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?

This section is optional.

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.

This section is optional.

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?

1. Undergraduate Articulation Agreements

This question is not applicable for most applicants.

Specific undergraduate institutions have articulation agreements (special admission programs) with Vermont Law and Graduate School. If you are applying to VLGS under one of these agreements, please check the box. You should also be in communication with your Admissions Counselor and Pre-Law Advisor.

Applicants coming from schools without articulation agreements are not at a disadvantage in the general application process.

2. If your school has an articulation agreement with VLGS please fill in the name of your institution and agreement (e.g., University of Vermont 3+2). (maximum characters 500)