Personal Statement: Each year, the Admissions Committee receives applications from many more qualified individuals than the law school is able to admit. In making admissions decisions among applicants with comparable LSAT scores and GPAs, the Committee considers a number of other factors. These include: interesting or demanding work or service experience; leadership potential; rigorousness of undergraduate course of study; graduate study; economic need requiring significant employment during college; social or cultural disadvantages; and extraordinary family or personal responsibilities. Your personal statement should discuss any of these factors that you would like the Committee to consider. The statement should be two to three pages in length, typed and double-spaced.

OPTIONAL SEMINOLE STATEMENT Located within the heart of Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida, Florida State University College of Law is surrounded by a vibrant legal community. As Florida has the third largest economy of any state in the United States, there are ample opportunities to practice law in a rich variety of settings – law firms, state government, local and municipal government, courts, associations, non-profit organizations, business settings, and more – which work to serve the legal needs of a diverse clientele made up of a variety of cultures, traditions, histories, languages, and backgrounds. Florida State University College of Law is a values-based and purpose-driven law school that embraces all perspectives, backgrounds, and students. FSU College of Law is consistently ranked one of the top schools in terms of student satisfaction – and that is due to the emphasis on creating a culture of belonging, where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to contribute.

In no more than two typed pages (double-spaced, using a 12 point font), please feel free to submit a Seminole Statement to provide the Admissions Committee with insights and examples from your life to share a quality of your character, and/or a unique ability that you possess to describe how you would uniquely contribute to the academic and student communities at the Florida State University College of Law.

A detailed résumé should accompany the application and must be submitted as an attachment.

1. Educational Institution Discipline Duty to Disclose: Have you ever been accused of a violation of an honor code or student conduct code, warned, placed on academic, scholastic or disciplinary probation, 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?

If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.

If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include a written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.

2. Educational Institution Discipline Duty to Disclose: Regardless of whether the record has been cancelled or annulled, or whether no record was made, have you ever been accused of cheating, plagiarism, or other academic dishonesty at any school you attended?

If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.

If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include a written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.

1. Violation of Law Duty to Disclose: Have you ever been arrested, detained or restrained, given a notice to appear or taken into custody for the violation of a law or ordinance? You should disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. However, if your records were expunged pursuant to applicable law, you are not required to answer yes to this question.

If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.

If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include the written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.

2. Violation of Law Duty to Disclose: Have you ever been arrested, detained or restrained, taken into custody or accused of driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving with an unlawful blood alcohol level or charged with vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide? You should disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. However, if your records were expunged pursuant to applicable law, you are not required to answer yes to this question.

If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.

If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include the written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.

3. Violation of Law Duty to Disclose: Have you ever been charged with a traffic violation that resulted in a fine of $200 or more, charged with a traffic violation that resulted in time spent in jail, or had your driver license or your driving privileges revoked or suspended? You should disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. However, if your records were expunged pursuant to applicable law, you are not required to answer yes to this question.

If your answer to this question is YES, please read the following carefully. You MUST include by electronic attachment to this application a full statement of relevant facts for each incident. In addition to your written account of the incident(s), you MUST furnish the College of Law with copies of all official documents explaining the final disposition of the proceedings.

If your answer changes from a NO to a YES after you have submitted your application, you are obligated to notify the Admissions Office of the change and include the written statement and official documentation regarding the incident as part of your application.

FLORIDA RESIDENT AFFIDAVIT INSTRUCTIONS You selected YES on your application to the question regarding whether or not you consider yourself a Florida resident for tuition purposes according to Florida Statute 1009.21. As such, you are required to complete a Florida Residency Affidavit and upload the completed and signed form as well as legible copies of two acceptable official documents supporting your Florida residency to the application.

Complete the Florida Residency Affidavit, make copies of your required documents, and upload everything as ONE attachment. If you are unable to attach all documents to your application as one attachment, they may be submitted by email to admissions@law.fsu.edu or by fax to 850-644-7284. Please make sure you include your LSAC Account Number on each document copy if not uploaded with your application through LSAC.

The most commonly used documents are a Florida driver's license, Florida voter registration card and a Florida vehicle registration.

