1. Do I have to go to college before I go to law school?
2. Are there any prerequisites to attend law school?
3. How do I know if my college or university is accredited?
4. Can I major in law in college, before I go to law school?
5. What should I major in when I go to college?
6. How long does it take to become a lawyer?
7. How can I prepare myself for law school?

The Profession

1. Is the legal profession for me?
2. How much money do lawyers make?
3. Do all lawyers have to go to court all the time like on TV?
4. What do I need to know about legal specialty areas and careers?
5. What is Intellectual Property Law and how do I get into that field?

The Application Process

1. What is your application deadline?
2. What is the final LSAT date you will accept for admission?
3. How old an LSAT score will you accept?
4. Do you have a spring semester or summer semester entering class?
5. Do you offer a conditional admission program?
6. When are admission decisions made?
7. May I apply before I take the LSAT?
8. What is the LSDAS?
9. Do I have to register for the LSDAS?
10. How does The University of Akron School of Law treat multiple LSAT scores?
11. Will a graduate degree or additional undergraduate work help me get into law school?
12. What does the Admissions Committee take into consideration when reviewing application files?
13. How does a criminal record affect admission decisions?
14. What is the best way to research law schools?

Financing your Legal Education

1. What financial aid is available?
2. Are graduate assistantships available to law students?
3. Are first year students allowed to work?
4. Can I borrow money beyond what it costs just for tuition and fees?

Life as a Law Student

1. What does a law student’s schedule look like?
2. How much will I have to study?
3. Is there an attendance policy?
4. Where do law students live?
5. Does The University of Akron offer student health insurance?
6. Does The University of Akron offer daycare services?
7. Can law students use the Recreation Center, go to the Student Union, get discounts on tickets, etc. just like other students at The University of Akron?
8. Do I have to buy a computer, laptop or otherwise?
9. What brand of computer should I buy?
10. How and when do I apply for admission to a joint degree program?
11. What specialty areas do you offer? How important are specialty areas?
12. Is there an attendance policy?

International Students - J.D. Program

1. What exams do I have to take in order to be considered for admission?
2. Do I have to take the LSAT?
3. Do I have to register for the LSDAS?
4. How do I finance my legal education?
5. Can international students attend law school part-time?

The Basics

1. Do I have to go to college before I go to law school?

Yes. You must have a four-year degree from a nationally recognized regional accrediting body before you start law school.

If you are in the process of completing your degree requirements, and these requirements will be finished before the first day of law school (usually mid-August), then you are eligible to be considered for the upcoming entering class. Return

2. Are there any prerequisites to attend law school?

The only two prerequisites to be considered for law school are a four-year degree and an LSAT score that is less than three years old at the time you submit your application. Your four-year degree may be in any field or subject, as long as it comes from an institution that is accredited by a nationally recognized regional accrediting body. Return

3. How do I know if my college or university is accredited?

All colleges and universities in the United States must be evaluated by a nationally recognized regional accrediting body. Most major public and private schools in the country are accredited by such an accrediting body. For example, The University of Akron is NCACS (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) accredited. Visit www.chea.org for more information on accreditation of schools and colleges. Return

4. Can I major in law in college, before I go to law school?

Usually, colleges and universities do not offer undergraduate majors in law. Some do offer majors or minors in pre-law, and some law-related fields include political science, criminal justice, philosophy, and history. Oftentimes, students interested in law will choose one of these subject areas as a major and pursue a minor in pre-law. Some schools do not have pre-law curriculum at all, but most schools do have a pre-law advisor, who is usually a faculty member who helps to guide undergraduate students interested in pursuing law school. Return

5. What should I major in when I go to college?

Anything you like. There are no specific curricular prerequisites for attending law school. Some of the most popular majors for law students are political science, philosophy, history, English, and business administration. However, this does not necessarily mean that these are the best majors to pursue. Any major, minor, or class that develops your problem-solving, analytical thinking, writing, and reading comprehension skills will help you when you get to law school. Return

