The following essay questions are intended to allow applicants the opportunity to present themselves to the admissions office. The essays are a critical part of the application. They help the admissions team fully understand the applicant?s ability to succeed at Vermont Law and Graduate School. The time and effort put into the essay portion of the application weighs heavily in the admission process.

The first essay is required. The second and third essays are optional. Applicants are encouraged to be as forthright and open as possible, and should feel free to discuss unusual circumstances or situations of adversity that may have influenced their current values. Be aware that the quality of your writing and the thoughtfulness of your answers will be evaluated.

Essay Instructions: Please use one attachment to answer the essay questions. You may incorporate answers into one personal statement, or alternatively, break up the essays into separate sections. Whichever style you chose, please be consistent. We encourage you to use your judgment for length, as this will vary by applicant. Most applicants will submit a maximum of four double spaced pages.

1. Required Question: Describe the goals motivating you to pursue a law degree. How do you think the experience and skills you gain at Vermont Law and Graduate School will help you achieve those goals?

2. Optional Question: Vermont Law and Graduate School's motto is Law for the Community and the World. In what ways would you contribute to and/or support VLGS' commitment to communities?

3. Optional Question: How have you tried to make a difference in relation to an issue of personal, local, or national significance?

Attachments: Applicants may submit additional information to the Admissions Committee that may provide insight into the applicant’s potential for success. If there are special considerations regarding your educational, professional, or personal history, please attach a one-to-two-page explanation.

Mission Scholarships: The VLGS Mission Scholarships support students who come to VLGS with a cause and who want to use the power of the law to make a difference in their communities and the world. There are two mission scholarship tracks focusing on different areas of the law. Several scholars are selected for each track. The tracks are environmental stewardship and social justice.

As a mission scholar, the student is awarded a $3,000 public service internship stipend, targeted academic advising and participation in scholar events.

Applying for a Mission Scholarship:

You may apply for the scholarship with your JD application or you can apply separately by the March 15th deadline. Please keep in mind you must send in your JD application AND your mission scholarship application, either together or separately, by March 15 in order to be considered.

Required Materials

1. Scholarship Essay 800 words in length, each mission scholarship track has a different essay question, choose one [PLEASE INDICATE ON YOUR ESSAY WHICH MISSION TRACK YOU ARE APPLYING FOR]:

o Environmental Stewardship:

Discuss your environmental commitment and goals for using a law degree in environmental advocacy, the experiences that have most significantly influenced your goals, or any other points relevant to your qualification for the scholarship.

o Social Justice:

Discuss your history of public service and connect that service to what you hope to do as a lawyer. Include in the essay what in your life has led you to the decision to pursue the public interest service you identify and what you anticipate will be the greatest challenges and rewards.

For additional information about the Mission Scholarships and financial aid, please see our website: Financial Aid.

Please attach a copy of your professional resume showing your employment history, awards, volunteer work, extracurricular, and personal activities. If your education was interrupted for one semester or more, be sure to account for that period of time.

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 that jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, please provide a full and complete explanation in an electronic attachment, clearly answering the question and including final disposition of the matter. Do not incorporate the answers to any of these questions into your personal statement. The Admissions Committee may request further information about any of these questions. Failure to provide full and truthful answers may result in revocation of admission or disciplinary action by the Law School, or denial of permission to practice law the state in which you seek admission.

Under Vermont law, you are not required to disclose sealed or expunged Vermont criminal records. Please note that on an application for admission to the bar you may be required to disclose all records including those that are sealed or expunged. A discrepancy between this application and the information you include on an application to the bar may prompt further inquiry by the board of bar examiners. The state in which you plan to practice determines what you are required to disclose on your bar application.

Should your response to any of these questions change during the course of your application, prior to matriculation, you must immediately inform the Office of Admissions and update your application accordingly. Additionally, any changes after matriculation should be updated through the Dean's Office.

1. Has any educational institution, governmental or administrative agency (including any branch of the Armed Forces), or employer ever taken disciplinary action (including academic probation or suspension) against you?

2. Have you ever, as an adult or a juvenile, been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any criminal or civil law regardless of disposition of any such charge? Minor, non-criminal traffic offenses such as parking and speeding tickets need not be disclosed.

3. Are there any pending criminal charges against you now? Minor, non-criminal traffic offenses such as parking and speeding tickets need not be disclosed.

4. Have you ever been suspended, discharged, or asked to resign from any employment, professional organization, or public office OR have you been subject to professional discipline, voluntarily surrendered a professional license, or had a professional license denied, suspended, or revoked?

