Application requirements
Essay prompts
As an applicant, you can attach a personal statement and/or any other addenda. While not required, these documents would assist the Committee in understanding you as an applicant. The document(s) could expand further into responses you provided in your application, or they may provide additional information you want the Committee to consider.
Again, the statement or addenda must be your own work, prepared without assistance from others, professional writing services, or generative artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.
If your cumulative undergraduate grade point average improved or decreased dramatically over time, we strongly advise you to attach an addendum explaining the increase or decrease. The explanation need not be lengthy, but it should clearly describe your circumstances. The Committee wants to understand what occurred from your perspective.
Every American jurisdiction in which you may practice law after graduation from law school requires each applicant for admission to the bar to meet character and fitness requirements as a condition of eligibility for admission. A character and fitness review will require truthful, accurate and complete reporting of all requested information related to past conduct that bar examiners may deem relevant to one's fitness to practice law, in most jurisdictions including (but not limited to) all criminal arrests, charges, plea agreements, convictions, or instances of being taken into custody, as a juvenile or adult; all traffic violations except minor parking citations; involvement as a party to civil litigation; acts of fraud, dishonesty or lack of candor; educational discipline or misconduct; failure to pay financial obligations; and substance abuse. Many jurisdictions require disclosure of all criminal arrests, charges, plea agreements, or convictions, whether as a juvenile or an adult, even if the record has been expunged. It should be noted, however, that while bar admission boards require a complete disclosure of requested information, in many instances, past relevant conduct, particularly if isolated and/or not recent, has not resulted in denial or delay of admission to the bar in a particular jurisdiction of interest. (This is not to suggest or predict how any jurisdiction's bar admissions board would respond to any applicant's particular conduct disclosures going forward.)
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. If you are uncertain where you will practice law, you may wish to review the Standard NCBE Character and Fitness Application, titled Request for Preparation of a Character Report, of the National Conference of Bar Examiners, which is used by a number of jurisdictions' bar admission authorities. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available at www.ncbex.org.
A failure to truthfully, accurately, and completely respond to a character and fitness inquiry, however, is commonly deemed a character and fitness violation in and of itself and may be more detrimental to bar admission prospects than the undisclosed or incorrectly disclosed underlying conduct.
Because of the stringent character and fitness qualifications for admission to the bar, the Lincoln Memorial University--Duncan School of Law requires full disclosure in response to all questions. The application must be completed. Failing to provide information may delay the process and require more time and effort at an inopportune time. Answer all questions honestly, as failure to do so may result in sanctions. Failure to disclose information often results in a more serious outcome than the matter itself would have produced had the applicant disclosed it.
The questions asked in this section of this application are the exact questions we are asked about your file when you apply to sit for the bar examination. The investigative body does not disclose the information it possesses; rather, it compares what you disclosed on your application to the information it gathered independently.
The ABA precludes the admission of applicants who do not appear capable of satisfactorily completing a legal program of study and being admitted to the bar. Similar questions to those listed below will be asked of you at the time of your application for admission to the bar, so candor and full disclosure are essential.
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Have you ever been suspended, placed on academic/scholastic probation, or deemed ineligible due to academic performance while in college/university?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Have you ever been convicted of an honor code violation or been the subject of an investigation of an honor code violation while in college/university?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Have you ever been accused of plagiarism, cheating, or academic dishonesty while in college/university?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Have you ever been permitted or requested to withdraw in lieu of discipline, suspension, or expulsion while in college/university?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000) NOTE: If an explanation to any of the first four questions requires disclosures regarding mental health diagnoses/treatment, substance misuse, or other sensitive matters, be assured that the steps you have taken to address such matters, such as through counseling, treatment, or other actions, is to your credit.
