ADMISSIONS FAQ
The Basics
The median undergraduate GPA for the Class of 2026 is 3.85, with the 25th and 75th percentile distribution between 3.65 and 3.95, respectively. The median LSAT for the class is 164, with the 25th and 75th percentile distribution between 160 and 166, respectively.
*Current as of September 1, 2023
There is no pre-law curriculum, no magic formula. It is, however, vital that law students have a mastery of the English language. We look closely at the candidate’s transcript. Candidates should undertake an undergraduate program that develops their ability to speak and write about concepts clearly; their capacity to read complex material with precise understanding and attention to detail; and the power to reason, weigh facts, and solve problems. Candidates should choose courses that are challenging and are taught by instructors who insist on high standards of intellectual performance. In the humanities, it might be a major in English, political science, philosophy, or history. In the sciences, it might be physics, mathematics, biology, or chemistry. In engineering, it might be computing, materials science, or civil engineering. The curriculum the candidates choose (as well as the other activities they are involved in) should expose them to broad cultural experiences and a critical understanding of human values and institutions.
The admission staff are available for telephone, video, and in-person meetings to provide information on the application process and other related matters. Please click here to schedule your appointment.
Admissions Decisions & Timelines
Yes, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis between early November and March.
The Admissions Committee is composed of the Dean of Admissions, the Director of Admissions, and rotating law faculty. All files are reviewed in their entirety. There are no automatic “admit” or “deny” categories based on LSAT scores or undergraduate GPA. While there is an emphasis on a candidate’s academic record, the S.J. College of Law employs a holistic review of all applicant files, evaluating a multitude of factors beyond the LSAT and undergraduate GPA. Each committee member reviews applications individually; the committee does not meet as a body to discuss applicants.
JD candidates may submit their application as early as September 1 under the Early Decision Program and Regular Decision.
To meet the deadline(s), candidates must submit a complete application with all JD application requirements through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website. Applications submitted to LSAC for transmission to this law school will be considered post-marked on the day they are electronically submitted.
Applications may be submitted beginning on September 1 (the date our law school application opens). The JD program has three (3) application deadlines:
2023 – 2024
- Early Decision application deadline: October 27, 2023*
NOTE: The September 2023 LSAT is the last exam considered for early decision.
*The early decision application is a binding process; thus, if candidates apply, and they are subsequently admitted, they commit to enrolling at and attending the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. If candidates submit their completed early decision application by October 27, they will be notified of their application status by November 17, 2023.
- Regular Admission process priority consideration deadline: January 15, 2024
NOTE: The November 2023 LSAT/LSAT Flex is the last exam considered for the recommended application deadline. - Regular Admission process final application deadline for the: March 10, 2024
NOTE: The February 2024 LSAT/LSAT Flex is the last exam considered for the application completion deadline
We recommend that candidates complete their file by January 15. All applications submitted and completed by March 10 will be reviewed during the regular admission process.
The committee begins reviewing regular decision JD applications in early November.
After the committee begins reviewing files (in early November), decisions are generally made six (6) to eight (8) weeks after the date the applicant completes and submits the application. NOTE: If an applicant completes and submits their application before the admission committee begins reviewing applications, a decision on the file will not be made until six (6) to eight (8) weeks after early November.
Applicants are notified of a decision by email. The Office of Admission will not disclose decisions during inbound phone calls.
Under the regular admissions process, merit scholarships are awarded beginning in late January. NOTE: Scholarships notifications are sent separately from the admissions decision. All accepted candidates are considered for merit scholarships on the basis of their applications. Need-based scholarships require a separate application form that is made available to all admitted students. Need-based scholarships are typically awarded in late spring. For information on average awards for merit and need-based scholarships, please click here. There are some privately-funded merit-based scholarships, fellowships and stipend programs available to second- and third-year students.
Application Process
The Early Decision Program (EDP) is an application process designed for law school applicants who have determined that the S.J. Quinney College of Law is their first-choice law school. Establishing that the S.J. Quinney College of Law is an applicant's first-choice law school should be the result of fully researching law school options. If, after exploring the various law school programs, the S.J. Quinney College of Law remains an applicant's first-choice school, they may wish to apply under the EDP. NOTE: The EDP is a binding application program. This means that applicants applying through this program during the 2023-24 admission cycle, commit to enrolling at S.J. Quinney College of Law for 2024 Fall semester if admitted. You may read more about the EDP by clicking here.
Entering JD applicants must use the LSAC Letter of Recommendation service. When candidates use the service, they should use the forms provided by the Law School Admission Council. Transfer and Visiting applicants may have their recommenders submit the letter of recommendation directly to the College of Law's Office of Admissions with the accompanying S.J Quinney College of Law Letter of Recommendation Form.
Yes. You can electronically submit any information you think will be helpful in the evaluation process. If you wish to submit an addendum or updates after completing your application, please send the information via email to admissions@law.utah.edu.