5. Have you been, or are you currently, party to a civil proceeding in which you were alleged to have committed fraud or any type of misrepresentation?

Juris Doctor Application Information - for First Time Applicants, Reapplicants, Transfer Students, Exchange Students, and Visiting Students

Thank you for your interest in Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS). This application enables the Admissions Committee to evaluate your potential as a law student. We look for candidates who exhibit academic excellence and a commitment to using the power of the law to effect positive change locally and globally. The committee thoroughly reviews each application holistically, considering test scores, overall writing quality, essays, academic history, recommendations, and professional experience. Applications are seen as favorable when it is apparent that applicants have dedicated time and energy to their VLGS materials.

JD Application Timeline

September 1 - Application Opens

November 15 - Early Action Deadline

Late November - Application Review Begins

April 15 - Priority Application Deadline for Residential JD

May 15 - Residential JD Deadline

July 15 - Final Application Deadline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and review will continue until all admissions decisions are made. Applying early (September through December) is advantageous for both admission and scholarship consideration.

EAPP and CAS Report: LSAC transmits all application materials directly to VLGS through two main documents. The EAPP (Electronic Application) contains all application and demographic information, while the CAS Report contains LSAT scores, academic transcripts, etc. Any additional materials outside of those collected in the application should be emailed to admiss@vermontlaw.edu.

Required Application Materials

Application Form and $60 Application Fee

Resume: Include employment history, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, memberships, awards, and other relevant activities. Explain any interruptions in employment or education.

Essays: Three essay prompts are provided: one required and two optional. Submitting both optional essays provides the admissions committee with a deeper understanding of fit and academic potential at Vermont Law and Graduate School. Not submitting an optional essay will not affect admission status.

1. Required Question: Describe the goals motivating you to pursue a law degree. How do you think the experience and skills you gain at Vermont Law and Graduate School will help you achieve those goals?

2. Optional Question: Vermont Law and Graduate School's motto is Law for the Community and the World. In what ways would you contribute to and/or support VLGS' commitment to communities?

3. Optional Question: How have you tried to make a difference in relation to an issue of personal, local, or national significance?

Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required and up to four will be accepted. Preferred recommenders include professors familiar with academic performance or professional supervisors, particularly for applicants with significant post-school experience.

Transcripts: Submit transcripts from all previously attended higher education institutions directly to LSAC.

LSAT Score: Fewer than five years old, transmitted directly from LSAC as part of CAS Report. OR GRE Score: Applicants may choose to provide GRE Scores in lieu of LSAT Scores. Scores must be transmitted to Vermont Law and Graduate School through ETS using school code 3946. These will be added to the application after submission.

Dual-Degree Programs: VLGS has partnered with a number of academic institutions allowing JD students to enroll in a dual-degree program. Students may apply to one of these programs after starting their JD Program. You will need to apply separately to these programs once you begin the JD program. https://www.vermontlaw.edu/academics/degrees/dual-degrees

Additional Requirements: international, transfer, visiting, and exchange students are outlined on the VLGS Admissions Page. This includes information on English proficiency tests, evaluated transcripts, letters of good standing, and other optional materials.

Character and Fitness Advisory: Beyond passing the bar examination, every U.S. jurisdiction imposes character, fitness, and other standards for bar admission. Applicants should ascertain the specific requirements for any jurisdiction where they plan to seek admission by contacting the relevant authorities. Contact information for these agencies can be found through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Application Materials: We acknowledge the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence-based tools and strongly discourage applicants from using such tools to compose their personal statements or essays. We value statements written in one's own voice and appreciate statements that reflect authenticity.

More Information For more detailed information about our application process, please refer to our website: www.vermontlaw.edu/admissions We encourage you to contact the Admissions Office if you have any questions. Phone: 888-277-5985 E-mail: admiss@vermontlaw.edu Website: www.vermontlaw.edu

Vermont Law and Graduate School welcomes applications from all individuals. The institution is committed to promoting an employment and educational environment free from unlawful harassment, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability (including duty of reasonable accommodation), ethnicity, HIV-positive status, national origin, place of birth, race, religion, sex/gender (including gender identity/expression), sexuality orientation, or veteran status as defined by applicable law ("protected characteristics") is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Vermont Law and Graduate School is required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations for students and prospective students with disabilities if such accommodations are necessary to provide equitable access to our programs and services. If you require accommodations during the application process, please visit www.vermontlaw.edu/community/students/academic-success/accommodations for more information.