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Application Instructions

New J.D. Students - Our Fall 2024 Application is now open.

Application Available: October 1 until May 15

Transfer J.D. Students - Please visit the Transfer Applicant page for more information and instructions.

View the J.D. Admission Policy for more information.

Admissions

The College of Law admits new full- and part-time students each fall. As a prerequisite to enrollment, applicants are required to have earned a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. A final, official transcript evidencing the award of the degree must be submitted to the Law School Admission Council's (LSAC) JD Credential Assembly Service (JD CAS) before enrolling. Unless admitted under an approved 3+3 program, in no event will anyone who has yet to receive a baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent be permitted to enroll in the College of Law.

While no particular major will ensure success in law school, a solid foundation in the liberal arts and/or sciences with substantive writing assignments is recommended. The College of Law will review each applicant's transcript to determine whether the applicant has taken a mix of classes that demonstrate his or her ability to read and comprehend rapidly and accurately, to think precisely and logically, and to communicate clearly and correctly.

The Faculty Committee on Admissions and Entering Awards begins reviewing completed applications in late fall. Although applications are accepted until the deadline, we highly recommend that you submit your application early. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship, we recommend you complete your file by March 15. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis. Please review the College of Law's website at stetson.edu/lawfinaid for more information about financial aid and scholarships.

Stetson Law awards multi-year scholarships to selected entering full- and part-time law students. All admitted students are considered for scholarships; no special application is needed. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, a range of other personal accomplishments and experiences, and the ability to further the mission of the College of Law. Applicants who wish for their unique circumstances and backgrounds to be considered should include an addendum with their application.

Deferments may be granted for one year only, on a case-by-case basis. Requests for deferment will be considered only if made in writing to the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Planning after the confirmation fee (seat deposit) has been paid. Deferment of admission is not available to candidates admitted from the waiting list.

Transfer applicants must use the transfer application available on November 1 for spring and February 1 for fall of each year. Applicants must be in good standing at their current law school. Visiting (transient) students should not complete this application but should contact the Registrar for the appropriate application.

Application Process

All applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and register with LSAC's JD CAS. LSAT scores are valid for admission purposes for five years from the test date to the intended enrollment date. LSAC sends a law school report that includes your LSAT score(s), copies of your transcripts, and your letters of recommendation. The report is sent electronically to the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning once it is complete. You must work directly with LSAC to ensure that all items are received and processed.

Applicants may take the June LSAT as long as they submit their applications by the deadline. Stetson uses your highest LSAT score, not an average of all scores, for admission. You may obtain LSAT and JD CAS registration and information materials from LSAC at LSAC.org, or by calling 215.968.1001.

Application for Admission

Any false or misleading statement, or inaccurate application, may be the basis for denial of admission, or if admitted, disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, dismissal from the College of Law, revocation of admission, revocation of credits or degree, or other appropriate sanctions, regardless of when discovered. By transmitting your application you certify that you have read and understood the application, including your continuing duty to update the application, and that the information you have submitted is complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief.

Application Fee

A $55 nonrefundable application fee must be paid online through LSAC when you submit your application.

Recommendation Letters

Please assign a minimum of one letter of recommendation; a maximum of three letters will be accepted. Please use the Letter of Recommendation Service provided by the LSAC. Academic references are encouraged; however, we recognize that many students have difficulty obtaining academic references and will not penalize candidates if one cannot be obtained.

Personal Statement and Résumé

The Personal Statement should address your reason for wishing to study law and earn the JD, which may include special accomplishments or qualifications pertinent to your application. A concise, two- to three-page double-spaced format is preferred. Please put your name and identification number (LSAC account number) at the top of each page. Candidates may also submit an addendum to explain unusual circumstances, such as grade fluctuations or wide variance in LSAT scores.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a résumé along with their personal statement and application.

Please Note: Whether as part of the résumé or within the application itself, applicants should list any and all employment (paid or unpaid) held since their 16th birthday or for the past 10 years, whichever is shorter. This will ensure consistency with the employment question on the Florida Bar application, the most common state in which Stetson graduates to practice.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all colleges or universities you attended, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, must be sent to LSAC's Credential Assembly Service, regardless of whether you earned a degree from the institution.

Admitted students who choose to enroll at Stetson University College of Law must submit final, official transcripts showing the award of their bachelor's degree to LSAC before enrolling. This applies to all students educated in the United States, its territories, and Canada.

Interviews and Campus Visits

The Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning does not conduct personal interviews for the JD program. However, applicants are encouraged to visit the College of Law for a campus tour, attend a first-year law class, and meet with an admissions counselor to learn more about Stetson University College of Law and the admissions process. Please contact the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning for an appointment at 727.562.7802 or [email protected].

