Application requirements
Essay prompts
A personal statement is required and provides you the opportunity to tell the Admissions Committee information about yourself that they could not otherwise learn from your application. Although there is no required topic, information about why you wish to pursue a legal career, your path to law school, how you intend to use your law degree, along with academic and professional skill sets and characteristics that demonstrate your potential to succeed in law school are helpful topics that allow the Admissions Committee to get to know you better. A personal statement allows the Admissions Committee to consider factors beyond your numerical academic indicators.
Delaware Law does not conduct interviews; the personal statement is your opportunity to discuss information you might want to convey in an interview. Typically, personal statements are 2-3 double-spaced typed pages.
This section is optional.
Use this space for any category of supporting documentation not otherwise listed. (Example: explanation of grade trends, discrepant LSAT scores, etc.)
This section is optional.
If you have ever attended any law school, please explain the reason for leaving by using this electronic attachment and have an official transcript and Letter of Good Standing sent directly to Delaware Law's Admissions Office. Note: Delaware Law does not accept applications from students who have been academically disqualified from and are not in good standing at their previous law school.
This section is optional.
If you would like to include a resume, you are welcome to do so.
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. Applicants with criminal records and instances of criminal misconduct are highly encouraged to seek counsel from the Board of Bar Examiners in the jurisdiction where they intend to practice to determine their eligibility to be admitted to the Bar. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
- Have you ever received an academic warning from, or been placed on probation, disciplined, suspended, or dismissed by any learning institution or licensing board for any reason? If "yes", you must submit an electronic attachment to provide your detailed explanation. Your explanation must include the nature of the event/offense, the underlying facts, and all relevant dates. Without this information, your application will remain incomplete and ineligible for review and decision. Note: You have a continuing duty to update the information you provide in response to this question. You must notify Delaware Law of any academic or disciplinary actions occurring after submission of this application.
This section is optional.
We invite you to enhance your application by describing your unique life experiences that you have not already addressed in your personal statement. The enhancement statement is optional.
The enhancement statement is another opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee background and/or experiences that are distinctive and may add to the varying perspectives in the Law School classroom. We invite you to share your individual personal life experiences, be it discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise, that demonstrate challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned that have shaped who you are today. This may include socio-economic challenges; educational challenges; justice impacted experiences; health issues; disability; immigration status; surviving abuse or sexual assault; complex family circumstances like an incarcerated parent, homelessness, living in foster care or a single-parent home; first-generation college or law student status; and gender identity and/or sexual orientation status related experiences that you feel will bring a unique perspective to the learning environment.
Enhancement Statements are typically 2 double-spaced typed pages.
This section is optional.
If you answered Yes to "Have you ever attended a conditional admittance or enrichment program at any law school?" you must use this electronic attachment to provide your detailed explanation. Please submit an official transcript or letter from the law school at which you attended the conditional program that includes the dates of attendance, grades, if any were given, and the outcome of your performance. Without this information, your application will remain incomplete and ineligible for review and decision.
Instructions
We are happy to help you through the admissions process. Please check our website for Recruitment Events and Information Sessions or contact us if you need assistance at:
delawarelaw.widener.eduDelawareLaw@widener.edu1-302-477-2703
Instructions for Applying to Delaware Law:
- Delaware Law's application process is paperless and we only accept applications through this site. Any documents you want to submit in support of your application must be submitted electronically here as well.
- The application deadline is May 15.
- If you apply on or before February 1, the application fee is waived. There is a nonrefundable $60 application fee for all applications submitted after February 1.
- Once you submit your application, all communication between Delaware Law and you is handled via the primary email address you provided on your application. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not your junk or bulk folder), please add DelawareLaw@widener.edu to your address book or safe list.
- Your application status can be checked at any time at delawarelaw.widener.edu
- Delaware Law does not accept applications from students who have been academically disqualified from and are not in good standing at their previous law school.
- Delaware Law reserves the right to revisit an applicant's file and offer of admission in the event that additional materials, including but not limited to additional standardized test scores, are obtained after an admission decision is rendered.
- Admission is offered on a rolling basis.
- All applicants who are not admitted are considered for the Trial Admissions Program (TAP), which recognizes potential for law school study despite lower UGPA or LSAT score. Only candidates that take the LSAT will be considered for TAP.
- With the exception of transfer students, Delaware Law does not grant JD credit for course work taken prior to matriculation at the Law School.
- Admitted applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university before they begin their studies at Delaware Law unless admitted under one of our special partnership programs.
We offer flexible programming. You may select:
- Full-time day (Regular Division)
- Part-time evening (Extended Division Evening)
Dual-Degree Programs:
- JD/MBA applicants must complete their first year of law school having attained a cumulative 2.70 law school grade point average to be considered for admission to the Dual JD/MBA program. Following the first year of law school, interested applicants must meet with the program advisor, Professor Paul Regan to obtain and complete a JD/MBA dual degree program application. Following his approval, law students then apply to the School of Business Administration and must meet all School of Business Administration admission requirements.