The statement(s) you are submitting as part of your application are viewed as a document(s) demonstrating your writing ability; therefore, the statement(s) must be written by you and no one else should assist in their drafting beyond basic proofreading or critiquing. You may not use Artificial Intelligence in the drafting of your statements. The statements must be written in the following format: no more than two (2) pages in length, double-spaced, with one (1) inch margins, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt.
Candidates are required to submit a personal statement. The Admission Committee's goal is to assemble an intellectually stimulating community of students composed of individuals who have varied backgrounds and perspectives. In addition to outstanding academic ability, we seek students whose life experiences, backgrounds, and interests will enhance our educational community. This includes, but is not limited to, qualities such as leadership, maturity, organization, knowledge of other languages and cultures, sincere commitment to community service, a history of overcoming disadvantage, extraordinary accomplishment, or success in a previous career. The subject matter of your personal statement is up to you. The personal statement should let the Admission Committee know more about you as a person and should address the above qualities if that information is not presented in other areas of your application. Issues addressed in your personal statement may include the background, experiences, and events (positive or negative) that have affected you. You may address the perspectives and experiences you will bring to classroom discussions and the law school community or your motivations for seeking a legal education.
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test results from the TOEFL exam or IELTS.
TOEFL
The exam must have been administered 12 months from the time of the law school application. Candidates must contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that their TOEFL score be sent to LSAC to be incorporated into their Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report. TOEFL scores will be included in the International Credential Evaluation Document. LSAC’s TOEFL code for the CAS is 8395. NOTE: Candidates are not required to submit a TOEFL score if they have received a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university. The preferred minimum TOEFL iBT score is 100.
IELTS
You must contact your IELTS testing center and request that your IELTS score is sent to LSAC to be incorporated into Credential Assembly Service Law School Report. The preferred minimum IELTS score is 72.
All applicants must have an active CAS subscription. The CAS subscription is good for five (5) years. If your CAS subscription has lapsed, you will need to register again at www.lsac.org.
JD Program
No. Our program is a full-time day-only program. The program begins during the Fall semester.
Yes. We offer six (6) dual-degree programs: JD/MBA, JD/MPP, JD/MPA, JD/MRED, JD/MCMP and JD/MSW. For more information on these programs, please click here.
LSAT
In situations where a candidate has multiple LSAT scores, the S.J. College of Law will presumptively use the highest score. The reviewer, however, may use the average score if information in the file indicates that the average score is the most appropriate measure of the candidate’s skills.
For five years. For example, for candidates applying during the 2023-2024 application cycle (to begin in Fall of 2024), valid test scores are not considered farther back than those dated September 2018.
The College of Law, under the American Bar Association Standard 503, may admit a limited number of applicants who have not taken the LSAT. Those LSAT exemption applicants must: 1) meet certain conditions, 2) be deemed academically eligible, and 3) be approved to apply under the College of Law's LSAT exemption policy. Applicants who have taken the LSAT are not eligible to apply under the LSAT exemption policy. LSAT exemption applicants are eligible to apply under the Early Decision Application process.
Early Decision Program and regular JD decision program applicants are eligible to request an LSAT exemption.
Who qualifies?
Applicants who have earned or will earn their bachelor’s degrees from the University of Utah within 12 months of starting the JD program; or
Applicants who are also applying to one of our six joint degree programs (JD/MBA, JD/MPP, JD/MPA, JD/MSW, JD/MCMP, or JD/MRED).
Academic Eligibility
1) Applicants who earn their bachelor’s degrees from the University of Utah must meet these two conditions:
a. Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA reported on the Credential Assembly Service Report at or above 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale). PLEASE NOTE: Those at or above the median undergraduate GPA for the most recent entering JD class will be considered most competitive for admission.
b. Scored in the top 15% on the ACT or SAT.
2) Applicants who are also applying to one of our six joint degree programs must meet these two conditions:
a. Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA reported on the Credential Assembly Service Report at or above 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale). PLEASE NOTE: Those at or above the median GPA for the most recent entering JD class will be considered most competitive for admission.
b. Scored in the top 15% on the GRE or GMAT.
Request Process to Apply as an LSAT Exemption Applicant
Send an email requesting approval to apply as a LSAT exemption applicant to Reyes Aguilar, Associate Dean for Admissions, at reyes.aguilar@law.utah.edu. Enter “LSAT Exemption Request” in the subject line. In the body of the message, indicate whether you are seeking approval as a University of Utah bachelor’s degree applicant or as a joint degree applicant. Attach an unofficial copy of your undergraduate transcript. For joint degree applicants, attach confirmation of your GRE or GMAT score. After the associate dean verifies your eligibility by reviewing your transcripts and test score, you will receive a reply message indicating our decision for you to apply as a LSAT Exemption Candidate. If you are approved, you should then complete the regular application process through LSAC.org.
NOTE: Applicants admitted under the LSAT exemption process may not sit for a future-dated LSAT. If an applicant admitted under the LSAT exemption policy takes the LSAT, the offer of admission will be rescinded, and the applicant will be reviewed under the regular decision process when the LSAT score is posted.
ADMISSIONS RESOURCES
