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#Application Requirements

Application Requirements

Thank you for your interest in the University of Chicago Law School. Each year, we receive nearly 5,000 applications for our entering class of 190-195. The Admissions Committee reviews every application that we receive. The Admissions Committee takes a broad and holistic view of each applicant, believing that a simple formula cannot adequately measure an applicant's academic potential and contribution to the Law School community.

Paperless Admissions Process

The Law School utilizes a paperless admissions process, which means that we receive, process, and evaluate all applications electronically. All applicants must apply through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Flexible Application, which is fully accessible to the visually impaired. The Law School does not provide any application materials directly to applicants. All application materials will be available from LSAC and transmitted directly to the Law School. Please read the Application Instructions (available in the LSAC application) carefully before you begin your application. Disabled applicants in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should contact the Admissions Office at 773-702-9484 or email admissions@law.uchicago.edu with their request.

We will not accept any paper application materials or paper updates to your application; please do not send them. Paper materials and updates will not be retained or reviewed by the Admissions Committee and will be discarded. Any updates must be submitted electronically by emailing admissions@law.uchicago.edu (please familiarize yourself with our policies on updating your application ).

Application Requirements

1. Application

Each applicant must complete all sections of the LSAC Flexible Application. Please make sure to complete each section. There is only one application for all applicants to the JD program. You will have the opportunity to indicate whether you are applying Early Decision (including through the Chicago Law Scholars Program) or Regular Decision in the application.

Character and Fitness. Please note that the application contains a section of questions relating to character and fitness to practice law. 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.

In addition, please note that an affirmative response to any portion of the Character and Fitness questions on the application will not automatically disqualify a candidate from admission. Rather, in those cases, the Dean of Admissions will review the affirmative response and determine if further review is necessary. If further review is necessary, the Dean of Admissions will convene a committee composed of the Deputy Dean, the Dean of Admissions, the Dean of Students, the Dean of Career Services and the Chair of the Faculty Admissions Committee. The committee will evaluate the facts, seek additional information as appropriate, and determine if the applicant may be considered for admission at the Law School. The Dean of Admissions may also consult as needed with the Office of the General Counsel.

2. All Undergraduate and Graduate School Transcripts

You must provide all undergraduate and graduate school transcripts reflecting a complete history of your academic performance in your undergraduate education and at any graduate schools. We require all applicants to submit their transcripts through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about how the Admissions Committee evaluates transcripts.

If you will be submitting foreign transcripts, please read the Application Instructions carefully and review our FAQs about submitting foreign transcripts.

3. Law School Admission Test

Unless a waiver is otherwise approved by the Admissions Committee, all applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and submit a valid LSAT score. An LSAT score is considered valid if you received it within five years of the date of your application. You must submit all LSAT scores that you have received. Please review the FAQs to learn more about how the Admissions Committee evaluates the LSAT and considers multiple LSAT scores.

4. Resume

We require a detailed resume containing your educational history, extracurricular activities, community and volunteer activities, and all full or part-time work experience. Please indicate the time spent each week on each activity or employment position. If your education or employment history has been interrupted for more than a normal vacation period, you should describe your activities during that time. You will be able to upload your resume in the “Attachments” section of the application.

Please see our FAQs for more guidance on the resume.

5. Letters of Recommendation and Evaluations

We require two letters of recommendation, but we will accept up to four. You must submit your letters of recommendation through the CAS Letter of Recommendation Service. Your application will be considered complete once we receive two letters of recommendation, unless you notify the Admissions Office and ask us to wait until we have received any additional letters.

We will accept evaluations submitted through LSAC's Evaluation Service, but they are not required. You may submit up to two evaluations. If you are planning to submit these evaluations, please note that the Admissions Committee will not wait until we have received them to complete and review your application. The Admissions Committee will proceed once all required application materials have been received and processed.

In reviewing letters of recommendation, the Admissions Committee is looking for insight into a candidate's academic promise, as well as personal qualities such as intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm, and commitment. We strongly recommend that you submit at least one academic letter (from a professor or advisor) who can offer an informed assessment of your academic ability. We understand that it may be necessary for candidates who have already completed their undergraduate education to submit letters of recommendation from their employers. For more information on letters of recommendation, please review our FAQs .

6. Personal Statement

The personal statement is an essential part of every application and it is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee. It should demonstrate your contribution to the Law School community beyond simply academics. The Admissions Committee often finds that a personal statement that focuses on a unique personal attribute or experience is usually the most informative (as opposed to a restatement of your qualifications or resume). If there are particular aspects of your background (e.g. racial, ethnic, or religious identification, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation) that you would like to highlight, please include this information in your personal statement. You will be able to upload your personal statement in the “Attachments” section of the application.

For more tips and guidance on the personal statement, please review the FAQs .

7. Application Fee

The application fee is $75 (U.S. funds only) and you must pay the application fee by credit card when you submit your application through LSAC.

Fee Waivers: We waive the application fee for the following individuals: (1) Teach for America participants and alumni applying as a 1L, (2) those currently serving active duty in the U.S. military, U.S. military veterans, and members of the U.S. Reserves and National Guard, (3) students currently enrolled at the University of Chicago, (4) Peace Corps participants and alumni providing documentation confirming completion of the 27-month commitment, (5) AmeriCorps participants and alumni, and (6) applicants receiving fee waivers from LSAC. If your fee is waived for one of these reasons, please review this page and scroll to the bottom for instructions on how to proceed.