for admission into the School of Law and may not be automatically or unreasonably denied admission based on an their criminal history. If the answer to either question below is yes, you must explain fully on a separate attachment. Note: For criminal matters, the entry of an expungement or sealing order does not relieve you of the duty to disclose the matter. You may indicate the existence of such an order in your explanation.

It is the applicant's duty to notify the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid immediately of any and all circumstances and events that may occur from the date the application is submitted to the first day of enrollment that may change the initial response to either of the following questions. All students also have a continuing obligation to disclose immediately to the law school any and all circumstances and events occurring after the first day of enrollment until the date of their graduation which may bear on their character and fitness to practice law.

Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on academic or scholastic probation, placed on disciplinary probation, expelled, requested to withdraw, or allowed to withdraw in lieu of discipline from any college or university, or otherwise subjected to discipline by any such institution or requested or advised by any such institution to discontinue your studies there? (This question is similar to questions that will appear on state bar applications.) *NOTE: If the answer to the question is yes, you must provide a full explanation (name of the institution, date, and reasons for the action) under Attachments.
Have you ever been cited for, arrested for, charged with, or convicted for any violation of any law including any cases resolved in juvenile court? Include matters that have been sealed or dismissed, expunged, pardoned, subject to a diversion or deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside. Omit traffic violations. (This question is simiar to questions that will appear on state bar applications.)
*NOTE: If the answer to the question is yes, you must provide a full explanation (date, nature of the offense, location, and disposition of each matter) under Attachments.

Policies for J.D. Admissions To be considered for admission, applicants must follow the application instructions, register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and demonstrate that they have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian university, or the foreign equivalent whose program has been deemed comparable to that of a four-year baccalaureate degree, prior to registering for the first academic quarter at UW Law.

Official communication regarding the status of an application will be sent via email. Applicants may also access their Applicant Status Online (ASO) for application updates. Please note that updates to the ASO are not automated and therefore not made in real time. Applicants should add lawadm@uw.edu to their safe senders list to ensure they do not miss important information.

Regular Decision and Early Decision: Important Application Dates September 1 - Applications open for incoming first-year JD students (Regular and Early Decision). December 1 - Early Decision Program application deadline. March 1 - Priority application deadline for incoming first-year JD students. April 15 - Deposit Deadline for Regular Decision ($500, non-refundable). June LSAT - Final LSAT exam accepted for Fall 2027 admission. July 15 - Regular Decision application deadline for Fall 2027 (application must be complete by this date). These deadlines are non-negotiable.

Note: UW Law offers a number of named scholarships (Gates, Gregoire, Barer, etc.) with their own eligibility requirements and deadlines. Please refer to our website for important dates and deadlines related to these and other awards.

Admissions Policy The primary goal of the University of Washington School of Law (UW Law) admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience will enrich the learning environment of the law school. As the state's public law school, we have a responsibility to educate lawyers who will serve the legal needs of all members of society, through the practice of law, the formulation of public policy and other law-related activities. Our admissions policy is designed to identify individuals who will help fulfill this responsibility.

We invite applicants whose first-choice law school is UW Law to consider applying through the binding, Early Decision Pathway. Applicants who are not prepared to apply under a binding program should apply through the Regular Decision Pathway.

In measuring academic potential, we evaluate candidates holistically, balancing multiple considerations in selecting a cohort of students for each incoming class. No single factor is dispositive for admission. Factors we consider include but are not limited to: the rigor of the applicant's undergraduate curriculum; the nature and attainment of an advanced degree; the applicant's pre- and post-college experience as it relates to the applicant's academic and professional potential; the quality and strength of recommendations which address the applicant's academic and professional potential; variations in the level of academic achievement over time; any other indicators that may aid in the determination of academic and professional potential.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to read full details here before submitting an application.

Nondiscrimination Policy UW Law provides for a holistic admission process with the objective of attracting students who demonstrate the strongest prospects for high quality academic work. This selective admission process shall assure that the University's educational opportunities shall be open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. The process of admission shall be mindful of the need for diversity in the student body and for highly-trained individuals from all segments of the population. For more information, please visit here.

Applicant Responsibility and Accuracy of Information Applicants are under a continuing obligation to notify the law school immediately of any and all circumstances and events that may occur from the date an application is submitted to the first day of enrollment that may change any of the responses to their application. UW Law reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if, at any time, the candidate fails to maintain satisfactory scholastic standing for work in progress, if final records fail to show completion of courses and/or degrees required for admission, or if the admission decision was based on incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading information furnished by the applicant. In addition, the law school may also report its findings to LSAC's Misconduct and Irregularities Committee. All students also have a continuing obligation to disclose immediately to the law school any and all circumstances and events occurring after the first day of enrollment until the date of their graduation which may bear on their character and fitness to practice law.

Character and Moral Fitness Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or other serious crime are eligible for admission into the School of Law and may not be automatically or unreasonably denied admission based on their criminal history; however, because some state bar associations may prohibit persons with criminal records from being admitted to the bar even if they successfully complete law school, it may be impossible for such individuals to practice law in some states.

