Personal Statement: 500 words, double spaced, 12 point font required. You will be required to submit two essays: a personal statement, and a Why W&M Law statement. Please attach both documents. This personal statement is your opportunity to help the Admissions Committee better understand who you are & what perspectives, experiences, values, interests, or aspirations have shaped you into the person you are today. We invite you to share information that you believe is important to your candidacy and that will help us get to know you beyond the other components of your application.

In addition, What is something true about you that won't fit on a resume.

Topics may include academic interests, significant accomplishments, and educational achievements, and/or any way in which your perspective and experience will enrich the William & Mary Law School community. https://law.wm.edu/admissions/jdprograms/howtoapply/firstyearjd/index.php.

Please be concise, keeping this statement to no more than approximately 500 words.

Required Essays: 500 words, 12-point font. You will be required to submit two essays: a personal statement, and a Why W&M Law statement. Please attach both documents.

Why W & M Law Statement: As the nation's first law school, William & Mary Law School seeks to enroll a class of talented and engaged students committed to advancing our long-standing tradition of achieving and celebrating academic and professional excellence in an inclusive environment. We recognize the challenges of our history and our responsibility to pursue the realization of justice through the rule of law. This statement is your opportunity to share how your experiences, perspectives, values, and future goals align with William & Mary Law School's vision and mission. Please be concise, keeping this statement to no more than approximately 500 words.

1. Were there any personal, cultural or economic factors that, in your opinion, adversely affected your academic performance?

2. If yes, please explain here: (maximum characters 1000)

Applicants may attach optional addenda with whatever additional information they wish to have considered as part of their application for admission.

Attach a résumé with your application, including your work experience, educational history, extracurricular/community activities, and any awards or honors received.

Earning a law degree does not guarantee you the right to practice 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. A good resource to begin with is The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, published annually and available at www.ncbex.org. Most states will either request a copy of your law school application directly from the law school or require you to provide a copy as part of your application to sit for the state bar examination. Accordingly, it is very important that you disclose all information that may, in any way, reflect on your character and fitness to practice law, including but not limited to, disciplinary and criminal proceedings. You must disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed or reduced, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. You are not required to disclose any officially expunged or sealed records. You must disclose both the original charge or citation and the ultimate disposition, including any reduced charges or lesser included offenses. If you have any question as to whether a given incident should be disclosed, you should opt for full disclosure.

Your duty to disclose continues after you file this application and up through your graduation. This continuing duty to disclose means you must timely disclose matters that arise which would have required you to answer ?yes? to one or more of the following questions. To make a timely disclosure after you file this application and before you enroll in law school, contact the Dean of Admissions and Dean of Academic Support & Student Affairs.

1. Have you ever been suspended, warned, placed on academic or any other type of probation, expelled, disciplined, excluded, or requested or advised to withdraw by ANY post-secondary school, college, university, or other similar institution?

2. If yes, provide all documentation pertinent to the incident and provide a complete explanation: (maximum characters 3000)

3. Are there any academic or employment related disciplinary charges pending or expected to be brought against you?

4. If yes, provide all documentation pertinent to the incident and provide a complete explanation: (maximum characters 3000)

5. Are there any criminal proceedings pending or expected to be brought against you?

6. You are not required to disclose any officially expunged or sealed records. You must provide official copies of both the original charge or citation and a complete and accurate explanation of the incident. We recognize that in limited situations, records cannot be obtained. In the event that you are unable to obtain official documentat a detailed explanation of the charge/arrest is acceptable; however, the Board of Bar Examiners in the state in which you seek licensing may still require official documentation of the charge/arrest. (maximum characters 3000)

7. Have you ever been arrested, charged, convicted, taken into custody for the violation of a law, court order, or for any offense, including any moving vehicle traffic offense or infraction (e.g.speeding, reckless driving, driving on a suspended or revoked license, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, DUI/DWI/OWI offenses, or formally accused of, charged with, or indicted for such violations? This includes charges which did not require your appearance in court, such as any camera violations. You must include offenses that were dropped, dismissed, or reduced. Any felony offense, arrest, citation or charge (even if reduced or otherwise amended) must be disclosed. You may omit offenses that were either officially expunged or sealed by a court, parking violations, and any non-moving vehicle offenses, Even if you perceive a matter to have been minor, or to have happened a long time ago, you must disclose the information. (These questions conform to those asked by the Virginia and other State Bar Board of Law Examiners).

