Admission FAQ

 

Thinking About Law

   1. When should I start thinking about pursuing a law degree?
It's never too early to learn how law school can help keep your career options open.

Thinking about law school now gives you the opportunity to find out about the choices a law degree provides, explore the many doors that can open for you and learn what you can do right now to become a strong law school candidate.

Speaking with your school's pre-law advisor, career services at law schools, as well as people in your community can assist you in finding the right path for you.

 

   

2. What career options and opportunities are available for people with law degrees?

A law degree provides many career options, such as shaping our future laws in government, providing legal services to diverse communities, advising individual and corporate clients, arguing cases in the court room and more.

The legal credentials and strong analytical skills developed through law school are valued beyond the traditional legal field.

A law degree can also be a stepping stone to a career in politics, running a business and a host of other opportunities.

 

   

3. What do I need to do to get a law degree?

A bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution or its equivalent and the LSAT are the basic requirements to apply for law school. But, check with the school you are interested in attending for specific requirements such as LSAT score and cumulative GPA cut offs.

To find out if your school is accredited, please go to the link "click here" in the paragraph at the bottom of http://www.luc.edu/law/admission/jd/Entering_JD_Candidat.html.

 

Loyola University Chicago School of Law does not have minimum LSAT scores or a GPA requirement.

 

   

4. How can I use my law degree to give back to the community?

Lawyers can help shape future laws to protect individual rights, work to ensure that existing laws are enforced fairly for all people, and address inequality in the justice system, employment discrimination, immigration issues, landlord-tenant issues and so much more.

Loyola Chicago School of Law has a strong dedication to public service, 20% of our graduating class pursue positions in public interest and government. Our public interest law society is the strongest most active student organizations on campus. The students have many opportunities to assist the needs of the Chicago community. For more information please go to LUC.edu/law/academics/special/center/public_service.html.

 

   

5. Are there other options available if I am interested in law but do not want to practice law?

Loyola University Chicago School of Law offers a special master's degree for non-attorney professionals in the fields of business, education or health. Visit LUC.edu/law/admission/ for information on the MJ program.

Also, Loyola University Chicago has an Institute for Paralegal Studies. Information can be found at LUC.edu/paralegal/

 

  

Preparing for Law School

   

1. Which undergraduate courses do I need to take to be prepared and more competitive for law school?

There is no required or recommended undergraduate major or set of courses to prepare for law school. Students are admitted to law school each year from a wide range of academic majors. Some choose to major in somewhat traditional areas such as political science, English, history, etc. while others decide on subjects such as music, engineering and fine arts. It is recommended that you select a major and choose courses that are both challenging and of interest to you.

 

   

2. Will certain majors make me more competitive for admission to law school?

There is no specific major which can help an applicant get accepted to law school. Loyola University Chicago School of Law students come from a wide variety of majors. English, Film Studies, Biology, and Theatre are just a few examples.

For students who are interested in patent law, it may be advantageous to major in engineering or science.

 

   

3. What can professionals at my college do to help me prepare?

We recommend contacting the pre-law advisor at your school for guidance. The pre-law advisor can assist with researching individual law schools, selecting majors and coursework while in undergraduate school and preparing law school application materials.

You may still contact the pre-law advisor at your undergraduate school, even if you have already graduated.

 

   

4. What if I don't have a major yet?

As we mentioned above, there is no specific major that will improve your chances in getting accepted; consider an undergraduate major in an area that is of interest to you.

 

  

All About the LSAT

   

1. What is the LSAT?

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test required for admission to all ABA–approved law schools, most Canadian law schools, and many non-ABA-approved law schools. It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. The test is administered four times a year at hundreds of locations around the world. (Source: Law School Admission Council Website: www.LSAC.org)

 

   

2. How important is the LSAT?

Some schools place heavy emphasis on the LSAT. At Loyola University Chicago School of Law, although the LSAT score is important, the committee reviews each applicant's admission file in its entirety.

 

   

3. When should I take the LSAT?

The LSAT is offered four (4) times a year: June, October, December, and February. Your score is active for five years with LSAC. 

Additionally, the last test we will accept during an admission cycle is the February test of the same year for which you are applying (i.e. if you are applying for Fall 2010, the last score we will accept is February 2010).

 

   

4. How do I register for the LSAT?

You can go to the Law School Admission Council's (LSAC) website at www.LSAC.org to register for the LSAT.

