APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have the following to submit a complete application for admission:

1. A complete application form: JD application | LLM only application
2. An active LSAC account
3. An active Credential Assembly Service (CAS) subscription
4. A CAS Law School Report including a transcript from every college or university attended (Note that it is your responsibility to have transcripts sent to CAS for processing.)
5. A Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score not more than five years old from the time of application.
   Please note: All applicants who have taken the LSAT are considered LSAT applicants even if they later take the GRE.
6. A personal statement. The personal statement may expand on your application or reveal a side of yourself not expressed on your application. It may include, but need not be limited to 1) how a law school education will further your personal and professional goals; 2) significant personal accomplishments; and 3) special circumstances, if any, that you wish the admissions committee to know as it reviews your file. Avoid clichés, grammatical errors, typographical errors, and plagiarism. If you have overcome special challenges such as economic hardship, educational deprivation, physical disability, discrimination, assimilation to a different culture/society, or any other disadvantage, please also describe those challenges in your personal statement. The personal statement should be typed, double-spaced, and no longer than two pages.
   ► Tips to help you prepare an effective personal statement.

Optional application components

The following application components are optional, but most applicants submit them. It is strongly suggested that all applicants include this information with their applications.

If an application is complete otherwise and these components are missing, the Admissions Committee will consider the application complete and review it for a decision.

1. Letters of recommendation: Letters may be from instructors, employers, colleagues, or others. Letters of recommendation should come from appropriate sources. For example, applicants who are currently enrolled in an academic program are strongly encouraged to submit letters from instructors, and applicants who have been out of college for a number of years but have significant work experience should seek letters from employers, colleagues, or clients.
   
   

   Letters of recommendation may be submitted through the CAS Letter of Recommendation Service. We highly recommend using the  CAS Letter of Recommendation Service for the processing of letters of recommendation.

   If recommendation letters have not been received but all other required components have, the admissions committee will review the file without letters of recommendation. Therefore, it is best to have your letters of recommendation submitted to the CAS before submitting your application. Check your CAS account regularly so that you can see whether or not your letters have arrived. Once they have arrived, submit your application. 
2. Significant nonacademic experience: If you would like the Admissions Committee to consider any significant nonacademic experience (e.g., volunteer work, employment history, academic honors or awards, extracurricular activities, etc.) when reviewing your application, please include an attachment with your application. This attachment may take the form of a list, a resume, a cover letter, or some other summary of accomplishments. Please limit the size of such attachments, as the Admissions Committee typically reviews 1,500 to 2,500 applications per application cycle.

Other considerations

1. Character and fitness: If you have ever had disciplinary action taken against you in college or by a professional organization, been arrested or charged with a crime, court marshaled or dishonorably discharged from military service, involuntarily separated from employment, sued for an act that was alleged to have been intentional, or had a license denied, suspended, or revoked, you will be required to submit additional information with your application. Click here for more information on our character and fitness disclosure requirements.
2. Multiple LSAT or GRE scores: If an applicant has taken the LSAT or GRE more than once in the past five years, The University of Akron will consider the highest LSAT or GRE score. If an applicant is denied early on in the application cycle and then re-takes the LSAT or GRE in the same application cycle, the new score will automatically be sent to our office from LSAC or ETS, and the Admissions Committee will automatically re-review the application when the new score arrives.
   • Please note: All applicants who have taken the LSAT are considered LSAT applicants even if they later take the GRE.
3. When to apply: Applicants may begin submitting applications in September prior to the fall semester in which they plan to begin law school. If possible, try to structure your application plan according to our suggested timeline. Please note: We will not review your application until all of the required components are received, regardless of when you submit your application.
4. Deadlines:
   • Keep track of application deadlines. Late applications may be possible, depending on space availability. However, it is not advisable to delay your application. In general, those applying earlier have a better chance of admission. To the extent possible, try to structure your application plan according to our suggested timeline.
5. Interviews: Because of time constraints, personal interviews are not a part of the application process. Applicants should submit in writing any information they wish the admissions committee to consider.
6. Visits: For more information on scheduling a personal visit, click here.
7. Reapplication: A person who previously applied to the School of Law but did not attend (whether accepted or denied) must submit a new application. Generally speaking, the LSAT or GRE does not need to be repeated if it was taken within the preceding five years. However, an applicant may want to retake the LSAT or GRE depending on the score achieved.
   • Please note: All applicants who have taken the LSAT are considered LSAT applicants even if they later take the GRE.

Notes for foreign-educated applicants only

Foreign-educated students should follow the same directions for application to the School of Law as students educated in the United States, with the following additions:

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS): The TOEFL or IELTS is generally required of all foreign-educated applicants. The preferred scores on TOEFL IBT (internet based test) are a 102 and 610 for the PBT (paper based test). The preferred score on the IELTS is a 7.5.
   Effective Fall 2023, TOEFL/IELTS waivers will not be granted for international students.
2. Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE):  All foreign-educated applicants to our traditional three-year JD program must take the LSAT or GRE. This requirement will not be waived under any circumstances.
3. Credential Assembly Service (CAS): Foreign-educated applicants must register for the LSAC credential assembly service.
4. Scholarships: All admitted students, domestic and foreign alike, are considered for scholarships, which range from a few thousand dollars per year to full-tuition. Scholarships may be used to cover the cost of tuition only. Books, fees, living expenses, etc., are always the responsibility of the student.
5. Student Loans: Foreign-educated students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are not eligible for federal financial aid through the U.S. Department of Education, so any costs not covered by scholarships are also the responsibility of the student.