6. How long does it take to become a lawyer?

The time frame for earning a law degree is three years for a full time program (after finishing undergraduate school) and 4-6 years for a part-time program. Therefore, if you want to pursue a career in law, you should plan on 7-10 years of education past high school. When you finish law school, you are awarded the Juris Doctor (JD) degree. As a final step, you must take the bar exam in the state in which you plan to practice in order to become an attorney. The bar exam is an intensive test that examines the skills and knowledge you have obtained in law school. Bar exams vary from state to state, and they are typically 2-3 days in length. Return

7. How can I prepare myself for law school?

Some things that you might want to do in order to prepare for law school are to get involved in pre-law organizations in high school (if possible) and in college; take a few philosophy courses to build your reasoning, arguing, and writing skills; pursue relevant employment as an intern at a law firm or courthouse; and challenge yourself with coursework designed to enhance your reading and research skills. The most important thing you can do for yourself in college, whether or not you decide to go to law school, is to take classes and participate in activities that interest you, as opposed to only doing those that you think will "look good" on a resume when you start applying for jobs or to graduate and professional schools. Return

The Profession

1. Is the legal profession right for me?

This is a question that only you can answer. The best way to explore the legal profession is to contact your local bar association, let them know that you are considering a career in law, and ask for contact information of local attorneys who might be willing to talk to you about their careers. If you would like to speak to someone at our law school about the legal profession, a great place to start is with Dr. Jay Levine, our Director of Career Planning and Placement. Dr. Levine may be reached at jay10@uakron.edu or 330.972.7331.

Consider, also, that success in law school takes enormous sacrifice and commitment. Almost every lawyer and law student will tell you that law school was much more difficult than they expected it to be. Law school is not something that can be done with minimal effort, online, or a little bit at a time, like many graduate programs. If you are not at a point in your life in which you are prepared to give what it takes to be successful in law school, it might be best to consider another career. Return

2. How much money do lawyers make?

It depends on the discipline of law you pursue, as well as where you practice. For example, lawyers who practice corporate law typically make more money than lawyers who work in public interest (public defender, legal aid, etc.). Lawyers who work in big cities usually make more money than lawyers who work in smaller markets because the cost of living is usually higher in larger markets. Also, lawyers who work in large, private law firms usually make more money than lawyers who work on their own or in smaller law firms. Starting salaries for lawyers can range from $25,000 per year to well over $100,000 per year. Return

3. Do all lawyers have to go to court all the time like on TV?

No. This type of practice is called litigation, and only about a third of all lawyers are litigators. Many lawyers work for businesses and corporations, or facilitate transactions between individuals and/or businesses. Other lawyers serve as judges. Some lawyers go into education, or become legislators. There are many career paths available to people with law degrees, and not all of them involve the practice of law. (See the Recommended Reading list for suggestions on books to read about careers in law.) Return

4. What do I need to know about legal specialty areas and careers?

Legal specialty areas are only important in that a law school with a well-known specialty area is more likely to be highly visible to many law firms in that specialty area. For example, The University of Akron School of Law has a well-known litigation specialty, which means that a litigation law firm or a law firm with a significant litigation practice group may be more likely to hire an Akron graduate than one from another school with a less well-known litigation specialty area.

With respect to education and learning about a given legal practice area, however, specialty curriculum is not extremely important. The J.D. degree is designed to be extremely general, so most of your learning in any given specialty will take place after you graduate from law school and start your legal career. (Again, see the Recommended Reading list for suggestions on books to read about careers in various legal practice areas.) Return

5. What is Intellectual Property Law and how do I get into that field?

Intellectual Property (IP) Law focuses on the regulation of intangible rights regarding ideas, and tangible rights to use particular trademarks, patents and copyrights to produce goods and services. Included also are the rights to transfer these ideas, and compensation for transaction through licensing fees.