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Have you ever been disciplined, suspended, permitted to resign (in lieu of termination), terminated from any job (including volunteer work), or otherwise been asked to leave because of your own misconduct or performance in the past ten years or since you were 18, whichever period is shorter?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Within the past ten years, have you been denied a license or had a license revoked for a business, trade, or profession?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Have you ever been the subject of any charges, complaints, or grievances, or been suspended, censured, or otherwise disciplined as a member of a profession (include all formal or informal actions)?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Within the past five years, have you engaged in any misconduct as a result of consuming alcohol or drugs?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000) NOTE: Engaging in substance misuse can impair an individual's capability to meet commonly accepted essential eligibility requirements for the practice of law. Participating in a treatment program to address substance misuse or substance use disorder demonstrates the responsibility and maturity expected of a lawyer. The bar admission agencies of the jurisdictions routinely certify for admission individuals who have engaged in substance misuse who demonstrate responsibility and maturity in dealing with this conduct by seeking treatment. First and foremost, these jurisdictions look for honesty and full disclosure.
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Within the past five years, have you asserted any medical condition, mental condition, or addiction or misuse of alcohol or drugs as a defense, in mitigation, or as an explanation for your conduct in the course of any inquiry, any investigation, or any administrative or judicial proceeding by an educational institution, government agency, professional organization, or licensing authority; or in connection with an employment disciplinary or termination procedure?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 4000)
NOTE: The purpose of this inquiry is to allow applicants to explain fully all the circumstances involved in, and used as a defense to, conduct that subjected them to any type of inquiry. The mere fact that there are conditions or circumstances asserted in defense of conduct is not a basis, in itself, for a denial of admission to the bar. It is the failure to be honest that will more likely be a basis for denial of admission than past conduct or honest explanations of conditions that may have contributed to the conduct. Bar admission agencies routinely certify for admission individuals who demonstrate personal responsibility and maturity in dealing with fitness issues. Bar admission authorities strongly encourage applicants who may benefit from assistance to seek it.
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Excluding traffic and parking citations, but including criminal proceedings handled in adult and/or juvenile court which were dismissed, sealed, expunged, referred to a diversion or deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside, have you ever pled guilty or no contest or been convicted of any violation of law?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 4000)
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Excluding traffic and parking citations, but including criminal proceedings handled in adult and/or juvenile court which were dismissed, sealed, expunged, referred to a diversion or deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside, in the past 10 years, have you ever been cited for, arrested for, or charged with any violation of law?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 4000)
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Excluding traffic and parking citations, but including criminal proceedings handled in adult and/or juvenile court that were dismissed, sealed, expunged, referred to a diversion or deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside, have you ever been cited for, arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any alcohol or drug-related traffic violation?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Have you ever been a named party to any civil action, including family law matters and/or continuing orders for child support?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Have you ever had a complaint or action (including, but not limited to, allegations of fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, forgery, or malpractice) initiated against you in any administrative forum (including unemployment benefit, tax, and other regulatory matters)?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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In the past ten years, have you been in default on a student loan?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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In the past ten years, have you filed a petition for bankruptcy?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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In the past five years, have you defaulted on any debt other than a student loan that was not resolved through bankruptcy?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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In the past five years, have you had any debt more than 120 days past due that was not resolved through bankruptcy?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Excluding valid extensions, have you ever failed to timely file a required tax return, including, but not limited to, any federal, state, or municipal income taxes; state, county, or municipal private property taxes; or real estate assessment taxes, whether or not any taxes were owed or refunds due?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
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Have you incurred any tax obligation (e.g., federal, state, or municipal income taxes; state, county, or municipal private property taxes; or real estate assessment taxes) that remains unpaid?
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If you answered YES, please explain the incident(s) and all relevant facts. (maximum characters 3000)
If you answered YES to any of the above questions, you must fully explain the nature of each incident. Answering YES to any question does not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for admission. The Admissions Committee would like the opportunity to review all relevant facts, including (but not limited to) the issue(s), the offense(s), the date(s) of the offense(s), the law enforcement agency involved, and disposition, including fine(s), court costs, or other penalties, etc. Please include the corresponding question number(s) and question(s) for each explanation. If you need to provide additional details or documentation to a Character and Fitness question beyond the available space, please attach the documentation or explanation(s) as a Character and Fitness attachment. You should entitle the document 'Character and Fitness Explanation(s) of [Your Full Name]' and describe in detail the facts of each incident. Please include the corresponding question for each explanation.
