Elon University School of Law
Application requirements
Your personal statement must not exceed three pages (double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman). Applicants should provide a personal statement that answers the following prompt:
What has led you to apply to Elon University School of Law? Explain how the character and educational program of Elon Law match your academic and professional goals. Discuss what you believe Elon Law has to offer you and what you have to offer it. In addition, discuss your motivations for studying law and entering the legal profession.
This section is optional.
You may respond to one or more of the following topics in order to assist the School of Law in evaluating your application. Each response must not exceed two pages (double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman). For those with JD-Next Score Reports, please include as an addendum. JD-Next Score Reports are supplemental and cannot be used in lieu of an official LSAT or GRE score.
Topic One: What has been your most meaningful experience as a member of a team? Describe the circumstances and the role you played. Explain any lessons learned and how you might apply these lessons of experience to future opportunities.
Topic Two: If you do not believe that your academic record or standardized test scores accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, please explain why.
Topic Three: Do you bring a unique perspective to the study of law by virtue of your background or experiences?
Your resume must not exceed two pages and must highlight any relevant experience. Even though a resume is required, the applicant must still respond to all questions on the application.
With respect to the questions below, Elon University School of Law requires that an applicant disclose ALL criminal incidents and disciplinary charges, even if the charges were dismissed, the applicant was acquitted, adjudication was withheld or conviction was reversed, set aside or vacated. Any doubt as to the proper answer to any question should be resolved in favor of FULL DISCLOSURE, as subsequent discovery of a failure to fully and accurately answer these questions may result in denial of admission to the School of Law, exclusion from the School of Law, or a negative recommendation from the Dean of the School of Law to Boards of Law Examiners. In any state, the act of voluntary, open disclosure is central to the determination of character and fitness to practice law. Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, failing to disclose an act or event is often more significant, and leads to more serious consequences, than the act or event itself.
All applicants are under a continuing obligation to notify the Office of Admissions of any changes in their applications up until the time of enrollment and to notify the Office of Student & Professional Life of any changes in their answers to these questions after enrollment. You have a continuing obligation after the submission of this application and through your graduation from the School of Law to report any conduct that would require you to answer “yes” to any of these questions.
If the answer to any of the questions below is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section. For criminal charges, a complete explanation should include the name of the charge/citation, the date of the incident, and the disposition (i.e., guilty, not guilty, dismissal, plea to a lesser charge, diversion program, community service, court costs, fine, penalty, etc.).
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
You should be aware that many state boards of law examiners review the law school applications of persons applying to take the bar examination in their jurisdictions. Typically, state bar examiners compare a student's answers to conduct questions on the applicant's law school application to information provided by the student on the student's bar application when assessing the applicant's character and fitness to practice law. We recommend that, as soon as you know the state in which you intend to practice, you contact that state's Board of Law Examiners to determine its requirements.
1. Have you ever been placed on academic or disciplinary probation by any post-secondary school, college, university, graduate, professional, or law school? If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section.
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Are there any academic and/or campus infractions pending against you, or are you presently, or have you ever been under investigation for an academic and/or campus infraction other than the one(s) revealed in response to the previous questions? If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section.
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Have you ever been reprimanded, censured, warned, required to complete service project, issue an apology, or been subject to other academic discipline by any post-secondary school, college, university, graduate, professional, or law school? If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section.
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Have you ever been suspended, expelled, advised to withdraw, or withdrawn voluntarily from any post-secondary school, college, university, graduate, professional, or law school? If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section.
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Have you ever received a citation for, been arrested for, charged with any criminal charge? (Criminal charges include, but are not limited to: speeding tickets, other traffic violations, charges of driving under the influence, and/or any crime in violation of the laws of any jurisdiction. Any and all criminal charges must be fully disclosed.) If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section. A complete explanation should include the name of the charge/citation, the date and location of the incident, and the disposition (i.e., guilty, not guilty, dismissal, plea to a lesser charge, diversion program, community service, court costs, fine, penalty, etc.).
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Have you ever been convicted of, or pled guilty, no contest, nolo contendere, entered an Alford plea, or otherwise accepted responsibility for a crime? Have you received a deferred prosecution or prayer for judgment continued for any criminal charge? (Convictions or guilty pleas may include, but are not limited to: speeding tickets, other traffic violations, charges of driving under the influence, and/or any crime in violation of the laws of any jurisdiction. Any and all criminal convictions or guilty pleas must be fully disclosed.) If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section. A complete explanation should include the name of the charge/citation, the date and location of the incident, and the disposition (i.e., guilty, not guilty, dismissal, plea to a lesser charge, diversion program, community service, court costs, fine, penalty, etc.).
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Are there any criminal charges pending against you? (Criminal charges include, but are not limited to: speeding tickets, other traffic violations, driving under the influence, other alcohol or drug-related charges, and/or any crime in violation of the laws of any jurisdiction.) If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section. A complete explanation should include the name of the charge/citation, the date and location of the incident, and the disposition (i.e., guilty, not guilty, dismissal, plea to a lesser charge, diversion program, community service, court costs, fine, penalty, etc.).
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Have you ever been requested to appear before any investigatory agency or prosecuting attorney for any reason or any crime that has not been listed in the previous questions? If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation.
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Have you ever been disciplined or reprimanded by any trade, business or professional organization or had revoked a publicly granted license to practice a trade, business, or profession? If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section.
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Have you ever been dismissed, discharged, or requested to resign by an employer? If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section.
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Has a judgment been entered against you in a civil court case? If the answer to this question is "yes", please provide a complete explanation in the attachment section.
This section is optional.
If you indicated that you have served in the military, you must provide your discharge form (DD Form-214).
If you are still serving active duty, please provide a brief statement with your enlistment date and your anticipated date of separation and/or change in status. If you receive an offer of admission and decide to matriculate at Elon Law, you will need to provide a DD Form-214 prior to enrollment.
This section is optional.
Two letters of recommendation are required (three letters maximum). Faculty and professional recommendations are preferred; all recommenders should address your potential as a law student.
- If applicable, please describe any connection to or affinity for Elon University or the Elon University School of Law. (maximum characters 1000)