Application & Instructions

Admission Policy

Admission to DePaul University College of Law is very competitive. We consider numerous factors in evaluating each applicant, including undergraduate academic performance, Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores, advanced degrees, professional work experience, writing ability, potential for leadership, professional and academic recommendations, as well as special talents, qualities, interests, and socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. No single factor is dispositive when determining admission.

Personal qualities that demonstrate intellectual depth, high ideals and diligence also are considered, as are economic, societal or educational obstacles that have been successfully overcome. Diversity in background and experience among the members of each entering class is a continuing objective. Having a diverse student body allows us to encourage and foster the exchange of different ideas. In addition, a candidate’s prior relations with the DePaul University community and his/her potential for furthering DePaul’s institutional goals are considered.

Last year, approximately 5,000 candidates applied for 240 seats in the full-time day program and 80 seats in the part-time evening program. Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, early application is highly recommended, especially for those who desire merit scholarship and financial aid consideration. For first-year applicants with no previous law school credit, admission is granted only for the fall semester. First-year applicants should ensure that their application and all necessary documents are on file in the Office of Law Admission prior to the suggested application deadline of March 1, 2008. Prospective applicants who have received their baccalaureate degrees from accredited institutions or have received degrees prior to July of the year for which admission is sought are eligible to apply. In no event will an applicant who has yet to receive a baccalaureate degree be permitted to enroll in the College of Law. No specific fields of study are prescribed at the baccalaureate level.

Diversity Statement

DePaul University derives its title and fundamental mission from St. Vincent de Paul, who advocated the acceptance of all people and devoted his life to helping the disadvantaged lead dignified lives. At the College of law, we seek diversity in students' special talents, qualities, interests, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Having students with different interests, goals, life experiences, and backgrounds is critical in order to ensure the robust exchange of ideas that is called for in training lawyers and potential leaders. Towards this end, we seek a student body that exhibits outstanding academic and professional promise with varied backgrounds and experience.

DePaul University College of Law is also committed to improving the legal community by educating students who will serve the public and legal profession in ways that enhance the social, economic, cultural and ethical values in the broader community.

DePaul University has a nondiscriminatory admission policy; it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability.

Application for Admission Instructions

Letter of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation is required for all applicants, but additional letters are helpful. Letters from college professors are particularly useful. Letters also may be written by employers or colleagues who are in positions to make critical and informed appraisals of an applicant’s qualifications. Letters of recommendation can be submitted through either the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) or mailed directly to the Office of Law Admission.

Personal Statement
A personal statement is required and must be enclosed with the application for admission. It should not exceed two pages and may provide the Admission Committee with information regarding such matters as intellectual interests and pursuits; personal, family or educational background; experiences and talents of special interest; reasons for applying to law school as they may relate to personal goals and professional expectations; or any other factors that will assist the Committee’s evaluation of the applicant’s candidacy for admission. Applicants also may describe either within the personal statement or as an addendum, how their admission would contribute to the diversity of the College of Law.

Resume
A current resume is strongly recommended and should not exceed two pages. It should include a complete employment record and identify honors, scholarships and commendations received; membership in any scholastic, honorary and professional associations; and community, volunteer and extracurricular activities.

Law School Admissions Test/Law School Data Assembly Service
All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). LSAT scores earned prior to June 2002 will not be accepted. In addition, all first-year and transfer applicants must register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). Please refer to the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book for additional information (www.lsac.org).

Application Fee
A $60 non-refundable application-processing fee is required and must be submitted by check or money order in U.S. dollars with the application for admission.

Special Information for Transfer Applicants

DePaul University College of Law welcomes applications from students who will have completed, within the preceding two years, at least one year of study at another ABA-accredited law school. Transfer applicants may apply for admission to the day and evening programs for the fall and spring semesters, as well as the summer session. Transfer applicants admitted to the College of Law may receive up to 30 hours of credit toward the Juris Doctor degree. The determination of applicable credit is made upon admission.

Transfer applicants must ensure that their application and all necessary application documents are on file with the Office of Law Admission at least one month prior to the semester in which they intend to enroll. Transfer applicants are required to submit all materials required of all first-time applicants: application, application fee, recommendation letter, resume, personal statement, current LSDAS report. In addition, transfer applicants must submit directly to the Office of Admission: (1) a letter of good standing from all previously attended law schools and (2) official transcripts from all previously attended law schools. Law school transcripts must provide grades for all courses attempted.

International Applicants

Applicants who have earned degrees or received diplomas from foreign institutions must submit all materials required of first-time applicants.

In addition, applicants who have completed coursework or earned degrees from foreign institutions must submit their foreign transcripts through the Law School Admission Council’s (LSAC) JD Credential Assembly Service (JD CAS). This is an extension of LSDAS and it is included in the standard LSDAS fee. Foreign transcripts received through JD CAS will be sent to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) where the transcript will be authenticated and analyzed. The data will be assembled into a foreign credential evaluation document that contains AACRAO’s summary, copies of the transcripts (with all necessary translations) and a TOEFL score, if applicable.

Applicants who were educated in foreign countries, at institutions where English is not the primary language, also must register for the TOEFL. You must advise Educational Testing Service to send your TOEFL score to LSAC (institution code 00580).

LSAC will incorporate your foreign credential evaluation, TOEFL score and associated documents into the regular LSDAS report.

International applicants who have graduated from foreign law schools may receive up to 30 credit hours toward the Juris Doctor degree. The determination of applicable credit is made upon admission.

For additional information, including a copy of the financial affidavit of support form, please visit www.depaul.edu/international/admission/immigration.html.

Optional Sections of Legal Analysis for First-Year Full-Time Students

For first-year full-time day division students only, the College of Law offers special sections of Legal Analysis, Research & Communication with a focus on family & child law, health law, intellectual property law (including traditional intellectual property informational technology and cultural property/art law) or public interest law. Admission to these special sections is competitive.

Applicants must apply for a seat in the family & child law, health law, intellectual property law or public interest law section at the same time they apply for JD admission, indicating their interest by checking the appropriate box on the application for admission. Applicants may apply to only one section and also must enclose with the application a statement of no more than one page indicating the reason(s) for their interest in family & child law, health law, intellectual property law or public interest law. Applicants will be informed of their acceptance into the desired section of Legal Analysis, Research & Communication after they receive their letter of admission from the College of Law.

Qualified students in the intellectual property section of Legal Analysis, Research & Communication also may participate in the First-Year Intellectual Property Law Summer Job Program, in which intellectual property law faculty and staff assist students with career development and placement in a variety of firms and organizations.