If you need to report additional incidents after submitting your application, please email your explanation(s) with a subject line titled 'Character and Fitness Explanation(s) of [Your Full Name]' to law.admissions@LMUnet.edu.
LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY -- JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR. SCHOOL OF LAW OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS 601 WEST SUMMIT HILL DRIVE KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE 37902-2003
Email: law.admissions@LMUnet.edu LMU Law Website: https://law.LMUnet.edu LSAC Code (for LSAT Applicants): 1977 ETS Code (for GRE Applicants): 4002
APPLICATION FOR THE FALL 2027 FULL-TIME JD PROGRAM
The following instructions are for applicants to the full-time program for fall 2027. The program begins in early August annually.
To be eligible to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from LMU Law, students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours. The course of study for a J.D. degree must be completed within a period of no fewer than 24 months and, except in extraordinary circumstances, no more than 84 months after beginning law school, including any time spent at an institution from which LMU Law accepts transfer credit.
APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CONSIDERATION DEADLINES
The application deadline for the full-time program is July 1, 2027. The priority consideration deadline is March 15, 2027. We hope to fill the available seats with applicants who apply by the priority consideration deadline; however, we will continue to review applications and make offers until the application deadline.
THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
There are a limited number of seats available in the full-time program. The likelihood of receiving an offer of admission or scholarship generally decreases as the cycle progresses; therefore, applicants are encouraged to complete their files earlier rather than later. It is possible that worthy applicants who apply late in the admissions cycle may not receive an offer of admission and/or the level of scholarship they might otherwise earn had they applied earlier.
Applicant files are reviewed holistically. Offers will be based on the credentials and experience presented, the program's institutional goals, the number of acceptances received to date, and the remaining seats available. Even highly qualified applicants are not guaranteed admission due to seat limitations.
All responses must be your own work, prepared without assistance from others, professional writing services, or generative artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.
Admission decisions are based on a thorough review of each applicant's file. While LSAT or GRE scores and cumulative undergraduate GPA are significant, multiple factors are considered in the decision. Applicants who demonstrate that they possess the qualities and characteristics necessary to succeed in the study and practice of law will be selected for admission.
LMU Law seeks to attract and retain students whose goals align with the institution's mission and purpose. Admitting applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences enhances the educational experience of all students. Strong consideration will be given to those who desire to serve smaller, underserved, and underrepresented populations throughout the Appalachian region and beyond.
Admission decisions are communicated in writing.
Admitted applicants must return the acceptance form and pay a seat deposit by the acceptance deadline indicated in their offer letter to secure a place in the entering class. The seat deposit amount and submission deadline are provided in the admission letter. Seat deposits are non-refundable but will be credited toward tuition and fees upon matriculation.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship opportunities will be considered as applications are reviewed. There is no separate scholarship application. Scholarship recipients will be notified at the same time they are offered admission. Not everyone will receive a scholarship, even if admitted.
CHARACTER AND FITNESS
The legal profession is demanding. The admissions process is designed to ascertain if a particular applicant has the requisite academic preparation, temperament, and desire to practice this noble profession. LMU Law reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant who, in the judgment of the faculty or its designee, does not demonstrate the character and fitness expected of a member of the legal profession.
Furthermore, a degree conferred by LMU Law does not certify an individual as "fit" to practice law in any jurisdiction. Fitness to practice law is determined by the state board of law examiners in the jurisdiction where an individual seeks a license. The licensing process typically requires a background check. Applicants should review licensure standards in the jurisdiction of interest before matriculation.
Standard 504(a) of the ABA Standards, Interpretations, and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools requires us to make you aware of the following:
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 they intend to seek admission to by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
For information on jurisdictions, please visit the NCBE website (https://www.ncbex.org/jurisdictions).
If you are uncertain where you will practice law, you may wish to review the NCBE Sample Application (https://www.ncbex.org/character-fitness), which is used by many jurisdictions' bar admission authorities.
Keep in mind that character and fitness questions and application processes vary by jurisdiction.
