The number of applications for admission that the Law School receives exceed the number of places in the entering class. Based upon academic record and LSAT score, a very high percentage of the applicants could be deemed qualified for admission. While the Law School could choose its class solely on the basis of academic potential, the faculty has concluded that neither the public nor the profession would be best served by an admission process that was limited to selecting only those most likely to achieve academically. The faculty believes the educational process at the Law School, as well as the profession the students enter upon graduation, is best served by an admission process that will result in the selection of a diverse and talented student body and, to that end, has formulated an admission policy that takes into consideration individual skills and characteristics that might not necessarily be directly related to academic potential.

Therefore, admission to the Law School will be granted to those applicants who, in the opinion of the admission personnel, will make the most significant contribution to society as members of the legal profession. Factors used in making decisions regarding admission include: (1) the applicant's general academic ability based upon a careful examination of the undergraduate (and graduate, if any) transcript, including factors such as the grade-point average, the quality of the school attended, the difficulty of the major or department in which the degree was earned, the hours spent on outside employment or other time-consuming extracurricular activities, and the length of time elapsed since graduation; (2) the applicant's capacity for the academic study of law based largely upon the LSAT score and writing sample; and (3) other relevant personal qualities and characteristics of the applicant, including factors such as the location of the applicant's permanent residence, the applicant's career goals, ethnic status, cultural, economic, and educational background and experiences, moral character, leadership qualities, commitment to community service, ability to undertake independent and creative research, and communication skills. The applicant should discuss his or her own characteristics and qualities in the personal statement required as part of the admission process and should seek to have those persons writing letters of recommendation discuss such factors.

An offer of admission to the school is valid only for the year stated in the notice of admission. An admitted applicant who does not enroll that year may reapply by filing the application for a subsequent year. An applicant who reapplies is considered with other students applying that year. Admission one year does not ensure admission for a subsequent year. Deferment requests will be considered on an individual basis if a written request is submitted with an explanatory statement.