Detroit Mercy > Requirements

Application requirements

Deadline

Aug 1, 2026

Recommendations

2 to 4

Updated for 2025-2026 application cycle

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every US jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. You may review the State Bar of Michigan's rules and guidelines at http://www.michbar.org/.

State bar examiners may require bar applicants to submit their law school applications as part of the review for requisite character and fitness. As such, it is in a law school applicant's best interest to provide complete, accurate, and not misleading information when completing the law school application for admission, including the questions within this section. Discrepancies between your bar application and law school application for admission could result in the rejection of your application to a state bar.

Should the responses to questions within this application cease to be true, it is the applicant's responsibility to update their application for admission. Applicants must make updates in writing to the Detroit Mercy Law Admissions Office at lawadmissions@udmercy.edu. Failure to disclose, provide forthright answers, or update the application may subject the offender to revocation of admission, reporting of the offense to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), or other disciplinary action. Please contact the Detroit Mercy Law Admissions Office with questions regarding this section.

Have you ever been dismissed, expelled, placed on probation or otherwise disciplined for academic or other reasons by any trade institutions, colleges, universities, or graduate or professional schools, regardless of the outcome and extent of disciplinary action? Disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to, warnings, reprimands, grade sanctions, or requests to resign. If Yes, applicants are required to submit an addendum that provides a complete explanation of each incident, including the specific dates, causes, circumstances, and outcome of the incidents.
Have you ever been disciplined by any employer, discharged, or asked to resign? If Yes, applicants are required to submit an addendum that provides a complete explanation of each instance, including the specific dates, causes, circumstances, and outcome.

For the questions below, your entire criminal history is relevant, including matters in which courts have labeled "non-public."

Applicants who respond "yes" to questions 4-11, must submit an addendum for each disclosure with a complete explanation of the incident that includes the specific dates, causes, circumstances, and outcome of the incident and may include the register of action and court order. If a register of action and court order are not provided, the Admissions Committee may require them upon further review.

4. Are there any criminal charges against you which are currently pending?

Are there any criminal charges against you for which you are currently on supervised or unsupervised probation?
Are there any criminal charges against you in which sentencing has been delayed or not disposed of?
Are there any criminal charges against you in which a pretrial diversion program has not been completed?
Are there any criminal charges against you in which there is any other nonfinal status?
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense?

Include any conviction resulting from an appearance in court in which a judge or jury made a finding of guilt, or in which a guilty plea or nolo contendere plea was accepted by the court. Exclude driving convictions that do not require a court appearance, and which are or would be presently treated as civil infractions under the provision of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, or under similar provisions in other states. Disclose all convictions stemming from originally charged driving offenses that retain criminal status, such as all alcohol or drug-related offenses and reckless or felonious driving, or convictions for driving while privileges are suspended or revoked.

Have you ever entered a guilty plea or a no contest plea to a criminal offense which was taken under advisement, taken in connection with a pretrial diversion program, or otherwise did not result in a conviction?
Have you ever had a criminal record expunged or set aside?

Level up your application with 7Sage Admissions

7Sage's team of admissions officers and professional writers track which application strategies overperform. Learn how to submit the perfect application, nail an interview, or get off the waitlist.

Book a free consultation