Requirements for Admission to the College of LawThe students of the College of Law are the heart of the institution.  They bring to the educational process outstanding intellectual abilities, impressive academic credentials and diverse talents, perspectives and personal experiences.  Our students are thoughtful, spirited, dedicated and engaging.  They are well-rounded, compassionate and imaginative.  They have wide-ranging leadership experiences to share; they are an eclectic mix geographically, educationally, and socially, and they have joined our College to learn the law and enrich our community.

The goal of the College of Law admissions process is to enroll a class of about 150 intellectually curious, academically accomplished students representing diverse life, work, educational and cultural experiences each fall.  We seek to attract students who represent a broad spectrum of talents and interests, and who individually and collectively will enrich the intellectual and social climate of the College of Law community.  Admission to the College of Law is very selective

Applicants for admission to the College of Law must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university by the time they enroll. The College of Law does not favor particular undergraduate majors or institutions. Instead, we urge applicants to pursue a rigorous educational experience in a diverse, balanced curriculum, to read extensively and to develop strong analytical and writing skills. Admission is based on the applicant's prior academic achievement, aptitude for the study of law as indicated by the score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), personal statement and resume reflecting the applicant's prior experiences and history, and letters of recommendation.

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Admission ProcessThe College of Law is committed to providing all applicants a detailed, thoughtful review of all aspects of their admissions materials.  Applicants are initially evaluated by assessing their academic records and LSAT scores via a formula that combines the candidate's cumulative undergraduate grade point average and score on the LSAT and a detailed review of all application materials:   the application, resume, personal statement, LSDAS Report, all transcripts, LSAT writing sample, and letters of recommendation. Typically about 35 percent of offers of admission generate from this process.  The balance of the entering class is chosen by the evaluation of the Admissions Committee from a group of exceptional candidates whose academic records and accomplishments demonstrate achievement, and who promise to make a significant contribution to the legal educational process, the legal profession and the community.

We believe that diverse experiences, ideas and goals are essential to a vibrant educational process and a dynamic legal profession. In addition to academic records and test scores, the Committee evaluates many other factors, including the nature of the applicant's educational experiences, colleges or universities attended, course of study, grade trends, graduate study, significant or extracurricular activities, unique educational or occupational experiences, involvement in community affairs, substantial community service, race and ethnicity, economic or cultural background, participation in pre-law school programs (e.g., CLEO) and any other factors that assist in assessing the accomplishments of the applicant's success in law school and contribution to the legal profession. In making the selections, the Committee considers the individual strengths and characteristics of each applicant and the entire application file submitted by each applicant, in the context of the total applicant pool for each year.

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Early Decision Program The University of Arizona Rogers College of Lawhas a binding Early Decision Program for applicants who are certain that Arizona is their top choice for law school. For details on Arizona’s Early Decision Program click here.

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How to apply

All application materials, must be delivered to the Admissions Office or postmarked no later than FEBRUARY 15 of the year of expected enrollment.        

Please Note:  We will request your LSDAS report when we receive your application and is not included in the February 15 deadline of materials. 

1. All applicants must submit the following items::

A. A signed application for admission (For application options, see item #6 below)
B. Personal statement (See item 2 below)
C. A non-refundable $65.00 application processing fee (checks or money orders payable to the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law are acceptable or you may pay with a credit card via the LSAC Electronic Application Service)

D. Domicile Affidavit (for both resident or nonresident applicants)

E. Two letters of recommendation (See item 5 below)

F. The Admissions Office will request your LSDAS report upon receipt of your application (See item 4 below).

2. Personal Statement   The College of Law is particularly interested in students who, by virtue of their backgrounds and experiences, bring diverse interests and perspectives to the student body. The principal vehicle for describing those varied educational, life, and work experiences is the personal statement. Your personal statement should be a 2-3 page typed, concise and well-written document. The personal statement is both a writing sample and an opportunity to discuss your unique characteristics and personal qualities, including educational and work experiences, talents and special interests, cultural and economic background, involvement in community affairs and public service, or any events or circumstances that have helped shape your life or given it direction.