No technical background is required to practice intellectual property law, with the exception of patent law. Patent lawyers must have completed a significant amount of technical coursework. Technical coursework includes coursework in the life and physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. To become a patent attorney, one must complete a JD program, take the regular bar exam in the jurisdiction in which one plans to practice, as well as the Patent Bar Exam.

It is not necessary to "specialize" in IP in law school in order to practice it. However, Akron does offer a wide range of coursework in IP law. Return

The Application Process

1. What is your application deadline?

Our priority deadline is March 1. Since we admit candidates on a rolling basis, we always accept applications past this deadline. Many candidates will receive admission offers throughout spring and summer. The sooner that you have a completed file, the better your chances can be for admission providing that your file is competitive with the applicant pool. Admission will naturally become increasingly more competitive throughout the late spring and summer months. Return

2. What is the final LSAT date you will accept for admission?

We will accept the June LSAT score for the entering fall class. Although traditionally several June LSAT takers will receive admission offers from the June LSAT, admission is at its most competitive point in the admission cycle since our office will not receive your LSDAS report until July. Classes traditionally begin in mid-August. Return

3. How old an LSAT score will you accept?

The Admissions Committee will not accept LSAT scores any older than three years, as calculated from the date the application is submitted. Return

4. Do you have a spring semester or summer semester entering class?

No. Students are selected for one entering fall class that will begin in the fall semester, which typically starts in mid-August, of each year. Return

5. Do you offer a conditional admission program?

No. All candidates are eventually either admitted or denied. There is no “conditional” or “trial” admission program available. Return

6. When are admission decisions made?

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Candidates may be admitted as early as October and as late as August prior to the fall semester in which they wish to begin law studies. Decisions will be made on a continuous basis as files are completed throughout the year..

Of course, only completed files will be sent to the admissions committee for decision. In most cases, a file is considered complete when the application form, personal statement, and LSDAS report are received.

If an applicant checks “yes” to any of the Bar Exam Clearance Requirement questions, detailed explanations of these responses are also required before the application is considered complete and able to be reviewed.

If an applicant chooses to print the application and mail it to us (as opposed submitting the application electronically via www.lsac.org), a $35 application fee is also required before the application will be reviewed.

Letters of recommendation are OPTIONAL. If a file is considered complete (see above), but no letters of recommendation are present, the file will be sent to the Admissions Committee for review without letters of recommendation. Due to our application volume, we cannot honor requests to hold application files until letters of recommendation arrive. Thus, we strongly suggest that you make sure your letters of recommendation are in order before submitting your application.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A COMPLETED LSDAS REPORT, THAT ALL RELEVANT LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR LSDAS REPORT, AND THAT ALL OF YOUR FEES ARE PAID! You may visit www.lsac.org to check on the status of your LSAC account and LSDAS report. Return

7. May I apply before I take the LSAT?

Yes. Most candidates do. When you apply, your file will be created, and your LSDAS report will be requested electronically from our office. As soon as Law Services posts your LSAT score and your LSDAS report is complete, it will be mailed to our office from the Law School Admissions Council. Our office will match this report with your application and immediately send it to the Admissions Committee for review.

CAUTION: Before applying, be sure that all of your letters of recommendation have been processed by LSAC and are a part of your LSDAS report (you can check this at www.lsac.org). Otherwise, your file may be sent to the Admissions Committee for review WITHOUT any letters of recommendation. Return

8. What is the LSDAS?

LSDAS stands for Law School Data Assembly Service, and it serves to centralize and condense data about each applicant into a single report. Each LSDAS report contains the LSAT score report, the LSAT writing sample, transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, and letters of recommendation (optional). For applicants who took the LSAT under accommodated conditions, details on their accommodations will also be included in the report.

All applicants MUST register for the LSDAS, including most international applicants. Return

9. Do I have to register for the LSDAS?

All applicants MUST register for the LSDAS. Registering for the LSDAS is the only way we will be able to receive your LSAT scores and official undergraduate transcripts (even if you attended The University of Akron for your undergraduate studies).