 

   

5. How should I prepare for the LSAT?

If you work hard, you can put yourself in a good position to do well on the LSAT and attend the law school that's right for you. By taking challenging courses, you can develop strong analytical and critical reading skills that may help increase your score. Some students choose to purchase materials or check them out from the library and study on their own. Others choose to register for preparatory courses offered by several independent organizations which charge a fee for the service provided.

 

   

6. How many times can I take the LSAT?

Normally, you may not take the LSAT more than three times in any two-year period. This policy applies even if you cancel your score or it is not otherwise reported. LSAC reserves the right to cancel your registration, rescind your admission ticket, or take any other steps necessary to enforce this policy. However, you may retake the LSAT if a law school to which you are applying requires a more recent score than any you have on record, or approves your retaking the test, and the school provides LSAC with written proof of its requirement no later than the last day of registration for the test. (Source: Law School Admission Council Website: www.LSAC.org)

 

PLEASE NOTE: Loyola University Chicago will not provide LSAC written approval for any applicant to take the LSAT more than three times in a two-year period.

 

   

7. How does your Admissions Committee evaluate multiple LSAT scores?

Individual scores as well as the average are considered during the application review process. If there is a four- point or greater differential between two test scores you will need to provide a brief explanation of the circumstances.

The ABA requires that law schools submit the highest score for reporting purposes.

 

   

8. What is considered a good LSAT score?

The range of the scoring for the LSAT is 120 to 180.

Loyola University Chicago School of Law does not have a minimum LSAT score which is needed to apply. However, our median is 160 across all divisions.

For more frequently asked questions regarding the LSAT, go to the LSAC's webpage at www.lsac.org/aboutlsac/faqs-and-support-lsat.asp

 

   

9. If I call the admissions office and give my undergraduate GPA and LSAT over the phone, can I get a picture of the chances of my being offered admission?

No. The staff cannot make a meaningful prediction because they are not involved in the decision making process. All admissions decisions are made by the Admissions Committee. More importantly, non-quantitative factors play an equally important role. In addition to undergraduate GPA and LSAT score, the committee reviews each applicant's entire file (i.e. personal statement, letters of recommendation, etc.).

 

   

10. Can I apply for admissions with the February LSAT?
We do accept the February LSAT score. However, for applicants applying to the day program we caution that by the time we receive February scores, a large number of offers may have been made; therefore, it can be more competitive for the remaining seats.

 

  

Applying to Law School

   

1. How can I apply?

We strongly encourage applicants to use the electronic application which may be found at the following link LUC.edu/law/admission/jd/application.html. If applicants apply on-line the application fee is waived. Should you wish to apply with a paper application, the $50 application fee is required.

You can also download a PDF version of the application from the same link.

In addition to the application itself, we require the following: 1) LSDAS report (includes LSAT score and may include letters of recommendation); 2) Letters of Recommendation (two letters are required); 3) Personal Statement; 4) Resume (encouraged).

 

   

2. How much is the application fee for entering students?

If you choose to apply on-line, the $50 application fee is waived. Should you choose to complete a paper copy, the application fee of $50 is still required.

 

   

3. When does Loyola University Chicago School of Law start accepting applications?

October 1st

 

   

4. What is the application deadline?

Early Notification Deadline: The application and all the supporting documentation needs to be received by January 15th

All other applications for the Full-Time Division need to be submitted by March 1st

All other applications for Part-Time Divisions need to be submitted by April 1st

 

   

5. What is Early Notification?

Early notification is for anyone who completes their file, meadning the application and all supporting documenation is received, by January 15th. Priority is given to these files and students will receive a decision no later than February 15th. This decision is not binding and does not require an applicant to withdraw their applications from other schools.   If they accept a seat, their deposit is due April 15th, the same as any applicant accepted after February 15th.

 

   

6. What does it mean when my file is complete?

A file is complete when all the required materials are received for an applicant's application file. This includes their completed application (all the questions are answered), personal statement, LSDAS report, and at least two letters of recommendation.

 

   

7. Can I apply to both the day and evening divisions at the same time?

No, you may only apply for one division during an admission cycle. You should pick the division you are most interested in and works best for your goals and personal obligations.

 

   

8. If I decide to apply and complete my file by the Early Notification deadline, will this increase my chances of being admitted?