Because of the stringent character and fitness requirements for admission to the bar, LMU Law requires full disclosure to all application questions. If you answer YES to any question in the Character and Fitness section, you must provide an explanation in the space provided on the application or upload a separate written addendum. Title your document 'Character and Fitness Explanation for [Your Full Name]' and attach it to your application. Each explanation should include the corresponding question number and text. Be sure to fully describe the nature of each incident and provide a detailed account of the relevant facts.
If you need to provide additional documentation or report other incidents after submitting your application, you can email your explanation(s) with the subject line - Character and Fitness Explanation for [Your Full Name] - to the Office of Admissions at law.admissions@LMUnet.edu.
Answering YES to any question does not automatically disqualify you from consideration. The Admission and Scholarship Committee would like the opportunity to review all relevant facts, including (but not limited to) the issue(s), the offense(s), the date(s) of the offense(s), the law enforcement agency involved, and disposition of the case, including fine(s), court costs, or other penalties, etc.
ABA Standard 501(b) precludes the admission of applicants who do not appear capable of satisfactorily completing a legal program of study and being admitted to the bar.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for admission, an applicant must hold or be able to obtain a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree before matriculation from an institution accredited by a regional accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
LMU Law neither requires specific courses nor endorses any particular field of study for legal study. However, those considering a legal program of study are encouraged to pursue a curriculum that emphasizes analytic and problem-solving skills, critical reading, writing, oral communication and listening, general research, and task organization and management.
The American Bar Association (https://www.americanbar.org/) and Law School Admission Council (https://www.lsac.org/) websites offer excellent information on various topics that aspiring attorneys may find informative.
The following items must be received for an applicant's file to be considered for admission:
- Application for Admission
Each applicant is required to complete the current application for admission. We cannot use applications or documents submitted for prior academic terms for the current term.
All questions must be answered completely and accurately. Failure to do so may result in delays, denial of admission, or rescission of an offer.
Applicants are encouraged to keep a copy of the supporting documents and the submitted application. Most state boards of law examiners require applicants to recite information from their law school application(s) when applying to take the bar examination. Therefore, it would be helpful to make a copy of your law school application for your records to refer to when preparing to apply for the bar exam.
All responses must be your own work, prepared without assistance from others, professional writing services, or generative artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.
- An Admission Test
An approved admission test is required for consideration. Applicants may take either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). LMU Law does not accept JDNext or any other pre-matriculation program as a substitute for an admission test.
a. LSAT: Applicants may take the LSAT one or more times. While the high score achieved will be used for reporting purposes, the Admission and Scholarship Committee will consider ALL SCORES when making an admission decision.
The LSAT is administered numerous times each year. The deadline to apply to take each exam varies, but a general rule is about six weeks before each LSAT administration.
To register for the LSAT, visit the Law School Admission Council's website (https://www.lsac.org/LSATdates). Only scores achieved within five years of matriculation will be considered.
Applicants who find it difficult to pay for the LSAT may be eligible to apply for a waiver from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Detailed information about a waiver can be found on the LSAC website (https://www.lsac.org/lsat/register-lsat/lsat-cas-fees/fee-waiver).
LSAT scores obtained before June 2021 will not be accepted for fall 2027 or subsequent enrollment.
The LSAC's four-digit code for the Lincoln Memorial University--John J. Duncan, Jr. School of Law is 1977.
b. GRE: LMU Law will accept the GRE in lieu of the LSAT; however, if an applicant has taken the LSAT, the admission decision will be based on the LSAT score. GRE scores obtained before June 2021 will not be accepted for fall 2027 or subsequent enrollment.
Applicants who take the GRE must apply to LMU Law through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website and participate in the LSAC Credential Assembly Service. All official academic transcripts and letters of recommendation must be sent directly to LSAC's Credential Assembly Service.
Applicants who elect to take the GRE as an alternative to the LSAT must also instruct the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send all scores from the prior five-year period to LMU Law.
The ETS's four-digit code for LMU Law is 4002 (Lincoln Memorial U. Duncan School of Law). Please note that there are multiple codes for LMU's graduate programs, and we will not be notified if you submit your scores to a different department within the university. Further, we will not receive your scores unless they are sent to the correct department.