See the International Students section below for possible exceptions to this rule for those students who earned baccalaureate degrees at institutions outside the United States. Return

10. How does The University of Akron School of Law treat multiple LSAT scores?

If you have taken the LSAT more than once in the last three years, we will use your highest LSAT score in evaluating your application. Return

11. Will a graduate degree or additional undergraduate work help me get into law school?

A graduate degree will enhance your application as a qualitative factor in the admissions process, not a quantitative factor. Thus, your graduate GPA will not displace or be factored in to your cumulative undergraduate GPA. Graduate work is just one of many factors that the Admissions Committee considers when evaluating an application file, so the fact that you have a graduate degree does not automatically make you more attractive as an applicant.

Any undergraduate work that is completed after you receive your first four year baccalaureate degree is treated as graduate work for evaluation purposes, so, again, such work would not be factored in to your cumulative undergraduate GPA, but would enhance your application file qualitatively. Return

12. What does the Admissions Committee take into consideration when reviewing application files?

Some of the factors that the Admissions Committee takes into consideration when reviewing application files are applicants' LSAT scores, undergraduate GPAs, college(s) or university(ies) attended, major, graduate-level education, work experience, volunteerism, academic and professional honors and awards, and diversity issues (race, gender, geography, age, education, life experience, socioeconomic background). Since each applicant is unique, the Admissions Committee will also take other factors into consideration if they are somehow expressed someplace in the application. Return

13. How does a criminal record affect admission decisions?

This depends on the severity, frequency, and date of the offenses. Minor offenses (such as a speeding ticket or a fine for underage consumption of alcohol) generally do not have a negative impact on the Admissions Committee’s decision regarding an applicant’s file, especially if such an offense is an isolated incident, and/or happened a long time prior to the application date. Severe offenses, such as felonies or major misdemeanors, as well as frequent transgressions, often do have a negative impact on admissions decisions.

The most important thing to consider when completing the Bar Exam Clearance Requirement section of the application (which asks about criminal offenses, among other things) is to be completely honest in answering all of these questions, because if there is a discrepancy between your law school application and your state bar application, you may not be able to take the bar exam, which means that you may not be able to practice law. For more information on background problems that may keep you from taking the bar exam, please contact the Ohio State Bar Admissions Office at 614.387.9340. Return

14. What is the best way to research law schools?

The American Bar Association (ABA) and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) release an annual report called the Official Guide to Law Schools. The Official Guide contains profiles and extensive consumer data on all ABA-accredited law schools, so it is the best place to go when you first begin to research law schools. The Official Guide is available in electronic form here, or you can buy it at any major bookstore or check it out at almost any library.

In order to help you determine where you are likely to be competitive for admission, the LSAC also has a utility at their website that allows you to plug in your LSAT score and GPA, and it returns a report that indicates the likelihood of receiving an admission offer from all ABA-accredited law schools. The LSAT/UGPA search utility is available here.

Finally, you should consult the LSAC's, Choosing a Law School page. It links to a number of resources that will help you navigate the law school application process. Return

Financing your Legal Education

1. What financial aid is available?

All admitted applicants are considered for scholarship assistance. Scholarships for entering students are merit-based, not need-based.

In addition, returning law students may apply for upper division scholarships in the spring semester of each year of law school. These scholarships are mainly privately endowed awards and are primarily merit-based, although there are a few scholarships that are based on other factors, such as financial need.

Law students are not eligible for federal grants, but they are eligible for federal Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans, and alternative (private) loans. Stafford and PLUS loans are need-based, and alternative loans are based on credit. In order to become eligible for student loans, a student must complete the FAFSA, which can be done electronically at fafsa.ed.gov. For more information on loans, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 800.621.3847. Also see the School of Law’s loans page.