3. LSAT   All candidates must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is offered four times per year. Information about the test can be obtained from the Law School Admissions Council or by calling 215/968-1001 or by contacting the nearest law school or prelaw adviser.  In order to meet the February 15 deadline, candidates should take the LSAT no later than the December administration prior to enrollment.  The College will accept scores from the February LSAT of the year of enrollment, as long as all other application materials are submitted to the Admissions Office by the February 15 deadline. Taking the February LSAT and applying for admission for the same year delays the completion and review of your application.   If you are taking the February LSAT, we will await the LSDAS Report until the February LSAT scores are transmitted to schools.

Applicants may take the LSAT more than once and all scores will be considered.    LSAT scores earned prior to June 2005 will not be accepted for Fall 2010 enrollment and thereafter.

4. LSDAS Report    All applicants must register for a Law School Data Assembly Service Report (LSDAS). LSDAS reports are produced only for candidates who are registered with LSDAS, have paid all fees, and have sent all undergraduate transcripts to LSDAS.

Considerable lead time is required for the LSDAS process. To ensure timely completion of applications, we recommend that candidates register for the LSDAS and submit transcripts from each undergraduate institution attended to LSDAS prior to January 1. Students should provide to LSDAS transcripts of any course work completed after the initial submission to LSDAS.

Graduate transcripts should also be sent to LSDAS. Graduate grades will not be analyzed on the report, but the transcripts will be sent to all schools.

5. Letters of Recommendation  The College of Law requires that applicants arrange for submission of two letters of recommendation. The strongest letters of recommendation are substantive and most often are written by undergraduate or graduate faculty who detail the candidate's analytical abilities and writing skills. Although you are not restricted to two letters, your file will be considered complete when two letters have been received. Your letters may be submitted through the LSAC letter of recommendation service that serves all member schools. Your letters will be copied and sent to us along with your LSDAS Report, or as received. To use this service, follow the directions for submitting letters outlined at the LSAC web site.  

If a recommender wishes to write specifically about your qualifications for The University of Arizona Rogers College of Law, he or she may send the letter directly to the Assistant Dean for Admission at the College of Law.

6. University of Arizona Rogers College of Law Application   You have four options:

A. LSAC Electronic Application Service (E-app)       Law School Admission Council  

B. Application and Domicile Affidavit from College of Law Catalog

C. Download from this website  University of Arizona Rogers College of Law - Admissions   (print and mail to Admissions)     

D. Single U of A application sent electronically to Admissions  Law School Admission Council

Click here for a printable application Checklist

All applications are treated equally, no matter how they are submitted.

First-year students are admitted only for the Fall semester. Under special circumstances, offers of admission may be deferred one year at the discretion of the Assistant Dean for Admission.  We encourage applicants to submit their applications between September 1 and February 15 before anticipated enrollment. Review of applications begins in mid-November.

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Previous Applicants

Applicants who have been admitted or denied in previous years and choose to re-apply must file a new application, personal statement, letters of recommendation, domicile affidavit, and a $65.00 application processing fee. Additionally, all such applicants must be registered with LSDAS and have a new LSDAS report, with the entire undergraduate record, included in the report. Previous applicants must comply with the deadlines stated above. Previous applicants are not required to retake the LSAT, provided the LSAT meets the requirements of item 3 above. However, admission to the College of Law has become increasingly competitive in recent years. Applicants who have been denied admission and who choose to reapply are urged to consider retaking the LSAT, rather than relying on a score from an unsuccessful application.

Files containing prior applications, letters of recommendation and personal statements are retained by the Admissions Office for two years.

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International Students

International students seeking admission to the College of Law must apply as first-year students, following the steps outlined in the section on How to Apply, including taking the LSAT. There are no exceptions to these requirements.

The University of Arizona Rogers College of Law requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS).  If you completed any postsecondary work outside the US (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts.  The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a US or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript.  The LSAC JD CAS service is included in the LSDAS subscription fee.  The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) will complete a Foreign Credential Evaluation that will be incorporated into your LSDAS report.  If you received an international degree from a nonEnglish speaking country, you will need to also submit a TOEFL score to LSAC.  You should contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that your TOEFL score be sent to LSAC.   LSAC's TOEFL code for the JD Credential Assembly Service is 0058.  Your score will be included in the Foreign Credential Evaluation document that will be included in your LSDAS law school report.