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.

If you have questions about whether your past history may be a barrier to getting licensed as a lawyer, be sure to contact the state bar where you intend to practice.

Evaluative Interview The Admissions Committee may, at its discretion, invite candidates to interview for admission and/or scholarship. Interviews are by invitation only and candidates may not request an interview.

Application Instructions An application is complete and ready for evaluation when the following items are received:

Application - applications to UW Law must be submitted electronically through LSAC. Paper applications will not be accepted.

$60 Application Fee - The application fee will be collected through LSAC. Select students may qualify for a fee waiver. Please see our website for information.

Personal Statement (750 word limit) - UW Law aspires to be the best public law school in the nation and one of the world's most respected centers for interdisciplinary legal studies. We strive to be leaders by shaping and defending just and sustainable laws and policies through our scholarly discovery, ethical advocacy, inspired teaching, and generous public service.

The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic, professional, and leadership promise; have a strong desire to attend UW Law; are committed to generous public service and ethical advocacy; and who have backgrounds and experiences that will enrich the law school educational environment. We encourage applicants to share any information that may help us better understand their background and describes their potential contributions to our vibrant community.

Many applicants use the Personal Statement to provide a fuller picture of their academic, professional, or personal journey. This can include, but is not limited to: meaningful leadership experiences or potential; involvement in advocacy, public service, or community-based work; a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage; unusual or challenging circumstances that may have impacted your academic path; experiences that reflect resilience, perseverance, or growth; disability; prejudice or discrimination; studying or living abroad; foreign language skills; special talents; unique life experiences; or geographic diversity. This is not an exhaustive list. Please feel free to share anything you believe is important to your story or may help the Admissions Committee reach a thoughtful and informed decision. We value your voice and welcome the opportunity to learn more about you and your interest in attending law school.

(Optional) Supplemental Statement (500 word limit) - Applicants may supplement their personal statement by including a response to one (1) of the following optional questions: What life events or experiences have had the greatest influence in shaping your character and why?; Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership, whether in a classroom, workplace, organization, or personal context. What did you learn from that experience, and how will your leadership skills contribute to our law school community and the legal profession?; What is a strength, trait, or experience you possess that might not be immediately visible in your application but is essential to understanding who you are? Please note: The option to write a "Why UW" statement has been moved to the actual application and should not be submitted as a supplemental statement.

Résumé - Please provide a résumé detailing your employment history, extracurricular or community activities, volunteer work, honors, awards, foreign language skills, and military service. Include employers, job titles, dates of employment (mm/yyyy), locations, the number of hours per week devoted to such activities, or other information that you believe the University of Washington School of Law should consider in evaluating your application, such as skills that translate to law school success. Your résumé may not exceed three (3) pages.

Credential Assembly Service Report - The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report will include: (1) the applicant's transcript(s) from each institution of higher education attended; (2) Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score(s); (3) LSAT Writing Sample; and (4) two letters of recommendation. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that LSAC has received all necessary materials to complete the CAS file. You are advised to confirm that your CAS file is complete; LSAC will not send the law school a CAS report until then.

Letters of Recommendation - Two (2) Letters of Recommendation are required and must be submitted through LSAC's Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree are encouraged to include at least one letter from a faculty member or other individual qualified to evaluate their academic abilities. Strong recommendations come from professors or academic professionals who are familiar with the applicant's work and can provide a detailed assessment of their potential for success in law school. Applicants who have been out of school for an extended period may submit professional and/or character references in place of academic letters. Applicants may submit up to three (3) Letters of Recommendation; however, once two are received, the application will be considered complete and sent to review unless the applicant requests the application be held for the final Letter.

PLEASE NOTE: All records become part of the official file. They will not be returned or duplicated.

54

Colorado - Boulder

Colorado Law Personal Statement Prompt:

Colorado Law seeks students who demonstrate integrity, intellectual curiosity, leadership, collaboration, and commitment to service. We believe that meaningful legal education is enriched by students who bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and aspirations to our community.

Your personal statement is an opportunity to allow the Admissions Committee to understand you beyond your academic record and résumé. Through your essay, demonstrate how your experiences, values, and goals have prepared you to contribute to the Colorado Law community and the legal profession.

In your essay, you may respond to one or more of the following questions:

A: Tell us about a defining experience or relationship that has shaped your understanding of justice, leadership, service, or responsibility? Reflect on what you learned and how these experiences influenced your decision to pursue a legal education?

B: Describe a cause or community that motivates you. Why is this issue important to you, and how do you hope to make a meaningful impact through the study and practice of law?

C: Reflect on a time when you changed your perspective or used your values to guide a difficult decision. What did this experience teach you about yourself, and how will it shape your contributions to Colorado Law and the legal profession?

While there is no "right" topic or approach, we encourage you to write authentically and share information that is not otherwise reflected in your application. The strongest personal statements demonstrate thoughtful reflection, clear writing, and insight into the experiences that have shaped your character, motivations, and potential as a future lawyer.

