A personal statement not exceeding two pages is required and must be electronically attached. Please see application instructions for additional information.

Please use this optional attachment to submit any additional information regarding your application for admission (e.g., addendum, mission statement).

A current résumé is strongly recommended and should not exceed two pages. Please see the application instructions for additional information.

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

The American Bar Association requires that law schools advise each applicant that state bar requirements deal with the character and fitness of an applicant at the time he or she seeks certification to register for admission to the bar. It further allows the law school to seek information on character and fitness to ensure that appropriate law school qualifications are met. The following questions are representative of areas of inquiry made by bar authorities in most states and must be answered with a "yes" or "no." Failure to do so will delay action by the Admissions Committee.

Indicate "no" if not applicable. If "yes," on an electronic attachment, state fully all the facts, including dates and results. Your answer(s) must fully apprise the Committee of all relevant issues and facts. You are advised to answer these questions in detail because similar, but more detailed information, such as copies of all police and court records, must be disclosed at the time you apply for admission to the bar.

If you answer "yes" to any of the Character and Fitness questions, you must provide details on an electronic attachment for each question you answered "yes" to.

1. Have you ever been dropped, dismissed, suspended, placed on probation, disciplined, or expelled from any school, college or similar institution for academic or any other reason?

2. If you were ever dropped, dismissed, placed on probation, disciplined, or expelled from any school, college or similar institution, were you accused of any dishonesty therewith?

3. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or is there now pending against you any indictment, criminal information or criminal complaint charging a felony offense?

4. Have you been detained, arrested, summoned into court, cited, indicted, adjudicated guilty or convicted in any criminal, municipal, military or juvenile proceeding? If yes, you must disclose each instance even though the charges have been dismissed or you were acquitted or adjudication was withheld or a conviction was reversed, set aside, vacated or the record sealed or expunged and regardless of whether you have been told you need not disclose any such instances.

5. Have you ever been charged with any traffic violation that involved felonious conduct, the use or possession of alcohol or drugs, or which resulted in time spent in custody, or a fine of $350 or more, or the revocation or suspension of your driver's license?

6. Were you ever accused by an employer, supervisor or associate of dishonesty in connection with any employment or occupation, or have you ever been discharged by an employer?

7. Have you ever been suspended, disqualified or otherwise disciplined as a member of any profession or in military service?

8. Do you currently have any debt or obligation greater than $500 that is reported as more than 2 months past due, including, without limitation, credit card debts, charge accounts, medical bills, student loans, bank loans and court-ordered obligations to pay child support, alimony and family support? If any of the obligations are more than 2 months past due, you must disclose each instance of debt or obligation and the surrounding circumstances.

Introduction DePaul University derives its title and fundamental mission from St. Vincent de Paul, who advocated serving urgent human needs and ennobling the dignity of each person. When admitting students to the College of Law, we place greatest weight on intellectual potential and academic achievement. We also seek diversity in students' special talents, qualities, interests and socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Having students with different interests, goals, life experiences, and backgrounds is critical in order to ensure the robust exchange of ideas that is called for in training lawyers and potential leaders. Toward this end, we seek a student body that exhibits outstanding academic and professional promise with varied backgrounds and experience.

DePaul University College of Law also is committed to improving the legal community by educating students who will serve the public and legal profession in ways that enhance the social, economic, cultural and ethical values in the broader community.

DePaul University has a nondiscriminatory admission policy. Under this policy, no person shall be the object of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, reproductive health decisions, family relationship status, familial responsibilities, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information or other status protected by local, state, or federal law in its employment or its educational settings.

Admission Policy Admission to DePaul University College of Law is competitive. We consider numerous factors in evaluating each applicant, including undergraduate academic performance, Law School Admission Test (LSAT), JD-Next Exam or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, advanced degrees, professional work experience, writing ability, potential for leadership, professional and academic recommendations, and the student's special talents, qualities, interests, and socioeconomic and cultural background. No single factor is dispositive when determining admission.

Personal qualities that demonstrate intellectual depth, high ideals and diligence also are considered, as are economic, societal or educational obstacles that have been successfully overcome. Diversity in background and experience among the members of each entering class is a continuing objective. Having a diverse student body allows us to encourage and foster the exchange of different ideas. In addition, a candidate's prior relations with the DePaul University community and her or his potential for furthering DePaul's institutional goals are considered.

Last year, approximately 3,000 candidates applied for 210 seats in the full-time day program. Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, early application is highly recommended, especially for those who desire merit scholarship and financial aid consideration. For first-year applicants with no previous law school credit, admission is granted only for the fall semester. First-year applicants should ensure that their application and all necessary documents are on file in the Office of Law Admissions prior to the suggested deadline of April 1.

Prospective applicants who have received their baccalaureate degrees from accredited institutions or who have, or will have, received degrees prior to July of the year for which admission is sought are eligible to apply. In no event will anyone who has yet to receive a baccalaureate degree be permitted to enroll in the College of Law. No specific fields of study are prescribed at the baccalaureate level.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCESS INSTRUCTIONS

This document provides a general overview of the electronic application process and the materials that should accompany the application for admission. After reading all of the application instructions, please review the "Application Checklist" to obtain a list of the required documents.

