The personal statement should provide information about yourself that you consider significant to our evaluation of your file. We are interested in learning about the qualities that you would bring to the legal profession, the law school classroom, and the community. For example, you may wish to describe service you provided to your community, contributions you made to causes that are important to you, or describe a significant experience in your life. Alternatively, you may wish to discuss your interest in or motivation for attending law school. Your statement will be evaluated for writing ability as well as the content. Do not treat your personal statement as a narrative of your resume.

Your personal statement must be no more than 2-3 pages, double-spaced, with normal margins, and no smaller than a 10-point font.

Non-Montana residents are required to submit a brief statement of interest explaining why they wish to attend the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana.

Montana residents may optionally submit a brief statement of interest explaining why they wish to attend the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana.

You may describe any other factors you wish the admissions committee to consider that relate to your likelihood of success in law school. You may offer an Addendum in explanation of your undergraduate GPA and/or LSAT. You may choose to describe economic, cultural, or social factors that have presented obstacles you have had to overcome that you wish the Admissions Committee to consider in evaluating your application.

Addendums should be no longer than 3 pages and should not address topics discussed in your personal statement.

Please attach a personal résumé.

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.

If you answer "Yes" to any of the Character and Fitness questions, you must submit an explanation in an electronic attachment.

1. Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on scholastic or disciplinary probation, expelled, requested to resign, allowed to resign in lieu of discipline, otherwise subjected to discipline, or requested to discontinue your studies by any school, college or university?

2. Have you ever been (1) cited for, arrested for, charged with, pled guilty to, or convicted of any violation of any law at or after age 18 or

(2) convicted of a felony prior to age 18?

Note: When answering include matters that have been dismissed, expunged, subject to a deferred imposition of sentence, a diversion or deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside. Omit traffic violations..

3. Have you ever been cited for, arrested for, charged with, pled guilty to, or convicted of (1) any alcohol or drug related traffic violation other than a violation that was resolved in juvenile court, or (2) of any moving traffic violation during the past ten years? When answering include matters that have been dismissed, expunged, subject to a deferred imposition of sentence, diversion or deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside. Omit parking violations.

4. Have you ever been disciplined by a professional regulatory body for violating standards of conduct, or have you ever been disciplined, terminated, or allowed to resign in lieu of termination by an employer for an employment offense (such as stealing, falsifying records, or abusing intoxicants or drugs or similar concerns).

If you identified as an enrolled American Indian/Alaska Native tribal member, use this section to upload a copy of your enrollment document(s).

This section is required if you identified as a Montana resident. Please upload each of these supporting documents, and be sure the date of issue on each document is prior to August 26, 2024. If a document was issued after August 26, 2024, please also include the expired version to show that you have been a resident for 12 months prior to the first day of school 2025:

(1) Montana driver's license,

(2) voter registration if you are registered to vote (go to the SOS Voter Information Lookup and take a screenshot),

(3) Montana vehicle registration if you own or operate a vehicle, even if the vehicle is not yours,

(4) first page of a Montana tax return.

Generally all of these documents are required for a final residency determination. If any documents are missing when you turn in your application, your application will be considered; however, you will be classified as an out-of-state resident until you provide full documentation.

International students in need of a VISA must submit a certificate of financial responsibility demonstrating the required 9 months of financial support and must submit a copy of their passport. Please attach a completed certificate of financial responsibility and a copy of your current passport.

Application Instructions and Procedures Applicants must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation.

Applicants must be of good moral character and must maintain good moral character as a condition of continuing enrollment. All states require applicants for admission to the bar to fulfill certain character and fitness requirements. These requirements are separate and may differ from those of the School of Law. Applicants are encouraged to secure information prior to law school matriculation on the bar admission requirements of the state(s) in which they plan to practice. You are required to update your character and fitness application section with the Admissions Office up to the first day of Orientation. After matriculation, students are required to provide periodic updates to the appropriate Blewett Law department.

Applicants who have completed a year of law study at another law school must wait no less than two years before submitting an application to begin as a first-year student at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana.

Ethnicity and race data is collected for ABA and other required reporting purposes but will not be accessible to the admissions review committee when making admissions decisions.

