The Personal Statement should address the following prompt:

·       Describe your reason for wishing to study law, which may include special accomplishments or qualifications pertinent to your application.

The personal statement is also an opportunity to share additional information about yourself with the Admissions Committee.  Consider responding to one or more of the following prompts within your personal statement:

·       How has your life experience shaped your aspirations and who you are today?

·       Provide examples of significant events in your life, including major accomplishments you've achieved, and/or adversities you've overcome.

·       Tell us about when, where or with whom you feel your most authentic, empowered self.

·       What advantages and disadvantages do you perceive to have played a role in your path to success?

A concise, two- to three-page double-spaced format is preferred. Please put your name and identification number (LSAC account number) at the top of each page. Candidates may also submit an addendum to explain unusual circumstances, such as grade fluctuations or wide variance in LSAT scores.

This section is optional.

Have you ever been arrested, detained, or restrained; taken into custody; or accused formally or informally of a violation of law or ordinance? You should disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed, or you were acquitted, or adjudication was withheld, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. If you have any charges pending or active warrants for your arrest, you are required to answer yes. This question includes periods before you turned 18. If your records were expunged pursuant to applicable law, you may not be required to answer yes, but you should carefully read the Character and Fitness Disclosure. A Dismissal is not an expungement. You must include any traffic violations (even those you believe to be minor). Any arrest, including a written arrest, charge or conviction of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol must be disclosed, regardless of sanctions or outcome. If you are unsure whether to answer "yes," we strongly recommend answering "yes" and fully disclosing all incidents. 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, you must attach or send us your full statement of relevant facts and attach a copy of the final court documentation (disposition, DMV record) or arrange for a copy to be emailed or mailed to the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning.

This section is optional.

Have you ever been accused of violating the honor code, student conduct code, or other disciplinary code; warned, placed on probation for academic, residential or disciplinary reasons; suspended, requested or advised to discontinue studies; dropped, expelled, or requested to withdraw; or otherwise been subjected to discipline for academic or conduct reasons by any post-secondary school, college, university, professional school, or law school?

If yes, please attach a statement with dates and details.

This section is optional.

Have you ever been subject to military disciplinary action, including non-judicial punishment or involvement in a formal court martial proceeding, as part of any military service?

If yes, please attach a statement with dates and details.

This section is optional.

Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action with respect to any professional license you hold or have held?

If yes, please attach a statement with dates and details.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a résumé along with their personal statement and application. In your resume, please list and share details regarding your participation in student organizations, prelaw programs, sororities or fraternities, community service organizations, and professional affiliations. Please Note: Applicants should list any and all employment (paid or unpaid) held since your 16th birthday or for the past 10 years, whichever is shorter. This will ensure consistency with the employment question on the Florida Bar application, the most common state in which Stetson graduates practice.

Please answer the following questions YES or NO. If your answer to any of the questions below is YES, attach or submit via email or mail a full statement of relevant facts. Your application will remain incomplete until we receive your explanation and relevant documentation. Failure to answer these questions may result in the application being declined for further processing. You are required to amend your application any time circumstances arise that would require a different answer to any of these questions, including while you are enrolled as a student at Stetson University College of Law.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS.

YOU SHOULD BE AWARE that multiple questions regarding criminal background and history are asked on the application for admission to The Florida Bar. The Bars in other states may ask similar questions. The information you provide on the law school admission application should be consistent with answers you provide the Bar. Inconsistencies in your answers may delay or prevent your admittance to The Florida Bar or the Bars of other jurisdictions.

In answering questions on The Florida Bar application, the Board of Bar Examiners states that applicants are warned that no statute, court order, or legal proceeding withholding adjudication, expunging the information required herein from any record, sealing the records which contained the information required herein, or dismissing, vacating or setting aside any arrest, accusation or conviction, or purporting to authorize any person to deny the existence of such matters shall excuse less than full disclosure, IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY ADVICE FROM ANY SOURCE (INCLUDING LEGAL COUNSEL) THAT SUCH INFORMATION NEED NOT BE DISCLOSED. It is further required that records will have to be unsealed and released to the Board of Bar Examiners even if sealed or expunged.

Questions on the bar application have in the past included felony arrests, reduction of criminal charges, incarceration or work release, conviction, suspended sentences, probation, delinquent acts, drug and alcohol offenses, and certain traffic offenses. For more detail, you can contact the Florida Board of Bar Examiners at http://www.floridabarexam.org/.

1. Have you ever been accused of violating the honor code, student conduct code, or other disciplinary code; warned, placed on probation for academic, residential or disciplinary reasons; suspended, requested or advised to discontinue studies; dropped, expelled, or requested to withdraw; or otherwise been subjected to discipline for academic or conduct reasons by any post-secondary school, college, university, professional school, or law school?  If yes, please attach, email or mail a statement with dates and details.

