Each candidate must complete a 2-4 page (double-spaced) statement presenting any information that may assist the Admissions Committee in rendering a decision. Such statements can include information about yourself, your motivation for attending law school, and how you plan to use your legal education. Our goal is to create an intellectually stimulating student body comprised of persons who have diverse backgrounds and who share a desire for academic excellence and accomplishment. In addition to outstanding academic ability, we seek evidence of qualities such as leadership ability, professional and/or military experience, technical or vocational training, extraordinary accomplishment or success in a previous career, or a history of overcoming disadvantage.

Attach a copy of your current résumé.

The American Bar Association Standards and Rules of Procedure require law schools to advise each applicant 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 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.

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. This includes (but is 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, charge, plea agreements or convictions, as a juvenile or adult, even where 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 admission board would respond to any applicant's particular conduct disclosures going forward.)

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.

You are encouraged, as you go through the law school application process and before you enter law school, to determine the character and fitness requirements of the jurisdiction(s) where you intend to practice law.  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 bar admission authorities.  Addresses for the agencies are available at www.ncbex.org .

If you answer "yes" to any of the following Character and Fitness questions, please submit a detailed statement with this application explaining the circumstances, including details of the offense and relevant dates. All state bar examiners will review a copy of your law school application.  Full disclosure is critical.  Please make sure all relevant information is provided. If your answer cannot fit within the character limit of the corresponding textbox, please submit an addendum in the Attachments section of this application.

1. Have you ever been dismissed, expelled, suspended, placed on academic probation, given an academic warning, or disciplined by any secondary school, college, university, graduate, or professional school (including law school) for academic or any other reasons?

2. Has your academic career (undergraduate and/or graduate) been interrupted for one or more terms?

3. Were you ever subject to any disciplinary action while you were in college? Include violations of the university code of student conduct or any student honor code that covers standards of behavior at your undergraduate and/or graduate institution.

4. Are there any criminal or disciplinary charges pending or expected to be brought against you?

5. Have you ever been cited for, charged with, taken into custody for, arrested for, indicted, tried for, pled guilty to, or convicted of, the violation of any law (other than a minor traffic violation) or been the subject of a juvenile delinquent or youthful offender proceeding or received a conditional discharge, adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, or pretrial diversionary program? (NOTE: driving while intoxicated or impaired, driving without insurance, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving while suspended are not considered minor traffic offenses for the purposes of this question).

The entry of an expungement or sealing order does not relieve you of the duty to disclose the matter on this statement. This includes any juvenile record. You may indicate the existence of such an order in your explanation. If yes, please include an official statement of charges and dispositions.

6. Have you ever been a named party (e.g., plaintiff/defendant) in any civil proceeding, regardless of the age of the matter or whether the final disposition was a dismissal or a settlement? This includes, but is not limited to, malpractice, negligence actions, intentional torts, landlord/tenant matters, contract matters, or domestic relations matters, including divorce, custody, visitation, support, petitions for protection from abuse, restraining orders and/or peace orders and expungement proceedings. Have you ever been a party, complainant or participant in or to an administrative, governmental, investigative, judicial, arbitration or disciplinary proceeding, including but not limited to workers' compensation, unemployment, pension, disability, licensing boards, welfare, child protection, Title IX proceedings, conservatorship, fee arbitration or attorney disciplinary/grievance proceedings? NOTE: Simple receipt of benefits does NOT trigger an affirmative response if no proceedings were held.

7. Have you ever been disciplined as a member of any licensed profession or occupation, including, but not limited to, being suspended from practice, reprimanded, censured, disqualified, revoked, permitted to resign, admonished, sanctioned or removed, or have any complaints or charges, formal or informal, ever been made or filed or proceeding instituted against you in such capacity?