Deadline for a Completed First-Year Application
Fall (full- and part-time) - May 15

The application fee is $55. Applicants to the College of Law must indicate their preferred program, either full- or part-time. Applicants may take the June LSAT.

Notification of Application Status and Decision

Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application along with a username and password that allows applicants to check their application status online and to confirm their address and other contact information. The Office will also inform applicants if there are missing items or if additional information is needed to process the application and when the application is complete and ready for review.

Important: All decisions will be communicated via email. Decisions are not released by phone, except for US military personnel stationed abroad.

Seat Deposit

If admitted, a nonrefundable deposit of $500 is required to reserve a seat. Please note: The seat deposit deadline and instructions for remitting payment are on the letter of acceptance. This deposit will be credited to your tuition upon registration. Please make a check or money order payable to Stetson University College of Law. Credit cards are also accepted.

Qualifications for Admission to the Bar

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Additional Resources:

Applicants with Disabilities

Pursuant to applicable law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the College of Law provides reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Individuals seeking information about disability accommodation at the College of Law are encouraged to read more about Accessibility Resources for Students with Disabilities on the Stetson website. Questions can be directed to the ADA Coordinator at [email protected].

The College of Law invites applicants with disabilities to disclose any anticipated barriers concerning accessibility. Information you would like considered in the admissions process can be disclosed within the Personal Statement. Any accessibility information disclosed will remain confidential and will be considered only as directed by relevant law. Please note that this disclosure is voluntary and will not result in the adverse treatment.

Foreign-Educated Applicants

Foreign-educated students applying for admission to the JD program must meet certain additional requirements. Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate degree at an English-speaking institution must submit a TOEFL score of at least 100 on the Internet-based test. For TOEFL information, visit http://www.ets.org/. Fluency in English may also be established by alternative assessment such as scoring at least a 7 in IELTS. For more information, visit http://www.ielts.org/. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for three years.

Stetson University College of Law requires JD applicants to contact their universities and have the schools submit foreign transcripts through the LSAC JD CAS. Transcripts for all post-secondary education completed outside the United States (including its territories) or Canada must be evaluated through this service. Foreign coursework through study-abroad, consortium, or exchange programs sponsored by US or Canadian institutions is exempt from this requirement, provided that the work is clearly indicated on the home campus transcript. The JD CAS report is included in the registration fee. The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers will complete an international credential evaluation, which will be incorporated into your JD CAS report. If Stetson determines that a TOEFL or IELTS score is required, you must contact the Educational Testing Service (TOEFL) or IELTS to request that your scores be sent to LSAC. (LSAC's TOEFL code for the JD CAS is 8395.) Your score will be included in the international credential evaluation document that will be included in your LSAC JD CAS Law School Report.

To use the service, log on to your LSAC online account and follow the instructions for registration. Print out and promptly send a transcript request form to each foreign institution you attended, and allow ample time to receive and translate foreign transcripts. If you have questions about the JD CAS, please contact LSAC at 215-968-1001 or [email protected].

Foreign Attorneys

Please refer to the application information on the Accelerated J.D. for Foreign Attorneys page of the website.

Nondiscrimination Policy

It is the policy of Stetson University not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, age, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical characteristics, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law in its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, employment, or other school-administered programs. The policy is enforced by Stetson and, where applicable, federal laws such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. The University is an equal-opportunity educational institution.

Inquiries regarding compliance with these statutes, and referrals to designated coordinators under the ADA/Section 504, Title IX, and the Age Discrimination Act may be directed to the Dean of Students, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL 32723, 386.822.7200 for the DeLand and Celebration campuses, and to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, 1401 61st Street South, Gulfport, FL 33707, 727.562.7809 for the Gulfport and Tampa campuses, or to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, 1.800.421.3481, TDD: 877.521.2172.

Notice of Privacy Rights

It is the policy of Stetson University, consisting of its multiple campuses, wherever located (collectively the “University”) not to discriminate on the basis of sex, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, parenting status, race, age, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical characteristics or any category protected by federal, state or local law in its educational programs, activities or employment. The policy is enforced by Stetson, and where applicable, federal laws such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. The University is an equal-opportunity education institution.

Notice of Campus Security Act and Fire Safety Reports

Copies of the annual Campus Security (Clery) Act Report and Fire Safety Report and Plan are available at no charge from the Public Safety Department. To receive a copy, call 727.562.7801, or visit the College of Law's website at https://www.stetson.edu/law/offices/safety/.

To obtain further information about Stetson University College of Law, contact:

Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning
1401 61st Street South
Gulfport, FL 33707


Phone: 727-562-7802
Fax: 727.343.0136
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: https://www.stetson.edu/law/admissions/home/