JD Application Procedure
The USF School of Law begins accepting applications for the following academic year on Sept. 1 of each year. 
The admissions committee will not review an application until the law school has received all required documentation. Applicants are encouraged to submit all supporting documents, including recommendations and appraisal forms, as soon as possible. Applicants are considered in the order that completed applications are submitted; because the admissions committee uses a rolling admission system and typically begins the review process in December, applicants whose files are completed late in the application cycle may jeopardize their chances for admission.
First-Year Applicants
Applications for first-year students are accepted for the fall semester only. Applicants must indicate on the application form whether they wish to apply for the Full-Time/ Day Division Juris Doctor Program or the Part-Time/ Evening Division Juris Doctor Program; an applicant may not apply to both programs. Any applicant who has previously registered at another law school must have a letter of good standing submitted by that school. In the event that the applicant sat for examinations at another law school, an official transcript and class rank are also required.
| Division | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Day Division (full-time) | Feb. 1, 2010 |
| Evening Division (part-time) | April 1, 2010 |
Because the admissions committee uses a rolling admissions process, early filing is encouraged. Maximum consideration for both admission and scholarship opportunities will be given to Day Division applications received by the priority deadline of Feb. 1, 2010. Applications to the Day Division may still be accepted after the priority deadline through April 1, 2010; however, the admissions committee may reject applicants due to lack of available space in the entering class.
- Application Form
Click here to complete the application form and submit it electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The electronic application will be available in mid September. You may also download the application here. All mailed admission materials should be directed to the following address:
University of San Francisco School of Law
Office of Admissions
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080 - Education
All law school applicants are required to have completed or expect to complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year university or college by the time law school classes begin in August. Accepted applicants must furnish official final transcripts indicating receipt of a baccalaureate degree, as well as completion of any work in progress when the application was filed. If admitted, an official transcript showing the conferral of the baccalaureate degree must be mailed directly from the college or university to the Office of Admissions prior to the start of the fall term.
-
Personal Statement
The admissions committee requires that each applicant submit a personal statement to supplement the application form. The statement is used by the committee as both a source of additional information and as a writing sample, but is not a substitute for the application.
The statement should focus on your interest in and motivation and preparation for the study of law. The committee is interested in your personal experiences, background, and accomplishments. Factors that are helpful to the committee include co-curricular activities, areas of interest, past or present employment, and college academic honors.
If there are instances of academic probation or disqualification, applicants should be prepared to explain these situations in a separate addendum.
The personal statement should be typewritten, double spaced, and included with your application. Your resume may be attached to the statement. Please write your name on the top of each page. Number and staple pages together. If applying electronically, be sure to attach your statement electronically.
-
Two Letters of Recommendation
The admissions committee requires two letters of recommendation in support of your application. An optional third letter may be submitted, but no more than three letters of recommendation will be considered for one application. Although the committee will accept recommendation letters from any two individuals designated by the applicant, the committee suggests:
- If possible, have the two recommendations completed by college faculty members (or administrators) with whom you have studied. If you have been away from college for a considerable time, you may wish to substitute other individuals, including supervisors and business colleagues, with whom you have had more recent contact.
- Choose individuals who have had substantial and recent opportunity to observe your professional and/or academic potential. Recommendations from people who have not had such opportunity are of little assistance to the committee.
- USF requires that your letters of recommendation be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service, which serves all member schools. This service is included in your Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) Registration subscription. Your recommendations will be copied by the service and sent to us along with your LSDAS Report.
Your LSDAS Report will not be released to USF until two letters of recommendation have been received by LSAC.
Be sure to follow all directions for submitting letters of recommendation as described in the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book. It is important that you fill out and give each person submitting a recommendation a letter of recommendation form. Forms can be obtained online at www.lsac.org.
-
Law School Data Assembly Service
All first-time first-year applicants must register with LSDAS. Information about LSDAS registration is available online at www.lsac.org or in the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book. You may obtain the book by writing to:
Law School Admission Council
Box 40
Newtown, PA 18940-0998
(215) 968-1001Transcripts of all college work, both undergraduate and graduate, should be sent directly to LSAC. LSAC analyzes your undergraduate college transcripts and forwards a report to each law school you designate, along with your letters of recommendation. LSAC will not release your LSDAS report to USF until two letters of recommendation have been received by LSAC. The committee may not consider an application if the LSDAS report indicates that transcripts are missing.
If you are accepted for admission, you must submit directly to the USF School of Law official transcripts showing the award of the baccalaureate degree and any graduate degrees earned. The official transcript must be sent by the degree-granting institution(s). Transcripts sent to LSDAS do not fulfill this requirement. Your admission may be canceled if the Office of Admissions does not receive an official transcript prior to the first day of instruction.
If you completed your baccalaureate degree outside of the United States or Canada, USF requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted to the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (see item J).
