Detailed applicant information may be found below and through the links to the right.
Find out when a Southwestern Representative will be near you. Refer to the online Recruiting Calendar (please make sure to check back to verify information and note updates).
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Pre-Legal Education - Application File - CAS - LSAT
Letters of Recommendation - Personal Statement
Application Deadline - Interviews - Campus Visits
Additional Requirements for: SCALE
Concurrent-Degree Program (includes SCALE J.D./M.B.A.)
Transfer and Visiting Students - Foreign Applicants
Pre-Legal Education
Southwestern does not require a particular prelaw major or curriculum and selects prospective law students from every field of undergraduate education. However, since it is especially important that law students learn to communicate orally and in writing, courses that develop these skills are highly recommended.
In reviewing academic work, the Southwestern Admissions Committee looks at trends in an applicant's UGPA, the school(s) attended, the applicant's major area of concentration, and formal study undertaken beyond the undergraduate level. In attempting to determine motivation and potential for success, the Admissions Committee also considers civic and professional activities, evidence of leadership, employment, and law-related work or volunteer experience.
Note: Although graduate work is considered a positive additional factor in an applicant's file, the graduate GPA is not used as a substitute for the UGPA in the overall evaluation, nor can it be combined with the UGPA.
The Application File
Applications for the first-year entering class are accepted for the Fall Semester only. Transfer or visiting students who have completed their first year at another ABA-approved law school may apply for admission for the Fall or Spring Semester (visiting students use a different application process for Summer Session; click here for Summer Session details).
The admissions file of a prospective student applying for the first-year entering class will be considered complete and ready for review by the Admissions Committee once Southwestern has received the following materials:
- Application for Admission
- Application Fee ($60)
- Official CAS Report
- Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation (up to three)
The official Application for Admission to Southwestern may be completed in electronic form through LSAC (available online). Although online applications are preferred, applicants who wish to fill out a paper application may request a copy by contacting the Admissions Office.
The official Application for Admission to Southwestern may be completed in electronic form. Applicants to the Day, Evening, PLEAS and SCALE* programs complete the same application and indicate their program of choice on the form. Applicants to the concurrent-degree program with The Drucker School* (traditional or SCALE*) fill out an application specific to that program and indicate their program of choice. All first-year applicants must also take the LSAT and register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and should submit a supplemental personal statement and letters of recommendation (at least one, no more than three).
Note: Although online applications are preferred, applicants who wish to fill out a paper application may request a copy by contacting the Admissions Office.
*Students interested in applying to the two-year SCALE J.D. program should follow the same application procedures as the other J.D. programs and indicate interest in SCALE on the application form. Students interested in applying to the three-year SCALE J.D./M.B.A. program should complete the concurrent-degree program application and indicate their interest on the form. SCALE classes begin in June, whereas traditional day and evening classes begin in August. Applicants must also fulfill additional requirements.
Students applying for the concurrent-degree program must also fulfill additional requirements.
Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
Every applicant must register with the CAS which provides the law school with the applicant's LSAT score(s) and a summary of all undergraduate academic work. LSAT/CAS registration materials may be obtained from:
Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
662 Penn Street
Newtown, PA 18940
(215) 968-1001
lsacinfo@lsac.org
www.lsac.org
For purposes of registration for various admissions services, Southwestern's code number is 4703.
Note: Academic records from foreign institutions must be submitted to the LSAC credentials evaluation service. Click here for more information.
LSAT
The LSAT is a standardized test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) that is designed to measure certain abilities important in the study of law and is used by law schools in assessing the academic promise of their applicants. LSAT scores earned within the past five-year period are considered. Applicants should register for the LSAT no later than 30 days before the test date.
The 2011-12 LSAT test dates that will allow applicants to complete their files by Southwestern's deadlines for the Fall 2012 entering class are:
- June 6, 2011
- October 1, 2011
- December 3, 2011
- February 11, 2012
The 2012-13 LSAT test dates that will allow applicants to complete their files by Southwestern's deadlines for the Fall 2012 entering class are:
- June 11, 2012
- October 6, 2012
- December 1, 2012
- February 9, 2013
Note: For the 2012 entering class, only scores earned on or after September 2007 will be considered. For the 2013 entering class, only scores earned on or after September 2008 will be considered. See www.lsac.org for alternative dates for Sabbath observers.
Letters of Recommendation
At least one, but no more than three letters of recommendation should be submitted on behalf of the applicant, preferably from college professors who can provide a candid assessment of the applicant's potential for successfully completing a competitive professional degree program. For applicants who have been out of school for some time, letters from employers may be able to address their strengths and abilities as they would relate to potential success in a law school environment.
The CAS Registration subscription includes a Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants who wish to use this service should follow the directions for submitting letters outlined in the LSAT/CAS Registration and Information Book which includes forms that are to be completed and given to each writer submitting a letter of recommendation for the applicant. Copies of the letters will be sent to Southwestern along with the applicant's CAS Report. Applicants who choose to submit letters of recommendation directly to Southwestern may enclose them with the application or have them sent under separate cover to the Admissions Office by the recommender. All correspondence concerning an applicant's file should include the applicant's full name and LSAC account number. Applicants may also utilize LSAC's online evaluation form in addition to Letters of Recommendation.