2. Have you ever been arrested, detained, or restrained; taken into custody; or accused formally or informally of a violation of law or ordinance?

In question #2, you should disclose each instance even though charges may have been dismissed, or you were acquitted, or adjudication was withheld, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. If you have any charges pending or active warrants for your arrest, you are required to answer yes. This question includes periods before you turned 18. If your records were expunged pursuant to applicable law, you may not be required to answer yes, but if your ultimate answer to the question below (Have you ever been arrested, detained, or restrained; taken into custody; or accused formally or informally of a violation of law or ordinance?) is yes, then you should disclose the situation regardless of its ultimate conclusion. You must include any traffic violations (even those you believe to be minor). Any arrest, including a written arrest, charge or conviction of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol must be disclosed, regardless of sanctions or outcome. If you are unsure whether to answer "yes," we strongly recommend answering "yes" and fully disclosing all incidents.  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, you must attach or send us your full statement of relevant facts and attach a copy of the final court documentation (disposition, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) record) or arrange for a copy to be emailed or mailed to the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning.

3. Have you ever been subject to military disciplinary action, including non-judicial punishment or involvement in a formal court martial proceeding, as part of any military service?   If yes, please attach, email or mail a statement with dates and details.

4. Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action with respect to any professional license you hold or have held?

CHARACTER AND FITNESS DISCLOSURE

Applicants should be aware that the qualifications for admission to the bar, including those related to character and fitness, vary from state to state. Prior to matriculation, applicants seeking to engage in the practice of law are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the rules of the state in which they intend to seek admission, especially those rules relating to registration, deadlines, residency requirements, character and fitness, pro bono service, and courses that may be required during law school. Applicants who are concerned about their eligibility to practice law should contact the Board of Bar Examiners (or the appropriate committee) in the state in which the applicant intends to practice. A Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, which includes coverage of character and fitness requirements and contact information for each state, is available on the website of the National Conference of Bar Examiners (http://www.ncbex.org/assets/media_files/Comp-Guide/CompGuide.pdf).

This section is optional.

Please attach miscellaneous or additional documents in this section.

Admissions

Stetson University College of Law seeks highly qualified entering classes that include a diversity of experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and abilities that will provide a stimulating intellectual environment, both in the classroom and throughout our campus community. A diverse and inclusive environment facilitates optimal learning and discourse that benefits us all as we strive for excellence in legal education and in our service to society.

We engage in a holistic, individualized review of each application and ask thoughtful application questions for candidates to highlight their accomplishments, aspirations, and how they might contribute to our educational environment based on the life experiences they believe are most relevant. We value all racial/ethnic backgrounds and tribal affiliations and the significant role our identities can often have in our lives and experiences.

The College of Law admits new Full- and Flex JD (formerly called our part-time program) students each fall. As a prerequisite to enrollment, applicants are required to have earned a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. A final, official transcript evidencing the award of the degree must be submitted to the Law School Admission Council's (LSAC) JD Credential Assembly Service (JD CAS) before enrolling. Unless admitted under an approved 3+3 program, in no event will anyone who has yet to receive a baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent be permitted to enroll in the College of Law.

While no particular major will ensure success in law school, a solid foundation in the liberal arts and/or sciences with substantive writing assignments is recommended. The College of Law will review each applicant's transcript to determine whether the applicant has taken a mix of classes that demonstrate his or her ability to read and comprehend rapidly and accurately, to think precisely and logically, and to communicate clearly and correctly.

The Faculty Committee on Admissions and Entering Awards begins reviewing completed applications in late fall. Although applications are accepted until the deadline, we highly recommend that you submit your application early in the cycle. While scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, submitting your materials as early as possible helps to ensure you receive full consideration for available funding. Please review the College of Law's website atstetson.edu/lawfinaidfor more information about financial aid and scholarships.

Stetson Law awards multi-year scholarships to selected entering Full- and Flex JD- law students. All admitted students are considered for scholarships; no special application is needed. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, a range of other personal accomplishments and experiences, and the ability to further the mission of the College of Law. Applicants who wish for their unique circumstances and backgrounds to be considered should include an addendum with their application.

Deferments may be granted for one year only, on a case-by-case basis. Requests for deferment will be considered only if made in writing to the Assistant Dean of Strategic Enrollment Management after the confirmation fee (seat deposit) has been paid.

Transfer applicants must use the transfer application available November 1 for spring and March 1 for fall of each year. Applicants must be in good standing at their current law school. Visiting (transient) students should not complete this application, but should contact the College of Law Registrar for the appropriate application. 

Application Process

All applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and register with LSAC's JD CAS. LSAT scores are valid for admission purposes five years from the test date to the intended enrollment date. LSAC sends a law school report that includes your LSAT score(s), copies of your transcripts and your letters of recommendation. The report is sent electronically to the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning once it is complete. You must work directly with LSAC to ensure that all items are received and processed.

