Do I Qualify for Admission?
The Special Student
Applicants are considered for admission in one of three categories, as defined by The State Bar of California.
The Colleges of Law admit students from diverse backgrounds so as to promote understanding in the classroom and broaden the opportunity for access to the legal profession. We consider several factors including academic grade point averages and, in some cases, LSAT scores. Other criteria may weigh heavily in the Admissions Committee’s decision, such as the applicant’s life experience, maturity, moral character, ability to communicate, employment, and volunteer activities.
●● An associate’s degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or a score on the LSAT normally in the 50th percentile or above; or ●● A minimum of 60 semester (or 90 quarter) units in academic subjects, awarded by a qualifying institution. (Applicants lacking a degree should contact the Admissions Office about eligibility.)
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If you do not meet these criteria but have valuable life experience, your application may be considered by the Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 are not eligible for admission.
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●● A bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or a score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) normally in the 50th percentile or above; or
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We will consider you for admission as a regular student if you have:
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The Regular Student
www.collegesoflaw.org
If you do not meet the academic requirements for admission as a regular student but are at least 21, you may apply as a special student. Applicants in this category must be personally interviewed by the Dean and provide, in addition to the application materials required of all applicants, the following: ●● A minimum LSAT score in the 50th percentile or above; ●● Scores of at least “50” on College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests as required by the State Bar of California; and
What About Finances?
●● Two letters of recommendation.
In keeping with the Colleges’ not-for-profit mission of making a legal education affordable, tuition at the Colleges is among the lowest of California-accredited law schools and less than half that of programs offered at most traditional private law schools. Still, a quality education costs money, and for some that can pose a hardship. Fortunately, options are available, including private loans, legal community scholarships and the Colleges’ deferred tuition program, which allows students to pay their tuition over the course of an entire semester or session. Eligible veterans may qualify to receive benefits for study at the Colleges, including “Post-9/11” payments.
After completing the first-year curriculum, a special student is required to take The State Bar’s First-Year Law Students’ Examination (FYLSX). See our website for details about CLEP and FYLSX requirements.
The Transfer Student You may apply to transfer from another law school into the Colleges of Law if you meet all admission requirements as either a “regular” or “special” student. You must provide a letter from the Dean of your prior law school, stating that you are in good standing and eligible without condition to continue law studies. If you lack such good standing or are not eligible to continue without condition, your application must be approved by both the Admissions and Academic Standards Committees; such approval is rarely given. Transfer credit may be available for prior law studies. Please check our website for details.
On our website you will find details about current tuition, fees, cost of books, and tuition refund policies. (In special cases, such as when students receive veterans benefits while attending the Colleges, where state and federal law may require a different schedule of refunds, the amount of refundable tuition will be as provided in such laws.)
Acceptance to the Colleges is not guaranteed merely because an applicant meets the minimum admission requirements. All admissions decisions are within the Colleges’ sole discretion.
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