Applicants holding undergraduate degrees from foreign institutions should refer to the Foreign Applicants section.
LSAT/CAS registration packets may be obtained by contacting the Law School Admission Council at the following address:
Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
662 Penn Street
Newtown, PA 18940
(215) 968-1001
lsacinfo@lsac.org
www.lsac.org
For purposes of registration for various admissions services, Southwestern's code number is 4703.
Personal Statement
The applicant's personal statement may address issues such as special interests, motivation, personal qualities, academic experience and social background which may distinguish the applicant from others, and items not fully explained on the official application form. Because the law school does not schedule individual interviews as part of the application process (with the exception of the SCALE and concurrent-degree programs), applicants are encouraged to use the personal statement as an opportunity to share more details with the Admissions Committee, including the kind of information that might be conveyed during an in-person interview. Applicants to the PLEAS program who have child/elder care responsibilities may wish to share why this program would be particularly beneficial to their needs.
The applicant's personal statement should be two to three pages in length, typed and double-spaced. When applying electronically, applicants may submit the personal statement as an electronic attachment.
Optional Essay
In addition to the personal statement, applicants may choose to write one optional essay. The essay should be no more than two pages in length, typed and double-spaced, and address one of the following issues:
- Discuss an ethical dilemma you have encountered, either personally or professionally, and how you resolved the situation. (May also fulfill concurrent-degree program requirement.)
- Discuss a risk that has led to significant change, either positive or negative, in any aspect of your life.
- Discuss the life experiences or relationships that contributed to your development as an individual, and provide specific examples of how this relates to your goal of becoming an attorney.
See question 14 on the application for an additional opportunity to include a statement addressing specific issues.
Interviews
An interview is only required for candidates to the SCALE and concurrent-degree programs. Interviews are not part of Southwestern's selection process for the Day, Evening or PLEAS programs. Those applicants who wish to enhance their admissions files with additional information not originally submitted with the application are advised to do so in writing.
Application Deadline
Applications are reviewed as they are completed. Students are therefore strongly advised to apply as early as possible and are encouraged to submit all application materials no later than April 1. Files submitted at later dates will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants should be aware, however, that waiting lists are often established as early as March, and eligibility for certain forms of financial aid most preferred by students (e.g., scholarship programs) may be reduced substantially after April 1.
Note: Applicants to the SCALE and concurrent-degree programs should see details below regarding recommended/priority deadlines.
Additional Requirements for SCALE Applicants
(Applicants to the SCALE J.D./M.B.A. Program should see below for different requirements)
An interview is also required for candidates to the two-year SCALE J.D. program. This meeting helps to identify those candidates who would most likely be successful in the program and provides each applicant with an opportunity to learn more precisely what is expected of SCALE participants. If the applicant resides outside of the Southern California area, arrangements can be made for a telephone interview.
Note: SCALE interview appointments for J.D. applicants are initiated by the law school.
Application Deadlines for the SCALE Program
Because the SCALE Program begins in June, applicants interested in the program are especially encouraged to apply early.
Additional Requirements for Concurrent-Degree Program Applicants (includes SCALE J.D./M.B.A.)
To apply for admission to the concurrent-degree programs offered in conjunction with The Drucker Graduate School of Management, applicants who are not currently enrolled at either Southwestern or Drucker should fill out an application specific to the concurrent-degree program and submit the required materials for Southwestern's J.D. Program (see above).
Applicants to the traditional concurrent-degree program must schedule an interview with the Assistant Dean for Interdisciplinary Programs at Southwestern. However, qualified applicants for the SCALE J.D./M.B.A. Program will be invited to interview (these interviews will be initiated by the law school).
All concurrent-degree applicants must also submit the following:
- At least one letter of recommendation explicitly addressing the candidate's suitability for the concurrent-degree programs
- Three additional essays, no more than three to five pages total, answering the following questions:
- Why is admission to The Drucker School's MBA Program important to you?
- What special contributions do you believe you will make to The Drucker School?
- Describe an ethical dilemma you have encountered and the process by which you resolved the situation.
- Official GMAT Test Score(s) - The GMAT is not required for applicants who score 155 and above on the LSAT or for E.M.B.A. applicants. GMAT scores are valid up to five years from the test date. For more information, visit www.mba.com.
For answers to frequently asked questions about the concurrent-degree program, click here.
Application Deadlines for the Traditional Concurrent-degree Program
The priority deadline for the concurrent-degree program is February 15. Students who submit their applications by this date will receive priority consideration for financial aid.
Application Deadlines for the SCALE J.D./M.B.A. Program
Because the SCALE Program begins in June, applicants interested in the program are especially encouraged to apply early.
Campus Visits
The spirit and welcoming atmosphere of Southwestern are best experienced by visiting the school and talking with students, faculty and admissions staff. Southwestern encourages applicants to make an appointment to tour the facilities and to sit in on classes. Special informational open house receptions and application workshops for prospective students are held throughout the fall and spring. To arrange a personalized visit to the campus or for further information regarding admissions, contact the Admissions Office. Click here for a calendar of admissions events.