Applicants who decide to complete their file by the early notification deadline will not have a greater probability of being admitted nor will applicants who want to complete their file after the deadline be at a disadvantage in the admissions process. The same standards and criteria will be used to evaluate all applicants, whether the application is completed early or not. The advantage to those applying early is the possibility of receiving a final decision much earlier in the process.

Also, Loyola has several special scholarships/fellowships with a March 1 deadline; candidates must be admitted by this date to be considered.

 

   

9. When should I apply to law school?

It is recommended that you complete an application by January 15th to be competitive.

 

   

10. What is the LSDAS?

LSDAS stands for the Law School Data Assembly Service. Most ABA-approved law schools require the LSDAS. If you are a foreign-educated candidate, and you are not applying to any school that requires the JD CAS, you are not required to register for LSDAS. However, you may choose to register for LSDAS if you wish to use the electronic application or the letter of recommendation service. (Source: Law School Admission Council Website: www.LSAC.org)

The Service assembles the following information in reports, which it sends to schools you apply to: Your report consists of data such as your undergraduate academic summary, your LSAT score(s), copies of your transcript(s), writing sample, and letter(s) of recommendation (if you use LSAC's letter of recommendation service). (Source: Law School Admission Council Website: www.LSAC.org)

For more information on the LSDAS, please go to www.lsac.org/aboutlsac/faqs-and-support-lsdas.asp#lsdas-report.

 

   

11. How do I know which law school(s) might be right for me?

For some people, the choice of which law school to attend is an easy one. Applicants tend to select the schools they perceive to be the most prestigious or those which offer a program of particular interest, or the greatest amount of financial support. Some need to stay in a particular area perhaps because of family or job obligations, and will choose nearby schools with part-time programs.

However, the majority of applicants will have to weigh a variety of personal and academic factors to come up with a list of potential schools. Once you have a list, and more than one acceptance letter, you will have to choose a school. Applicants should consider carefully the offerings of each law school before making a decision. The quality of a law school is certainly a major consideration; however, estimations of quality are very subjective. Factors such as the campus atmosphere, the school's devotion to teaching and learning, and the applicant's enthusiasm for the school also are very important. Remember that the law school is going to be your home for three (or four) years. Adjusting to law school and the general attitudes of a professional school is difficult enough without the additional hardship of culture shock. Don't choose a law school in a large city if you can't bear crowds, noise, and a fast pace. And, if you've lived your entire life in an urban environment, can you face the change you will experience in a small town? You also may want to ask yourself if you are already set in an unshakable lifestyle or if you are eager for a new environment. (Source: Law School Admission Council Website: www.LSAC.org)

It is advisable that you visit the schools you are interested in before making a final decision. If you would like to schedule a visit to Loyola University Chicago School of Law please go to LUC.edu/law/visitus.html.

The Dean of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, David Yellen wrote an article about choosing a law school which appeared in The Chicago Lawyer, you can read it at this link LUC.edu/law/letters/admission_financialaid/How_to_Choose_a_Law_.html.

   

 

12. Does your institution accept Transfer and Visiting students?

Yes, we do. For complete lists of requirements and criteria, please go to LUC.edu/law/admission/jd/transfer.html or LUC.edu/law/admission/jd/visiting_student.html. Please note: there is a $50.00 application fee required for both of these applications, regardless of whether you apply on-line or with a PDF.

 

  

Getting Accepted to Law School

   

1. What are law schools looking for in an applicant?

Law schools are seeking the most qualified applicants in their applicant pools who will succeed in law school and beyond. Law schools consider a variety of factors when making admission decisions. These include but are not limited to the following: LSAT score, undergraduate GPA, undergraduate major, any graduate coursework, college/university attended curricular and extracurricular activities, grade trends, work experience, personal statement, letters of recommendation, community service, reasons for wanting to pursue a law degree, etc.

 

   

2. What criteria do laws schools use to decide who gets admitted?

Every law school is different in regard to the criteria they use. The admission committee at Loyola University Chicago School of Law bases their decision on the LSAT, GPA, and the entire application that an applicant has submitted. The committee will read the application, personal statement, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a resume should an applicant choose to include one. What qualities and experiences a candidate brings with them also factors into the process for admitting students. It is the Admission Committee's desire to create a diverse classroom environment.

 

   

3. How important is the LSAT compared to other factors in getting into law school?

The LSAT and undergraduate GPA are the two factors considered in the review of all applications for admission. These two factors combined with the other aspects of the application file are considered in the review of all applications.

