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College of Law Viewbook
Fall 2020 applications open on September 1, 2019 and will remain open until July 15, 2020.
- All application materials must be received by July 15, 2020 to be considered for Fall 2020 enrollment.
Early Decision applications open on September 1, 2019 and will remain open until January 15, 2020.
- All early decision application materials must be received by January 15, 2020 to be considered for early decision.
- Unsure if you should apply as an early decision applicant? Review the early decision frequently asked questions [PDF] to learn if early decision is right for you.
1. Obtain a score on the LSAT*
We recommend that you take the LSAT no later than March of the year prior to the year you wish to enroll. Scores from the June test will be considered, but may delay the admission decision. LSAT scores cannot be more than five years old (test date 2015 or later).
*Limited acceptance of the GRE may be permissible in lieu of the LSAT. The LSAT waiver is conditional upon faculty admissions committee approval and will be considered in limited circumstances where the LSAT is not available or practicable, financial hardship exists, the GRE was taken in the process of applying for another graduate degree program, or for other good cause shown. GRE scores can be no more than five (5) years old from the date of application to the College of Law and must include all test scores in the last five (5) years. Applicants must also submit with their application an addendum explaining the request for an LSAT waiver. Upon submission of application, applicants choosing to apply with a GRE must inform the Office of Admissions at admissions@law.syr.edu. A full GRE score report showing all reportable scores should be sent electronically to Syracuse University using school code 2823. Applications without full GRE score reports and an LSAT waiver essay are unable to be considered for admission.
2. Register with the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
3. Obtain transcripts of all previous college or university study and submit through CAS.
4. Obtain 2-4 letters of recommendation and submit through the CAS.
Statements from persons familiar with your qualifications for the study of law, especially professors under whom you have studied, often prove helpful.
1. You will be taken to the LSAC web site to complete your online application and submit all necessary supporting materials.
2. If you have an account with LSAC, use your User ID and Password to log into the system.
3. If you do not yet have an LSAC account, you will need to register for one.
4. Check your application status online. Application statuses will be updated daily, Monday-Friday.
5. Applications will be accepted and reviewed for admission and merit scholarship on a “rolling admissions” basis based on when they are considered complete. If you plan to take a future LSAT, your application will not be reviewed until your new score has been received. To allow for June LSAT scores of the year of enrollment (ex. the June LSAT administration just prior to August orientation) our deadline is July 15th. It is to your advantage to apply sooner rather than later and admission offers will begin being made in December.
See Complete Admissions Timeline[PDF]
Complete the financial aid application steps as instructed by the Financial Aid Office.
See Complete Financial Aid Timeline[PDF]
Note: Financial Aid priority deadline of April 1
The admissions process for master’s programs is separate and must be done through the Syracuse University Graduate School. Joint degree students can apply to a master’s program at the same time as applying to the College of Law, or during the first year of law school. Joint degree students must begin at the College of Law and will consider the College of Law their home school. Once accepted to the master’s program, students begin graduate coursework in their second year. Here is more information related to joint degrees.
Review the Graduate Admissions Application website for details on graduate programs and steps to apply.
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. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Admissions decisions will not be affected by participation in or disciplinary action associated with peaceful, meaningful protest. We still ask applicants to disclose any action to comply with rules set forth by most state’s board of bar examiners.
Consult the State Bar Examiner’s Office of the states in which you intend to practice law, regarding character and fitness for admission to the bar.