Your essay must be your own work, double-spaced, and should not exceed 1,000 words. Supported file formats include doc, docx, htm, html, PDF, rtf, txt, wp, wpd, wps, and wpt.

Please attach your personal statement electronically to your application.

NOTE: Documents should have password and security features removed.

Please answer fully and accurately the following character and fitness questions. If you have any questions as to how to answer these questions, please first refer to our web page. If you still have questions please email our Director of Admissions. Failure to fully and accurately answer these questions may result in expulsion or other disciplinary action by Colorado 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. As a part of your application for admission to the bar, many states will review your answers to these questions and may require additional information during their determination of your fitness to practice law.

Have you ever been accused of a violation of an honor code or student conduct code, warned or advised of any misconduct, accused of and/or investigated for any misconduct, placed on scholastic or disciplinary or any other form of probation, sanctioned, 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? Include, for example, any warnings or discipline for violation of school or dormitory policies related to alcohol or controlled substances.

Required If YES, please explain fully, including providing the name of the institution, the date, the particulars of the incident, and any action taken by the institution.required

Regardless of whether the record has been expunged, canceled, or annulled, or whether no record was made, have you ever been accused of cheating, plagiarism, or other academic dishonesty at any college, university, law school, or post-secondary institution you attended?

Required If YES, please explain fully, including the name of the institution, the date, the particulars of the incident, and any action taken by the institution. Exclude any incidents disclosed in the previous question.required

Have you ever been investigated, arrested, cited for, charged with, or convicted of any alcohol or drug-related offenses? Include any traffic or other violations that involved alcohol or drugs, as well as any minor in possession or open container charges.

Include all matters that have been dismissed for any reason, subject to a diversion or a deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside. You do not need to disclose any incident (including a juvenile one) that ended in the sealing or expungement of the incident by a court. Expungement or sealing of a record is different than a dismissal as it is conducted by a court and results in a court order.

Required If YES, please explain fully, including the facts, date, location, all initial charges, and the outcomes, including all charges plead to or found guilty of, and any sentence or penalty.required

In the last five years, have you ever been investigated, arrested, cited for, charged with, or convicted of any traffic violation? Exclude violations disclosed in the previous question and any parking violations.

Include all matters that have been dismissed for any reason, subject to a diversion or a deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside. You do not need to disclose any incident (including a juvenile one) that ended in the sealing or expungement of the incident by a court. Expungement or sealing of a record is different than a dismissal as it is conducted by a court and results in a court order.

Required If YES, please explain fully, including the facts, date, location, all initial charges, and the outcomes, including all charges plead to or found guilty of, and any sentence or penalty.required

Have you ever been investigated, arrested, cited for, charged with, convicted, imprisoned, or placed on probation or parole for any offense against the law? Exclude violations disclosed in the previous two questions.

Include all matters that have been dismissed for any reason, subject to a diversion or a deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside. You do not need to disclose any incident (including a juvenile one) that ended in the sealing or expungement of the incident by a court. Expungement or sealing of a record is different than a dismissal as it is conducted by a court and results in a court order.

Required If YES, please explain fully, including the facts, date, location, all initial charges, and the outcomes, including all charges plead to or found guilty of, and any sentence or penalty.required

Thank you for applying to Colorado Law's Juris Doctor program. Please answer all questions completely and accurately. Applications to the JD program must be submitted by midnight MT on April 1, 2027. All other documents necessary to complete your application should be received by the Colorado Law School Office of Admissions by the above date to ensure timely consideration. We review completed applications on a rolling basis, meaning that you are encouraged to get your materials in during the fall of 2026 for enrollment in the fall of 2027.

Applications will only be accepted electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at LSAC.org. You must pay our nonrefundable $65 application fee through LSAC to submit your application to us.
All applicants must register for the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which includes at least one writing sample of the LSAT. Colorado Law only accepts the LSAT as a standardized test. LSAT scores are good for five years, plus the current application cycle.
Transcripts of all previous college and/or university work, including those for graduate study and for coursework that did not lead to a degree, must be submitted through the CAS. If you matriculate at Colorado Law, the Admissions Office will need to receive an original of each of your transcripts by October 15 of the fall semester in which you first enroll. Failure to provide those transcripts will prevent your ability to register for classes for the second semester.
Attach a current résumé or CV to your application (use electronic attachment). Your resume should include paid and volunteer experience, as well as duration of the involvement and specific tasks completed.
Attach your personal essay to your application as an electronic attachment. The essay should be no longer than 1,000 words, typed, and double-spaced. The essay topic appears in the application. The optional essay should be no longer than 500 words, typed, and double-spaced. The optional essay topic also appears in the application (use electronic attachment). You may submit addenda electronically to explain any additional matters.
Two letters of recommendation are required. Recommendation letters must be sent directly to LSAC. Choose recommenders who can attest to your skills and ability to do our law program, who can also speak to your character and integrity.
If you have attended any other law school, you will need to submit an official transcript and a letter of good standing from the dean of the school(s), directly to the University of Colorado Law School, Office of Admissions, 403 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309.
If you have earned a degree outside the United States, you must have the degree verified using the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (see LSAC.org for information).
TOEFL is required for students whose native language is not English. Please see our website for score requirements.
The default residency classification in Colorado is out-of-state until proof of residency is provided. If you believe you qualify for in-state tuition status in Colorado, complete the In-state Tuition Classification Application, which is part of this application. Please submit the JD application BEFORE submitting the Classification Application.
International students who have been admitted to the Law School and have a temporary visa will have additional requirements and will be contacted by the University of Colorado International Admissions Office. Note: Students who have established permanent residency in the United States and have alien registration numbers are not considered international students.
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 what those requirements are in the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Social Security Number: SSNs are used for record keeping and identification purposes only but we need your SSN to enter your information into our university system if you are admitted to our JD program. Use of SSN is protected under federal and state privacy laws. You will also need to provide us with your SSN if you plan to apply for student loans from the federal government, such as the Unsubsidized Direct Loan. You will be assigned a unique student identification number when you enroll at Colorado Law.
The Law School will communicate with you via e-mail. Please configure your email account to accept e-mail from addresses ending in "colorado.edu."
If your contact information or mailing address change any time after you submit your application, please contact the Office of Admissions immediately at the e-mail below to update this information.