 

   

4. Why is it important for law schools to have students from diverse backgrounds?

To promote diversity, law schools actively seek qualified students from a variety of backgrounds. Law schools increasingly find that diversity within the classroom enriches the learning process for all students. Diversity comes in all forms which may include economic, educational, and geographical demographics; sexual orientation; personal experiences; work experiences, etc.

 

   

5. How many applications to you receive each year? Think this should be moved under getting accepted.

We typically receive between 4,000 or 4,500 applications for each academic year.

 

   

6. What are your LSAT and GPA ranges?

For the Fall 2009 entering class, the LSAT range was: 25th% = 156 50th% = 160, 75th% = 161.
The GPA range was: 25th% = 3.24, 50th% = 3.47, 75th% = 3.60. For more statistics, please go to LUC.edu/law/admission/jd/entering_class_stats.html.

 

   

7. When can I expect to be notified about my application?

We notify all applicants by email when their applications have been received and processed. Then, we notify them by email when we receive the LSDAS report and if anything is missing at that time. When the application is complete, the applicant is emailed with this information.

PLEASE NOTE: emails notifying applicants that their files are complete will not begin to be sent until early to mid-November.

If your file is complete by January 15th, you will be notified by February 15th of a decision via regular postal mail. If your file is complete after January 15th, you will be notified of a decision within 4-6 weeks of the date you receive the email stating your file is complete, via regular postal mail.

 

   

8. How do I know when my application is complete? Will you notify me?

Yes, our office will notify you via email that your file is complete and when it will be going to committee. Prior to this, you will receive notification if any item is missing from your application once it is processed and after a paper version of LSDAS report is received and processed as a part of your application file.

 

   

9. Do you offer a part-time program?

Yes, we have two; a part-time day and a part-time evening division.

 

   

10. What is the difference between the two part-time programs?

In both programs, students take between 8 and 12 credits a semester. The part-time day program can start as early as 9:00 a.m. and go as late as 4:00 p.m. The part-time evening classes typically do not start before 6:00 p.m. and go as late at 9:00 p.m. There are currently no classes on Friday.

To compare the first year curriculum of the full-time division to the part-time divisions, you may go to LUC.edu/law/academics/guidelines.html.

 

   

11. Does the Law School have any provisional admission programs?

No, the School of Law does not admit students on a provisional basis.

 

  

Financing Law School

   

1. How much does law school cost?

Tuition for the 2009-2010 academic year is $36,290 for the full-time division and $27,240 for the part-time divisions. For the total cost of attending law school, please go to http://www.luc.edu/law/admission/jd/pdfs/FAID_Cost_of_Attendance_Budget_09101.pdf

 

   

2. What is the tuition if I am not a resident of Illinois?

Because Loyola University Chicago is a private institution there is no difference in tuition for residents and non-residents.

 

   

3. How can I pay for law school?

There are resources available—such as loans, scholarships, work-study programs and advisors who can help you plan. If you are interested in helping people by working for a non-profit or public service organization, there are assistance programs that can reduce debt, including loan forgiveness. Law school is an investment that can pay off over a lifetime. Get informed now and put yourself in a good position to pay off school debt and ensure a solid financial future.

 

   

4. How do I apply for financial aid?

Filing a FAFSA is required in order to receive federal financial aid, which include Stafford Loans, Grad PLUS loans and need-based institutional aid. The FAFSA, available at www.fafsa.ed.gov, should be filed as soon as possible after January 1 of the year you plan to enroll in law school. It normally takes 4 to 6 weeks for Loyola University Chicago School of Law to receive the processed data. If you have not yet completed your federal income tax returns for the year prior to entering law school, we recommend that you use estimated figures in the FAFSA so that you may submit the form in a timely manner.  It is highly recommended that incoming students complete the FAFSA by February 1st and the deadline for upper-class law students is  April 15th .

Loyola University Chicago School of Law scholarships which require an application are listed on the supplemental form of our application for admission.

 

   

5. When should I apply for financial aid?

You will want to complete the FAFSA and Need Access forms as close to January 1 as possible of the year you will be applying to law school. We recommend that you apply by February 1st to get full consideration for available funds.

 

   

6. Do you offer financial aid and/or scholarships?

Our institution offers need-based grants and scholarships to first year students. For more information regarding scholarships, please go to LUC.edu/law/admission/jd/scholarships_firstyear.html.