NON-FLORIDA RESIDENT AFFIDAVIT INSTRUCTIONS

You selected NO on your application to the question regarding whether or not you consider yourself a Florida resident for tuition purposes according to Florida Statute 1009.21. As such, you are required to complete a Non-Florida Residency Affidavit and upload the completed and signed form to the application.

If you are applying with an existing reportable GRE score, you must include a copy of your unofficial GRE score report with your application through LSAC.

If you are applying and have not yet taken the GRE test at the time of application, you must include a copy of your GRE test registration with your application.

The official GRE score report must be sent from ETS directly to Florida State University, designating LAW as the department. It can take four to six weeks for the university to process your score report into the system. The College of Law will not be able to access your score report until it has been added to the university system.

By selecting YES to the Early Binding Decision Election question, you are required to complete the Early Binding Decision Agreement and upload it as an attachment with your application. The Early Binding Decision Agreement is available in the Forms section of the application for download.

Applicant Instructions and Checklist for Florida State University College of Law Florida State University encourages applications for admission from qualified students regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected group status in accordance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws on non-discrimination and equal opportunity. The College of Law seeks to admit and enroll students who, together, bring to the law school a varied set of backgrounds, interests, personal and professional experiences and perspectives, who also have a record of academic success and a competitive LSAT or GRE score. Other factors considered include exceptional personal talents, interesting or demanding work experience, rigorousness of undergraduate course study, leadership potential, graduate study, maturity and the ability to communicate effectively. Although a holistic approach is taken when reviewing applications, most admission decisions are based on the combination of LSAT or GRE score and the cumulative undergraduate GPA. An applicant's responses to the character and fitness questions in the application are also a significant factor in the decision-making process.

If you have questions about the admissions process or Florida State University College of Law, please contact the Office of Admissions at 850-644-3787 or admissions@law.fsu.edu.

Social Security Number The Social Security Number (SSN) provided on your application MUST be your actual SSN AND match the SSN provided on your FAFSA. Your application cannot be completed without your actual SSN on record. If your SSN on your application does not match the SSN in the university system or on your FAFSA, you will be required to provide a copy of your social security card to the Office of Admissions to verify your true SSN. Financial Aid cannot be packaged if there is a discrepancy with your SSN.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA as close to the release date of October 1 as possible for priority consideration. Make sure you list Florida State University (school code #001489) on your FAFSA. www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Notice to Applicants Regarding Character and Fitness and the Need for Full Disclosure Each jurisdiction establishes bar registration and admission standards for individuals who wish to practice within the jurisdiction. One important aspect of admission to practice is an evaluation of an applicant's character and fitness to practice law. Applicants should take care to respond fully and accurately to each question on the law school application. Applicants are obligated to continuously and fully disclose any new issues that arise after the application has been submitted throughout the entirety of the admissions process. Applicants should be aware that, in conducting character and fitness investigations, bar examiners frequently request copies of candidates' applications for admission to law school to determine whether they have supplied erroneous, misleading, or incomplete information in the admission process. If discrepancies are found, bar examiners may conclude that such discrepancies demonstrate a lack of honesty, trustworthiness, diligence, or reliability so as to call into question the applicant's fitness for admission to the bar. 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.

Eligibility Notice Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited, U.S. institution, will have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or hold the international equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree prior to the commencement of fall classes in order to be eligible for consideration.

Applicants applying through one of our formal 3+3 programs must have at minimum 90 credit hours and have met all other requirements set forth within the 3+3 program in order to be eligible for consideration. Applicants applying through the Seminole Scholars program must be a current FSU senior meeting the minimum requirements as set forth on our website.

Applicants that have previously attended law school are not eligible to apply as an entering 1L and must apply as a transfer. Please see the transfer application for details if you have previously attended law school. Individuals who have previously been academically dismissed from a law school are not eligible to apply to Florida State University College of Law.

Important Dates & Deadlines for First-Time J.D. Applicants September

1st: Florida State Law begins accepting applications. 15th: Seminole Scholars Program initial deadline. October

1st: Seminole Scholars Program initial deposit deadline. Decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the cycle beginning in late-October or early November. December

15th: Deadline to submit a completed application as an Early Binding Decision (EBD) candidate. Please visit our website for specifics regarding applying as an EBD candidate. January

15th: Early Binding Decision applicants notified of the decision on their application. 31st: Early Binding Decision deposit deadline for admitted EBD applicants. February

Latest LSAT test date acceptable for fall priority deadline (March 15) consideration. March

15th: Fall priority application completion deadline. Priority consideration given to the strongest applications completed by the priority deadline. April

15th: Primary deposit deadline for admitted students. Admitted students should refer to their admission packet for their specific deadline date. June

Latest LSAT test date acceptable for fall consideration. July

31st: Fall application deadline. All applications must be complete by the deadline to receive consideration. August

23rd: All final decisions will be communicated. Application Checklist For specific details regarding checklist items, visit Admissions & Financial Aid on our website at law.fsu.edu.