-
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Applicants must take the LSAT and have their score(s) reported to the USF School of Law in an LSDAS Report. LSAT scores are valid for five years. Any LSAT taken prior to June 2005 is considered invalid for application review.
The LSAT is administered four times a year. Early scheduling is strongly recommended and you are advised to take the LSAT no later than the December 2009 test date. Applicants may take the February 2010 test; however, applicants to the Day Division may not be given maximum consideration due to the lateness of test results.
-
$60.00 Application Fee
$60.00 application fee, payable to the University of San Francisco, must be submitted with your application. If you are applying electronically, you must pay the application fee online using a valid credit card.
The application fee is not refundable. In the event that you are subsequently admitted, the fee will not be applied toward your tuition. Furthermore, if you decide to withdraw your application before a final decision is made, your application fee will not be refunded.
The required application fee may be waived for an applicant whose financial situation makes it a severe hardship to pay. Applicants requesting a waiver of this fee must contact the Office of Admissions for an Application Fee Waiver Form. Approval of a fee waiver must be obtained prior to submitting an application for admission.
An applicant granted an LSDAS fee waiver may have their application fee waived. A copy of your LSDAS fee waiver must be submitted with your hard copy application. Applicants who apply electronically via LSAC will be allowed to submit their application electronically as long as their LSDAS fee waiver is for the 2009–10 application year.
Fee waivers are not available to transfer or visiting student applicants. USF Application Fee Waiver Forms must be submitted to the law school's Office of Admissions by the following deadlines:
Division Waiver Deadline Day Division (full-time) Jan. 25, 2010 Evening Division (part-time) March 19, 2010 -
Diversity Statement (Optional)
In addition to the required personal statement, applicants may submit an optional diversity statement or essay. An applicant may describe any factors that illustrate how he or she may add to the diversity of the law school and enrich the educational environment for all students as well as the legal profession.
For example, an applicant may want to address issues or experiences related to race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, religious affiliation, ideology, or socio-economic disadvantage.
In addition, an applicant may want to discuss atypical career aspirations, employment background, educational history, special talents or skills, or primary or secondary languages other than English.
Additional Requirements for Foreign Applicants
-
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Applicants for whom English is a second language and who have not received a four-year baccalaureate degree in the United States or another country where English is the primary language are REQUIRED to take the TOEFL. The Committee will consider for admission only those applicants with TOEFL scores of 600 or above on the paper-based test or 100 or above on the TOEFL iBT exam. Information is available here. Only scores reported directly from TOEFL will be accepted.
-
International Transcripts
The USF School of Law requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS). If you completed any post-secondary college or university work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript.
This service is included in the LSDAS subscription fee. A Foreign Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, which will be incorporated into your LSDAS report.
Foreign law school applicants also must contact the Educational Testing Service and request their TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code for the JD CAS is 0058. Your score will be included in the Foreign Credential Evaluation document that will be included in your LSDAS report.
To use the JD CAS, log in to your online account and follow the registration instructions. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it to them promptly. More time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts. Questions about the JD CAS can be directed to LSAC at (215) 968-1001 or lsacinfo@lsac.org.
Disclosures
All applicants are required to complete the disclosure section of the Application. USF requires applicants to disclose any felony or misdemeanor charge, arrest, conviction, or pending adjudication including a DUI (or any alcohol- or drug-related offense). Information should include the date of each incident, full explanation of the incident, including the name of the charge, and the final disposition of each charge.
In addition, all applicants are required to notify the School of Law if any changes to the information included in their Application for Admission occur after the application has been submitted. In particular, all applicants must notify the Director of Admissions if any arrest or conviction of any felony or misdemeanor takes place after submitting the application.
Conviction is any of the following: (1) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, (2) a verdict or finding of guilt regardless of whether sentence is imposed by the court.
Newly admitted applicants are required to submit a detailed written description of any updated disclosures to the Admissions Office if an incident occurs after an offer of admission is made and to the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic Services if an incident occurs after classes begin. Information disclosed after an applicant has been offered admission will automatically result in a re-evaluation of the applicant's file.
The Bar Examiners will receive reports of any such convictions from law enforcement agencies. Failure to disclose this information in your application may result in revocation of your admission decision, dismissal from school, revocation of any degree awarded by USF School of Law and denial of admission to the Bar, and referral to the LSAC Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admission Process.
Application Materials
All materials and correspondence relating to admission or your Law School application should be directed to the School of Law Office of Admissions. Once submitted, all materials become the property of the School of Law and will not be returned or copied. Please keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents for your records.
Reapplying First-Year Applicants
All re-applicants must submit any updated transcripts of recent coursework to LSAC. An updated LSDAS report will be requested. Re-applicants need to have a current LSDAS subscription and pay any additional fees to have an LSDAS report sent to USF. Any applicant who has previously registered at another law school must have a letter of good standing submitted by that school. In the event that the applicant sat for examinations at another law school, an official transcript and class rank are also required.