Welcome to Rutgers Law School

Founded in 1766, Rutgers University is among the nation's oldest and largest public institutions of higher education. Rutgers Law School proudly continues this tradition of excellence through a rigorous legal education, an innovative curriculum, and a longstanding commitment to public service. Our internationally recognized faculty of more than 100 full-time scholars are leaders in fields including international law, health law, family law, women's rights, state constitutional law, and legal history.

Additional information about Rutgers Law School, including our faculty, curriculum, academic centers and programs, student organizations, admissions policies, and campus resources, is available on our website at law.rutgers.edu.

Before completing your application, please carefully review these instructions, as well as the information available through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at LSAC.org.

General Information

Rutgers Law School offers legal education on two campuses: Camden and Newark.

Rutgers Law employs a holistic admissions process and does not use numerical cutoffs when evaluating applicants. Rather than relying solely on quantitative measures, the Admissions Committee considers the entirety of each applicant's academic achievements, personal experiences, and potential contributions to the Rutgers Law community. Our review seeks to identify candidates who have demonstrated the ability to succeed in law school, will benefit from a Rutgers legal education, and will enrich our vibrant academic community.

In evaluating each application, the Admissions Committee considers numerous factors, including academic performance, undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, rigor of coursework, choice of major, LSAT score(s), extracurricular involvement, personal statement, letters of recommendation, professional experience, community engagement, resilience in overcoming obstacles, and all other materials submitted in support of the application. Admission decisions are made without preference for campus or program format; applicants to the full-time, hybrid part-time, and online part-time programs are evaluated under the same holistic admissions standards.

Upon admission and payment of the required seat deposits, students may enroll in one of the following programs:

• Full-Time JD Program (Day): Newark or Camden
• Hybrid Part-Time JD Program (Evening): Newark
• Online Part-Time JD Program

All offers of admission are contingent upon the successful completion of all degree requirements prior to enrollment. Final transcripts must demonstrate academic performance consistent with the record upon which the admissions decision was based.

Minority Student Program (MSP)

The Minority Student Program (MSP) reflects Rutgers Law School's longstanding commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence within the legal profession. Established on the Newark campus in 1968, MSP provides academic support, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to students who, regardless of race or ethnicity, can demonstrate that they have experienced socioeconomic, educational, or cultural disadvantage.

Admission to MSP is separate from, and occurs after, admission to Rutgers Law School. However, all applicants are invited to indicate their interest in the program within the application for admission. MSP is available on both the Camden and Newark campuses.

Summer Jump Start

The Summer Jump Start Program offers admitted full-time students an opportunity to begin their legal education before the fall semester by completing one foundational first-year course during the summer. In recent years, the program has featured Contracts, although the course and instructor are subject to change.

Participating students benefit from an early introduction to the demands of law school, the opportunity to build relationships with classmates before the start of the academic year, and a reduced fall semester course load of approximately 11 credits rather than the traditional 15 credits.

Enrollment is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is currently offered only at the Camden campus. Summer Jump Start is not a conditional admission program; participation is limited to students who have already been admitted to Rutgers Law School's full-time program. On-campus housing may be available for participating students.

3+3 Program

The 3+3 Program enables highly qualified students to earn both a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in six years rather than the traditional seven. The program is available to Rutgers undergraduate students on the Camden, New Brunswick, and Newark campuses, as well as students at select partner institutions. A complete list of participating institutions is available on our website.

Students enrolled in the 3+3 Program complete their first-year law school curriculum during what would traditionally be their fourth year of undergraduate study. To be eligible, students must complete all General Education and major requirements and earn at least 91 undergraduate credits during their first three years of study. The 30 credits earned during the first year of law school apply toward both the bachelor's and J.D. degrees.

Typically, the bachelor's degree is conferred after successful completion of the first year of law school, and the J.D. is awarded upon completion of the remaining two years of legal study and satisfaction of all graduation requirements.

Students interested in the 3+3 Program are encouraged to meet with their undergraduate pre-law advisor early in their academic career to ensure they remain on track for eligibility. Applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and complete the standard Rutgers Law School admissions process.