REQUIRED ITEMS

Register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Online application through LSAC Application fee: $30 paid through LSAC Submit transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework completed through CAS Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the LSAT Writing or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) [See LSAT/GRE note below]. Personal Statement (2-3 pages, typed and double-spaced) Resume (1-2 pages) Residency Affidavit (residency document copies are also required for Florida residents) Character & Fitness Disclosures (affirmative responses require a written explanation and official documentation for each violation) LSAT/GRE TEST NOTE:

Applicants may submit either the LSAT or GRE as part of their application, but not both tests. GRE scores may be utilized only when a reportable LSAT does not exist. If an applicant has an existing reportable LSAT score, a GRE score will not be considered in lieu of the existing LSAT. If the GRE is the test score submitted, all reportable test scores for the last five years must be submitted with the application. The latest LSAT score accepted for fall consideration is from the June administration of the admissions cycle. It can take four to six weeks for GRE scores to be processed by the university and included with the application once the official score report is received from ETS. An unofficial copy of the GRE score report should be uploaded to the application through LSAC. LSAT WRITING

Applicants must take the LSAT Writing portion, which is independently tested from the LSAT. LSAT scores will not be released by LSAC without an LSAT Writing on file for the CAS Report. Applicants with a prior reportable written portion on record with LSAC do not need to take the written portion again. Submission of a new LSAT Writing only portion after a decision has been made will not qualify for reconsideration of a previously denied application. The LSAT Writing is not required for GRE applicants as the GRE contains a written assessment as part of the test. OPTIONAL ITEMS

Academic Addendum (1 page) Seminole Statement (1-3 pages, typed and double-spaced) Letters of Recommendation (maximum of 2) Documents not submitted with the application through LSAC must be emailed or mailed to:

admissions@law.fsu.edu

OR

Florida State University College of Law

Attention: Office of Admissions R208

425 West Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306

International Students International students and others who have completed undergraduate education outside of the United States should submit their transcripts to LSAC through CAS for evaluation. A minimum educational equivalency of a bachelor's degree must be met for eligibility. Students are required to file the law school application and, if admitted and needing a visa, applicants will then be required to submit the Florida State University International Certificate of Financial Responsibility. International students whose native language is not English, and who did not receive a bachelor's degree from an undergraduate institution within the United States, are required to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS and have official scores submitted through LSAC as part of the application.

TOEFL Requirement

Minimum scores of 100 on the Internet-based, 250 on the computer-based, and 600 on the paper-based TOEFL test are required. Information on the TOEFL can be obtained by writing to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, or by visiting their website at www.toefl.com.

IELTS Requirement

Minimum score of 7.5 on the IELTS test is required. Information on the IELTS can be obtained by visiting their website at www.ielts.org.

Admission Decisions Applications are evaluated from October through August by the admissions committee. Decisions are made on a rolling basis and priority consideration is given to the strongest applications completed by the priority deadline of March 15. Applications completed after March 15 but by the final deadline of July 31 may not receive a timely decision and limit the opportunity for scholarship consideration.

Law School Scholarships Admitted applicants are notified upon admission regarding whether or not they qualified for and received a scholarship award. Scholarship awards are determined based on BOTH the highest LSAT score and the cumulative GPA. Scholarship awards are not negotiable. Eligible applicants admitted later in the cycle may not receive a scholarship based on funding availability at the time of admission.

If you answered YES to the Florida Resident question, in addition to the Residency Affidavit, you must submit copies of the residency documents as proof of Florida residency for tuition purposes. The most common documents for proof of residency are the Florida Driver's License, Florida Voter Registration and Florida Vehicle Registration. Upload scanned copies of your residency documents here with your application.

If you answered NO to the Florida Resident question, you only need to submit the Non-Florida Resident Affidavit.