Electronic Application All applicants to the College of Law must submit all materials electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). We only accept applications submitted through the LSAC electronic application.

We will not accept any paper application materials or paper updates to your application. Paper materials and updates will not be retained or reviewed by the Admissions Committee and will be discarded. You are welcome to submit updates to your file electronically. Application update materials may be submitted to lawinfo@depaul.edu. Please include your name and LSAC account number on each attachment.

Applicants in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, or other applicants who require a paper application, should contact the Office of Law Admissions at 312.362.6831 or by emailing lawinfo@depaul.edu with their request.

Letter of Recommendation One letter of recommendation is required for all applicants. Up to three additional letters are welcome. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Letters of recommendation from an applicant's college professors are particularly useful. Letters of recommendation also may be submitted by employers or colleagues who are in positions to make critical and informed appraisals of an applicant's qualifications.

Personal Statement A personal statement is required and must be electronically attached to the application for admission. It should not exceed two pages, and may provide the Admissions Committee with information regarding such matters as intellectual interests and pursuits; personal, family or educational background; experiences and talents of special interest; reasons for applying to law school as they may relate to personal goals and professional expectations; or any other factors that will assist the Committee's evaluation of the applicant's candidacy for admission. Applicants also may describe, either within the personal statement or as an addendum, how their admission would contribute to the mission of the College of Law.

Résumé A current résumé is strongly recommended and may be electronically attached to the application for admission. It should not exceed two pages. It should include a complete employment record and identify honors, scholarships and commendations received; membership in any scholastic, honorary and professional associations; as well as community, volunteer and extracurricular activities.

Standardized Test or Standardized Test Equivalent All applicants must submit a standardized test score. DePaul Law accepts the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or JD-Next Exam. DePaul University College of Law will accept LSAT or GRE scores taken within five years prior to the date of application. If an applicant has a GRE Score or JD-Next Exam Score in addition to an LSAT score, the LSAT score will be the primary test score considered for admissions purposes, with the GRE and/or JD-Next Exam score as a secondary factor taken into admissions consideration. Applicants should have their GRE score reported by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) directly to DePaul University College of Law (GRE institution code number 4025). Applicants submitting a JD-Next Exam score must have Aspen send their score directly to DePaul Law.

In addition, all applicants, including those who submit JD-Next Exam or GRE scores in addition to or in lieu of an LSAT score, must register with CAS through LSAC and submit transcripts for all graduate and undergraduate academic work. LSAT scores will automatically be reported to DePaul College of Law as part of the CAS report.

No Application Fee There is no application fee to apply for JD admission.

International Applicant Information Applicants who have earned degrees or received diplomas from international institutions must submit all materials required of first-time Juris Doctor applicants.

In addition, applicants who have completed coursework or earned degrees from international institutions should submit their international transcripts through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service. This service is included in the standard Credential Assembly Service fee. International transcripts received will be sent to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) where the transcript will be authenticated and analyzed. The data will be assembled into an International Credential Evaluation document that contains AACRAO's summary, copies of the transcripts (and translations, as necessary), and a TOEFL or IELTS, if applicable.

Applicants who were educated in international countries, at institutions where English is not the primary language, also must register for the TOEFL (www.toefl.org) or IELTS (www.ielts.org) or Duolingo English Test (englishtest.duolingo.com). Applicants who register for the TOEFL must advise Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send their TOEFL score to DePaul University College of Law (institution code number 1165).

LSAC will incorporate the applicant's International Credential Evaluation, TOEFL, IELTS, and associated documents into the CAS report. While the College of Law strongly encourages international applicants to submit their international transcripts to CAS, we also will accept detailed evaluation reports from Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org), World Educational Services (www.wes.org) or from any other member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (www.naces.org).

For additional information, including a copy of the Financial Affidavit of Support Form for International Students, please visit https://offices.depaul.edu/international-admission/.

Two-Year JD for International Lawyers Program Foreign-trained lawyers, and other graduates of non-U.S. law schools, may earn a JD degree in two years of full-time study. International applicants who have graduated from international law schools may receive up to 28 credit hours toward the JD degree. Applicants interested in the Two-Year JD for International Lawyers Program should NOT complete this online application, but should instead download the Two-Year JD application at http://law.depaul.edu/admission/jd-admission/Pages/international-applicants.aspx. The LSAT is not required for admission to this program.

Joint-Degree Programs DePaul offers a number of joint-degree programs with colleges outside of the College of Law including but not limited to: the JD/MBA degree with the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business; the JD/MPP, JD/MS in Public Services Management or the JD/MA in International Studies with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Graduate School; the JD/MS in Computer Science, the JD/MS in Cybersecurity or the JD/MS in Information Systems with the College of Computing and Digital Media; and the JD/Master in International & European Business Law with Pontificia Universidad Comillas School of Law in Madrid, Spain.

Those seeking a joint-degree first must apply and be accepted for admission to the College of Law. Admission is made to the appropriate joint-degree program only after completion of the first-year core curriculum in the College of Law with above average academic achievement. Thereafter, if accepted into the joint-degree program, law students begin their joint-degree studies.