Applications for first-year students are accepted for the fall semester only. Applicants must indicate on the application form whether they wish to apply for the Full-Time/ Day Division Juris Doctor Program or the Part-Time/ Evening Division Juris Doctor Program; an applicant may not apply to both programs.
| Division | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Day Division (full-time) | Feb. 1, 2010 |
| Evening Division (part-time) | April 1, 2010 |
Because the admissions committee uses a rolling admissions process, early filing is encouraged. Maximum consideration for both admission and scholarship opportunities will be given to Day Division applications received by the priority deadline of Feb. 1, 2010. Applications to the Day Division may still be accepted after the priority deadline through April 1, 2010; however, the admissions committee may reject applicants due to lack of available space in the entering class.
- Application Form
Click here to complete the application form and submit it electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The electronic application will be available in mid September. You may also download the application here. All mailed admission materials should be directed to the following address:
University of San Francisco School of Law
Office of Admissions
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080 - Education
All law school applicants are required to have completed or expect to complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year university or college by the time law school classes begin in August. Accepted applicants must furnish official final transcripts indicating receipt of a baccalaureate degree, as well as completion of any work in progress when the application was filed. If admitted, an official transcript showing the conferral of the baccalaureate degree must be mailed directly from the college or university to the Office of Admissions prior to the start of the fall term.
-
Personal Statement
The admissions committee requires that each applicant submit a personal statement to supplement the application form. The statement is used by the committee as both a source of additional information and as a writing sample, but is not a substitute for the application.
The statement should focus on your interest in and motivation and preparation for the study of law. The committee is interested in your personal experiences, background, and accomplishments. Factors that are helpful to the committee include co-curricular activities, areas of interest, past or present employment, and college academic honors.
If there are instances of academic probation or disqualification, applicants should be prepared to explain these situations in a separate addendum.
The personal statement should be typewritten, double spaced, and included with your application. Your resume may be attached to the statement. Please write your name on the top of each page. Number and staple pages together. If applying electronically, be sure to attach your statement electronically.
-
Two Letters of Recommendation
The admissions committee requires two letters of recommendation in support of your application. An optional third letter may be submitted, but no more than three letters of recommendation will be considered for one application. Although the committee will accept recommendation letters from any two individuals designated by the applicant, the committee suggests:
- If possible, have the two recommendations completed by college faculty members (or administrators) with whom you have studied. If you have been away from college for a considerable time, you may wish to substitute other individuals, including supervisors and business colleagues, with whom you have had more recent contact.
- Choose individuals who have had substantial and recent opportunity to observe your professional and/or academic potential. Recommendations from people who have not had such opportunity are of little assistance to the committee.
- USF requires that your letters of recommendation be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service, which serves all member schools. This service is included in your Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) Registration subscription. Your recommendations will be copied by the service and sent to us along with your LSDAS Report.
Your LSDAS Report will not be released to USF until two letters of recommendation have been received by LSAC.
Be sure to follow all directions for submitting letters of recommendation as described in the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book. It is important that you fill out and give each person submitting a recommendation a letter of recommendation form. Forms can be obtained online at www.lsac.org.
-
Law School Data Assembly Service
All reapplying first-year applicants must have a current subscription with LSDAS. Information about LSDAS registration is available online at www.lsac.org or in the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book. You may obtain the book by writing to:
Law School Admission Council
Box 40
Newtown, PA 18940-0998
(215) 968-1001Transcripts of all college work, both undergraduate and graduate, should be sent directly to LSAC. LSAC analyzes your undergraduate college transcripts and forwards a report to each law school you designate, along with your letters of recommendation. All re-applicants should submit any updated transcripts of recent coursework to LSAC. Re-applicants should have a current LSDAS subscription and pay any additional fees required to have an updated LSDAS report sent to USF. LSAC will not release your LSDAS report to USF until two letters of recommendation have been received by LSAC. The committee may not consider an application if the LSDAS report indicates that transcripts are missing.
If you are accepted for admission, you must submit directly to the USF School of Law official transcripts showing the award of the baccalaureate degree and any graduate degrees earned. The official transcript must be sent by the degree-granting institution(s). Transcripts sent to LSDAS do not fulfill this requirement. Your admission may be canceled if the Office of Admissions does not receive an official transcript prior to the first day of instruction.
If you completed your baccalaureate degree outside of the United States or Canada, USF requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted to the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (see item J).
-
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Applicants must take the LSAT and have their score(s) reported to the USF School of Law in an LSDAS Report. LSAT scores are valid for five years. Any LSAT taken prior to June 2005 is considered invalid for application review.
The LSAT is administered four times a year. Early scheduling is strongly recommended and you are advised to take the LSAT no later than the December 2009 test date. Applicants may take the February 2010 test; however, applicants to the Day Division may not be given maximum consideration due to the lateness of test results.