8. If yes, you must disclose, and fully and accurately describe each instance, even though the charges may have been dismissed or reduced, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. You are not required to disclose any officially expunged or sealed records. You must provide us with official copies of both the original charge or citation and the ultimate disposition, including any reduced charges or lesser included offenses. (maximum characters 3000)

Applicants claiming entitlement to Virginia in-state educational privileges must complete the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges. Download the Domicile Form. After completing the form, attach to your application. If you need to supply additional information, please attach additional documents to the application. Alternatively, you may send the completed domicile application and supporting documents via email to domicile@wm.edu, via fax to 757.221.2151, or mail to: Office of the University Registrar William & Mary PO Box 8795 Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795

First-Year Application Procedure

William & Mary's priority deadline to submit applications is April 1. Applications will be accepted after April 1, until the class is filled, however be advised there is a distinct advantage to submitting your application on or before the published deadline. Applications should be submitted electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at www.lsac.org as early as possible and will be reviewed in the order they become complete. Applicants must receive a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution before beginning the J.D. degree program at William & Mary Law School. Please complete the following steps to apply:

Application Checklist

The following items are required. You will be notified by email once your application has been received. Required items should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications that are missing required material will be reviewed later in the cycle and final decisions will be rendered based on the information that exists in the file at that time.

JD application (submit electronically through LSAC at www.lsac.org $85 non-refundable application processing fee (submit electronically with the application) Required statements and optional addenda (use attachments to submit electronically with the application) Two recommendation letters (submit through LSAC to be included in the CAS Report) Résumé, including work experience, educational history, extracurricular/community activities, and any awards or honors received. All applicants must register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Applicants must send their official transcripts from (ALL) universities/colleges attended to LSAC How to Apply:

Applicants should use the LSAC Electronic Application to complete their application. For information on applying, contact LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSAC.org. It is important to review the application checklist and instructions available through LSAC and on our website at https://law.wm.edu/admissions/jdprograms/howtoapply/firstyearjd/index.php.

Application Fee: The application processing fee is $85. The non-refundable payment must be submitted electronically directly to LSAC with the application.

Required Essays: Each of the two essays which are required (a personal statement, and a Why W&M Law Statement) should be no more than 500 words each, using a 12 point font. Please attach both documents.

Personal Statement: This personal statement is your opportunity to help the Admissions Committee better understand who you are & what perspectives, experiences, values, interests, or aspirations have shaped you into the person you are today. We invite you to share information that you believe is important to your candidacy and that will help us get to know you beyond the other components of your application.

In addition, What is something true about you that won't fit on a resume.

Topics may include academic interests, significant accomplishments, and educational achievements, and/or any way in which your perspective and experience will enrich the William & Mary Law School community. https://law.wm.edu/admissions/jdprograms/howtoapply/firstyearjd/index.php.

Please be concise, keeping this statement to no more than approximately 500 words.

Why W & M Law Statement: As the nation?s first law school, William & Mary Law School seeks to enroll a class of talented and engaged students committed to advancing our long-standing tradition of achieving and celebrating academic and professional excellence in an inclusive environment. We recognize the challenges of our history and our responsibility to pursue the realization of justice through the rule of law. This statement is your opportunity to share how your experiences, perspectives, values, and future goals align with William & Mary Law School?s vision and mission. Please be concise, keeping this statement to no more than approximately 500 words.

The personal statement, and all other writing samples must be your own work. This means that the ideas and expressions originated with you, and you wrote all drafts and the final product. It does not preclude asking family members, friends, pre-law advisors, and others for proofreading assistance or general feedback.

Resume: Please include your significant work experience, educational history, college and community activities, honors and awards you have received, and any prior W&M affiliation. Include dates for all items listed on your resume. Please provide complete information; there is no required length and your resume may exceed one page.

Recommendation Letters and Evaluations: You must submit two required recommendation letters through LSAC. The LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service is included in your CAS registration and will accept generic and school specific letters. Professors who have personal knowledge of your academic performance and potential should write your letters of recommendation. If you have been out of school for two years or more, you may substitute letters from employers or others who are well acquainted with your personal traits and intellectual potential.

LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Registration: Register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and arrange to have all undergraduate and graduate transcripts sent to LSAC from all colleges and universities attended by April 1 or as soon thereafter as possible. W&M considers an LSAT score valid for a period of 5 years, therefore the oldest LSAT score acceptable for the 2026-27 application cycle is June 2022. All Applicants must have a reportable LSAT score on record with LSAC. The school code for William & Mary is 5115.

Law School Admission Test: Applicants should take their first LSAT no later than April 2027. Please list ALL test dates on the application, including future test dates even if you do not have a score yet. William & Mary Law School conducts a thorough review of every application and considers the LSAT score in the context of the entire application (transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, evidence of leadership and engagement, and other information). If you feel that one or more of your test scores does not accurately reflect your ability or potential, please use the Miscellaneous Addendum attachment to explain this disparity. Contact LSAC to request information about the LSAT or LSAT preparation at 215.968.1001 or LSAC.org. If applicant has taken the J.D. Next exam, they may submit their J.D. Next Score as a supplement to their application. A J.D. Next Score will not be reviewed in lieu of your LSAT score as the LSAT is still required for admission.

Academic Transcripts: All applicants must register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). CAS information is available online at LSAC.org. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work must be submitted directly to the CAS.