A separate application may be required for each program and should be submitted during the first year of law school. In addition, an entrance exam such as the GRE or GMAT may be required depending on the requirements of the program to which the applicant is applying.

More information about joint-degree programs is available at https://law.depaul.edu/academics/jd-program/jd-joint-degree.

JD/LLM Program

DePaul College of Law also offers three joint JD/LLM (Juris Doctor/Master of Laws) degrees. A joint JD/LLM gives students an opportunity to develop knowledge and practice skills in a specific area of law and earn two degrees in three years of full-time study, including summer enrollment, or can be pursued on a part-time basis.

Students applying to the JD/LLM program should indicate their intent and the concentration to which they are applying?Health Law, Intellectual Property & Information Technology Law or International Law?in the designated area on the application form. Students also may enroll in the traditional JD program and apply to a joint JD/LLM program at any time during their enrollment at the College of Law.

Applicants also must submit a brief essay of no more than two pages discussing the reason(s) for their interest in earning a JD/LLM in a specific area of law.

Transfer Applicant Information DePaul University College of Law welcomes applications from students who will have completed, within the preceding two years, at least one year of study at another ABA-accredited law school and are in good academic standing. Transfer applicants may apply for admission to the day program during the fall and spring semesters. Transfer applicants admitted to the College of Law may receive up to 29 hours of credit toward the Juris Doctor degree. The determination of applicable credit is made upon admission. DePaul University College of Law does not have an articulation agreement with any university or law school program regarding transfer admission.

Students applying for transfer admission complete a separate online application than first-year applicants. Transfer applicants are required to submit the following: (1) transfer student application form; (2) one letter of recommendation from a law school professor; (3) résumé; (4) personal statement; (5) current law school report from LSAC; (6) Letter of academic standing from all previously attended law schools; and (7) law school transcripts from all previously attended law schools. Class ranks are not required to evaluate an applicant's transfer application.

In evaluating transfer applicants, the Admissions Committee will consider the applicant's undergraduate academic record, LSAT, JD-Next Exam or GRE score, law school grades, personal statement, letter of recommendation and other information requested in the application.

Tuition and Fees for Academic Year 2027-2028 and Financial Aid The tuition rate for the day program is guaranteed for three consecutive years for first-year students who enroll in the 2027 fall semester. The tuition figures below are for JD students who enrolled in the 2026-2027 academic year. Tuition figures for the 2027-2028 academic year will be released in spring 2027. All policies are under continual review. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to change tuition and fees as conditions require.

2026-2027 Tuition First-Year JD Full-Time Program Package: $56,436

Per Credit Hour: $1,844

General Fees per Semester Comprehensive Fee: $150

VENTRA U-Pass (must opt in): $171

Late Fee: $100

Service Fee for Returned Check: $25

Student Health Insurance Fee: $1,245

Financial Assistance DePaul University and the College of Law provide a range of financial assistance in the form of loans and scholarships. Should you wish to apply for financial assistance, indicate your intent in the Application for Admission. Financial aid applications will be available shortly after October 1, 2026.

Scholarship Awards All admitted students are automatically considered for applicable scholarship awards. No separate application is required. Dean's Scholarships are awarded to entering law students based upon their achievements, personal qualities and potential to contribute to the DePaul law community. Scholarship recipients are notified of their award in the acceptance letter.

Need-Based Assistance To apply for loans for the 2027-2028 academic year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required and can be obtained after October 1, 2026 at colleges and universities or at the FAFSA website (www.fafsa.ed.gov). The FAFSA code for DePaul University College of Law is 001671. Although there is no hard-deadline, the FAFSA should be complete and on file in the Office of Financial Aid on or before March 1, 2027, in order to receive full consideration for DePaul-administered financial aid.

For additional financial aid and scholarship information, visit the DePaul University College of Law website at http://law.depaul.edu/admission/tuition-scholarships-aid/Pages/tuition.aspx.

Checklist: DePaul University College of Law First-Year Applicants Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Register for and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or JD-Next Exam. For academic year 2027-2028, LSAT or GRE scores prior to June 2021 will not be accepted. Complete and submit an online application by the suggested application deadline of April 1. Write a personal statement not exceeding two pages and submit it with your online application. Submit at least one letter of recommendation to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Submit one official transcript from every undergraduate college or university attended directly to the Credential Assembly Service. A résumé not exceeding two pages is encouraged. International Applicants Register with the Credential Assembly Service. We will also accept detailed evaluation reports from any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Register for and take the LSAT, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or JD-Next Exam. For academic year 2027-2028, LSAT or GRE scores prior to June 2021 will not be accepted. Register for and take the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test, if international education was not in the English language. TOEFL scores should be sent to DePaul University College of Law (institution code number 1165). Complete and submit an online application by the suggested application deadline of April 1. Submit at least one letter of recommendation directly to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). A résumé not exceeding two pages is encouraged.

If applying to a Joint JD/LLM program, please attach to the application a statement of no more than two pages indicating the reason(s) for your interest in pursing a joint JD/LLM degree in Health Law, Intellectual Property Law or International Law.