-
$60.00 Application Fee
$60.00 application fee, payable to the University of San Francisco, must be submitted with your application. If you are applying electronically, you must pay the application fee online using a valid credit card.
The application fee is not refundable. In the event that you are subsequently admitted, the fee will not be applied toward your tuition. Furthermore, if you decide to withdraw your application before a final decision is made, your application fee will not be refunded.
The required application fee may be waived for an applicant whose financial situation makes it a severe hardship to pay. Applicants requesting a waiver of this fee must contact the Office of Admissions for an Application Fee Waiver Form. Approval of a fee waiver must be obtained prior to submitting an application for admission.
An applicant granted an LSDAS fee waiver may have their application fee waived. A copy of your LSDAS fee waiver must be submitted with your hard copy application. Applicants who apply electronically via LSAC will be allowed to submit their application electronically as long as their LSDAS fee waiver is for the 2009–10 application year.
Fee waivers are not available to transfer or visiting student applicants. USF Application Fee Waiver Forms must be submitted to the law school's Office of Admissions by the following deadlines:
Division Waiver Deadline Day Division (full-time) Jan. 25, 2010 Evening Division (part-time) March 19, 2010 -
Diversity Statement (Optional)
In addition to the required personal statement, applicants may submit an optional diversity statement or essay. An applicant may describe any factors that illustrate how he or she may add to the diversity of the law school and enrich the educational environment for all students as well as the legal profession.
For example, an applicant may want to address issues or experiences related to race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, religious affiliation, ideology, or socio-economic disadvantage.
In addition, an applicant may want to discuss atypical career aspirations, employment background, educational history, special talents or skills, or primary or secondary languages other than English.
Additional Requirements for Reapplying Foreign Applicants
-
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Re-applicants for whom English is a second language and who have not received a four-year baccalaureate degree in the United States or another country where English is the primary language are REQUIRED to take the TOEFL. The Committee will consider for admission only those applicants with TOEFL scores of 600 or above on the paper-based test or 100 or above on the TOEFL iBT exam. Information is available here. Only scores reported directly from TOEFL will be accepted.
-
International Transcripts
The USF School of Law requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS). If you completed any post-secondary college or university work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript.
This service is included in the LSDAS subscription fee. A Foreign Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, which will be incorporated into your LSDAS report.
Foreign law school applicants also must contact the Educational Testing Service and request their TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code for the JD CAS is 0058. Your score will be included in the Foreign Credential Evaluation document that will be included in your LSDAS report.
To use the JD CAS, log in to your online account and follow the registration instructions. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it to them promptly. More time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts. Questions about the JD CAS can be directed to LSAC at (215) 968-1001 or lsacinfo@lsac.org.
Disclosures
All applicants are required to complete the disclosure section of the Application. USF requires applicants to disclose any felony or misdemeanor charge, arrest, conviction, or pending adjudication including a DUI (or any alcohol- or drug-related offense). Information should include the date of each incident, full explanation of the incident, including the name of the charge, and the final disposition of each charge.
In addition, all applicants are required to notify the School of Law if any changes to the information included in their Application for Admission occur after the application has been submitted. In particular, all applicants must notify the Director of Admissions if any arrest or conviction of any felony or misdemeanor takes place after submitting the application.
Conviction is any of the following: (1) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, (2) a verdict or finding of guilt regardless of whether sentence is imposed by the court.
Newly admitted applicants are required to submit a detailed written description of any updated disclosures to the Admissions Office if an incident occurs after an offer of admission is made and to the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic Services if an incident occurs after classes begin. Information disclosed after an applicant has been offered admission will automatically result in a re-evaluation of the applicant's file.
The Bar Examiners will receive reports of any such convictions from law enforcement agencies. Failure to disclose this information in your application may result in revocation of your admission decision, dismissal from school, revocation of any degree awarded by USF School of Law and denial of admission to the Bar, and referral to the LSAC Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admission Process.
Application Materials
All materials and correspondence relating to admission or your Law School application should be directed to the School of Law Office of Admissions. Once submitted, all materials become the property of the School of Law and will not be returned or copied. Please keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents for your records.
Transfer Applicants
An individual who has earned a baccalaureate degree and who has completed the equivalent of two full semesters of study at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association may apply for admission with advanced standing. Admission with advanced standing is based primarily upon the applicant's prior law school performance and class standing. In order to be considered, the applicant must provide certification from the previous law school(s) that he or she is in good academic standing and unconditionally eligible to continue his or her studies. A student who has been academically disqualified, or who is barred from advancing with his or her class, will not be considered.
Transfer applications for Fall 2010 must be received by June 21, 2010. Transfer applicants must indicate whether they wish to apply for the Full-Time/ Day Division Juris Doctor Program or the Part-Time/ Evening Division Juris Doctor Program, and are accepted for the fall term only.
