All applicants are required to submit a personal statement. Personal statements should be approximately two (2) to three (3) pages, double spaced, and standard font size. A personal statement provides you with the opportunity to show the Admissions Committee what you are passionate about and why you would like to attend Widener Law Commonwealth.  Widener Law Commonwealth does not grant personal interviews, the personal statement is an opportunity to speak directly to those who will read your file and consider your status. Please proof and edit your statement prior to submitting the document.

This section is optional.

A Diversity Statement is an opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee, any unique background and/or experiences that would support your request for admission.  Diversity is very broadly defined and is best identified by the applicant and explained in terms of what aspects of their identity will contribute to the entering class and ultimately to the legal profession.  The statement, using a standard font, should be double-spaced and not exceed a single page.

This section is optional.

You may attach any other supplemental materials or addenda to your application here.  An addendum should provide any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee as they review and consider your application.  Common addendum are used to explain a low GPA or a grade trend.  Another reason for an addendum is to address your LSAT or GRE score:  How did you prepare for the test?  How do you normally perform on standardized tests?  Do you plan to retake the LSAT or GRE?  If not, why not?

Please provide a current résumé.  A résumé with specifics, such as public service, leadership roles, or unique experiences is especially helpful.  Preferably a résumé should be one page long. A résumé should not exceed two (2) pages.

All applicants must respond to the following questions. If you answer "yes" to any question in this section, you must attach an addendum with a complete explanation of the event including the nature of the offense, the facts surrounding the event, all relevant dates, disposition and sanctions. Without this information, your application will remain incomplete and ineligible for review and decision.

You have a continuing duty to update the information you provided in response to these questions and must notify the law school of any actions occurring after submission of this application. Failure to adequately disclose or update your application can be sufficient reason for refusal or revocation of admission, expulsion, or a rescinding of the law degree after conferral. In addition, please be on notice that bar jurisdictions will have access to your responses and may compare them to the results of your background check performed during the bar examination application process.

If your record was sealed as a result of the Pennsylvania Clean Slate law, you do not have to disclose it on the Character & Fitness section of the application. However, if you apply to take the Bar Exam, you may be required to give a greater disclosure to the Board of Law Examiners, which may be exempt from the PA Clean Slate law.

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. Admission to Widener University Commonwealth Law School does not guarantee that you will meet the requirements of the state bar to which you seek admission.

1. Have you ever received an academic warning, been placed on probation, disciplined, suspended, dismissed, or been subject to any action for misconduct or honor code violation by any college or university or licensing board for any reason or is any such action pending or expected to be brought against you?

2. Since the age of 18, have you ever been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime by a law enforcement agency, other than a minor traffic violation (i.e., parking or speeding citations) that has not been subsequently expunged? If it has been more than 10 years since you turned 18, then you need only list those convictions or guilty pleas that occurred in the past 10 years.

3. If you are younger than 28 years of age, between the ages of 14 and 18, were you ever convicted of or pleaded guilty to a crime involving serious bodily injury to another person? If you are 28 or older you should answer "no" to this question since the conviction or guilty plea occurred more than 10 years ago.

4. Are there civil or criminal charges pending or expected to be brought against you by any law enforcement agency, civil or administrative agency, or any other agency?

WLC Admissions Office Contact Information
admitcwlaw@widener.edu717.541.3903

Widener Law Commonwealth in Harrisburg, PA values inclusion and is committed to enrolling students of diverse experiences and backgrounds. The Admissions Committee reviews applications holistically and does not merely rely on standardized tests scores and undergraduate GPA to make admissions decisions.

Widener Law Commonwealth has a rolling admissions process where offers are generally made in the order of completed applications received; therefore, it is important to apply early before the class is filled. The application process is paperless and applications and other supporting documents should be submitted electronically through LSAC.

Communications between the law school and the applicant will be via the primary email address provided on the application. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not your junk or bulk folder), please add admitcwlaw@widener.edu to your address book or safe list.

Applicants may check their status at any time through the Applicant Status Online portal.

Programs:
Full-Time
Part-Time Day
Part-Time EveningJoint Juris Doctor and Online Master of Business Administration

Application Deadlines:
January 1, 2027 - Binding Early Decision Deadline
February 1, 2027 - Early Action Deadline
April 1, 2027 - Early Admission and Express Admissions Programs Deadline
April 15, 2027 - Trial Admissions Program Consideration Deadline
May 1, 2027 - Priority Admissions Deadline
July 1, 2027 - Application Deadline

Application Fee:
The application fee is $60.00. However, the application fee is waived for all applicants who apply on or before the priority admissions deadline of May 1st.

Application Requirements:
A complete application consists of the following:

• A completed application form
• A 2-3 page, double spaced, personal statement
• A one-page résumé
• A LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report with all post-secondary academic transcripts submitted through CAS.
• A valid Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) score with writing sample OR a valid Graduate Record Examination score
• Two Letters of Recommendation (LoR) submitted through CAS are required; however, the Admissions Committee will review up to three LoRs. For an applicant currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate school at least one letter of recommendation should be an academic letter of recommendation.
• If applicable, any required addenda (see "Required Application Addenda").

Optional application material consists of the following:

• A one-page, double spaced, Diversity Statement explaining any experiences, characteristics, or skills that would allow the applicant to uniquely contribute to the Widener Law Commonwealth community.

Required Application Addenda:

You must submit an addendum with your application if you:

• Have previously enrolled in this or another law school's Juris Doctor program or conditional admissions program. The addendum should explain the circumstances under which you left your previous law school and how you are prepared to succeed in law school now. In addition, you must request that your previous law school send an official copy of your law school transcript and a letter of standing. Please note that if you were academically dismissed from another law school, at least two years must have elapsed between the date of your disqualification and the date of your matriculation at this law school.
• Answered "Yes" to the question "Have you ever been separated from any branch of the US armed forces under less than honorable conditions?" The addendum should explain of the circumstances that lead to your separation.
• Answer "Yes" to any of the character and fitness questions. The addendum must explain the circumstances surrounding the incident(s) necessitating the disclosure. It is very important that you answer these questions honestly, completely, and forthrightly. If you are in doubt as to whether to disclose information, it is better to err on the side of disclosure. Material misrepresentations and failures to disclose can lead to denial of admission, cancellation of acceptance, expulsion from law school, or revocation of the degree after conferral. You have a continuing duty to update the information you provided in response to these questions. You must notify Widener Law Commonwealth of any actions occurring after submission of this application.

Requirements for International Applicants:

• In addition to the requirements above, 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.
• Applicants whose native language is not English, and whose undergraduate education is from outside the U.S., are required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. If this applies to you, you must contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that your TOEFL score be sent to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). LSAC's TOEFL code for the JD Credential Assembly Service is 6368. Your score will be included in the Foreign Credential Evaluation document that will be included in your CAS Report. To receive information concerning the TOEFL, contact TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, U.S.A.; E-mail: toefl@ets.org; Website: www.ets.org/toefl.
• If admitted, there may be additional requirements and documents needed to enroll at the law school. Please see our Requirements for International Students webpage for more information.

Statement on Qualifications for Admission to the Bar:
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.

Accreditation:
Widener Law Commonwealth is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738