Questions? Please contact the Office of Admissions by e-mail at law.admissions@colorado.edu. More information is available on our website at www.colorado.edu/law.

54

Houston

CHARACTER AND FITNESS QUESTIONS. 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.

PLEASE THOROUGHLY READ THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS BELOW. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ANSWER SIMILAR QUESTIONS DURING THE LICENSING PROCESS, WHICH INCLUDES STATE AND FEDERAL BACKGROUND CHECKS. Please review the Character & Fitness FAQs.

You must answer "yes" or "no" to the questions below. 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 truthful answers or failure to promptly inform the Office of Admissions of any changes to your answers due to an incident that occurs after you submit your application may result in revocation of admission, disciplinary action by the University of Houston Law Center, or denial of permission to practice law by the state bar in which you seek admission.

Please note that these questions are very broad, and any exceptions should be construed very narrowly. When in doubt you should always err on the side of FULL DISCLOSURE.

If you answer yes to any of the questions, please attach the Character and Fitness Disclosure Templateto your application explaining the circumstances. For questions 1, 2, and 3, please forward the official documentation showing the final disposition of the incident(s).

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.) Character & Fitness FAQs
Have you ever been convicted of an offense, placed on probation, or granted deferred adjudication or any type of pretrial diversion? You must report any such offenses involving alcohol or drugs. You must report any failure to appear conviction resulting from any offense. You must report any conviction for failure to maintain financial responsibility (legally required auto insurance). You may exclude only Class C misdemeanor traffic violations. Character & Fitness FAQs
Have you, within the last ten (10) years, been arrested, cited or ticketed for, or charged with any violation of the law? You must report any offenses involving alcohol or drugs. You must report any failure to appear charge or warrant resulting from any such offense. You must report any failure to maintain financial responsibility (legally required auto insurance), arrest, citation, ticket, or charge. You may exclude only Class C misdemeanor traffic violations. Character & Fitness FAQs
Have you ever been confined by any governmental authority because you were found to be dangerous to yourself or others? Character & Fitness FAQs

If you answered "yes" to any of the questions, attach a completed Character and Fitness Disclosure Template for each incident explaining all the relevant circumstances. For questions 1-3, forward the final disposition of the incident(s).

I certify that I have read and understood the character and fitness instructions and questions, and by transmitting electronically, I certify that the information I have submitted is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I agree that I have a continuing duty to notify the University of Houston Law Center Office of Admissions of any matters that are required to be disclosed, even after I submit my application, and even after I begin school. This obligation exists until I graduate from the Law Center. If my answers change after I submit my application, I should contact the Office of Admissions to amend my application.

Application for LSAT Test Takers This application is intended for applicants that are applying with an LSAT score. If you are applying exclusively with a GRE score, or are a Houston Law Express applicant, please DO NOT complete this application.

Full-Time or Part-Time Application You have two options for completing your JD degree: 3-year, full-time program, or 4-year part-time evening program. You must choose either the full-time or part-time evening program; you may not apply to both. The full-time program is designed for students who plan to devote nearly all of their time to the study of law. The part-time evening program is designed for students who plan to work during law school. Full-time students are prohibited from working more than 20 hours per week. Please consider this mandate when determining which program will best fit your needs.

DeadlinesApplications must be received by the dates listed below:

Full-Time Early Decision: November 15th
Part-Time Early Decision: November 15th
Full-Time Regular Decision: March 15th
Part-Time Regular Decision: May 15th

Early decision is non-binding. In order to be eligible for early decision consideration, you must: 1) take the LSAT no later than the November administration, 2) your application must be received by November 15th, and 3) your application must be complete by December 15th. Applications that do not meet these criteria will be considered as regular decision. Applications received after the regular decision deadlines will be considered late and evaluated at the end of the admissions cycle on a space-available basis.

