J.D. Admissions
Policies
To be considered for admissions, applicants must follow the procedures outlined
in
J.D. Application Procedures, register with the Law School Admission Council
(LSAC), take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and demonstrate that they have
earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian college
or university, or the foreign equivalent whose program has been deemed comparable
to that of a four-year baccalaureate degree, prior to registering for the first
academic quarter at the School of Law.
No specified set of undergraduate courses or major is required for admission. However,
students should design an undergraduate program that enables them to develop certain
skills: facility in reading, writing, and speaking the English language; a critical
understanding of human values and institutions; and mastery of the ability to reason
creatively and logically. Most colleges have advisors to help students decide how
best to accomplish these ends. For additional information, see the ABA-LSAC Official
Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools, published by the Law School Admission
Council and the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions
to the Bar. The University of Washington School of Law supports the suggestions
on pre-law study given in the Guide.
Policy Statement Regarding J.D. Admissions
Adopted by the University of Washington School of Law Faculty, December 3, 1998
(click to expand)
- The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate
outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience
will enhance the diversity of the student body, thereby enriching the Law School
educational environment.
- In measuring academic potential, the Law School relies primarily on the applicant's
undergraduate grade-point average and performance on the Law School Admission Test
(LSAT). The weighing of these two indicators is determined statistically by reference
to past experience at this School. For most applicant's, the ranking that results
is the most nearly accurate measure of relative academic potential. In cases where
numerical indicators do not appear to be an adequate measure of academic potential,
the admission decision will be affected by consideration of other factors. They
are:
- the difficulty or ease of the undergraduate curriculum and the scholastic quality
of the school;
- the nature and attainment of an advanced degree;
- the applicant's post-college experience as it relates to the applicants academic
potential;
- any substantial changes in the applicants health or economic position as they would
affect academic performance;
- the quality and strength of recommendations which address the applicant's academic
potential;
- variations in the level of academic achievement over time;
- documentation of the applicant's performance on other standardized tests (e.g.,
the SAT test) which may indicate that the LSAT has under-predicted the applicants
academic potential, and
- any other indicators that may aid in the determination of academic potential.
- Important academic objectives are furthered by classes composed of students having
talents and skills derived from diverse backgrounds believed to be relevant to a
rich and effective study of law. An applicant will be regarded as potentially contributing
to student diversity if his or her background or experience would not ordinarily
be well represented in the student body. Factors that indicate this diversity include,
but are not limited to, the following: persevering against substantial obstacles
such as prejudice or discrimination, economic disadvantage, family or personal adversity
or other social hardships; having lived in a foreign country or spoken a language
other than English at home; career goals (with particular attention paid to the
applicant's commitment to public service); employment history; educational background
(including graduate study); evidence of and potential for leadership (perhaps demonstrated
by extracurricular, school, civic or community service achievement); special talents
(such as a career as a performance artist); geographic diversity or unique life
experiences. This list is not exhaustive and no single factor is dispositive. Furthermore,
no factor will confer admission on an academically unqualified applicant. Applicants
are invited to describe these and other aspects of their backgrounds that would
benefit the diversity of the law school community.
- Consideration is given to past evidence of a lack of scholarly integrity if it seems
there is a strong likelihood that the applicant could not be relied upon to maintain
the integrity necessary to the administration of the Law School (e.g., cheating
in examinations). Admission may be denied in such cases. No applicant is denied
admission on this basis without first being informed of the grounds for the possible
denial and being given the opportunity to respond.
LSAT and CAS
All first-year applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later
than the February administration immediately prior to the application deadline.
Scores are accepted for tests administered within the last three (3) years. If an
applicant has two or more scores on the same score scale, the applicant's scores
will be averaged, however, the admissions committee will be able to evaluate each
score independently.
Each applicant is also required to register for the Credential Assembly Service
(CAS).
Registration information for both the LSAT and CAS are available at LSAC.org.
Foreign Applicants
Foreign applicants who have earned a baccalaureate degree and are proficient in
English are eligible to apply. Applicants who completed all of their undergraduate
work at colleges outside of the US, its territories, or Canada must use the CAS
and submit their international transcripts to LSAC.
Decision Notification
We begin accepting applications in October. Admission decisions are made on a rolling
basis from October 1 through April 1. If you are accepted, you will be required
to make a $500 deposit by May 1 to reserve your place in the class.
Withdrawal of Admission
The School of Law reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if the candidate
fails to maintain satisfactory scholastic standing for work in progress, if final
records fail to show completion of courses and/or degrees required for admission,
or if the admission decision was based on incomplete or inaccurate information furnished
by the applicant.
Reapplication Procedure
Candidates who reapply for first year admission must comply with the application
procedures for the current application period. Applicants who reapply within two
(2) years may request that letters of recommendation from a previous application
to the School of Law be included in their new file.
Deferral of Admission
Deferrals are considered on a case-by-case basis for one year only (or two years
for students participating in the Peace Corps or Teach for America). Requests for
deferral must be submitted in writing to the Director of Admissions & Financial
Aid.
Applicants for Transfer or Non-Degree Status
A student who has completed at least one (1) year at a member school of the Association
of American Law Schools (AALS) may apply to the law school for admission with advanced
standing with credit for no more than one (1) year of such work. A student who has
completed or expects to complete at least two (2) years of work at a member school
of the AALS and who expects to graduate from that school may apply to the law school
for admission as a non-degree candidate.
Interviews
Prospective applicants may visit the school and meet with the admissions staff to
answer any questions they may have. A formal interview, however, is not part of
the admission process. We are happy to discuss our policies and procedures with
applicants or prospective applicants, but these discussions do not affect the admission
decision.
Washington State Residency
The Registrar's Office administers Residence Classification for the University of
Washington. When requesting a change in residence status, applicants must obtain,
complete, and submit a Residence Questionnaire to the Residence Classification Office
at resquest@uw.edu or (206)543-5932. For applicants
wishing to obtain Washington residency prior to enrolling at the University of Washington,
those applicants must establish domicile in the state of Washington for one year
immediately prior to the first day of the quarter for which the student wants to
be classified as a resident. For additional information, please contact the Residence
Classification Office.
Criminal Convictions
Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or other serious crime are still
eligible for admission to the University of Washington School of Law; however, because
state bar associations often prohibit persons with criminal records from being admitted
to the bar regardless of their degrees or training, it may be impossible for such
individuals to practice in some states. Persons who have been arrested or convicted
for any crime are strongly urged to inquire directly of the bar association in the
jurisdiction in which they intend to practice, before applying to law school.
Character and Moral Fitness
Applicants who intend to practice law should be aware that admission to the bar
in all states involves character, fitness, and other qualifications. Applicants
are encouraged to determine what those requirements are in the state(s) in which
they intend to practice by consulting the website of the National Conference of
Bar Examiners.
Equal Opportunity and Accommodation Statement