- JD/MPH applicants typically complete at least two years of law school studies attaining a cumulative 3.0 law school grade point average to be considered for admission to the Dual JD/MPH program and, at that point in time, must also apply to Thomas Jefferson University, School of Population Health
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
The LSAT remains the primary and preferred admissions test used by Delaware Law and is administered multiple times throughout the year. Specific information regarding the LSAT process can be obtained by contacting:
Law School Admission Council (LSAC) 662 Penn Street PO Box 2000 Newtown, PA 18940-0998 215-968-1001 LSAC.org
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The Delaware Law Admissions Committee will consider a reportable GRE score for no more than ten percent of its entering class and provided the applicant meets the following criteria:
- Places in the top 10% of their undergraduate class or has achieved a 3.5 cumulative grade point average through six semesters of coursework. A letter verifying class rank must be submitted from the applicant's degree granting school for consideration to the Delaware Law Admissions Office.
- Submits all official GRE score reports for the past five years by April 1st
- Submitted GRE scores are equivalent to the top 50th percentile or higher LSAT score based on the Educational Testing Services (ETS) GRE to LSAT conversion tool
- Submits a completed application, including submission of all GRE results by April 1st
- Has not taken a reportable LSAT
Applicants can log into their ETS Account and select Widener University Delaware Law School as a recipient of GRE results using the Delaware Law GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code 3550.
Specific information regarding the GRE can be obtained by contacting:
Educational Testing Services at 609-683-2002 or ETS.org/gre
JD-Next Exam
The Delaware Law Admissions Committee will consider a JD-Next exam score report for admission to the JD program. All score reports should be sent directly from the JD-Next testing vendor to the Admissions Office at delawarelaw@widener.edu. Please be aware that if you have taken the LSAT, your admission decision will be based upon your LSAT score. For more information about JD-Next, visit aspenpublishing.com/pages/jdnext.
Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
CAS is a service offered through LSAC. CAS registration is required for all applicants to Delaware Law. CAS simplifies the admissions process. Through CAS, all of your records including undergraduate, graduate, professional, prior law school transcripts (if applicable), and letters of recommendation are assembled and delivered electronically to Delaware Law. Specific information regarding CAS registration can be obtained at LSAC.org
Personal Statement
A personal statement is required and provides you the opportunity to tell the Admissions Committee information about yourself that they could not otherwise learn from your application. Although there is no required topic, information about why you wish to pursue a legal career, your path to law school, how you intend to use your law degree, along with academic and professional skill sets that demonstrate the potential to succeed in law school are helpful topics that allow the Admissions Committee to get to know you better. A personal statement allows the Admissions Committee to consider factors beyond your numerical academic indicators.
Delaware Law does not conduct interviews; the personal statement is your opportunity to discuss information you might want to convey in an interview. Typically, personal statements are 2-3 double-spaced typed pages.
Enhancement Statement
We invite you to enhance your application by describing your unique life experiences that you have not already addressed in your personal statement. The enhancement statement is optional.
The enhancement statement is another opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee background and/or experiences that are distinctive and may add to the varying perspectives in the Law School classroom. We invite you to share your individual personal life experiences, be it discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise, that demonstrate challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned that have shaped who you are today. This may include socio-economic challenges; educational challenges; justice-impacted experiences; health issues; disability; immigration status; surviving abuse or sexual assault; complex family circumstances like an incarcerated parent, homelessness, living in foster care or a single-parent home; first-generation college or law student status; and gender identity and/or sexual orientation status related experiences that you feel will bring a unique perspective to the learning environment.
Enhancement Statements are typically 2 double-spaced typed pages.
Letters of Recommendation
You must submit your Letters of Recommendation through CAS. Letters of Recommendation are strongly suggested but not required for admission to Delaware Law. A maximum of three letters will be reviewed. The most helpful letters are usually written by individuals such as former professors, employers, or associates who have specific knowledge of your intellectual abilities and character. All letters must be submitted through CAS.
Resume
If you would like to provide the Admissions Committee with a copy of your resume, you may upload it in the Attachments section.
Transcripts
Request transcripts from every undergraduate, graduate, and professional school you have attended and send them to CAS. Admission to Delaware Law is conditioned upon successful completion of your baccalaureate degree by the time you start law school. An official final transcript showing receipt of your degree is required and must be sent from your degree-granting institution and received by LSAC or Delaware Law's Admissions Office prior to your matriculation.
For International Applicants Only
- Foreign applicants seeking admission to the JD program must submit a completed application to Delaware Law as early as possible to ensure issuance of a student visa prior to enrollment**.**
- Applicants educated in a foreign country are required to submit all foreign transcripts through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers and incorporated into your CAS law school report.
- You are required to submit a TOEFL score unless you are from a country where English is the primary language or you hold a recent degree granted by a US University. To submit a TOEFL score, contact Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that your TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code for JD CAS is 0058. The TOEFL score will be included in your CAS law school report.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
In addition to the application requirements for all applicants, international applicants are also required to provide the following information as part of the application process:
- International Address
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Translation of transcripts by LSAC CAS
- A copy of your updated I-20 documentation (if currently enrolled in a US college or university on an F1 non-immigrant basis.)
- A copy of your passport
If you have any questions, write to us at DelawareLaw@widener.edu