Apply

1. Obtain an Entrance Exam score: LSAT or GRE

• Law School Admission Test (LSAT) -You must have taken or be expecting to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Registration for the LSAT and Credential Assembly Service can be completed through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at LSAC.org. LSAT test scores administered prior to the end of April 2023 will be given priority. Tests past the beginning of the semester, August 2023, will not be considered for fall 2023 enrollment. LSAT scores cannot be more than five (5) years old from the date of application to the College of Law. If you submit your application with a declared “Future Test Date”, your application will be placed on HOLD until the score arrives. A decision will be made once all application materials are received. If you have at least one (1) LSAT score on file and would like your application evaluated prior to a future test, you may indicate this on the application. You must have at least one (1) LSAC writing sample on file for your application to be considered complete. If you wish you have your application held until all writing samples are received, please contact the admissions office at lawadmissions@syr.edu or call 315-443-1962.

• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) – You must have taken or be expecting to take the GRE by May 15th of the year you wish to enroll. 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 years. Applicants must also submit with their application an addendum explaining their choice to take the GRE over the LSAT. Upon submission of application, applicants choosing to apply with a GRE must inform the Office of Admissions at lawadmissions@syr.edu. A full GRE score report showing all reportable scores should be sent electronically to Syracuse University using school code 4913. Applications without full GRE score reports and a GRE 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. Applicants are required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation and may submit up to four (4) letters of recommendation.

• Statements from persons familiar with your qualifications for the study of law, especially professors under whom you have studied or supervisors under whom you have worked, often prove helpful. If you are currently in an undergraduate or graduate program, or have recently completed one, the Admissions Committee will expect to see letters of recommendation from professors under whom you have studied.
• Applicants must submit letters of recommendation through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. Letters sent directly to the Office of Admissions will not be accepted.
• If you are submitting more than two (2) letters of recommendation and they are not yet available at the time you apply, please notify the Admissions Office at lawadmissions@syr.edu so that we may hold your application for review.
• At least one (1) letter should be no more than two (2) years old from the date of application submission.

5. Submit written materials as follows:

• Resume
• Personal Statement; Prompt: Please indicate as concisely as possible how your experiences, talents, and interests would add to the law school community. Your statement should be no more than 2 pages, double spaced, 11 point font.

• Why JDi Statement (if applying to JD Interactive program); Prompt: Provide a brief essay addressing why Syracuse University College of Law’s J.D. Interactive program is a good option as you pursue your legal education. Your essay should be no longer than 1 page, double spaced, 11 point font.

• Optional Addenda (see application for details)

Residential Program Applications:

• Fall 2023
• Fall 2023 - Early Decision

JDinteractive Application

• Fall 2023
• Fall 2023 - Early Decision

Transfer/Visitor Application

• Spring or Fall 2023

This application is for transfer or visitor applicants in either the JD residential or the JDinteractive program.

1. You will be taken to the LSAC website 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. Our complete application deadline is June 30th at 3 pm Eastern. 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]

1. Complete the financial aid application steps as instructed by the Financial Aid Office.
2. See Complete Financial Aid Timeline [PDF]
3. Note: The Financial Aid priority deadline is March 15th.

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. 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 US jurisdiction.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Failure to properly disclose in accordance with the jurisdictional rules of where you intend to practice could prevent admission to the bar in that 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.