To use the JD CAS, log in to your LSAC 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.  More time is usually required to obtain foreign transcripts. 

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Deadline Summary

First-Year Applicants to J.D. Program
--Regular decision application materials to the James E. Rogers College of Law by February 15 of the year of expected enrollment.

--The Early Decision Program deadline is November 15 of the year prior to expected enrollment

For More Information early decision

LSAT
Candidates may use LSAT scores earned between June 2005 and February 2010 (including the February 2010 LSAT) for Fall 2010 admission.

LSDAS
Advisory deadline of January 1, to have all transcripts to LSDAS.

Financial Aid Deadline

File the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 1 of the year of expected enrollment and list the University of Arizona Title IV Code:  001083

IMPORTANT: All applicants who are applying, whether you have been admitted yet or not, should submit the FAFSA by March 1.

Honor Code

The College of Law has a strict Honor Code, that governs student conduct. The College of Law Honor Code applies to all elements of life at the College, including the admissions process. Omissions of fact, misrepresentation or false statements or inappropriate use of the work of others may be the basis of denial or revocation of an offer of admission.

Character and Fitness

Applicants who intend to practice law should be aware that bar admission in all states involves consideration of a bar applicant's character and moral fitness for the practice of law. Applicants should acquaint themselves with the bar admission requirements of the states in which they intend to practice by consulting the websites of the various state bars.   Bar Associations

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Transfer and Visitors

Transfer Applications
A limited number of second-year students who have done exceptional work at other law schools during their first year of law study may be accepted as transfer students at the University of Arizona to begin studies in the fall of their second year. Transfer applicants will not be accepted at midyear of the first year or for the third year. However, third-year students may apply as visiting students.
A transfer applicant must send the following items to the Admissions Office so that they are received no later than July 1, for applications for the Fall semester.

1 A completed Application for Transfer Admission
2 A Domicile Affidavit.
3 A personal statement and resume
4 We will request an official LSDAS report reflecting the entire undergraduate career and the LSAT score from Law Services (LSAC).
5 An official law school transcript, including grades and class rank received through the final semester of study.
6 A letter from the dean of the law school the applicant is currently attending stating that the student is in good standing and eligible to continue studies at that institution.
7 A non-refundable $65.00 application processing fee. (Only checks or money orders, payable to the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law, are acceptable.)
8 Two letters of recommendation from law faculty with whom the applicant has studied.

Transfer admission is very selective. Residents ranked below the top quartile of their class and nonresidents ranked below the top ten percent of their class usually will not be accepted as transfer students. Transfer admission is always contingent upon availability of space. No student who has been disqualified or placed on probation at another law school, or who has failed to maintain at least a "C" average for all law work attempted will be considered for transfer to the College of Law.

Factors considered in the transfer admission process include: the nature of the law school attended, the quality of the candidate's performance as a first-year law student, the nature of the applicant's undergraduate record and LSAT score, the candidate's admissibility as a first-year applicant, the circumstances surrounding the request to transfer and letters of recommendation from law faculty with whom the applicant has studied.

Transfer students will not receive credit for work done at a law school which is not a member of the Association of American Law Schools or approved by the American Bar Association. To qualify for graduation, transfer students must do a minimum of three semesters of academic work, including their final two semesters' work, comprising at least 27 units of credit, in residence at the College of Law.

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Visiting ApplicationsA limited number of third-year students who have done well at other law schools and have a compelling reason to study at the University of Arizona may be accepted as visiting students in their third year of law study. It is the policy of the College to only admit visiting students during their third year of law school. As with transfer admission, visiting student status is selective and is always contingent upon the availability of space.
A visiting applicant must send the following items to the Admissions Office so that they are received no later than July 1, for applications for either the Fall or Spring Semester or both.

1. A completed application for Visiting Admission
2. A Domicile Affidavit. 
3. A personal statement and resume
4. We will request an official LSDAS report reflecting the entire undergraduate career and the LSAT score from Law Services (LSAC).
5 . An official law school transcript including grades and class rank received through the final semester of study.
6 . A letter from the dean of the law school the applicant is currently attending stating that the student is in good standing and eligible to continue studies at that institution. In addition, the letter must grant permission for the student to enroll at the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law and must state any conditions upon the units the student's degree-granting law school has agreed to accept.
7 . A non-refundable $65.00 application processing fee. (Only checks or money orders, payable to the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law, are acceptable.)
8 . Two letters of recommendation from law faculty with whom the applicant has studied.

