Admissions
Process
The admission process at St. John's University School of Law is
highly competitive. The School seeks to identify and select a
diverse group of talented students who will succeed not only at St.
John's, but continue our tradition of excellence in the legal and
business worlds. Accordingly, in reviewing applications, we focus
primarily on the demonstrated qualities and proven skills we deem
essential for academic success and intellectual stimulation at St.
John's.
The School receives approximately 4,500 applications for the
fall entering class, which includes about 650 applications for the
evening program. The entering class usually consists of
approximately 250 day students and 60 evening students.
Applicants should recognize that Law School Admission Test
(LSAT) scores and undergraduate GPAs are important factors in the
admission process. However, numbers alone might not entirely
reflect an applicant's ability to succeed in the study of the law,
enhance the law school's educational environment, and deliver legal
services in a professionally responsible manner after
graduation.
Therefore, the Admissions Committee will also consider, among
other factors, the nature and difficulty of the applicant's course
of undergraduate studies; the applicant's entire undergraduate
record, including ascending or descending trends in achievement;
graduate work or degrees; significant extracurricular activities
while an undergraduate or graduate student; community activities;
work experience; and personal obstacles that may have interfered
with the realization of the applicant's full potential and personal
achievements.
Requirements For
Admission
Baccalaureate Degree/LSAT
Applying for admission to St. John's University School of Law
requires a baccalaureate degree granted by a fully accredited
institution. Taking the LSAT is also a requirement. Applicants for
admission in the fall semester should take the LSAT no later than
February.
The School of Law participates in the Credential Assembly
Service (CAS), which simplifies admission procedures. Submitting a
School of Law application requires registering for the LSAT and
with the CAS. To register for the LSAT and CAS, please contact the
Law School Admissions Council at:
LSAC
Box 2000
Newtown, PA 18940
(215) 968-1001
www.LSAC.org
LSACinfo@LSAC.org
Graduates of Foreign Undergraduate
Institutions Applying for a JD
St. John’s University School of Law requires that your foreign
transcripts be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly
Service (CAS) or World Education Service (WES). If you
completed any postsecondary work outside the US (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 US or
Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on
the home campus transcript.)
If you choose to use LSAC JD CAS, the service is included in the
CAS subscription fee. A Foreign Credential Evaluation will be
completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and
Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into your
CAS report.
To use the JD CAS, log in to your LSAC online account and follow
the instructions for registering for the service. Be sure to
print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send
it promptly to them. More time is usually required to receive
foreign transcripts. Questions about the JD Credential
Assembly Service can be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001, or LSACINFO@LSAC.org.
If you choose to use WES, you must submit your academic records
to WES for interpretation ans summation. Applicants must
arrange for a report from WES to be forwarded to St. John's
University School of Law. For further information
contact:
World Education Service
PO Box 5087
New York, NY 10274
(212) 966-6311
(800) 937-3895
www.wes.org
The Elements of a Completed
Application
An application file is considered complete when the School of Law
has received the following:
- A completed St. John's University School of Law
application
- $60 application fee
- A personal statement
- A CAS report
- A minimum of 2 (maximum 3) letters of recommendation
The Committee on Admissions will consider up to three letters of
recommendation. Recommendations from college instructors familiar
with the applicant's academic work are most helpful; however,
applicants who have been away from the classroom for several years
might choose to submit recommendations from employers, supervisors
or business associates. The Admissions Committee prefers that
letters of recommendation be sent as part of your Law Services
report; however, they may also be included with your application in
a sealed envelope, with the seal signed by the recommender.
Alternatively, recommenders may send them directly to the Office of
Admissions.
Deferred
Admission
The School of Law offers deferred admission in only a small number
of cases, and only for good cause. Therefore, most applicants
accepted in one year will have to reapply for consideration in
subsequent years. A request for Deferred Admissions must be
sent in writing to lawinfo@stjohns.edu or an
Admissions Counselor.