CUA Columbus School of Law

Admissions

Applications | Eligibility Requirements | Non-Discrimination Statement

Applying for First Year Admission

To be eligible for admission, an applicant must have received an undergraduate degree from a college or university accredited by one of the regional associations and demonstrated satisfactory performance on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Applicants to both day and evening divisions must apply by March 15. First year students begin their studies only in the fall semester.

In most cases applications are complete when the following has been received:

The application with a $65 non-refundable application fee;
Personal Statement;
An official Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) report containing a transcript analysis and LSAT score.
Two letters of recommendation. The letters may be mailed directly to the Admissions Office by the writer, sent by the college or university, included with the application in sealed envelopes signed across the flap by the writer, or sent via the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service.
A note to international applicants: Transcripts from colleges and universities outside the United States or Canada must be evaluated by an organization such as World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. We will also accept international transcripts through the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service.
Please note that applicants whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate education was not received in a school where English is the language of instruction, must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The results should be forwarded directly to the Law School.

Applicants with disabilities
If you have a disability that you believe should be taken into consideration in reviewing your credentials, please so indicate in your application and supply appropriate documentation. Specific tests are required to document a learning disability. This optional and confidential procedure is intended to enhance applicants' opportunities for admission and will not be used to discriminate against individuals.

Some applicants may have disabilities that may not require testing accommodations or special consideration in the credentials review, but may require planning by the Law School to assist students when enrolling. Such disabilities may be mentioned on the application, or students may notify the school after acceptance. It is useful to have as much advance notice as possible to enable the Law School to make necessary accommodations.

Transfer Applications
Students may be admitted with advanced standing from a law school accredited either by the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools after completing the first year of law school elsewhere. Students must be in good standing and eligible to continue at their original school. The application deadline is July 1st. In addition to your application, personal statement, and resume, the following documents are required:

Official Law School Transcript demonstrating first year grades;
A letter of good standing from the Dean of the law school;
Of the two required letters of recommendation, one must be from a current law professor;
A full LSDAS report sent to the Admissions Office either by Law Services or the current law school; and
An official undergraduate transcript sent directly from the degree granting school.

**Important Notice from the Office of Legal Career Services ("LCS"): Please contact LCS to discuss registration dates and procedures for the 2007 Recruitment Program as soon as possible after being admitted to CUA; many key dates and deadlines occur over the summer.

Dual Degree programs
Applicants to dual Masters/J.D. programs must apply to each program separately, satisfy the requirements of each school, and be accepted by each school independently. For more information on the Masters degrees offered by CUA, you may visit the Graduate School's website.

Admission to the Bar
Before entering law school, students should be familiar with the character and other requirements for admission to the bar of the state or states where they intend to practice. Responsibility for fulfillment of all requirements rests with the student.

Candor in Application
Accurate answers to questions on the application are very important. Past arrests, criminal convictions and disciplinary offenses are assessed individually on factors including applicant's age at the time, time lapse since the event, seriousness of the offense, whether the record suggests an isolated event or a pattern, and surrounding circumstances. Such events are rarely the deciding factor in an application, but rather form an element for consideration in the application. Lack of candor and inaccurate disclosure on the application are serious matters which can result in suspension or expulsion if discovered after admission.

At the Columbus School of Law of The Catholic University of America our goal is to create a community of learning rich in multicultural diversity. Soliciting applicants from a vast array of racial, religious, social and ethnic backgrounds cultivates an educational environment where free thought in the marketplace of ideas is not just accepted, but the norm.

Admission Inquiries
Inquiries regarding admissions should be directed to Columbus School of Law, Office of Admissions, The Catholic University of America, Cardinal Station, Washington, D.C. 20064

Phone: 202-319-5151
email: admissions@law.edu

Director: Shani J.P. Butts

Assistant Director: Jermaine Cruz

Financial Aid Inquiries
Inquiries regarding financial aid should be directed to Columbus School of Law, Office of Financial Aid, The Catholic University of America, Cardinal Station, Washington, D.C. 20064

Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
Wednesday evenings until 7:00 p.m.
Phone: 202-319-5143
email: fin-aid@law.edu
Director: David Schrock

Last Revised 22-Jul-08 11:05 AM.