- At Least Two Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit at least two (2) letters of recommendation. Individuals providing recommendations should be able to comment on your aptitude for legal study and promise as a practitioner. Furthermore, recommendations should be based on personal observations of your academic or professional work, with specific examples being most helpful. In selecting references, applicants should focus on the strength of their professional working relationship with the individual rather than on the individual's professional stature or notoriety. The Admissions Committee finds little value in letters submitted by references whose observations stem solely from a personal relationship with your family. Moreover, letters that repeat information already gleaned from your application are equally unpersuasive.
Applicants are encouraged to submit all letters through the Law School Admission Council's Credential Assembly Service. Using the Credential Assembly Service allows applicants to verify receipt of their letters of recommendation and track their delivery to law schools through their online accounts. Additionally, documents can be easily regenerated in the event of an error.
Although LMU Law will accept recommendation letters submitted by the authors directly to the Office of Admissions, there are no guarantees that all letters will arrive. In the event of a mishap or delivery failure, documents cannot be easily regenerated. Additionally, failure to use the LSAC Credential Assembly Service may delay the processing and review of your application.
Finally, letters of recommendation submitted to the LSAC Credential Assembly Service must be assigned by you from your LSAC account to each school to which you apply. Please remember to assign them to Lincoln Memorial University--John J. Duncan Jr. School of Law; otherwise, your file will remain incomplete until assigned to us.
- Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report/Law School Report
In addition to registering and paying for the LSAT (or GRE through the ETS), all applicants must register with the Law School Admission Council's Credential Assembly Service. The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) registration fee is currently $219.
Additionally, applicants must pay a $45 CAS/Law School Report fee for each law school to which they elect to send a CAS Report.
Applicants who find it challenging to pay the CAS Report fee may apply for a waiver from LSAC. Detailed information and qualifications can be located through the LSAC site (https://www.lsac.org/lsat/register-lsat/lsat-cas-fees/fee-waiver).
Detailed information on registration, the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and required fees is available on the LSAC site (https://www.lsac.org/lsat/register-lsat/lsat-cas-fees).
Once registered, you must send the Credential Assembly Service official transcripts from every educational institution you have attended since graduating from high school. This includes community colleges, universities, and professional schools. The Credential Assembly Service centralizes the collection of college transcripts and letters of recommendation required for law school admission decisions. The CAS sends your official transcripts to each law school in a "CAS Report." All transcripts must have been received before an applicant's CAS Report is released.
- Writing Sample
a. Applicants Applying with an LSAT Score
You must complete at least one LSAT Argumentative Writing Exercise. The LSAT Argumentative Writing Exercise must be completed independently of the Law School Admission Test. Information about the LSAT Argumentative Writing Exercise can be obtained on the LSAC's website (https://www.lsac.org/lsat/about/lsat-argumentative-writing).
Once your application, letters of recommendation, CAS Report/Law School Report, and LSAT Analytical Writing Exercise are received, your file will be deemed "complete" and forwarded to the Admission and Scholarship Committee for consideration.
b. Applicants Submitting GRE Scores
The GRE Analytical Writing section is a required component of the Graduate Record Exam. It will be scored by ETS and included in your score report for the law school.
- Academic Addendum, If Needed
If your cumulative undergraduate grade point average improved or decreased dramatically over time, we strongly advise you to attach an addendum explaining the increase or decrease. The explanation need not be lengthy, but it should clearly describe your circumstances. The Committee wants to understand what occurred from your perspective.
- Character and Fitness Addendum, If Needed
If you need more space to fully address a question or questions in the application's Character and Fitness section, you should attach each explanation in the Attachments section. Please include the question number(s) and question(s) to which you are responding.
- Personal Statement and/or Other Addenda
As an applicant, you can attach a personal statement and/or any other addenda. While not required, these documents would assist the Committee in understanding you as an applicant. The document(s) could expand further into responses you provided in your application, or they may provide additional information you want the Committee to consider.
Again, the statement or addenda must be your own work, prepared without assistance from others, professional writing services, or generative artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.