In addition to the standard admission requirements, applicants for admission with advanced standing must submit :
- An official transcript of all law school course work (including the last term enrolled prior to transfer)
- A letter of good standing
- An official report of your class standing (rank)
Further, transfer applicants are advised to submit letters of recommendation completed by law faculty. Letters should be sent directly from the recommending parties to the law school's Office of Admissions.
If accepted, the assistant dean for academic services will determine how much of a transfer student's academic credit from the other law institution(s) will be accepted at the USF School of Law; a maximum of 30 units will be considered. Credit will be based on quality of performance and the relation of courses completed to the curricular program of the USF School of Law.
- Application Form
Click here to complete the application form and submit it electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The electronic application will be available in mid September. You may also download the application here. All mailed admission materials should be directed to the following address:
University of San Francisco School of Law
Office of Admissions
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080 - Education
All transfer applicants are required to have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year university or college. Accepted applicants must furnish official final transcripts indicating receipt of a baccalaureate degree, as well as completion of any work in progress when the application was filed. If admitted, an official transcript showing the conferral of the baccalaureate degree must be mailed directly from the college or university to the Office of Admissions prior to the start of the fall term.
-
Personal Statement
The admissions committee requires that each applicant submit a personal statement to supplement the application form. The statement is used by the committee as both a source of additional information and as a writing sample, but is not a substitute for the application.
The statement should focus on your interest in and motivation and preparation for the study of law. The committee is interested in your personal experiences, background, and accomplishments. Factors that are helpful to the committee include co-curricular activities, areas of interest, past or present employment, and college academic honors.
If there are instances of academic probation or disqualification, applicants should be prepared to explain these situations in a separate addendum.
The personal statement should be typewritten, double spaced, and included with your application. Your resume may be attached to the statement. Please write your name on the top of each page. Number and staple pages together. If applying electronically, be sure to attach your statement electronically.
-
Two Letters of Recommendation
The admissions committee requires two letters of recommendation in support of your application. An optional third letter may be submitted, but no more than three letters of recommendation will be considered for one application. Although the committee will accept recommendation letters from any two individuals designated by the applicant, the committee suggests:
- If possible, have the two recommendations completed by law faculty members (or administrators) with whom you have studied. You may wish to substitute other individuals, including supervisors and business colleagues, with whom you have had recent contact.
- Choose individuals who have had substantial and recent opportunity to observe your professional and/or academic potential. Recommendations from people who have not had such opportunity are of little assistance to the committee.
- USF recommends that your letters of recommendation be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service, which serves all member schools. This service is included in your Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) Registration subscription. Your recommendations will be copied by the service and sent to us along with your LSDAS Report.
Your LSDAS Report will not be released to USF until two letters of recommendation have been received by LSAC.
Be sure to follow all directions for submitting letters of recommendation as described in the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book. It is important that you fill out and give each person submitting a recommendation a letter of recommendation form. Forms can be obtained online at www.lsac.org.
-
Law School Data Assembly Service
All transfer applicants must register with LSDAS. Information about LSDAS registration is available on-
line at www.lsac.org or in the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book. You may obtain the book by writing to:Law School Admission Council
Box 40
Newtown, PA 18940-0998
(215) 968-1001Transcripts of all college work, both undergraduate and graduate, should be sent directly to LSAC. LSAC will not release your LSDAS report to USF until two letters of recommendation have been received by LSAC. The committee may not consider an application if the LSDAS report indicates that transcripts are missing.
If you are accepted for admission, you must submit directly to the USF School of Law official transcripts showing the award of the baccalaureate degree and any graduate degrees earned. The official transcript must be sent by the degree-granting institution(s). Transcripts sent to LSDAS do not fulfill this requirement. Your admission may be canceled if the Office of Admissions does not receive an official transcript prior to the first day of instruction.
If you completed your baccalaureate degree outside of the United States or Canada, USF requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted to the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (see item J).
-
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Transfer applicants must have taken the LSAT and have their score(s) reported to the USF School of Law in an LSDAS Report.
-
$60.00 Application Fee
$60.00 application fee, payable to the University of San Francisco, must be submitted with your application. If you are applying electronically, you must pay the application fee online using a valid credit card.
The application fee is not refundable. In the event that you are subsequently admitted, the fee will not be applied toward your tuition. Furthermore, if you decide to withdraw your application before a final decision is made, your application fee will not be refunded.
Fee waivers are not available to transfer or visiting student applicants.
-
Diversity Statement (Optional)
In addition to the required personal statement, applicants may submit an optional diversity statement or essay. An applicant may describe any factors that illustrate how he or she may add to the diversity of the law school and enrich the educational environment for all students as well as the legal profession.
For example, an applicant may want to address issues or experiences related to race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, religious affiliation, ideology, or socio-economic disadvantage.
In addition, an applicant may want to discuss atypical career aspirations, employment background, educational history, special talents or skills, or primary or secondary languages other than English.