Admissions PolicyQualifications for J.D. enrollment are based upon factors relevant to the legal profession and to enrolling a talented student body with a variety of perspectives, experiences, and viewpoints that will enhance the educational experience of all students. Academic ability as demonstrated by undergraduate cumulative grade point average, LSAT scores or GRE scores, are important criteria for admission. However, it is university policy, consistent with Texas statutes, that no single criterion can be utilized as the sole determiner of admission status, nor can fixed weights be applied to any one criterion during the admission process; therefore, the personal statement, letters of recommendation, resume, and optional statements are extremely important in the decision-making process. All files receive a full-file review, and consideration is given to many factors. Additional factors include, without limitation, the applicant's background; honors and achievements; service to others; communication skills; talents relevant to the practice of law; hardships overcome; advanced degrees; work experience; leadership; and other relevant factors.

Credential Assembly Service (CAS)/LSATAll applicants must complete their transcript registration with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). In addition, your LSAT score(s) will be sent through LSAC's CAS. Full-time regular decision applicants are encouraged to take the LSAT no later than February, but the April administration will be considered on a space-available basis. Part-time regular decision applicants are encouraged to take the LSAT no later than April, but the June administration will be considered on a space-available basis. LSAT scores earned prior to July 2022 will not be accepted. If you have multiple scores and would like for the Admissions Committee to consider a score from a future LSAT administration, please note that in the application and email lawadmissions@uh.edu requesting our office hold your file until the future LSAT score is available. Questions about the Credential Assembly Service should be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or lsacinfo@lsac.org.

Foreign Educated ApplicantsApplicants whose undergraduate degrees were earned outside the US or Canada must use LSAC's CAS for the evaluation of foreign transcripts, unless you completed the foreign course 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. The Law Center accepts both the TOEFL and IELTS exams, which are only required of applicants who obtained their law degree from a country where English is not the official language. TOEFL and IELTS scores should be submitted to the CAS by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Additional information on the admissions criteria for international students can be found on our website - https://law.uh.edu/admissions/international-students.asp.

Mandatory Attachments

Resume (use an electronic attachment).
Personal Statement (use an electronic attachment).
Two letters of recommendation (no more than three) submitted through the LSAC's CAS.

Optional Attachments

Character and Fitness - If you answered "yes" to any of the questions in the Character and Fitness section, attach a completed Character and Fitness Disclosure Template for each incident explaining all the relevant circumstances. For questions 1-3, forward the final disposition of the incident(s).
Residency Statement - If there is any additional information that you believe the University of Houston Law Center should know in evaluating your eligibility to be classified as a Texas resident for tuition purposes, please attach a residency statement.
Prior Law School Enrollment - If you have previously enrolled in any law school, please attach a statement which includes the name of the institution or institutions, dates of attendance, the number of credit hours earned, and an explanation of the reason for not continuing your legal education there. We will also need an official copy of your transcript (sent through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service). If you are in good standing with the school, please provide a Letter of Good Standing.
Other Optional Statement - See "Attachments" section of the application for more details.

Additional information regarding the Law Center and the admissions criteria is available on our website.

Financial Aid/Scholarships All admitted students will be automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. For more information on merit scholarships, please visit our website.

Checking the Status of Your Application The Office of Admissions will notify applicants via e-mail when their application has been received. This communication will include instructions for using the online status checker. The Office of Admissions will also notify applicants via e-mail and through the online status checker when their decision has been rendered. Decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning in December. Early decisions are usually emailed by mid-February. Regular decisions for full-time are usually emailed by mid-May. Regular decisions for part-time are usually emailed by early July. To protect the applicant's confidentiality, the admissions staff will not give admissions decisions over the telephone.

Contact Information All communications will be sent via email, therefore it is important that you provide a current email address and that you check your e-mail regularly. Updates to your contact information should be sent to lawadmissions@uh.edu.

Campus VisitsThroughout the year we have a number of ways and times that you can visit the University of Houston Law Center. Event dates, times, and locations, including a calendar of events is available at Visit Us.

54

USD

Please note, law school applicants have an ongoing duty to disclose throughout the application process.

Have you ever been found to have violated a university or college honor code, or been subject to any academic or disciplinary action (e.g., allegation, expulsion, suspension, probation, warning, dismissal, invitation or requirement to withdraw) from any academic institution attended, any employer, profession, or professional association? If "Yes", submit a detailed explanation using an electronic attachment.
Have you ever attended any law school including USD School of Law? If "Yes," state where and when and give clear reasons for leaving in an electronic attachment. You must provide a letter from the dean or other authorized official verifying your good standing, together with an official transcript from any law school previously attended.
Please clarify the status in which you left your prior law school.
Please clarify the timing of when you withdrew from your prior law school. I withdrew...
Have you ever been charged with a misdemeanor or felony (or the equivalent in a juvenile court), is any such charge now pending, or are under investigation? In responding to this question, please include incidents where the charge was originally a misdemeanor or felony, but may have ultimately been reduced to a lesser charge or dismissed. Include all incidents, no matter how minor, even if the record has been sealed, obliterated, destroyed, dismissed or expunged. Please furnish complete facts, including the name and nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the name and locality of the court, and the disposition of each event using an electronic attachment.
Have you ever been convicted of a violation of a misdemeanor or felony? As used herein, a conviction includes a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or a verdict or finding of guilt, regardless of whether a sentence is imposed by the court. Please furnish complete facts, including the name and nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the name and locality of the court, and the disposition of each event using an electronic attachment.
Have you ever been convicted by General Court Martial or did you receive a dishonorable or less than honorable discharge from the military? If "Yes", please furnish complete facts including the name and nature of the offense using an electronic attachment.
Has a restraining order ever been filed against you? If "Yes", please furnish complete facts, including the name and nature of the restraining order, the date of the offense, using an electronic attachment.

