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 strongly encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Failure to properly disclose in accordance with the jurisdictional rules of where you intend to practice could prevent admission to the bar in that jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners****.

Admissions decisions will not be affected by participation in or disciplinary action associated with peaceful, meaningful protest. The College of Law examines barriers specific to justice-impacted individuals throughout the application, enrollment, and educational experience in order to ensure that policies and practices do not unintentionally serve as mechanisms of exclusion. We still ask applicants to disclose any action to comply with rules set forth by most state’s board of bar examiners.

1. Have you ever been arrested, ticketed, charged with, taken into custody, indicted, convicted or tried for, pled guilty to, or are you currently under indictment for any felony or misdemeanor or any violation of law? Note: Although a conviction may have been expunged from your record by an order of the court, it does not relieve you of the duty to disclose the matter on this statement. In addition, traffic violations including drug or alcohol related violations need to be disclosed. Misrepresentation may result in administrative sanctions.

2. Have you ever been the subject of disciplinary proceedings or been censured for misconduct, warned, placed on probation, dropped, disqualified, expelled, withdrawn or advised to withdraw, been suspended for academic or nonacademic or any other reason by any educational institution you have attended or place of employment? Note: Misrepresentation may result in administrative sanctions.

3. Have you ever been involved in lawsuits, litigation, or civil judicial proceedings?

J.D. Application - Fall (August)

PREREQUISITES FOR THE J.D. APPLICATION:

Entrance Exam: LSAT or GRE
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) - You must have taken or be expecting to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Registration for the LSAT and Credential Assembly Service can be completed through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at LSAC.org. LSAT test scores administered prior to the end of April 2026 will be given priority. Tests past the beginning of the semester, August 2026, will not be considered for fall 2026 enrollment. LSAT scores cannot be more than five (5) years old from the date of application to the College of Law. If you submit your application with a declared "Future Test Date", your application will be placed on HOLD until the score arrives. A decision will be made once all application materials are received. If you have at least one (1) LSAT score on file and would like your application evaluated prior to a future test, you may indicate this on the application. You must have at least one (1) LSAC writing sample on file for your application to be considered complete. If you wish you have your application held until all writing samples are received, please contact the admissions office at lawadmissions@syr.edu or call 315-443-1962.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) ? GRE scores can be no more than five (5) years old from the date of application to the College of Law and must include all test scores in the last five years. Applicants must also submit with their application an addendum explaining their choice to take the GRE in place of the LSAT. A full GRE score report showing all reportable scores should be sent electronically to Syracuse University College of Law using school code 4913. Applications without full GRE score reports and a GRE essay are unable to be considered for admission.
Undergraduate Degree ? While an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution is required, you must submit transcripts of all previous college or university study through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Graduate and prior law study transcripts must also be submitted to the Credential Assembly Service. Failure to submit all transcripts will delay review of your application. For applicants graduating from undergraduate during this admissions cycle, please submit your most recent undergraduate transcript.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Application Form - You must complete and submit the admission application form, together with the $75 application fee, which may be submitted electronically. The application fee is neither refundable nor will it be credited toward tuition and fees.
Letters of Recommendation - Applicants are required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation and may submit up to four (4) letters of recommendation.
- Statements from persons familiar with your qualifications for the study of law, especially professors under whom you have studied or supervisors under whom you have worked, often prove helpful. If you are currently in an undergraduate or graduate program, or have recently completed one, the Admissions Committee will expect to see letters of recommendation from professors under whom you have studied.
- Applicants must submit letters of recommendation through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. Letters sent directly to the Office of Admissions will not be accepted.
- If you are submitting more than two (2) letters of recommendation and they are not yet available at the time you apply, please notify the Admissions Office at lawadmissions@syr.edu so that we may hold your application for review.
- At least one (1) letter should be no more than two (2) years old from the date of application submission.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION MATERIALS:

Non-U.S. Citizen Applicants - Applicants who are not United States citizens must submit all materials required of domestic applicants as well as the additional documentation outlined on the website under Applying as an International Student. This documentation includes educational records, and TOEFL or IELTS scores. Applicants from countries outside of the U.S. who are not from a country where English is an official language or did not receive a bachelor's or advanced degree from a country where English is an official language must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score with the application.
Character and Fitness Disclosures - 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 strongly encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Failure to properly disclose in accordance with the jurisdictional rules of where you intend to practice could prevent admission to the bar in that jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Admissions decisions will not be affected by participation in or disciplinary action associated with peaceful, meaningful protest. The College of Law examines barriers specific to justice-impacted individuals throughout the application, enrollment, and educational experience in order to ensure that policies and practices do not unintentionally serve as mechanisms of exclusion. We still ask applicants to disclose any action to comply with rules set forth by most state?s board of bar examiners. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to check with the state bar examiner's office of the states in which they intend to practice law, regarding character and fitness for admission to the bar.

"Why Syracuse" Statements - Applicants are invited to submit a "Why Syracuse" statement. More information is available on the attachment pages.
Additional Addendum(s) ? Applicants may attach additional statements that further explain character & fitness issues, academic or admissions test related information, pauses or breaks from education and employment, or any other relevant information that may assist the Admissions Committee on making an informed decision. Please keep addendum(s) succinct, double spaced, 11 font.

3+3 APPLICANTS:

The 3+3 undergraduate program option should only be selected if you are a college junior who plans to apply to Syracuse University College of Law through an approved 3+3 program. A list of approved programs can be found on the College of Law website. For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions at lawadmissions@syr.edu or 315-443-1962.

RE-APPLICANTS AFTER ACADEMIC DISQUALIFICATION OR DISMISSAL FROM LAW SCHOOL:

Applicants who attended Syracuse University College of Law and have been disqualified or dismissed cannot apply as a first year student until one year from the date of disqualification has passed. Applicants who attended another law school and have been academically disqualified or dismissed cannot apply as a first year student until two years from the date of disqualification has passed. More information is available on the College of Law website.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The deadline for receipt of all application materials is July 15th at 3 pm Eastern to be considered for admission in the fall semester of the same year (priority deadline-March 15).
An application is complete and ready for review after the College of Law receives the completed application forms and the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report from LSAC.

It is your responsibility to make certain that all necessary materials and credentials are received by LSAC and the College of Law in a timely manner. You should retain for your records copies of all correspondence forwarded to LSAC and the College of Law, including your admission application forms, financial aid application forms, and all attachments. Admissions decisions are sent through the primary email address listed on your application.

For additional information, contact the Syracuse Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid by telephone at 315.443.1962 or by e-mail at lawadmissions@syr.edu. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) can be reached at 215.968.1001 or www.lsac.org.

Application requirements