Additional Requirements for Foreign Applicants
-
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Applicants for whom English is a second language and who have not received a four-year baccalaureate degree in the United States or another country where English is the primary language are REQUIRED to take the TOEFL. The Committee will consider for admission only those applicants with TOEFL scores of 600 or above on the paper-based test or 100 or above on the TOEFL iBT exam. Information is available here. Only scores reported directly from TOEFL will be accepted.
-
International Transcripts
The USF School of Law requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS). If you completed any post-secondary college or university work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript.
This service is included in the LSDAS subscription fee. A Foreign Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, which will be incorporated into your LSDAS report.
Foreign law school applicants also must contact the Educational Testing Service and request their TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code for the JD CAS is 0058. Your score will be included in the Foreign Credential Evaluation document that will be included in your LSDAS report.
To use the JD CAS, log in to your online account and follow the registration instructions. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it to them promptly. More time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts. Questions about the JD CAS can be directed to LSAC at (215) 968-1001 or lsacinfo@lsac.org.
Disclosures
All applicants are required to complete the disclosure section of the Application. USF requires applicants to disclose any felony or misdemeanor charge, arrest, conviction, or pending adjudication including a DUI (or any alcohol- or drug-related offense). Information should include the date of each incident, full explanation of the incident, including the name of the charge, and the final disposition of each charge.
In addition, all applicants are required to notify the School of Law if any changes to the information included in their Application for Admission occur after the application has been submitted. In particular, all applicants must notify the Director of Admissions if any arrest or conviction of any felony or misdemeanor takes place after submitting the application.
Conviction is any of the following: (1) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, (2) a verdict or finding of guilt regardless of whether sentence is imposed by the court.
Newly admitted applicants are required to submit a detailed written description of any updated disclosures to the Admissions Office if an incident occurs after an offer of admission is made and to the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic Services if an incident occurs after classes begin. Information disclosed after an applicant has been offered admission will automatically result in a re-evaluation of the applicant's file.
The Bar Examiners will receive reports of any such convictions from law enforcement agencies. Failure to disclose this information in your application may result in revocation of your admission decision, dismissal from school, revocation of any degree awarded by USF School of Law and denial of admission to the Bar, and referral to the LSAC Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admission Process.
Application Materials
All materials and correspondence relating to admission or your Law School application should be directed to the School of Law Office of Admissions. Once submitted, all materials become the property of the School of Law and will not be returned or copied. Please keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents for your records.
Visiting Applicants
A student enrolled in another law school accredited by the American Bar Association who wishes to take up to one year of courses at the USF School of Law may apply for admission as a visiting or non-matriculating student. Visiting applicants are accepted for the fall and spring terms.
| Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring 2010 | Nov. 2, 2009 |
| Fall 2010/ Full-Year | June 21, 2010 |
Applicants for admission as a non-matriculating visiting student must submit all of the standard admission requirements, as well as:
- An official transcript of all law school course work (including the last term enrolled prior to visit)
- A permission letter from the dean of the law school you are currently attending which certifies that you are in good standing and that credit earned while attending the USF School of Law will be accepted toward your degree requirements. Any other restrictions and requirements of the degree-granting institution also must be contained in the letter.
- A copy of your LSDAS report
- Application Form
Click here to complete the application form and submit it electronically through LSAC. Or download the application here. All mailed admission materials should be directed to the following address:
University of San Francisco School of Law
Office of Admissions
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080 - Education
All law school applicants are required to have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year university. An official transcript of all law school course work (including the last term enrolled) is also required of all visiting students.
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Personal Statement
The admissions committee requires that each applicant submit a personal statement to supplement the application form. The statement is used by the committee as both a source of additional information and as a writing sample, but is not a substitute for the application.
The statement should focus on your interest in and motivation and preparation for the study of law. The committee is interested in your personal experiences, background, and accomplishments. Factors that are helpful to the committee include co-curricular activities, areas of interest, past or present employment, and college academic honors.
If there are instances of academic probation or disqualification, applicants should be prepared to explain these situations in a separate addendum.
The personal statement should be typewritten, double spaced, and included with your application. Your resume may be attached to the statement. Please write your name on the top of each page. Number and staple pages together. If applying electronically, be sure to attach your statement electronically.
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$60.00 Application Fee
$60.00 application fee, payable to the University of San Francisco, must be submitted with your application. If you are applying electronically, you must pay the application fee online using a valid credit card.
The application fee is not refundable. In the event that you are subsequently admitted, the fee will not be applied towards your tuition. Furthermore, if you decide to withdraw your application before a final decision is made, your application fee will not be refunded.
Fee waivers are not available to transfer or visiting student applicants.
Disclosures
All applicants are required to complete the disclosure section of the Application. USF requires applicants to disclose any felony or misdemeanor charge, arrest, conviction, or pending adjudication including a DUI (or any alcohol- or drug-related offense). Information should include the date of each incident, full explanation of the incident, including the name of the charge, and the final disposition of each charge.