Dual Degree Programs

As New Jersey's flagship public research university, Rutgers offers graduate and professional programs across virtually every academic discipline. Rutgers Law School encourages interdisciplinary study and offers a variety of formal dual-degree programs in partnership with other Rutgers schools. These programs generally allow students to apply 9 to 12 credits toward both degrees, enabling them to complete the two programs in less time than would be required if pursued separately.

Rutgers Law currently offers the following dual-degree programs:

• J.D./M.B.A. with Rutgers Business School (Newark/New Brunswick) or Rutgers Business School?Camden
• J.D./M.A. in Criminal Justice with the School of Criminal Justice
• J.D./M.C.R.P. (Master of City and Regional Planning) with the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
• J.D./M.S.W. with the School of Social Work
• J.D./M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration) with the School of Public Affairs and Administration
• J.D./M.P.A.P. (Master of Public Affairs and Politics) with the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
• J.D./M.P.H. (Master of Public Health) with the Rutgers School of Public Health
• J.D./M.S. or J.D./Ph.D. with the Division of Global Affairs
• J.D./M.D. with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

In addition to these formal programs, students may, on a case-by-case basis, coordinate a dual-degree course of study with many of the more than 100 master's and doctoral programs offered throughout Rutgers University.

Applicants interested in pursuing a dual degree must apply separately to the corresponding graduate or professional program and satisfy its admissions requirements, which may include the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, or other applicable standardized examinations.

Students who do not wish to pursue a dual degree may nevertheless enroll in graduate-level courses related to their legal studies and, with prior approval, apply up to six (6) credits toward the J.D. degree.

Application Materials

Application Fee

Rutgers Law School does not charge an application fee.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).

The Admissions Committee considers all valid LSAT scores earned within the past five (5) years. For applicants seeking Fall 2027 admission, the June 2027 LSAT is the last accepted testing administration. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take the LSAT as early as possible to maximize consideration for admission, scholarship opportunities, and seat availability.

Transcripts

All offers of admission are contingent upon the successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment.

Official transcripts from every college or university attended, including graduate and law schools, must be submitted directly to LSAC. Please follow the transcript submission instructions available on the LSAC website. LSAC will include all submitted transcripts in your CAS Report and distribute them to Rutgers Law School. Although LSAC does not evaluate graduate transcripts, copies are provided to the Admissions Committee as part of your CAS Report.

Letters of Recommendation

Rutgers Law School requires two (2) letters of recommendation submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service, which is included with your CAS registration.

Applicants who are currently enrolled in college should submit at least one letter from a professor who can evaluate their academic ability and potential for success in law school. Applicants who have not attended college within the past three years may instead submit recommendations from employment supervisors, commanding officers, or other individuals who can speak to their professional accomplishments, character, and potential for success in graduate study.

Please follow the instructions on the LSAC website for requesting, submitting, and assigning letters of recommendation.

Personal Statement

Each applicant must submit a personal statement of two to four double-spaced pages that provides information the Admissions Committee should consider in evaluating the application. Your personal statement should introduce you beyond your academic credentials and may address your motivation for pursuing a legal education, your career aspirations, significant personal or professional experiences, or other factors that have shaped your interest in the study of law.

Rutgers Law seeks to enroll a talented and intellectually curious student body composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. In addition to strong academic achievement, the Admissions Committee values qualities such as leadership, professional or military service, technical or vocational expertise, significant accomplishments in a previous career, sustained community engagement, resilience, and the ability to overcome personal or educational challenges. Applicants are encouraged to discuss these or any other experiences they believe will assist the Admissions Committee in conducting a holistic review of their application.

Application Deadlines and Financial Aid

Binding Early Decision Program

Round 1

• Application Deadline: December 1
• Decision Notification: By December 31 (or earlier)

Round 2

• Application Deadline: March 1
• Decision Notification: By April 1 (or earlier)

Regular Decision

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to maximize scholarship consideration and seat availability.

