University of Minnesota Law School
Office of Admissions
FAQs

1. What are your admission deadlines?

Dates for applications to the 2011-2012 academic school year are as follows:

September 1, 2010 – J.D. applications become available
November 15, 2010 – Deadline for early decision applicants
January 2011 – Transfer applications become available
April 1, 2011 – J.D. application deadline
May 16, 2011 – Transfer application deadline for those petitioning for journals
July 1, 2011 – Transfer application deadline (non-journal petitioning)

2. What are your admission requirements?

Detailed information on admissions requirements and the application process can be found at http://www.law.umn.edu/prospective/application.html. The application Web page also includes application information for foreign students and visiting students.

3. How can I tell if my undergraduate university or law school is accredited?

4. For international applicants, is there a minimum TOEFL score for admission?

No. However, a score of 630 or higher on the pencil-and-paper test or a score of 267 or higher on the computer-based test is looked upon by the admissions committee positively. Earning these scores does not guarantee admission.

5. Does the Law School require work experience before applying for admission?

No. However, approximately 70% of our entering classes have work experience before enrolling. The average length of work experience is 2-4 years.

6. Are deferrals granted if I’m accepted but want to attend a year later?

Deferrals are not routinely granted and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Admitted students may contact the Director of Admissions to request a deferral of up to one year.

7. What is the profile of your last entering class?

8. Are there minimum test or GPA requirements for admission?

No. No minimum score requirements or cut-off scores are used for the LSAT scores or GPA scores.

9. Will other test scores be accepted in lieu of the LSAT score?

No. Applicants must register with LSAC and have LSAT test scores sent (along with other admission requirements) in order to be considered for admission. This requirement is NOT waived for international applicants or international lawyers.

10. Can I take a course at the Law School if I’m not a currently enrolled student?

All students in Law School classes must be graduate level, degree-seeking students at either the Law School or another graduate school at the University of Minnesota. Enrollment for other students will be subject to availability and the approval of both the professor and the registrar.

Early Decision Program

1. Do you have an early decision program?

Yes. The application requirements, process, and review of early action applicants are identical to the regular admission process, except that a decision is guaranteed by December 1.

2. Is admission through early decision binding?

Yes. Applicants to the University of Minnesota’s binding early decision program commit themselves to matriculating at Minnesota if admitted pursuant to the early decision program. An early decision applicant may apply to other law schools on a non-binding basis, but once admitted to the University of Minnesota as an early decision candidate, the applicant must notify the other programs and immediately withdraw all other law school applications. No new law school applications may be initiated. The University of Minnesota reserves the right to provide other law schools with the names of applicants admitted to the University of Minnesota under the binding early decision program.

3. How do I ensure my application is included for early decision?

Complete the separate application titled, “First Year Admission Binding Early Decision Agreement.”

Transfer and Visiting Students

1. How do I apply to transfer?

2. Can an LL.M. student apply to transfer into the J.D. program?

Only those students with an LL.M. degree from the University of Minnesota are eligible to apply as J.D. transfers. In order to apply to transfer into our J.D. program, an LL.M. student must complete the same procedure as other transfer students.

3. How do I apply to be a visiting student?

4. Are there minimum requirements for transfer admission?

No. There are no GPA, rank requirements or cut-off scores used in the admissions process.

5. How are transfer admission decisions made?

The Admissions Committee is composed of Law School faculty and is dedicated to an objective, sensitive and efficient application review process.

The Committee will carefully analyze the entirety of every applicant’s file. This includes a completed application, a personal statement and resume. A letter of good standing, official law school transcript and letter of recommendation from a law school professor should be sent directly to us (or LSAC) from the school/recommender. A completed LSDAS file of undergraduate work and test scores will also be evaluated. While decisions are made based on an overall assessment of all materials, the Admissions Committee is primarily concerned with an applicant’s performance during the first year of law school.

The Committee will consider a variety of factors, such as work experience, career goals, extracurricular activities, ability in languages other than English, positions of leadership, community or public service, interest in interdisciplinary study, graduate school experience, racial and ethnic background, unusual life experiences, disability and economic disadvantage. The Committee also may consider factors that contribute to greater diversity in the student body, including but not limited to those set out in the University Equal Opportunity Policy.

6. How many transfer students are admitted each fall?

The number of transfer students admitted each year varies.

7. Can transfer applicants petition for journals?

8. What is the minimum number of credits required to transfer?

Transfer applicants have completed the equivalent of one year of full-time student at another law school.