Transfer and Visiting Applicants: Students currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school may apply for transfer or as a visitor to the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana by using the same application form and checking the appropriate box.

Law School Admission Council and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) Applicants must register for and take the LSAT. LSAT scores expire after five years. The School of Law will not accept expired LSAT scores.

LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Applicants must register for LSAC's Credential Assembly Service and follow the service's instructions and procedures to ensure a complete application.

International Students International students in need of a VISA must submit a certificate of financial responsibility demonstrating the required 9 months of financial support and must submit a copy of their passport.

Application and Fee Applicants must submit an electronic application and a $75 application fee through the Credential Assembly Service. The Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana does not provide fee waivers to any applicant.

Transcripts Applicants must arrange for original transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate institutions to be sent to the Credential Assembly Service.

Transfer and Visiting Applicants must submit their complete law school transcript including spring semester grades.

Personal Statement Applicants must attach to their electronic application one personal statement that is 2-3 pages, double spaced, normal margins, no smaller than 10 point font.

The personal statement should provide information about yourself that you consider significant to our evaluation of your file. We are interested in learning about the qualities that you would bring to the legal profession, the law school classroom, and the community. For example, you may wish to describe service you provided to your community, contributions you made to causes that are important to you, or describe a significant experience in your life. Alternatively, you may wish to discuss your interest in or motivation for attending law school. Your statement will be evaluated for writing ability as well as the content. Do not treat your personal statement as a narrative of your resume.

Statement of Interest Non-Montana residents are required to submit a brief statement of interest explaining why you wish to attend the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana. It should be no longer than 3 pages, double spaced, normal margins, and no smaller than 10 point font.

Résumé Applications must include a current résumé.

Optional Addendum Statement You may describe any other factors you wish the Admissions Committee to consider that relate to your likelihood of success in law school. You may offer an Addendum in explanation of your undergraduate GPA and/or LSAT. You may choose to describe economic, cultural, or social factors that have presented obstacles you have overcome and that you wish the Admissions Committee to consider in evaluating your application.

Scholarship Application All accepted applicants will be considered for available merit based scholarships.

Letters of Reference Applicants must assign at least two letters of reference through the Credential Assembly Service to the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana. Applicants should have at least one academic reference letter from a faculty member at a college or university. Applicants who graduated from an undergraduate institution several years ago and are unable to arrange academic references from instructors who knew them well, may substitute letters from employers or supervisors who can address the applicant's abilities and intellectual promise for the study of law.

A reference letter that is particularly helpful is one that discusses, by way of example or specific illustration, the applicant's abilities in these areas:

native intelligence (analytical powers, rigor of thought, critical faculty, reasoning ability); independence of thought (originality, imagination, creative intelligence); effectiveness of oral communication; effectiveness of written communication; industry and motivation (persistence, self-discipline, study techniques); judgment and maturity (conscientious, common sense); and, leadership ability. Additional information such as emotional maturity, character, and special background or interests, also may impact admission decisions.

Transfer and Visiting Applicants must submit a letter of good standing from their current law school and a letter of reference from a current law faculty member.

Residency Students claiming to be Montana residents and requesting in-state tuition and fees must provide additional documentation verifying Montana residency. Non-Residents should thoroughly review the Montana Residency Policy linked here, as Non-Residents typically can not reclassify as Montana Residents during their law school career.

Application Deadline Regular LSAT Applications- July 15th. The Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana begins reviewing applications as they are completed. Applications are not complete until all the above-listed materials are received. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and you will be notified of a decision (admit, deny, hold for further review, or waitlist) via e-mail. Applications received after our deadline or incomplete after our deadline of July 15th will not be considered for admission.

Transfer and Visiting Applications - July 1st. Transfer and visiting applications should be submitted by July 1st. However, no decisions will be made until complete official law school transcripts, including spring semester grades, are received by our admissions office. Please contact the school directly if you are not able to meet the July 1st deadline.

International Students in need of a VISA - March 1st. International applicants in need of a VISA should apply as early as possible and in no event later than March 1st. Although applications received after March 1st will still be considered based on merit, the VISA application process may be unsuccessful under a shorter timeline. International students must also submit the required additional documents for their VISA screening.