The application deadline for Fall 2027 admission is July 1, 2027.

Financial Aid

Applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible, preferably by January 15. Rutgers Law participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program; however, financial aid applications may continue to be processed through the first day of classes in August (or June for Summer Jump Start participants). When completing the FAFSA, applicants should list Rutgers Law School as:

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY?NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY Federal School Code: 002629Financial aid staff are available to assist prospective and admitted students at both law school locations. Applicants are encouraged to review the financial aid information available on our website and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions regarding scholarships, loans, or the financial aid process.

2-Year Accelerated J.D. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers (FLP)

The Foreign-Trained Lawyers Program (FLP) provides qualified applicants who have earned a law degree and practiced law outside the United States the opportunity to receive up to 28 credits of advanced standing toward the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Students complete 58 credits of coursework at Rutgers Law School and, upon satisfying all degree requirements, are awarded the J.D. degree. Graduates of the program are eligible to seek admission to the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction, subject to that jurisdiction's character and fitness requirements and any other applicable admission requirements.

Most FLP students complete the required first-year curriculum and one additional year of upper-level coursework. The program may be completed in two (2) years of full-time study or three (3) years of part-time study.

Admission requirements and the application process are the same as those for first-year J.D. applicants.

Applicants educated outside the United States should follow the instructions for submitting international academic credentials outlined in the International Applicants/Foreign Credentials section of the LSAC website. International transcripts will be translated (if necessary), evaluated by LSAC, and included in the applicant's CAS Report.

Applicants should also include any foreign bar admissions or professional licenses on their résumé.

Please note that credit will not be awarded for LL.M. coursework completed at another ABA-accredited law school prior to matriculation at Rutgers Law School.

Qualifications for Admission to the Bar

In addition to passing a bar examination, every U.S. jurisdiction requires applicants to satisfy character and fitness standards, as well as other eligibility requirements, for admission to the bar. Because the Online Part-Time JD Program is delivered primarily through online instruction, completion of the program may not satisfy the educational requirements for bar admission in every jurisdiction. Click here for more information on our Online J.D. Program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to determine the bar admission requirements of any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek licensure by contacting the appropriate licensing authority. Contact information for all U.S. bar admission agencies is available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).

Notice Regarding Transfer After Matriculation in an ABA-Variance Approved Program

Prospective students should be aware that some law schools may not accept transfer credits earned through the Online Part-Time JD Program, and many impose limits on the number of credit hours that may be earned through distance education and applied toward the J.D. degree.

Absent an ABA variance or acquiescence, ABA-accredited law schools may not award credit for more than one-third of the credit hours required for the J.D. degree through distance education coursework. Additionally, no more than 10 credit hours of distance education coursework may be counted toward the first one-third of a student's program of legal education. Click here for more information on our Online J.D. Program.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Rutgers University is committed to fostering an educational and working environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment

Rutgers University's Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics, as well as retaliation against individuals who exercise their rights under the Policy. The full Policy, including definitions of prohibited conduct, reporting procedures, and information regarding the investigation and resolution of complaints, is available here.

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs and activities. Prohibited conduct under Title IX includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and other forms of sex-based discrimination.

Although Title IX is often associated with intercollegiate athletics, its protections extend to all educational programs and activities at Rutgers University. Additional information about Title IX, including reporting options and the process for filing a Title IX complaint, is available here.

Student Code of Conduct

All Rutgers Law students are expected to uphold the standards of academic integrity, professionalism, and personal conduct established by the University. The Rutgers University Student Code of Conduct is available here.

This section is optional.

If there is any information you would like to bring to the Committee's attention that has not been covered in the application or your personal essay, you are welcome to do so by attaching a separate statement. You can include information about your family background, reasons for a weak semester in college, or any other information that you feel should be considered when your application is reviewed.