Additionally, there are outside organizations which contact us throughout the year with writing and scholarship competitions. A partial list of scholarships offered is available at LUC.edu/law/admission/jd/scholarships_outside.html.

 

   

7. How do I find out to about financial aid opportunities?

Your first step is to read up on information regarding financial aid at our website LUC.edu/law/admission/jd/costs_finaid.html. There is an FAQ page specifically for financial aid information. If you have questions regarding financial aid, they can be directed to law-financial-aid@lu.edu.

 

   

8. Are there specific deadlines for scholarship/fellowship applications?

Deadlines for scholarship/fellowship opportunities will vary. Please check the website for specific information

LUC.edu/law/admission/jd/scholarships_firstyear.html.

 

   

9. Can the same person who wrote my letter of recommendation for my application for admission write my letter of recommendation for a scholarship?

Yes, but they should write a separate letter of recommendation, specifically for the scholarship to which you are applying. The committees which review scholarship applications separate from the Admissions Committee.

 

   

10. Are both merit and need-based scholarships available?

Both merit and need are considered in the awarding of scholarships. It is necessary to complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov to be considered for any need-based financial aid.

 

   

11. What else can I do in preparation for applying for financial aid, specifically student loans?

You will want to order a free credit report, as soon as possible, from each of the credit agencies, which you are entitled to under the Federal Fair Credit Report Act: Equifax www.equifax.com, Experian/TRW www.experian.com, Transunion www.tuc.com. You can order one from each agency. You want to do this to check your credit history and take care of any issues or inconsistencies that may exist.

Issues with your credit can take a while to get cleared up, so it is in your best interest to request the reports and start working on any problems as soon as possible.

 

Also, you may want to start keeping track of what you are spending on a monthly basis to see how much you are living on and if there are things you may be able to do without as a law student.

 

  

What is Law School Like?

 

   

1. How long does it usually take to graduate from law school?

It typically takes three years to graduate from the full-time program and four years to complete the part-time program.

 

   

2. What kind of workload should I expect?

Students must complete 86 credit hours to graduate. Full-time students take on average 15 credit hours per semester. More information regarding the curriculum may be found at LUC.edu/law/academics/guidelines.html. For every 1 hour of class time, a student should anticipate 2-3 hours of reading outside of class.

 

   

3. What is the law school student body like?

Our student body is 53% female (52% in the entering class), 24% minority (17% in the entering class) and 46% of the students are from out of state (50% in the entering year class).

 

  

Other Miscellaneous Questions

   

1. Do you grant deferrals on offers of admission?
Deferrals will only be granted for applicants participating in the Teach for America program or who are called for active military duty.

 

   

2. If I register with LSDAS immediately, my LSDAS report will not include my fall semester grades, and I hope to raise my overall grade point average this semester. Would it be possible for me to delay my LSDAS registration so that my report will include seventh semester grades?

We do not recommend delaying registration with LSDAS. If you complete additional coursework and want it to be considered by the Law School, please have an updated transcript sent to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). This additional semester's work will be incorporated into your file with LSAC. The LSAC will then forward an updated LSDAS report which includes the new transcript to the Law School, and we will update your application file with the new report.

 

If you are sitting for the December or February LSAT, you can wait and send your transcripts with your fall grades included.

 

   

3. If my application for admission is denied, can I appeal that decision, or can I request reconsideration?

No, all decisions made by the committee are final. You will need to wait to reapply for the following year if you wish to your application to be considered again.

 

   

4. I qualified for early notification but I received a letter stating that I have been placed on the waitlist. Have I been deferred?

No, you have not been deferred. The Admissions Committee may waitlist candidates who are qualified but require further consideration before a final decision is made.

 

   

5. Where do I send my foreign transcripts?

Any applicant who completed his/her undergraduate work at a foreign institution should register for the LSAT through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). Your transcripts can be evaluated in two ways: 1) You can register for JD-CAS www.lsac.org/Applying/lsdas-jdcas-educated-outside.asp and send your undergraduate transcripts through that service; or, 2) You can have your transcripts evaluated by an outside organization. We strongly recommend WES www.wes.org or ECE www.ece.org. We require the evaluation be a course-by-course evaluation.

Please note: If you used the JD-CAS and are admitted and choose to enroll at Loyola, you will need to have a formal course-by-course evaluation completed through WES or ECE.

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