In addition, all applicants are required to notify the School of Law if any changes to the information included in their Application for Admission occur after the application has been submitted. In particular, all applicants must notify the Director of Admissions if any arrest or conviction of any felony or misdemeanor takes place after submitting the application.
Conviction is any of the following: (1) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, (2) a verdict or finding of guilt regardless of whether sentence is imposed by the court.
Newly admitted applicants are required to submit a detailed written description of any updated disclosures to the Admissions Office if an incident occurs after an offer of admission is made and to the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic Services if an incident occurs after classes begin. Information disclosed after an applicant has been offered admission will automatically result in a re-evaluation of the applicant's file.
The Bar Examiners will receive reports of any such convictions from law enforcement agencies. Failure to disclose this information in your application may result in revocation of your admission decision, dismissal from school, revocation of any degree awarded by USF School of Law and denial of admission to the Bar, and referral to the LSAC Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admission Process.
Application Materials
All materials and correspondence relating to admission or your Law School application should be directed to the School of Law Office of Admissions. Once submitted, all materials become the property of the School of Law and will not be returned or copied. Please keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents for your records.
JD/MBA Concurrent Degree Applicants
An applicant seeking admission to the concurrent degree program must complete the application process for both the USF School of Law and the USF School of Business and Management. Business courses completed prior to admission to the USF School of Law are not transferable for credit toward the juris doctor degree. Any applicant who has previously registered at another law school must have a letter of good standing submitted by that school. In the event that the applicant sat for examinations at another law school, an official transcript and class rank are also required.
Applicants may only apply as full-time students. Maximum consideration for both admission and scholarship opportunities will be given to applications received by the priority deadline of Feb. 1, 2010. Applications may still be accepted after the priority deadline through April 1, 2010; however, the admissions committee may reject applicants due to lack of available space in the entering class.
- Application Form
Click here to complete the application form and submit it electronically through LSAC. Or download the application here. All mailed admission materials should be directed to the following address:
University of San Francisco School of Law
Office of Admissions
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080 - Education
All law school applicants are required to have completed or expect to complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year university or college by the time law school classes begin in August. Accepted applicants must furnish official final transcripts indicating receipt of a baccalaureate degree, as well as completion of any work in progress when the application was filed. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the college or university to the Office of Admissions prior to the fall term.
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Personal Statement
The admissions committee requires that each applicant submit a personal statement to supplement the application form. The statement is used by the committee as both a source of additional information and as a writing sample, but is not a substitute for the application.
The statement should focus on your interest in and motivation and preparation for the study of law. The committee is interested in your personal experiences, background, and accomplishments. Factors that are helpful to the committee include co-curricular activities, areas of interest, past or present employment, and college academic honors.
If there are instances of academic probation or disqualification, applicants should be prepared to explain these situations in a separate addendum.
The personal statement should be typewritten, double spaced, and included with your application. Your resume may be attached to the statement. Please write your name on the top of each page. Number and staple pages together. If applying electronically, be sure to attach your statement electronically.
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Two Letters of Recommendation
The admissions committee requires two letters of recommendation in support of your application. An optional third letter may be submitted, but no more than three letters of recommendation will be considered for one application. Although the committee will accept recommendation letters from any two individuals designated by the applicant, the committee suggests:
- If possible, have the two recommendations completed by college faculty members (or administrators) with whom you have studied. If you have been away from college for a considerable time, you may wish to substitute other individuals, including supervisors and business colleagues, with whom you have had more recent contact.
- Choose individuals who have had substantial and recent opportunity to observe your professional and/or academic potential. Recommendations from people who have not had such opportunity are of little assistance to the committee.
- USF requires that your letters of recommendation be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service, which serves all member schools. This service is included in your Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) Registration subscription. Your recommendations will be copied by the service and sent to us along with your LSDAS Report.
Your LSDAS Report will not be released to USF until two letters of recommendation have been received by LSAC.
Be sure to follow all directions for submitting letters of recommendation as described in the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book. It is important that you fill out and give each person submitting a recommendation a letter of recommendation form. Forms can be obtained online at www.lsac.org.
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Law School Data Assembly Service
All first-time first-year applicants must register with LSDAS. Information about LSDAS registration is available online at www.lsac.org or in the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book. You may obtain the book by writing to:
Law School Admission Council
Box 40
Newtown, PA 18940-0998
(215) 968-1001Transcripts of all college work, both undergraduate and graduate, should be sent directly to LSAC. LSAC analyzes your undergraduate college transcripts and forwards a report to each law school you designate, along with your letters of recommendation. LSAC will not release your LSDAS report to USF until two letters of recommendation have been received by LSAC. The committee may not consider an application if the LSDAS report indicates that transcripts are missing.