PREVIOUSLY DISQUALIFIED APPLICANTS
LMU Law considers the admission of applicants who have been disqualified academically. An applicant who was academically disqualified must demonstrate that they possess the requisite ability to succeed in our legal education program. The applicant must also prove that the previous disqualification does not indicate a lack of capacity to complete the course of study at our law school, that extraordinary circumstances contributed to his or her inability to meet the academic requirements, and that the conditions resulting in the student's academic disqualification have been remedied or no longer exist.
An applicant who was academically disqualified cannot apply for admission until one calendar year has expired since the student's disqualification. For example, if you were disqualified academically on December 15, 2025, then you cannot apply for admission to LMU Law until after December 15, 2026.
In addition to an application, at least two letters of recommendation, and a Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report, to be considered for admission, an applicant who has been disqualified academically must provide two separate written statements:
A statement detailing the nature of the interim work, activity, or studies that occurred since the disqualification; and A statement describing why the applicant believes he/she now has a more substantial potential for the study of law and is likely to complete the course of study at LMU Law successfully. The statements should be attached to the application through the "Attachments" tab of the applicant's LSAC account. Alternatively, the statements can also be sent to law.admissions@LMUnet.edu, and we will upload them for you. The responses can be uploaded as a single file, provided that both questions are addressed separately. Moreover, the responses cannot be combined into a single essay. The Committee will not review a single combined response; each question must be addressed separately.
Finally, the applicant must send an official transcript from the law school from which they were dismissed to the LSAC's Credential Assembly Service.
IF AN OFFER OF ADMISSION IS MADE...
If the Committee offers admission, an admitted student must submit an acceptance form to the Office of Admissions by a specific deadline. Failure to return the form by the deadline date will result in the termination of the offer and forfeiture of the seat.
Incoming students must submit a final official transcript from every educational institution attended directly to the LSAC's Credential Assembly Service. If you have already submitted an official transcript from a college or university and have not taken any additional classes at that institution, then you will not be required to submit an additional transcript for that school. Moreover, you must submit an official transcript from any school where you have taken classes since you originally submitted them to LSAC. At least one transcript must indicate a bachelor's degree award from an accredited institution recognized by the United States Department of Education.
All transcripts must be received, processed, and verified by the LSAC before Orientation. If all transcripts are not received, you may be unable to matriculate.
If you plan to graduate in August of the year you intend to matriculate in law school, please contact the Office of Admissions for guidance.
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
Applicants who may rely in whole or in part on the federal student loan program to finance their legal education must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you file a tax return, a copy of your most recent return is needed to complete the FAFSA. Applicants are encouraged to complete this process as soon as practicable to ensure funds will be available upon arrival at LMU's Duncan School of Law. Lincoln Memorial University's code is 003502. Although the law school is in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, LMU's main campus is in Harrogate, Tennessee. Be sure to select the Harrogate campus when completing your FAFSA, as all LMU sites, including the law school, use that location for financial aid purposes. LMU has 15 extended sites, all of which use the Harrogate campus for the FAFSA and financial aid. Detailed instructions are available at StudentAid.gov.
STATEMENT ON ACCREDITATION AND APPROVAL
Lincoln Memorial University--John J. Duncan, Jr. School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.
LMU Law encourages applicants to confirm the legal education requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission to the bar by contacting the state bar admission agencies of the jurisdiction. Contact information for all relevant agencies is available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE DISCLOSURE
Because the American Bar Association Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar approved the Lincoln Memorial University--John J. Duncan Jr. School of Law, the law school meets the state educational requirements for licensure in all fifty states of the United States of America, as well as the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are no U.S. states or territories for which the law school's full-time program curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification.
BAR ADMISSION AND ELIGIBILITY
Each jurisdiction establishes its own criteria for bar admission and eligibility to sit for the bar exam, including standards related to an applicant's legal education. LMU Law is an ABA-accredited law school with an ABA-approved program. As such, our graduates meet the legal education requirements for bar eligibility.
Contact information for all relevant bar admissions agencies is available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners (https://ncbex.org/).
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