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Apply to UDC Law

First-year, Transfer, Previously Disqualified (Prior Law), and Visiting applicants must register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) before an application will be considered as completed and reviewed by the Admission Committee. 

Applicants with Foreign Credentials – Applicants whose bachelor’s degrees were earned in colleges or universities outside the United States must obtain an International Credential Evaluation through LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service.

All transcripts must be submitted through CAS. UDC Law does not accept transcripts from applicants. The LSAC school code for UDC Law is 5245.

What Type of Applicant Are You? 

  • Be sure to apply under the appropriate application “type” as indicated below.
  • ALL APPLICANTS: PLEASE submit a COMPLETE package of ALL required documents. If you do not submit a COMPLETE package, the processing of your application will be delayed.

Fall application opens: October 1st
Fall application priority deadline: February 15th (If you apply by the priority deadline, your application fee will be waived)
Fall application deadline: May 15th

UDC David A. Clarke School of Law’s Juris Doctor (JD) Program enrolls first-year students for the fall semester only. UDC Law offers a traditional three-year, full-time JD program and a four-year, part-time, evening JD program. The application process and requirements are the same for both programs.

You should apply to UDC Law as a First-Year JD Applicant only if the following conditions apply:

  • You are seeking a JD degree
  • You have graduated or will graduate from an accredited college or university. (undergraduate degrees must be conferred by August 1st)

Requirements
First-Year applicants are required to submit ALL the following for admission:

  • Completed online application for First-Year JD students found on LSAC.
  • Non-refundable $40.00 application fee
  • LSAT Score
  • Letters of Recommendation
      If you are still in school or have recently graduated, we strongly suggest an academic recommendation. If you have been out of school for a significant time, you may submit professional recommendations instead.
  • Personal Statement
      Your personal statement assists the Admission Committee in getting to know and understand you as a person. Your personal statement should also detail your interest in UDC Law and explain how attending our institution will allow you to realize your dreams and aspirations.
  • Justice Essay
          This essay allows you to provide the Admission Committee with insight on what issue(s) are important to you and how you have demonstrated a commitment to pursuing social justice.
  • Resume/CV
  • Optional Addendum
           A brief explanation regarding poor grades, gaps in education, low LSAT scores, or character and fitness concerns.
  • Character and Fitness
    All applicants are required to answer character and fitness questions on the application. Should you answer “yes” to any of the character and fitness questions on the application, you must attach a detailed addendum.

Fall application deadline: June 30th 
Spring application deadline: November 30th 

 You should apply to UDC Law as a Transfer Applicant only if the following conditions apply: 

  • You have completed at least one year of study and are in good academic standing at an accredited law school. UDC Law may accept up to 41 credits to be transferred. 
  • You are currently enrolled. 
  • You have a cumulative law school GPA of 2.800 or higher 

Requirements 
Transfer applicants are required to submit ALL the following for admission: 

  • Completed online application for Transfer students found on LSAC. 
  • Non-refundable $50.00 application fee 
  • Interest Statement – An interest statement should include your background, experience, achievements, or interests that you believe are important for us to know. Your interest statement should also detail your interest in UDC Law and explain why you are requesting to transfer. 
  • Letter of Academic Standing 
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation from current law school professors 
  • Description of Courses – Provide a detailed description of each course you wish to transfer to UDC Law. This must be included in the “Attachments” section of the online application. 
  • Optional Addendum– A brief explanation regarding poor grades, gaps in education, etc.  
  • Character and Fitness– All applicants are required to answer character and fitness questions on the application. Should you answer “yes” to any of the character and fitness questions on the application, you must attach a detailed addendum.
  • Proof of Residency– If claiming DC or DC Metro residency for tuition purposes, you must submit required forms and supporting documents to lawadmission@udc.edu. 

Summer application deadline: April 15th  
Visiting applicants are required to submit ALL the following for admission: 

  • Completed online application for Visiting students found on LSAC. 
  • Non-refundable $50.00 application fee 
  • Permission Letter/Course Approval – The permission letter must include: 
  • approval from applicant’s institution to complete courses at UDC Law 
  • verify the academic term. 
  • which courses offered at UDC Law that will be approved by applicant’s institution to meet degree requirements. Please view the course schedule for the term applicant wishes to enroll. 
  • Letter of Academic Standing  
  • Character and Fitness– All applicants are required to answer character and fitness questions on the application. Should you answer “yes” to any of the character and fitness questions on the application, you must attach a detailed addendum.

New Applicants

The UDC David A. Clarke School of Law is not accepting new non-degree applications until further notice. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admission at lawadmission@udc.edu.

Returning Students

Currently enrolled non-degree students will be permitted to continue until they have successfully completed the requirements before sitting for the District of Columbia Bar Exam. See DC Bar Admission.

  • Fall application deadline: July 10th
  • Spring application deadline: November 15th
  • Summer application deadline: April 10th

Requirements

  • Submit a non-Degree application for Admission (.pdf) to lawadmission@udc.edu.
  • Mail a non-refundable application fee, $60, in the form of a money order or certified check, payable to the University of the District of Columbia. Submit a copy of the payment to lawadmission@udc.edu along with the application.
  • Request an official UDC Law school transcript from the Office of the Law Registrar, lawregistrar@udc.edu. We do not accept official transcripts from students. Students will not be permitted to register for courses until the Office of Admission receives the official UDC Law transcript.
  • Character and Fitness – All students are required to answer the character and fitness questions on the application. Should you answer “yes” to any of the questions, you must attach a detailed addendum.
  • Course Availability – Each semester, UDC Law offers specific courses for non-Degree students. Approval to enroll in courses is on a space-available basis, and there is no guarantee of enrollment. Please visit https://law.udc.edu/Forms/ to view course schedules to assist with completing the application. Students will be notified if they are approved to enroll in courses.
  • Proof of Residency – If claiming DC or DC Metro residency for tuition purposes, students must submit the required forms and supporting documents by the posted deadline to lawadmission@udc.edu.

Additional Information

Currently enrolled non-degree students who graduated from a non-ABA approved law school shall be permitted to take the District of Columbia Bar Exam after successfully completing at least 26 credit hours of study at an ABA-approved law school. See Rule 46(c)(4) Admission to the Bar.

All 26 credit hours must be earned in courses that are substantially concentrated on a single subject tested on the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE).

The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law will consider admission of a limited number of students who have experienced extenuating circumstances that may have impacted their success in the first year of law school. To be considered for admission, a student who has been previously disqualified or dismissed from another law school must have been separated from that law school for a period of two semesters from the date of the dismissal notification to the start date of the fall semester in which they are applying for.

Previously disqualified or dismissed law school students cannot transfer any credits from their prior law school and must adhere to all the rules and policies set forth for applying as a first-year JD applicant at UDC Law. You must submit all required documents from the above checklist, including the additional documents below. If you do not submit all required documents, it will delay the processing of your application.

You must also submit:

  • Letter of Academic Standing from an appropriate law school official. (e-mail to lawadmission@udc.edu).
  • Two Letters of recommendation – One must be from a previous law school professor.
  • Statement of Readiness – A narrative that explains that you have reflected on the circumstances that led to the dismissal, the steps you have taken to address those challenges, and you have developed a realistic and well-organized plan for success.

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Office of Admission Policies