Applicants must have an LSAT score from an exam taken before the May 1 application deadline. Applicants who meet this requirement may take the LSAT again in June. Stetson will consider the June score only for applicants seeking admission from the Waitlist or additional scholarship opportunities. Stetson uses your highest LSAT score, not an average of all scores, for admission. You may obtain LSAT and JD CAS registration, LSAT test dates, and information materials from LSAC at LSAC.org, or by calling 215.968.1001.

In lieu of taking the LSAT, an applicant may submit GRE scores if they satisfy all of the following eligibility criteria:

• Completion of a graduate degree
• GRE taken within last five years
• Performance in the top 10% of GRE test takers for GRE Writing
• Performance in the top 10% of GRE test takers for GRE Verbal

GRE scores will be considered in a limited capacity as part of a holistic review process. If a reportable LSAT score exists, the Admissions Committee will not consider or accept GRE scores. The Stetson University College of Law GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code is 6283. If you have questions regarding applying with GRE scores, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning.

Application for Admission

Any false or misleading statement, or an inaccurate application, may be the basis for denial of admission, or if admitted, disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, dismissal from the College of Law, revocation of admission, revocation of credits or degree, or other appropriate sanctions, regardless of when discovered. By transmitting your application you certify that you have read and understood the application, including your continuing duty to update the application, and that the information you have submitted is complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief.

In addition to the above stated obligation, by submitting your application, you also certify that you have read and understand the Stetson College of Law Academic Honor Code and the Stetson College of Law Code of Student Professionalism and Conduct which are located at https://catalog.stetson.edu/law/law-student-policies/honor-conduct-codes/.  Your responsibility to adhere to the honor and conduct codes begins at the time of transmission of your application, and if admitted, continues through your admission and matriculation at the College of Law.

Application Fee

A $55 nonrefundable application fee must be paid online through LSAC when you submit your application.

Recommendation Letters

Please assign a minimum of one letter of recommendation; a maximum of three letters will be accepted. Please use the Letter of Recommendation Service provided by the LSAC. Academic references are encouraged; however, we recognize that many students have difficulty obtaining academic references and will not penalize candidates if one cannot be obtained.

Personal Statement and Résumé

The Personal Statement should address the following prompt:

• Describe your reason for wishing to study law and earn the JD, which may include special accomplishments or qualifications pertinent to your application.

 The personal statement is also an opportunity to share additional information about yourself with the Admissions Committee.  Consider responding to one or more of the following prompts within your personal statement:

• How has your life experience shaped your aspirations and who you are today?
• Provide examples of significant events in your life, including major accomplishments you've achieved, and/or adversities you've overcome.
• Tell us about when, where or with whom you feel your most authentic, empowered self.
• What advantages and disadvantages do you perceive to have played a role in your path to success?

A concise, two- to three-page double-spaced format is preferred. Please include your name and identification number (LSAC account number) at the top of each page. Candidates may also submit an addendum to explain unusual circumstances, such as grade fluctuations or a wide variance in LSAT scores.  

Applicants are required to submit a résumé along with their personal statement and application. In your resume, please list and share details regarding your participation in student organizations, prelaw programs, sororities or fraternities, community service organizations, and professional affiliations.

Please Note: Whether as part of the résumé or within the application itself, applicants should list any and all employment (paid or unpaid) held since your 16th birthday or for the past 10 years, whichever is shorter. This will ensure consistency with the employment question on the Florida Bar application, the most common state in which Stetson graduates practice.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all colleges or universities you attended, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, must be sent to LSAC's Credential Assembly Service, regardless of whether you earned a degree from the institution.

Admitted students who choose to enroll at Stetson University College of Law must submit final, official transcripts showing the award of their bachelor's degree to LSAC before enrolling. This applies to all students educated in the United States, its territories, and Canada.

Interviews and Campus Visits

The Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning does not conduct personal interviews for the JD program. However, applicants are encouraged to visit the College of Law for a campus tour, attend a first-year law class, and meet with an admissions counselor to learn more about Stetson University College of Law and the admissions process. Please contact the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning for an appointment at 727.562.7802 or lawadmit@law.stetson.edu.

Deadline for a Completed First-Year Application (Full-time and Flex JD) May 1

The application fee is $55. Applicants to the College of Law must indicate their preferred program, either Full- or Flex JD.

Notification of Application Status and Decision

Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application along with a username and password that allows for applicants to check their application status online and to confirm address and other contact information. The Office will also inform applicants if there are missing items or if additional information is needed to process the application and when the application is complete and ready for review.

Important: All decisions will be communicated via email. In addition, admitted applicants will receive a formal admission packet sent via USPS.  Decisions are not released by phone, except for US military personnel stationed abroad.