Moral Character Amendment Notice

Applicants are required to promptly update their admissions application with any moral character disclosures that were not previously disclosed, from the time of application submission until a final decision is made. This obligation remains in effect for admitted students and persists through matriculation and throughout law school. Any new disclosures will undergo a review process and could potentially impact the student's standing at the School of Law.

ABA Standard 504

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.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: REGULAR ADMISSION

USD has a rolling admissions process which means that the application is open for the majority of the academic year. However, applicants are encouraged to apply early. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all application materials are received by the School of Law admissions office. The latest LSAT, GRE, or JD Next test date that is generally considered is the June test.

Transfer Credit Applicants

If any of the circumstances below apply to you, please contact the USD Law Admissions Office at jdinfo@sandiego.edu to ensure your application is completed correctly and properly considered for our transfer credit program:

If you have completed JD credits as a JD student at another ABA-accredited law school in the United States you may, upon approval by the Dean, be allowed to transfer a limited number of earned credits for courses completed toward a University of San Diego School of Law JD degree.
If you are a graduate from a foreign law school you may, upon approval by the Dean, be allowed to transfer a limited number of earned credits for courses completed toward a University of San Diego School of Law JD degree.
If you are an applicant who graduated from a foreign law school and completed a Masters of Laws (LL.M.) program at University of San Diego School of Law you may, upon approval by the Dean, be allowed to transfer a limited number of earned credits from LL.M. courses completed toward a University of San Diego School of Law JD degree.

Note: Transfer credits shall not, individually or in combination, exceed one-third of the total required by University of San Diego School of Law for the JD degree.

If you would like to learn more about the possibility of transfer credits to the JD degree, click here to visit our website for more information.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: EARLY DECISION PROGRAM

USD Law offers an early decision program to JD applicants. The deadline for filing an application for admission under early decision is December 4, 2026. All materials required for review (including the early decision program agreement) of your file must also reach the admissions office by December 4, 2026. The latest LSAT test date that can be considered is an exam held before November 14th, 2026.

The early decision program is created for applicants whose first choice in law school is USD. If you are admitted to USD under the early decision program, you will receive your admittance by December 22, 2026 and you will have until January 15, 2027 to confirm your place in the incoming class. Applicants are not required to withdraw from other programs should financial reasons prevent the applicant from attending. Applicants are required to meet with the USD Law financial aid team and the Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid prior to withdrawing from other law programs with which they have an active application before submitting their full seat deposit to USD. If you apply under early decision and do not receive an early offer of admission, then your application will continue to be considered in the general applicant pool. To be considered for early decision, you must check the indicated box. You will also be required to submit a $500 nonrefundable deposit by the January 15, 2027 deadline.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

We prefer applications that have been prepared using the LSAC electronic applications program. This service allows you to use your computer to efficiently fill out applications for all ABA-approved law schools. LSAC will then send an electronic version of your application to our office. Applications electronically submitted to LSAC for transmission to this law school will be considered postmarked on the day they are electronically submitted. If you are unable to complete an electronic application, please contact the USD Law Admissions Office via email at jdinfo@sandiego.edu for a paper copy*.* The paper application needs to be complete, accurate, and signed by the applicant. Submit the application to:

                University of San Diego School of Law
                Office of Admissions
                5998 Alcala Park
                San Diego, CA 92110-2492

STANDARDIZED TEST REQUIREMENTS

All applicants, unless applying as a Direct Admissions Program candidate, are required to take the LSAT, GRE test, or apply with JD Next information on file. All programs are offered throughout the year. Dates for the LSAT can be found on the LSAC.org exam webpage. LSAT information may be obtained from LSAC.org. Information on the GRE tests can be found at ETS.org. Information on the JD Next program can be found on AspenPublishing.com, all applicants applying with either only a GRE or JD Next score must still register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) for the submission of their application materials. These applicants are also required to report all GRE scores or JD Next information associated with admission to their original law school. For more information about this requirement, please contact the USD School of Law Admissions Office at jdinfo@sandiego.edu.

For GRE and JD-Next applicants, if an LSAT exam is taken and a score is issued at the time an application is submitted, or any time after submission but before the start of first-year classes, it must be transmitted to the Office of Admissions via an updated LSAC Credential Assembly Service Report (CAS Report). The Admissions Committee may use any new standardized test information of this specific nature to change an original offer of admission. Failure to report said information may result in the same action. For more information about this requirement, please contact the USD School of Law Admissions Office at jdinfo@sandiego.edu.

