J.D. Applicants

Application Instructions

Once you have met the admissions requirements, you must submit:

• The completed and electronically signed application for admission.
• Two letters of recommendation: If you graduated from college within the past three years, at least one letter should come from a college professor. If you graduated more than three years ago, it is acceptable to provide letters from professional colleagues. We will accept up to three letters. Your letters of recommendation must be submitted through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). The letters of recommendation service is included in your CAS registration subscription.
• A personal statement: Your personal statement is your opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee your significant personal, social or academic experiences that demonstrate why you are interested in attending law school and what qualities you will bring to our campus. Please attach a two- to three-page, double-spaced statement reflecting your interest in seeking a J.D. and in joining our community.
• Resume: Please attach a resume to your application that includes all of your relevant education, work experience, volunteer activities, honors, scholarships, awards and other activities that reflect your background and experience.
• The $55 non-refundable application fee: The application fee should be paid online through your LSAC.org account. Get information about fee waivers.
• Official transcripts of all collegiate, graduate and professional study must be sent directly to the CAS.
• Character & Fitness: All candidates must establish their character and fitness to serve as an officer of the court upon graduation. The application includes six detailed questions that request full disclosure of any character and fitness issues you may have. These can include juvenile offenses. Most offenses are not considered to be the kind to deny someone admission to the bar. However, full disclosure is essential for someone seeking admission to any of the state bars, and a failure to disclose can result in non-admission. Also, candidates with any character and fitness issues must include the charge filed against them, the adjudication and a short description of events.

Supplemental KU Law application for international students (for preparing your I-20)

This form is required for international students only. Please follow these steps:

• Download the Supplement to KU Law Application for International Applications form (pdf).
• Submit the form directly to admitlaw@ku.edu.

Optional Statements

Optional Kansas Statement

In a separate attachment, please briefly share with us any personal interest or connection to Kansas, the University of Kansas, or the University of Kansas School of Law. An attachment to or sincere interest in our university or Kansas may be considered as a factor in our evaluation.

Optional Diversity Statement

The University of Kansas School of Law seeks to build a diverse student body reflective of our community and our nation. In a separate attachment, please share with us your life experiences or personal characteristics that would add to the diversity of the student population and enrich the academic and cultural experience.

Optional Addendum

Please share with us any relevant information about your academic record or personal history that you did not address in your personal statement. This is your chance to provide context for anything that might cause you concern in your application.

Decisions & Deadlines

KU Law makes its admissions decisions on a modified rolling basis with the goal of making decisions in as timely a manner as possible. Prior to the application priority deadline, we try to review applications and provide decisions in the order the applications are received.

Priority Application Deadline: March 1, 2023

Decision Timeline

The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications in mid-November with the first decisions being released in mid-December. If your application is completed prior to Dec. 15, you should receive a decision by Jan. 31. After that period, we try to deliver decisions within 4 to 6 weeks of your application being completed. In sum, the earlier you complete your application, the sooner you will receive your answer.

For applications completed prior to the priority application deadline, the Admissions Committee makes every effort to review each application. After the deadline, admissions decisions are made to the extent that there is still space available in the incoming class.

Please note that the Admissions Committee selects some applications for an additional level of review. In these instances, please allow extra time for the Committee to make its decision.

Scholarship Decisions

At KU Law, we make our merit-based and need-based scholarship decisions at the same time we make our admissions decisions. You will be notified of any award at the time of your admissions decision.

Taking a Future LSAT/Retaking the LSAT

You may submit your application prior to taking the LSAT exam. If you are taking the LSAT for a second time, you should indicate this on your application. If after you have already submitted your application, you decide to take the LSAT a second time, please notify the Admissions Office and we will update your file.

If you have notified us that you plan on taking a future LSAT, and then decide not to take the LSAT, you must notify us in a timely manner.

Admissions Policy

Admissions Criteria

The University of Kansas School of Law seeks to admit a highly qualified and diverse class, one that consists of persons who, individually and collectively, show great promise of contributing to and succeeding in the study and practice of law.  We review each application holistically and strive to admit talented, diverse, and dedicated students who will not only make an impact inside the law school during their time at KU Law, but who will also make a positive impact in the legal profession after graduation.

There are no infallible measurements or predictors of academic success or legal ability. Admission decisions are based on a variety of criteria that suggest such promise, including undergraduate course work and grades; LSAT scores; employment; professional or volunteer experience; leadership in school or civic activities; unique qualities and achievements; diversity of background and experience; and demonstrated ability to overcome financial or other disadvantages. The committee also considers the applicant’s interest in or connections to Kansas or the University of Kansas.

Each year, our goal is to admit a class reflective of America’s population and to ensure access to the legal profession to all persons. 

At the University of Kansas School of Law, we support the ideals expressed by the American Bar Association and are committed to providing “full opportunities for the study of law and entry into the profession by members of underrepresented groups, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, and a commitment to having a student body that is diverse with respect to gender, race, and ethnicity.”

While no one factor will be considered determinative in the decision process, the Admissions Committee may consider the following factors, among others, as contributing to the diversity of our law school when making admissions and scholarship decisions:

• Race
• Ethnicity
• Cultural background
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities
• Evidence of commitment to diversity
• Academic background and credentials
• Evidence of leadership skills
• First-generation college student
• Geographic diversity
• Financial, social, family, physical or educational hardships
• Previous career before pursuing higher education
• Service to community
• Socioeconomic status
• Urban/rural background
• Age
• Disability
• Gender identity or expression
• Sexual orientation
• Military or veteran status
• Tribal affiliation/tribal membership
• International background or experience
• Other unique contributions

Admissions Committee

The Admissions Committee consists of admissions staff and faculty members who select students with the law school's primary mission in mind: "to prepare students to be outstanding members of the legal profession, well-educated in the law, with a commitment to professional achievement and public service."

GRE Test Policy

The Admissions Committee considers many factors for admissions and scholarship decisions when evaluating applicants. Among the factors are LSAT and GRE exam scores. As part of the application requirements, all candidates must take either the LSAT or GRE exam. The law school does not have a preference for either exam, although most applicants apply using the LSAT exam.

Providing Score Reports: GRE

To add GRE scores to your application file, designate KU Law (6871) on your ETS account. GRE scores will be added to your file 10 to 15 days after the test date. If there are multiple GRE scores, the law school will rely on the “superscore” of the highest score for each section.

All LSAT and GRE test scores from the past five years must be included in an applicant’s application. For students who have taken both exams, the LSAT score will be the primary score used for evaluation.