UW Law aspires to be the best public law school in the nation and one of the world's most respected centers for interdisciplinary legal studies. We strive to be leaders by shaping and defending just and sustainable laws and policies through our scholarly discovery, ethical advocacy, inspired teaching, and generous public service.

The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic, professional, and leadership promise; have a strong desire to attend UW Law; are committed to generous public service and ethical advocacy; and who have backgrounds and experiences that will enrich the law school educational environment. We encourage applicants to share any information that may help us better understand their background and describes their potential contributions to our vibrant community.

Many applicants use the Personal Statement to provide a fuller picture of their academic, professional, or personal journey. This can include, but is not limited to: meaningful leadership experiences or potential; involvement in advocacy, public service, or community-based work; a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage; unusual or challenging circumstances that may have impacted your academic path; experiences that reflect resilience, perseverance, or growth; disability; prejudice or discrimination; studying or living abroad; foreign language skills; special talents; unique life experiences; or geographic diversity. This is not an exhaustive list. Please feel free to share anything you believe is important to your story or may help the Admissions Committee reach a thoughtful and informed decision. We value your voice and welcome the opportunity to learn more about you.

Applicants may supplement their personal statement by including a response to one (1) of the following optional questions:

1. What life events or experiences have had the greatest influence in shaping your character and why?;
2. Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership, whether in a classroom, workplace, organization, or personal context. What did you learn from that experience, and how will your leadership skills contribute to our law school community and the legal profession?;
3. What is a strength, trait, or experience you possess that might not be immediately visible in your application but is essential to understanding who you are?

Please note: The option to write a "Why UW" statement has been moved to the actual application and should not be submitted as a supplemental statement.

Please use this space to indicate why are you interested in pursuing your legal education at the University of Washington? Note: you should not submit a supplemental essay indicating "Why UW." This text box is the appropriate space for that type of essay. (maximum characters 3000)

Please provide a résumé detailing your employment history, extracurricular or community activities, volunteer work, honors, awards, foreign language skills, and military service. Include roles and responsibilities along with dates of employment (mm/yyyy), locations, the number of hours per week devoted to such activities, or other information that you believe the University of Washington School of Law should consider in evaluating your application. Your résumé may not exceed three (3) pages.

1. Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on academic or scholastic probation, placed on disciplinary probation, expelled, requested to withdraw, or allowed to withdraw in lieu of discipline from any college or university, or otherwise subjected to discipline by any such institution or requested or advised by any such institution to discontinue your studies there? (This question is similar to questions that will appear on state bar applications.)
2. Have you ever been cited for, arrested for, charged with, or convicted for any violation of any law including any cases resolved in juvenile court? Include matters that have been sealed or dismissed, expunged, pardoned, subject to a diversion or deferred prosecution program, or otherwise set aside. Omit traffic violations. (This question is simiar to questions that will appear on state bar applications.)