If you are accepted for admission, you must submit directly to the USF School of Law official transcripts showing the award of the baccalaureate degree and any graduate degrees earned. The official transcript must be sent by the degree-granting institution(s). Transcripts sent to LSDAS do not fulfill this requirement. Your admission may be canceled if the Office of Admissions does not receive an official transcript prior to the first day of instruction.
If you completed your baccalaureate degree outside of the United States or Canada, USF requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted to the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (see item J).
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Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Applicants must take the LSAT and have their score(s) reported to the USF School of Law in an LSDAS Report. LSAT scores are valid for five years. Any LSAT taken prior to June 2005 is considered invalid for application review.
The LSAT is administered four times a year. Early scheduling is strongly recommended and you are advised to take the LSAT no later than the December 2009 test date. Applicants may take the February 2010 test; however, applicants to the Day Division may not be given maximum consideration due to the lateness of test results.
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$60.00 Application Fee
$60.00 application fee, payable to the University of San Francisco, must be submitted with your application. If you are applying electronically, you must pay the application fee online using a valid credit card.
The application fee is not refundable. In the event that you are subsequently admitted, the fee will not be applied toward your tuition. Furthermore, if you decide to withdraw your application before a final decision is made, your application fee will not be refunded.
The required application fee may be waived for an applicant whose financial situation makes it a severe hardship to pay. Applicants requesting a waiver of this fee must contact the Office of Admissions for an Application Fee Waiver Form. Approval of a fee waiver must be obtained prior to submitting an application for admission.
An applicant granted an LSDAS fee waiver may have their application fee waived. A copy of your LSDAS fee waiver must be submitted with your hard copy application. Applicants who apply electronically via LSAC will be allowed to submit their application electronically as long as their LSDAS fee waiver is for the 2009–10 application year.
Fee waivers are not available to transfer or visiting student applicants. USF Application Fee Waiver Forms must be submitted to the law school's Office of Admissions by Jan. 25, 2010.
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Diversity Statement (Optional)
In addition to the required personal statement, applicants may submit an optional diversity statement or essay. An applicant may describe any factors that illustrate how he or she may add to the diversity of the law school and enrich the educational environment for all students as well as the legal profession.
For example, an applicant may want to address issues or experiences related to race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, religious affiliation, ideology, or socio-economic disadvantage.
In addition, an applicant may want to discuss atypical career aspirations, employment background, educational history, special talents or skills, or primary or secondary languages other than English.
Additional Requirements for Foreign Concurrent Degree Applicants
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Applicants for whom English is a second language and who have not received a four-year baccalaureate degree in the United States or another country where English is the primary language are REQUIRED to take the TOEFL. The Committee will consider for admission only those applicants with TOEFL scores of 600 or above on the paper-based test or 100 or above on the TOEFL iBT exam. Information is available here. Only scores reported directly from TOEFL will be accepted.
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International Transcripts
The USF School of Law requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS). If you completed any post-secondary college or university work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript.
This service is included in the LSDAS subscription fee. A Foreign Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, which will be incorporated into your LSDAS report.
Foreign law school applicants also must contact the Educational Testing Service and request their TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code for the JD CAS is 0058. Your score will be included in the Foreign Credential Evaluation document that will be included in your LSDAS report.
To use the JD CAS, log in to your online account and follow the registration instructions. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it to them promptly. More time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts. Questions about the JD CAS can be directed to LSAC at (215) 968-1001 or lsacinfo@lsac.org.
Disclosures
All applicants are required to complete the disclosure section of the Application. USF requires applicants to disclose any felony or misdemeanor charge, arrest, conviction, or pending adjudication including a DUI (or any alcohol- or drug-related offense). Information should include the date of each incident, full explanation of the incident, including the name of the charge, and the final disposition of each charge.
In addition, all applicants are required to notify the School of Law if any changes to the information included in their Application for Admission occur after the application has been submitted. In particular, all applicants must notify the Director of Admissions if any arrest or conviction of any felony or misdemeanor takes place after submitting the application.
Conviction is any of the following: (1) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, (2) a verdict or finding of guilt regardless of whether sentence is imposed by the court.
Newly admitted applicants are required to submit a detailed written description of any updated disclosures to the Admissions Office if an incident occurs after an offer of admission is made and to the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic Services if an incident occurs after classes begin. Information disclosed after an applicant has been offered admission will automatically result in a re-evaluation of the applicant's file.
The Bar Examiners will receive reports of any such convictions from law enforcement agencies. Failure to disclose this information in your application may result in revocation of your admission decision, dismissal from school, revocation of any degree awarded by USF School of Law and denial of admission to the Bar, and referral to the LSAC Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admission Process.
Application Materials
All materials and correspondence relating to admission or your Law School application should be directed to the School of Law Office of Admissions. Once submitted, all materials become the property of the School of Law and will not be returned or copied. Please keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents for your records.