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate competency in English by successfully completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants are required to send the results of their TOEFL or IELTS directly to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS).

NOTES ABOUT APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Ethnicity - Colleges and universities are asked by many organizations, including the federal government, accrediting associations, college guides, newspapers, and our own college/university communities, to describe the racial/ethnic backgrounds of their students and employees. Your responses may be used for statistical purposes and in a manner in accordance with state and federal laws.

CREDENTIAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE (CAS) AND TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS

All applicants need to register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS), at LSAC.org. This service collects and analyzes academic data and transcripts on behalf of most United States law schools and sends both the report and copies of the received transcripts to the designated school. First-year applicants need to request that all colleges, universities, and law schools previously attended send official transcripts directly to the Credential Assembly Service. Transcripts for work completed prior to registering with Credential Assembly Service (CAS) should be sent to CAS, not to USD School of Law. Applicants need to designate the University of San Diego (code 4849) as a recipient of the Credential Assembly Service report. Applicants should allow approximately six weeks for the Credential Assembly Service process. Applicants whose undergraduate degree was earned outside the United States also need to apply for the Credential Assembly Service. Applicants must demonstrate an earned degree which is equivalent to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

The admissions committee views the personal statement as an opportunity to evaluate the writing and thinking ability of applicants and learn more about their interests, personal background, and concerns. This statement must be 2-3 pages double spaced, with 12 point font and traditional margins. Applicants should refer to the application form for information regarding the content of the personal statement. You may also wish to address: (a) why you wish to study law, setting forth your special qualifications or aptitudes; (b) how you plan to use your legal training; and (c) any additional information you deem important for the admissions committee to consider.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Letters of recommendation are required by the USD School of Law. The letters must be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. The directions and forms can be found at LSAC's website, LSAC.org. Letters will be forwarded to USD with an applicant's CAS report. Letters of recommendation should be from professors or individuals who can evaluate some significant aspect of the applicant's academic background and/or work experience. If the candidate has been out of undergraduate school less than five years, we prefer letters from academic sources. Applicants are required to submit at least two letters and we ask that you send no more than three through LSAC.

Applicants on the waitlist may submit one additional letter of recommendation outside of the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. For information on this step, please email jdinfo@sandiego.edu for instructions.

NOTIFICATION OF DECISION: EARLY DECISION PROGRAM

The admissions office will begin to review early decision applications in November 2026. Applicants will be notified of the decision no later than December 22, 2026. The criteria used to evaluate applicants under this program will be the same as the criteria and selection process employed for regular admissions. Applicants who are not offered admission under the early admission program will be rolled over and considered with all applicants under regular admission. If an admission offer is extended, you will have until January 15, 2027 to confirm your place in the entering class by submitting the $500.00 nonrefundable seat deposit.

NOTIFICATION OF DECISION: REGULAR ADMISSION

The admissions office begins considering completed applications as late as November of the current application cycle. Since several thousand applications are individually reviewed, it may take several weeks or months for a completed application to be considered. Once the admissions committee has made a decision, applicants are advised promptly of the decision as an offer of admission, an offer of a place on the wait list, or a denial of admission. Because the admission process includes an evaluation of the overall achievements of each applicant relative to those of other applicants, many admission decisions are not finalized until the bulk of applications have been reviewed. Decisions are final and University of San Diego School of Law does not offer an appeals process for applicants.

Applicants who are in the wait list category may not receive a final decision until late summer. Due to confidentiality concerns, admission decisions are generally not communicated by telephone nor is information on an applicant released to anyone other than the applicant.

If an offer of admission is extended, the admitted student is required to send a deposit to the admissions office by the specified date in order to secure a position in the entering class. The offer of admission will be withdrawn if the required deposit is not received when due.

OFFICIAL FINAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENT

Admitted students must provide an official final transcript from all degree-granting institutions indicating that a degree has been conferred. The date of conferral must be listed on the transcript. Copies of transcripts provided with the law school report are not sufficient to meet this requirement. Official final transcripts need to be on file in the admissions office prior to the first day of orientation and the law school retains the right to withdraw an admitted student for failure to adhere to this requirement by stated deadlines.

NOTES ABOUT APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Ethnicity - Colleges and universities are asked by many organizations, including the federal government, accrediting associations, college guides, newspapers, and our own college/university communities, to describe the racial/ethnic backgrounds of their students and employees. Your responses may be used for statistical and reporting purposes.

Contact Information - Please note that e-mail is the primary method of communication used by the University of San Diego School of Law Admissions and Financial Aid Office.

Education - If you have previously attended a law school, including USD School of Law, state where and when and give clear reasons for leaving. You must provide a letter from the dean or other authorized official verifying your good standing, together with an official transcript from any law school previously attended.

Demographics - Our application includes a voluntary question on sexual orientation. If you choose to self-identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you consent to our sharing that information with current students, staff, faculty, and alumni who also identify as LGBTQ+ and who support community-building and recruitment efforts within the law school.

