First Year Applicants

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. All applicants must register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) before their applications will be considered as completed and reviewed by the Admission Committee.

Application Deadlines

Application Opens – September 25th
Priority Deadline – February 15th
Application Deadline – May 1st

Admission Requirements

  • BACHELOR’S DEGREE – Enrolling students must have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants must include official transcripts from each institution attended (including graduate and professional coursework).
  • LSAT – All applicants must have taken the test within five years of the fall semester they plan to enroll. The LSAT is administered nine times a year.
  • CREDENTIAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE (CAS) – All applicants are required to register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate academic work and letters of recommendation should be submitted directly to CAS. UDC Law will not accept transcripts or letters of recommendation from applicants. The LSAC school code for UDC Law is 5245.
    • APPLICANTS WITH FOREIGN CREDENTIALS – Applicants whose bachelor degrees were earned in colleges or universities outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service. Those candidates whose study was in a language other than English may be required to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score administered by the Educational Testing Service.
  • APPLICATION – Applicants must complete the UDC Law specific application found on LSAC.org.
    • LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION – You must submit at least two (2) letters of recommendation. An academic letter of recommendation is required for applicants applying within 3 years of any coursework. Please Note: All letters of recommendation must be written within five (5) years of the beginning of the application cycle start date of September 25th.
    • PERSONAL STATEMENT – Typed in a 12-point font, and no longer than two (2) pages. Tell your story focusing on your initial interest in practicing the law and your interest in UDC Law. Your personal statement must be included in the “Attachments” section of the online application.
    • JUSTICE ESSAY – The Justice Essay should be typed in a 12-point font, double-spaced, and no longer than two (2) pages. In your essay, describe how you have been engaged in the fight against injustice by sharing a significant experience or set of experiences that moved you to action. 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 justice in the face of injustice. Your Justice Essay must be included in the “Attachments” section of the online application.
    • A RESUME – All applicants must submit a properly formatted resume and include it in the “Attachments” section of the online application.
    • OPTIONAL ADDENDUM – Applicants who would like to answer any questions the Admission Committee may have about their application should add an addendum. This includes brief informative explanations regarding poor grades or gaps in education, LSAT scores, and character and fitness concerns. All applicants are required to answer character and fitness questions on the application. It is your responsibility to fully and completely answer these questions. Should you answer “yes” to any of the character and fitness questions on the application, you will need to attach a detailed addendum.
    • APPLICATION FEE – The application fee is $35. This fee is waived until the February 15th priority deadline.
    • CHARACTER AND FITNESS – Applicants should be aware that a license to practice law requires admission to the bar. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Information for all relevant agencies is available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.