9. How many credits will transfer?

A formal evaluation of credits is completed by student services after admission is offered. Typically, students transfer the equivalent of one year of full-time study. In order to receive a diploma from the University of Minnesota Law School, a transfer student must complete at least two thirds of his/her credits here.

10. How will my law school GPA be calculated?

The GPA from your current law school will not be factored into your GPA at the University of Minnesota Law School.

11. What are the scholarship opportunities for transfer students?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer scholarships to transfer students at this time.

12. Can transfer students participate in OCI?

The OCI process is the same for transfer students. Admitted transfer students who matriculate will work with our Career Center to participate in OCI as would any other rising 2L.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

1. What are the current tuition and fees?

2. What is the laptop fee or laptop program?

3. Are scholarships merit-based or need-based?

Scholarships are based on the entirety of the application for admission.

4. How do I apply for scholarships and what are the criteria for scholarship awards?

All admitted students are reviewed for scholarship award at the time of acceptance. No separate application for scholarship is required.

Scholarships range from $5,000 to full-tuition waivers. Approximately 66% of the fall 2008 entering class received a Law School scholarship.

5. How do I apply for other financial aid?

6. What are important dates for financial aid?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) may be submitted after January 1, 2011. Admitted students will receive an estimate of their financial aid package around the time of admission. Final tuition rates for the 2011-2012 academic year will be determined in July and admitted students can expect to receive their final financial aid package by early-August.

7. How do I apply for private loans?

1. Can I visit the Law School?

The University of Minnesota Law School welcomes visits by admitted and prospective students. Admitted students are encouraged to visit the Admitted Student Website or contact the Office of Admissions directly to schedule a visit, and all visitors are encouraged to make an appointment two weeks in advance of their visit.

Prospective students are encouraged to attend one of our information sessions. Each session includes a presentation by a member of the admissions staff, a tour of the Law School guided by a current student, and an opportunity to sit in on a class (approximately 3 hours total).

2. Do you have interviews for applicants?

No. An interview is not part of our admissions process and a visit with our admissions staff will have no bearing on your application. Applicants are encouraged, however, to visit the Law School so that they are able to make the best possible decision if admitted.

3. Can I contact a current student?

4. Will representatives from the University of Minnesota Law School visit my school or attend a law school fair near me?

1. How do I establish residency?

All residency decisions are made by the University of Minnesota Residency Office, not the Law School. Although all residency requests are reviewed by the Residency Office on a case-by-case basis, factors that have been known to help establish residency include:

• Employment and paying taxes in Minnesota
• Owning a home in Minnesota
• A Minnesota driver’s license
• Having a spouse or partner also living and working in Minnesota

2. How does reciprocity work?

Resident tuition is offered to qualifying residents of South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Manitoba. For questions about reciprocity, the student’s home state makes the reciprocity determination.

1. What degrees does the Law School offer?

In addition to a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, the Law School offers a Masters of Law for foreign lawyers (LL.M.) degree for lawyers outside the United States of America.

Also, numerous dual and joint degrees are offered including:
J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.P.A., J.D./M.A., J.D./M.P.P., J.D./M.B.S., J.D./M.B.T., J.D./M.U.R.P., J.D./M.S., J.D./Ph.D., J.D./M.D., and J.D./M.P.H.

2. What is the curriculum and what are degree requirements for a J.D. at the University of Minnesota Law School?

3. What journals, research institutes and moot courts are offered at the Law School?

4. Can a law student take classes in other graduate programs at the University of Minnesota?

Yes. Law students may take up to 6 credits at the graduate level outside of the Law School. An exception to this rule is foreign languages, where law students can take up to 3 credits in introductory level classes with approval by the Dean of Students if they have taken no prior classes in that language.

5. What international study program opportunities are available?

6. Please tell me about the University of Minnesota Law Library.

7. Please tell me about the law clinics at the Law School.

8. What concentrations does the Law School offer?

9. Do you offer summer classes?

10. Do you offer a part-time or night program?

No. We have only a full-time day program. Limited classes (some offered at night) are also available during the summer.

Housing, Student Life, and Student Activities

1. Do you have on-campus housing for law students or other recommendations?

The only on-campus, University-owned housing for law students is married student housing. However, there are many affordable and convenient housing options for students. Some student apartments are located across the street or within a block or two of the Law School.

2. What is the average age of students at the Law School?

The average age of entering students at the Law School is 25.