FINANCIAL AID

For updated information, please refer to the Financial Aid section of the School of Law website at https://www.sandiego.edu/law/financial-aid/.

Applicants who qualify for the University of San Diego Tuition Remission Program may not receive both a law school scholarship award and tuition remission benefits. More on this policy can be found at https://www.sandiego.edu/law/financial-aid/. Questions can be directed to lawaid@sandiego.edu.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

The educational mission of the University of San Diego embraces a commitment to academic excellence, individual dignity, and the development of the knowledge, values, and skills that will prepare students for service to their professional, global, civic, and faith communities. As a contemporary Catholic institution, USD has a moral and theological commitment to educating a diverse and inclusive student body. Accordingly, USD welcomes and respects those whose lives are formed by different traditions, viewpoints, identities, and lived experiences, recognizing that an inclusive student body is essential to the full and informed exchange of ideas and to the quality of legal education USD seeks to provide.

While LSAT scores, GRE scores, JD Next information, and undergraduate GPAs are important elements, other factors can also be significant in the admissions decision. These factors include: other areas of graduate study; work experience and community or professional service; awards and distinctions; personal recommendations; maturity and character; geographical background; undergraduate and graduate institutions and major; length of time elapsed since completion of undergraduate work; demonstrated motivation, discipline, and leadership ability; demonstrated success in completing a demanding educational program or activity; demonstrated success in overcoming hardship, discrimination, a social or economic disadvantage, or physical disability; demonstrated evidence of future promise, including the capacity to contribute to the legal profession and society; and lived experiences and perspectives that embody the University of San Diego and School of Law's mission statement and values.

The goal of the admissions committee, which serves in an advisory capacity to the Dean of the School of Law, is to consider all of the qualitative factors of each applicant that are demonstrative of the applicant's ability to successfully study law and serve as a member of the legal profession. When selecting from a pool of qualified candidates, the admissions committee considers the educational mission of the university, the critical role students play in educating one another, the demands of the legal profession, and the needs of the clients and communities they will serve. This makes the admissions process highly selective. The USD School of Law receives over 4,900 applications for roughly 235-240 available spaces in its entering class.

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF LAW MISSION STATEMENT

We are proud to be an integral part of the University of San Diego -- an engaged contemporary Catholic university community that is committed to advancing academic excellence, expanding liberal and professional knowledge, creating a diverse and inclusive community and preparing leaders who are dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service. The central mission of the USD's School of Law (Law School) is to cultivate and sustain a stimulating, entrepreneurial, and compassionate intellectual environment that nurtures and supports both our students' education and training and our faculty's scholarship. In the service of this central mission, we have educational and scholarly missions that sustain and reinforce each other. Our educational mission is to prepare our students to become outstanding attorneys and leaders who excel in the practice of law. Our scholarly mission is to make an enduring mark on our fields of study and to illuminate and enliven how we educate our students.

We strive through our teaching, scholarship, and service activities to instill in our students the capacity for critical judgment and practical skills that they will need to thrive in their professional lives. We are committed to providing our students with a deep understanding of the legal and social theory and research skills that will inform their choices and arguments. We are dedicated to endowing our students with a full appreciation of the ethical duties and responsibilities that come with being a member of the legal profession, which will allow them to become leaders in their public lives.

USD POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The University of San Diego is committed to upholding standards that promote respect and human dignity in an environment that fosters academic excellence and professionalism. It is the policy of the university to maintain an educational and work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

To that end, the university prohibits and does not tolerate unlawful discrimination against or harassment of its employees, students or applicants for employment or admission on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, physical disability, mental disability, or other characteristic protected by federal or state law, unless a particular characteristic is a bona fide requirement of the position.

All members of the university community are expected to uphold this policy. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the university.

The university does not by this non-discrimination statement disclaim any right it might otherwise lawfully have to maintain its commitment to its Catholic identity or the teachings of the Catholic Church.

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Tennessee

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.

Note: Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, character evaluations are conducted of all applicants for admission to a state bar. State requirements vary, and you should obtain information about qualifications for admission to the bar of the state where you intend to practice. Similarly, failure to provide complete and truthful answers to these questions may result in revocation of admission or other disciplinary action. In addition, state bar examiners will conduct background investigations prior to your admission to the bar. Therefore, you are advised to check transcripts and/or consult with school officials holding disciplinary records before answering these questions. If admitted, you are obligated to update this information provided in this section with any subsequent actions or conduct that takes place between the time of your admission and the end of your law school career.

Disciplinary Action:

Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on scholastic or disciplinary probation, expelled, requested to resign, allowed to resign in lieu of discipline, otherwise subjected to discipline, or requested to discontinue your studies by any college or university? Note: Your application will not be considered for an admission decision until a written explanation and any applicable documentation has been received.

Criminal Action:

Have you ever been cited for, arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any violation of any law including juvenile court? Note: Include matters that have been dismissed, expunged, subject to a diversion or deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside. Omit traffic violations. If Yes, include a copy of the associated arrest report, complaint, indictment, citation, information, disposition, sentence, docket report, and appeal, if any.