First Year-JD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
We follow a rolling admission process. Applications are reviewed for admission and scholarship on a first-come, first-serve basis. The timing of when you submit a complete application will impact your admissions decision. Applying earlier in the application cycle (November/December) is strongly encouraged.
-
Complete as much of the data requested as possible. Items/fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required and must be completed in order to submit your application. While other items are optional, the data provided will assist us in our review process. The University of Denver recognizes the importance of protecting personal privacy. Read our Privacy Policy, including notifications for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
-
Designate the preferred division, Full-Time or Part-Time.
-
Personal Statement: Please submit a personal statement describing the circumstances that have led you to pursue a law degree. Among other topics, you may wish to highlight your unique personal and professional experiences, any specialized talents and skills you possess, challenges you have had to overcome, and/or opportunities you have had to exemplify leadership, determination, or courage. Your statement should be no more than 500 words.
-
Submit a résumé which should include the following:
- All post-secondary institutions attended with attendance dates, degree(s) received, and major(s)
- Employment with dates, responsibilities, and accomplishments
- Extracurricular, public interest, and community activities
- Honors and awards
-
Two letters of recommendation are required through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). These letters should preferably be from college professors who can attest to your ability to enter a competitive program in the law. Letters from professional work environments may be useful if that experience is more recent than your previous educational institution.
-
Official transcript(s) from all post-secondary educational institutions must be submitted to LSAC for the CAS report. These transcripts must be sent by the institution(s) directly, and not by the applicant.
-
A non-refundable application fee of $65.00 must be submitted with the application.
-
English Language Proficiency - Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or C1 Advanced are required of all applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Scores are valid for two years from the test date. Request that your test scores be sent from the testing organization to LSAC or to the Office of Admissions. The requirement can be waived if you have completed a post-secondary degree at an institution whose language of instruction and tests is English. The whole program of study must have been completed in English.
-
TOEFL: The minimum TOEFL score accepted by the Sturm College of Law is 95 (for exams taken before January 21, 2026) or 5 (for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026).
- LSAC TOEFL Code: 0058
- University of Denver Institution Code: 4842
-
IELTS: The minimum IELTS score accepted by the Sturm College of Law is 7.0.
-
C1 Advanced: The minimum C1 Advanced score accepted by the Sturm College of Law is 185.
All materials submitted as part of the application process become the property of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and cannot be returned.
Contact: University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Office of Admissions
2255 East Evans Avenue, Suite 115, Denver, CO 80208
303.871.6135
law-admissions@du.edu