There are many options available to law students to finance their legal education. This brochure (PDF) describes the financing options available to professional students and provides some helpful information to assist in researching the available financing options. Return

2. Are graduate assistantships available to law students?

There are no graduate assistantships available to law students. However, professors sometimes employ second, third, and fourth year students as part-time research assistants..

If you are a student in a joint degree program, you are eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship in the department in which you are enrolled for Master’s degree work. Graduate assistantships are only available to law students who have finished their first year of law school. They typically range in value from a few thousand dollars to full tuition for graduate and law tuition, plus a living stipend.

Click here if you are interested in learning more about joint degree programs. Return

3. Are first year students allowed to work?

First year, full-time day students are not permitted to have jobs. Second- and third-year day students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. There are no work restrictions during the summer for day students..

Part-time evening students are permitted to work full-time throughout law school. Return

4. Can I borrow money beyond what it costs just for tuition and fees?

Yes. The Office of Student Financial Aid sets a maximum financial aid budget, which includes not only tuition and fees, but also room and board, books, supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and loan fees. This maximum budget represents the total annual amount (including fall and spring semesters only – there is a separate application and budget for summer financial aid) that a law student may receive in all financial aid, including scholarships and loans. Thus, if the total financial aid budget is $30,000 and a student receives a $5,000 scholarship for that year, the student may borrow $25,000 in a combination of Stafford loans and PLUS loans (if financially eligible), and alternative (private) loans. Return

Life as a Law Student

1. What does a law student’s schedule look like?

Day students typically have class four to five days per week. First-year day classes begin as early as 8:30 am and end as late as 4:30 pm, but day students will never attend class straight through from 8:30 – 4:30. Day students usually have one to three classes per day. Upper-division day students may also take evening classes, which typically go from 6:30 – 9:30 and meet one or two days per week.

First-year evening students typically have class from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On rare occasions, first-year classes are scheduled from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Upper-division evening students may have class any three nights of the week, almost always from 6:30 – 9:30 each night. Upper-division evening students are also eligible to take courses during the daytime, provided an evening section of the course is not offered.

Click here for sample day and evening schedules, and click here to see the current schedule of classes. Return

2. How much will I have to study?

For each hour in class, a law student can expect to spend 2-3 hours outside of class studying, reading, and preparing for class. Thus, a full-time day student enrolled in 15 semester hours will likely spend 30-45 hours per week on out-of-class preparation. Likewise, a part-time evening student enrolled in 9 semester hours will likely spend 18-27 hours per week on out-of-class preparation. Return

3. Is there an attendance policy?

Yes. If a law student misses more than two classes during a semester, this may result in failure of the course in question or academic dismissal from the law school. Return

4. Where do law students live?

Some law students live on campus. If you choose to live on campus, you may want to ask for a room in the Exchange Street Residence Hall, which is an upperclassmen only facility. For more information on on-campus housing for law students, call Residence Life and Housing at 330.972.7800.

Most law students live off campus in neighborhoods throughout Akron and the greater Akron area. Most students live within 20 minutes of the law school, but some students commute from Cleveland, Youngstown, Wooster, Medina, Tuscarawas County, and even Columbus and Western Pennsylvania. Since Akron is a relatively small city (roughly 210,000 residents) with excellent access to Interstate highways, commuting to law school is indeed a realistic option.

For more information on housing, click here. Return

5. Does The University of Akron offer student health insurance?

Yes. For more information on student health insurance, call Student Health Services at 330.972.7808. Return

6. Does The University of Akron offer daycare services?

Yes. The University’s Center for Child Development will accept children as young as 18 months and as old as 11 years into its daycare program. For more information, call the Center for Child Development at 330.972.8210. Return

7. Can law students use the Recreation Center, go to the Student Union, get discounts on tickets, etc. just like other students at The University of Akron?