Seat Deposit

If admitted, a nonrefundable deposit of $500 is required to reserve a seat. Please note: The seat deposit deadline and instructions for remitting payment are on the letter of acceptance. This deposit will be credited to your tuition upon registration. A credit card payment is acceptable.  If paying by check or money order, please make it payable to Stetson University College of Law.

Qualifications 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.

Additional Resources:

·       Bar Admission Guide (See Chart II, which covers requirements regarding character and fitness determinations)

·       Character and Fitness Investigations

·       ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar

Applicants with Disabilities

Pursuant to applicable law, including the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), the College of Law provides reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Individuals seeking information about disability accommodation at the College of Law are encouraged to read more about Accessibility Resources for Students with Disabilitieson the Stetson website. Questions can be directed to the ADA Coordinator at ada@law.stetson.edu.

The College of Law invites applicants with disabilities to disclose any anticipated barriers concerning accessibility. Information you would like considered in the admissions process can be disclosed within the Personal Statement or with an addendum. Any accessibility information disclosed will remain confidential and will be considered only as directed by relevant law. Please note that this disclosure is voluntary and will not result in adverse treatment.

Foreign-Educated Applicants

Foreign-educated students applying for admission to the JD program must meet certain additional requirements. Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate degree at an English-speaking institution must submit a TOEFL score of at least 100 on the Internet-based test. Stetson University College of Law accepts the "my best score" option for the TOEFL Test.  For TOEFL information, visit http://www.ets.org/. Fluency in English may also be established by alternative assessment such as scoring at least a 7 in IELTS. For more information, visit http://www.ielts.org/. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for three years.

Stetson University College of Law requires JD applicants to contact their universities and have the schools submit foreign transcripts through the LSAC JD CAS. Transcripts for all post-secondary education completed outside the United States (including its territories) or Canada must be evaluated through this service. Foreign coursework through study-abroad, consortium, or exchange programs sponsored by US or Canadian institutions is exempt from this requirement, provided that the work is clearly indicated on the home campus transcript. The JD CAS report is included in the registration fee. The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers will complete an international credential evaluation, which will be incorporated into your JD CAS report. If Stetson determines that a TOEFL or IELTS score is required, you must contact the Educational Testing Service (TOEFL) or IELTS to request that your scores be sent to LSAC. (LSAC's TOEFL code for the JD CAS is 8395.) Your score will be included in the international credential evaluation document that will be included in your LSAC JD CAS Law School Report.

To use the service, log on to your LSAC online account and follow the instructions for registration. Print out and promptly send a transcript request form to each foreign institution you attended, and allow ample time to receive and translate foreign transcripts. If you have questions about the JD CAS, please contact LSAC at 215.968.1001, or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.

Foreign Attorneys

Please refer to the application information on the Accelerated JD for Foreign Attorneys page of the website.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Stetson University's commitment to inclusive excellence extends throughout the University through each of our core values: intellectual exploration, inclusive community, human dignity, and personal growth. In adherence to applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices and its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, marital status, or military status. The policy is enforced by Stetson and, where applicable, federal laws such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. The University is an equal opportunity educational institution.

Inquiries regarding compliance with the University's non-discrimination policies, applicable statutes, and referrals to designated coordinators under the ADA/Section 504, Title IX, and the Age Discrimination Act may be directed to the Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator, 421 N Woodland Blvd, DeLand, Florida 32723, 386-822-7960, or the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, 1401 61st Street South, Gulfport, Florida, 727-562-7950, or to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100, 800-421-3481, TDD: 877-521-2172.

Notice of Privacy Rights

Stetson University College of Law is covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), which is designed to protect students' rights with regard to educational records maintained by the institution. Under this Act, students have the following rights: 1) the right to inspect and review educational records maintained by the institution that pertain to such student; 2) the right to challenge the content of records on the ground that they are inaccurate, misleading or a violation of the student's privacy or other rights; and 3) the right to control disclosures from the student's records with certain exceptions.

The information in this publication applies to the Academic Year 2026-2027 and is accurate and current, to the extent possible, as of August 2026. The College of Law reserves the right to change programs of study, academic requirements, teaching staff, the calendar and other matters described herein without prior notice, in accordance with established procedures.

Notice of Campus Security Act and Fire Safety Reports

Copies of the annual Campus Security (Clery) Act Report and Fire Safety Report and Plan are available at no charge from the Public Safety Department. To receive a copy, call 727.562.7801, or visit the College of Law's website at http://www.stetson.edu/law/pubsafety.

To obtain further information about Stetson University College of Law, contact:

Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning
1401 61st Street South
Gulfport, FL 33707
Phone: 727.562.7802
Fax: 727.343.0136
E-mail: lawadmit@law.stetson.edu or finaid@law.stetson.edu
Website: www.stetson.edu/law/admissions