3. Please tell me about student life at the Law School.

1. How can I learn more about the distinguished faculty at the Law School?

2. Please tell me more about your Career Center.

The University of Minnesota Law School Career Center is available to admitted students, current students and alumni. It is a full-service center, providing all the tools necessary for career development.

• Through both fall and spring on-campus interview programs, students have access to local, regional, national, and international law firms, corporations, public agencies, and judicial clerkships.
• The Career Center sponsors a mentor program, linking first-year students with graduates in Minnesota and around the country.
• Graduates of Minnesota serve their clients, employers, and communities in all 50 states and over 40 countries around the world.
• The Career Center has extensive recruiting programs involving employers from all 50 states and around the world who participate in on-campus interviewing, job fairs, and professional affiliations.
• The Career Center sponsors more than 60 career seminars each year to assist students with career planning and implementation of job searches.
• The office also maintains its own library that contains a wide variety of materials to aid students in developing their career plans.
• Employment statistics of recent graduates are available upon request to the Career Center.

3. What is the Law School's accreditation status?

1. What are my odds of admission through the Early Admissions Program?

The Admissions Committee considers all applicants on a holistic assessment of the entire application and required materials. Primary consideration is given to academic success (undergraduate GPA, ACT/SAT, coursework, etc.), while the committee also considers a variety of secondary or “soft” factors (personal statement, résumé, letters of recommendation, etc.). For the most recent profile information please visit http://www.law.umn.edu/prospective/profile.html.

2. What are the benefits of the Early Admissions Program?

Through this program, eager applicants whose first choice for law school is the University of Minnesota, receive a priority decision by August 15 (a full one year in advance of matriculation). Since applicants apply directly the Law School, applicants spare themselves the cost of registering for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service and for the cost of LSAT preparation and administration.

3. What are the minimum ACT/SAT scores or GPA required for admission?

There are no minimum, maximum or cut-off scores for admission. All applicants are reviewed on a holistic assessment of the application materials.

4. Should I register for the December LSAT even though I haven’t received a decision? Would registering for the December LSAT disqualify me for the Early Admissions Program?

MLEAP applicants are guaranteed an admission decision by August 15, 2012. This date falls before the regular registration deadline for the October LSAT Administration so we recommend waiting to register until you have received an admissions decision. Students applying through MLEAP are allowed to register for the October LSAT administration. However, according to the Early Admissions Agreement, students may not take the exam if admitted to the University of Minnesota Law School through this program. If admitted, you will need to cancel your registration for the October exam (note you may or may not be eligible for a refund). For a complete list of LSAT administration dates and deadlines please visit www.lsac.org.

5. Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?

As a current undergraduate student, the Admissions Committee requires that letters be from University of Minnesota faculty and/or Pre-Law advisors. Recommenders should be able to adequately and thoughtfully comment on your ability and experience as a successful student, problem solver, work ethic, and ability to work in a team, among other character traits. Please, no more than three (3) recommendations total.

6. If I am not admitted through the Early Admissions Program, can I still apply for another law school?

Yes. If you are not admitted through this program, you may begin applying to other law schools immediately.

7. Will previous college credits be taken into consideration in the review of my application?

Yes. All applications are reviewed on a holistic assessment, including the review of the entire undergraduate record. This includes upward and downward trends and rigor of curriculum. Please note however that the official GPA that will be used in the review process will be that which appears on your University of Minnesota transcript.

8. Can I reapply to the University of Minnesota Law School if I am not admitted through the Early Admissions Program?

Yes. If you are not admitted through this program, you may immediately begin reapplying through the regular JD admissions application or binding Early Decision application. You will need to register through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and pay appropriate registration fees. However, as an applicant to the Early Admissions Program your application fee to the regular JD admissions process will be waived.

9. If I am admitted to the Law School through the Early Admissions Program, am I able to transfer to another law school if I choose?

Yes. If you choose to transfer to another law school after your first-year at the University of Minnesota Law School you will likely need to take the LSAT. Please note, however, to remain eligible for the Early Admissions Program, you may not take the LSAT until after fall classes begin.

10. Am I able to defer my enrollment if admitted through the Early Admissions Program?

Deferrals are considered on a case-by-case basis. While we understand special circumstances may arise, if you are planning to defer when applying we recommend applying through the regular J.D. admissions program when you are ready. The Early Admissions Program is a binding decision agreement

11. I am a student in another graduate or professional program at the University of Minnesota, can I apply through the Early Admissions Program?

No. The Early Admissions Program is only available to current undergraduate students who will receive their bachelor’s degree in December 2012, May 2013 or August 2013.