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Honor CodeThe College of Law has a strict Honor Code, that governs student conduct. The College of Law Honor Code applies to all elements of life at the College, including the admissions process. Omissions of fact, misrepresentation or false statements may be the basis of denial or revocation of an offer of admission.

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Special StudentsA limited number of students without the qualifications required of candidates for the law degree may, at the discretion of the Dean, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or other designate of the Dean, be allowed to audit a course or a limited number of courses as Special Students. Applicants must have experience and educational background that indicate a strong probability that they will be successful in law study. They must also demonstrate a special need for legal training. The discretion of the Dean or Associate Dean to permit special students to audit a course is limited to people within the University community (faculty, staff, graduate students) and members of the legal profession (lawyers and judges). If permission is granted to anyone within these designated groups, then the auditing process is administered by the College of Law Registrar's Office. Students who anticipate the possibility of applying or enrolling as a full-time student at some point in the future should not seek Special Student status. The purpose of Special Student status is to meet a specific educational or work-related need, not to provide a pre-law experience.

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Students From Other CollegesGraduate students participating in a graduate degree program, with the written approval of their advisers and the Dean of the Graduate College, may register for a limited number of courses in the College of Law. Students desiring to do so will be required to obtain the approval of the instructor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the College of Law.

Special students and students from other colleges studying at the College of Law are not degree candidates and are not eligible for the bar examination in Arizona. In addition, law courses taken as a non-degree student cannot be used as credit toward a law degree should an individual apply, be admitted and enroll subsequently at the College of Law.

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JD 1L Application, Instructions and materials

The forms presented here are in Acrobat "pdf" format. If you do not already have Acrobat Reader, please download and install the free Acrobat Reader first. Please note that to prevent formating issues with this form it is important that you use version 5 of the Acrobat Reader. You can obtain a free copy from Adobe by clicking the link below. When you are ready, print the following forms and then follow the instructions below to fill them out.

Application Form * Please note. This form is available on-line. To fill out your information please click on the form itself. Print, sign and mail to the Admissions office.

Domicile Affidavit * Please note. This form is available on-line. To print the Domicile Affidavit open the form by clicking on the link then click the small printer icon in the top left corner of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please print the form, fill out the information, sign and mail to the Admissions office.

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Additional Information

Due to the large number of applicants, the Admissions Committee is unable to grant interviews. If you believe that special circumstances enhance your qualifications for law study, you should convey this information in writing in the Personal Statement.

Law School applicants are at the threshold of a career premised upon honesty and personal integrity. Any false or misleading statements or omissions, or completion of any part of this application by another, may result in denial of admission or revocation of an offer of admission. It is your obligation to inform the College of Law promptly of any changes in the maters addressed in this application, even if those changes occur after your enrollment as a student.

Social Security Number Policy. In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 applicants for admission and enrolled students are advised that the requested disclosure of their Social Security number is voluntary. Students who do not provide the University with their Social Security number will be assigned a special 9 digit number. Students using this specially-assigned number may need to provide their Social Security numbers to selected university offices to receive financial aid or to comply with IRS requirements. Your Social Security number, or an assigned number, will be used:

a) to identify such student records as applications for admission;
b) for registration and course enrollment documents;
c) to determine eligibility, certify attendance, and report student status;
d) as an identifier for grants, loans and other financial aid programs.

The student's Social Security number will not be disclosed to individuals or agencies except in accordance with University of Arizona policy on student records. Use of the Social Security number as a student identification number will enable the University to comply with federal requirements mandated under IRS tax laws and the Title IV student aid legislation, and enable the University to provide the best possible service to students.

The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution.

Inquiries regarding admission should be addressed to:

Assistant Dean for Admissions,
University of Arizona,
James E. Rogers College of Law,
P.O. Box 210176,
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0176
(520) 621-3477.

Admissions@law.arizona.edu