UMass - Dartmouth > Requirements

Application requirements

Deadline

Jun 30, 2026

Application fee

$50.00

Recommendations

2 to 2

Updated for 2025-2026 application cycle

If the answer to any of the following is "yes," please submit a separate addendum that gives a detailed and complete explanation. NOTE: Your application will not be considered complete if any question is left blank or no description is provided.

1. Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution of higher education, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in the imposition of any form of discipline, including, but not limited to, your probation, suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from the educational institution?

Have you ever had a professional license denied, suspended or revoked?
As a member of the armed forces, were you ever discharged or dismissed with other than an honorable discharge or were any charges made or proceedings instituted against you? (If you have never been a member of the armed forces, you may leave this question blank.)
Do you have any criminal convictions that have not been vacated?

NOTE: You are not required to answer "yes" if the conviction was:

(1) A first conviction for misdemeanor drunkenness, simple assault, speeding, minor traffic violations, or disturbance of the peace; or

(2) A misdemeanor conviction that was entered more than five years prior to the date of this application (unless the conviction resulted in your imprisonment or was followed by another criminal conviction within the five-year period).

You will be required to reveal if you have been charged with or been the subject of any investigation for a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic charge to state bar examining agencies as part of the application process for taking the bar exam. The University of Massachusetts School of Law cannot guarantee that successful completion of the law degree program will permit you to be admitted to the bar in any jurisdiction. Before applying for admission to law school, you are advised to contact the Bar Examiners of the jurisdiction(s) in which you intend to practice to determine if a prior conviction or other character and fitness issue will affect bar admission.

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, following your completion of this application but prior to matriculation, matters arise that would require you to answer yes to any of the above questions, it is your obligation to supplement your application with complete details.

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in the University of Massachusetts School of Law. Please read the following instructions before completing your application.

Application Requirements:

A typed personal statement (2?3 page limit) indicating your reasons for studying law and any information which may assist the Admissions Committee in reviewing your application.

A professional résumé that includes significant work experience (dates, employer and location, position title) since high school graduation, awards, honors, extracurricular activities, and volunteer service.

Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), GRE General Test or JD-Next Test - An LSAT, GRE or JD-Next score is required for all JD applicants. A valid reportable score must be received directly from LSAC, ETS or Aspen Publishing. Scores more than 5 years old are not acceptable for admission consideration. Applicants must submit all GRE test scores directly to UMass Law. UMass Law?s ETS code is 3392. JD-Next scores will be received directly from Aspen Publishing.

Two (2) letters of recommendation or evaluations, one of which should be from an individual who has academically supervised you, if possible. If you have not been in an academic setting recently, you may submit a letter from an employer or community member. The letters must be submitted through LSAC.

Transcripts - You must submit to LSAC transcripts from any and all post-secondary institutions attended (even if no degree was earned). If you are admitted, we require official transcripts?including official notice of final grades and an earned baccalaureate degree?prior to your enrollment. You must also submit your final transrcipt to LSAC before matriculation. Submission of transcripts through the Law School Admission Council as part of your Candidate Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Report satisfies the official transcript requirement.

Addenda - If there is any information in your application you would like to clarify (e.g. grades, standardized test(s) performance, gaps in employment), you may submit the information in the Attachments section under "Addendum." You may submit more than one addendum, as needed.

Additional Statement (Optional) - At UMass Law, the only public law school in Massachusetts, our core mission is to promote the importance of diversity in people and ideas and to educate our students to become professionals who will serve others in the pursuit of justice. We invite you to share with us how your personal identity, background and lived experiences have formed you and how you will contribute to our community and further our shared mission to pursue justice.

Again, thank you for your interest in UMass Law. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Office at (508) 985-1110 or law@admissions.umassd.edu.

It is the policy of the University of Massachusetts School of Law not to discriminate against any applicant for admission or employment, or against any employee, or in any educational programs, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, veteran?s status, disability, sex, or sexual orientation.

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