Foreign Transcripts: William & Mary Law School requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through the CAS if you received your degree from an institution outside the U.S. or Canada, or if you completed the equivalent of more than one year of undergraduate study outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada. This service is included in the CAS registration fee. An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your LSAC CAS report. Log in to your online account and follow the instructions for registering for the service. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it promptly to them. Additional time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts; please plan accordingly. Questions about foreign transcripts can be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.

TOEFL/IELTS: If your first language is not English and English is not the language of instruction at your undergraduate institution, you may submit a score from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in addition to the LSAT.

Prior Law School Matriculation: If you attended another law school, you must include an addendum to explain why you did not complete the program as well as a letter from your law school indicating your dates of attendance, reason for withdrawal, academic and disciplinary standing.

Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges: Applicants claiming entitlement to Virginia in-state educational privileges must complete the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges.

Download the Domicile Form. After completing the Domicile Form, attach it to your application. If you need to supply additional information, please attach additional documents to the application. Alternatively, you may send the completed domicile application and supporting documents via email to domicile@wm.edu, via fax to 757.221.2151, or mail to: Office of the University Registrar William & Mary PO Box 8795 Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795

Applicants who are active duty military personnel or honorably discharged veterans are eligible for in-state tuition privileges once they have moved to Virginia. Upon moving here, applicants should submit the Domicile Form and their military orders showing permanent duty station (active duty) or their discharge papers (veterans) to the Domicile Office at domicile@wm.edu.

Application for Need-based Financial Aid: All Applicants seeking student loans or need-based scholarships must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The recommended deadline is February 15. The Financial Aid Office will process FAFSA data following transmittal to William & Mary. The FAFSA Title IV code for William & Mary is 003705. All admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships awarded by the Law School based on the information submitted to complete the application for admission. No additional information is required.

Note: Law School Scholarships cannot exceed total cost of tuition. If you receive military funding or external scholarships in excess of yearly total cost of attendance, your scholarship will be reduced accordingly. Additionally, Law School Scholarships awarded to non-Virginia residents will be prorated if the student applies for and ultimately receives Virginia in-state educational privileges.

Character & Fitness: Earning a law degree does not guarantee you the right to practice 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. A good resource to begin with is The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, published annually and available at www.ncbex.org.

Most states will either request a copy of your law school application directly from the law school or require you to provide a copy as part of your application to sit for the state bar examination. Accordingly, it is very important that you disclose all information that may, in any way, reflect on your character and fitness to practice law, including but not limited to, disciplinary and criminal proceedings. You must disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed or reduced, you were acquitted, adjudication was withheld, a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. You are not required to disclose any expunged or sealed records. You must disclose both the original charge or citation and the ultimate disposition, including any reduced charges or lesser included offenses. If you have any question as to whether a given incident should be disclosed, you should opt for full disclosure. Note: By applying to William & Mary Law School you consent to being subjected to a criminal background check; applicants for admission to the law school will be subjected to criminal background checks prior to being permitted to matriculate at the law school.

If you fail to fully disclose information in this application, the subsequent background check conducted by the state board of law examiners will reveal the discrepancy between your actual record and your law school application. This discrepancy will cause concern for the character and fitness committee of the state bar as they evaluate your character and fitness to practice law. The failure to fully, completely, and candidly answer all questions, therefore, may result in the rejection of your application to law school, expulsion from law school if admitted, or denial of admission to a state bar.

Your duty to disclose continues after you file this application and up through your graduation. This continuing duty means you must timely disclose matters that arise which would have required you to answer ?yes? to one or more of the following questions. To make a timely disclosure after you file this application and before you enroll in law school, contact the Dean of Admissions. Once enrolled, contact the office of the Registrar to make such a disclosure.

NOTE CAREFULLY: You must disclose all matters requested on this law school application unless the matter was officially expunged or sealed, even if you have been advised otherwise by anyone else, including legal counsel. Your disclosure requirements include, but are not limited to, everything that appears on your official record. That means you must disclose matters even when an arrest did not lead to a charge, a charge was reduced or dismissed, you were acquitted or found not guilty, adjudication was withheld, deferred, or diverted, or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated. Full disclosure means that you must avoid answers and supplemental reports that are vague, superficial, misleading, evasive, or only partly true. An error of omission is considered to be as serious as one of commission.

Non-Discrimination Policy: Unless otherwise constrained by law, William & Mary is committed to providing an environment for its students that is free from discrimination based on any personal factor unrelated to qualifications or performance such as race or color, citizenship, national origin or ethnicity, ancestry, religion or creed, political affiliation or belief, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, parental status, height, weight, military service, veteran status, caretaker status, or family medical or genetic information. (Full non-discrimination notice available online at http://www.wm.edu/policies/eoaa.)

The Code of Virginia and the regulations thereunder require that every institution of higher education located in Virginia provide to the State Police the name, date of birth, and certain other directory information of each student who enrolls with the institution. The intent of this law is to ensure compliance with the requirement under Virginia law for sexual offenders to register with local law enforcement.