Detailed applicant information may be found below and through the links to the right.
Find out when a Southwestern Representative will be near you. View the downloadable Recruiting Calendar (PDF) or refer to the online calendar (please make sure to check back to verify information and note updates to the downloadable recruiting calendar above).
Admission Requirements
Pre-Legal Education - Application File - LSDAS - LSAT
Letters of Recommendation - Personal Statement
Application Deadline - Interviews - Campus Visits
Foreign Applicants - Transfer and Visiting Students
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. (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).
In attempting to determine motivation and potential for success, the Admissions Committee also considers civic and professional extracurricular activities, evidence of leadership, employment background, and law-related work or volunteer experience.
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, or for the summer session.
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 LSDAS Report
- Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation (up to three)
The official Application for Admission to Southwestern may be completed via the printed form, or electronically through Southwestern's website or the LSDAS E-APP program. Applicants to all of the J.D. programs (Day, Evening, PLEAS and SCALE) complete the same application and indicate their program of choice on the form. All first-year applicants must also take the LSAT and register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), and should submit a supplemental personal statement and (a maximum of three) letters of recommendation.
Students interested in applying for admission to the SCALE® program should follow the same application procedures and should indicate interest in SCALE on the application form.
Note: SCALE classes begin in June, whereas traditional day and evening classes begin in August.
LSDAS
Every applicant must register with the LSDAS which provides the law school with the applicant's LSAT score(s) and a summary of all undergraduate academic work. LSAT/LSDAS registration materials may be obtained from:
Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
P.O. Box 2000
Newtown, PA 18940-0998
(215) 968-1001
lsacinfo@lsac.org
www.lsac.org
For purposes of registration for various admissions services, Southwestern's code number is 4703.
Academic records from foreign institutions must be submitted to the LSAC credentials evaluation service; see the page regarding Foreign Students 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 three-year period are considered.* Applicants should register for the LSAT no later than 30 days before the test date.
The 2007-08 LSAT test dates that will allow applicants to complete their files by Southwestern's deadlines for the Fall 2008 entering class are:
- June 11, 2007
- September 29, 2007
- December 1, 2007
- February 2, 2008
*For the 2008 entering class, only scores earned on or after September 2004 will be considered. See www.LSAC.org for alternative dates for Sabbath observers.
Letters of Recommendation
A maximum of 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 LSDAS 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/LSDAS 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 LSDAS 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 social security number or LSAC account number.
Applicants holding undergraduate degrees from foreign institutions should refer to the Foreign Applicants section.
LSAT/LSDAS registration packets may be obtained by contacting the Law School Admission Council at the following address:
Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
P.O. Box 2000
Newtown, PA 18940-0998
(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, 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 must demonstrate that child care responsibilities require part-time day study; those without child care responsibilities will be considered for the part-time day program on an individual basis. All statements should be 2-3 pages in length, typed and double-spaced.
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 an individual 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.
Interviews
An interview is required only for candidates to the SCALE 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 are initiated by the law school.)
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.
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 a calendar of admissions events.