Yes. Law students have all of the same privileges as every other student on The University of Akron’s campus. Return

8. Do I have to buy a computer, laptop or otherwise?

Owning your own computer is not a requirement, but most students at Akron Law do have laptop computers. All of our classrooms have ample electrical outlets, and the University’s computer network is wireless, which means that students can access the Internet and the University network from virtually any point on campus. Return

9. What brand of computer should I buy?

The University of Akron’s wireless network is supported by all major laptop brands (including Apple brand computers), so this is entirely up to the student. Return

10. How and when do I apply for admission to a joint degree program?

Most law students apply for admission to a joint degree program during the summer before the first year of law school or during the fall semester of the first year of law school. In order to apply, the student must fill out a joint degree program application, as well as an application to the department offering the joint degree (the College of Business Administration, the Public Administration department, or the Political Science department). Generally speaking, the earlier a student applies for a joint degree program, the better his or her chances are to receive a graduate assistantship, which can pay for up to full tuition and fees for the remainder of the joint degree program past the first year of law school. Return

11. What specialty areas do you offer? How important are specialty areas?

Akron Law offers specialized studies in business, criminal, intellectual property, international, labor/employment, litigation, public interest, and taxation, as well as certificate programs in intellectual property and litigation.

Legal specialty areas are only important in that a law school with a well-known specialty area is more likely to be highly visible to many law firms in that specialty area. For example, The University of Akron School of Law has a well-known litigation specialty, which means that a litigation law firm or a law firm with a significant litigation practice group may be more likely to hire an Akron graduate than one from another school with a less well-known litigation specialty area.

With respect to education and learning about a given legal practice area, however, specialty curriculum is not extremely important. The J.D. degree is designed to be extremely general, so most of your learning in any given specialty will take place after you graduate from law school and start your legal career. Return

12. Is there an attendance policy?

Most classes do have a strict attendance policy. Generally speaking, if a student misses more than two class sessions, the student will receive an "F" for that class. Return

International Students - J.D. Program
Return to Application Requirements

Note: If you are an international student and are NOT interested in the J.D. program, but rather the LL.M. program, please click here

1. What exams do I have to take in order to be considered for admission?

All international applicants to the J.D. program, regardless of level of education or prior experience, MUST TAKE THE LSAT. Visit www.lsac.org for more information on registering for and taking the LSAT.

In addition, if English is not your first language OR you attended a school in which the majority of classes were not conducted in English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and we also suggest that you take the Test of Spoken English (TSE). Visit www.ets.org for more information on the TOEFL and the TSE.

The preferred score for the TOEFL is 650 on the written exam or a 280 on the computer-based exam.

The TOEFL and TSE may be waived if you have earned a degree from a college or University in the United States, or from a foreign college or University at which the majority of your classes were taught in the English language; or if your first language is English. Return

2. Do I have to take the LSAT?

All applicants, regardless of age, education, or prior experience, MUST TAKE THE LSAT. There are no exceptions to this policy. We will only accept LSAT scores that are less than three years old at the time the application is submitted.

For more information on the LSAT, visit www.lsac.org. Return

3. Do I have to register for the LSDAS?

All foreign-educated applicants MUST register with the LSDAS. Click here for some notes regarding the processing of foreign transcripts and LSDAS reports. Return

4. How do I finance my legal education?

All admitted students, domestic and foreign alike, are considered for merit based scholarships, which range from $1,000 per year to full-tuition..

The University of Akron School of Law does not have need-based scholarships for entering students.

Scholarships may be used to cover the cost of tuition only-books, fees, living expenses, etc., are always the responsibility of the student.

Please also note that international students are not eligible for federal financial aid, so any costs not covered by scholarships are entirely the responsibility of the student.

For more information on the financial requirements for study in the United States, contact the Office of International Programs at 330.972.6493. Return

5. Can international students attend law school part-time?

As long as international students enroll in at least 9 hours per semester, which is the typical load for a part-time law student, they can attend part-time without any problems. For the purpose of F-1 visa status, graduate students must be enrolled in at least 9 hours. Anything less is part-time, as far as, the USCIS is concerned. Return