All applicants are required to submit a personal statement. Personal statements should be approximately two (2) 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.

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.

If you answered Yes to "Have you ever attended a conditional admission 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 including 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.

If you answered "Yes" to the question "Have you ever been separated from any branch of the US armed forces under less than honorable conditions?", then you must submit an attachment providing a detailed explanation of the circumstances that lead to your separation.

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.

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 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?