Application item descriptions are below. Please also be sure to review the
J.D. Admissions Policies.
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Application - We strongly recommend applicants access, complete,
and submit the application form electronically through the Law School Admission
Council (LSAC) website at www.lsac.org.
Applicants may also access and download the application on our website at
www.law.washington.edu. If the
application is not submitted electronically, please send all application
materials and application fee to:
University of Washington School of Law
Office of Admissions & Financial Aid
William H. Gates Hall, Box 353020
Seattle, WA 98195-3020
- Resumé - Please provide a résumé detailing any
significant vocational, non-vocational, extracurricular or community activities,
volunteer work, honors, awards, any service in the Armed Forces, job descriptions
and major areas of responsibility along with dates of employment (mm/yyyy) and the
number of hours per week devoted to such activities, publications, or other information
that you believe the University of Washington School of Law should consider in evaluating
your application. Also please include details as to any foreign language proficiencies
you possess, including the level of ability with regard to speaking, comprehension,
reading, and writing.
Your résumé may not exceed three (3) typewritten pages.
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Personal Statement - The University of Washington School of Law
aspires to be the best public law school in the nation and one of the world's most
respected centers for interdisciplinary legal studies. We strive to be leaders for
the global common good by shaping and defending just and sustainable laws and policies
through scholarly discovery, our ethical advocacy, our inspired teaching, and our
generous public service.
The primary goal of the admissions process is to enroll students who strive to be
leaders for the global common good; demonstrate outstanding academic, professional,
and leadership promise; are committed to generous public service and ethical advocacy;
and who have background and experiences that will enhance the diversity of the student
body, thereby enriching the law school educational environment. As such, applicants
are invited to write a personal statement that describes their potential contributions
to our vibrant community.
Please limit your response to 700 words.
Applicants may include the following factors in their personal statement or the
optional supplemental statement: perseverance against substantial obstacles; socio
or economic disadvantage; family or personal adversity; social hardships; disability;
prejudice or discrimination; leadership potential; studying or living abroad; foreign
language skills; special talents; unique life experiences; or geographic diversity.
(Optional) Supplemental Statement - Applicants may supplement their
personal statement by including a response to one (1) of the following optional
questions: (a) if you were asked to create a non-profit organization, what would
be the organization, its mission, and its purpose; (b) how would you define global
common good? Provide an example of how you have contributed to the global common
good.; or (c) what life events or experiences have had the greatest influence in
shaping your character and why?
Please limit your response to 500 words.
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$60 application fee - Checks should be made payable to the University
of Washington School of Law. Be certain to write your Social Security or LSAC identification
number on the check. Please note that if you are submitting your application through
LSAC, the application fee will be collected at that time.
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Credential Assembly Service report - The Credential Assembly Service
(CAS) report will include: (1) the applicant's transcript(s) from each institution
of higher education prior to obtaining your bachelor's degree; (2) Law School Admission
Test (LSAT) score(s): and (3) any letter(s) of recommendation. It is the applicant's
responsibility to ensure that LSAC has received all necessary materials to complete
the CAS file. You are advised to confirm that your CAS file is complete; LSAC will
not send the law school a CAS report until then.
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Letter(s) of Recommendation/Evaluation(s) - Two (2) Letters of
Recommendation are required and should be submitted through LSAC's Letter of Recommendation
Service. LSAC Evaluations, however, are optional. If you intend to submit evaluations,
we require that you use LSAC's Evaluation Service and limit the number to two (2)
evaluations. Please note that the recommenders and the evaluators do not need to
be the same individuals.
Letter(s) of Recommendations can in some cases have a significant impact on the
admission decision. The strongest recommendations are those submitted by a professor
who knows an applicant's work well and can give a well-substantiated assessment
of their academic potential. For applicants who have been out of school for some
time, professional recommendations are appropriate. On the other hand, LSAC's Evaluation
Service includes ratings of thirty (30) individual attributes and skills in six
(6) categories, including: intellectual skill; personal qualities; integrity and
honesty; communication; task management; and working with others. The evaluations
are an adjunct to letters of recommendation and will assist the admissions committee
in assessing an applicant's candidacy for admission.
Note: all records become part of the official file. They will not be returned or
duplicated.
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* If you intend to apply for the Gates Public Service Law Scholarship, you must
submit both your J.D. application and your Gates Public Service Law Scholarship
application by January 15. There are no exceptions.