First Year Admissions

Entering first-year students are admitted only in the fall. Applications for admission should be returned to the Admissions Office before the February 1 deadline for maximum consideration.

College records must be submitted through the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), and all applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and have their scores reported to Santa Clara University. The LSAT is given four times a year — in June, September/October, December, and February — at examination centers throughout the United States.

Applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than preceding February. Additional information and registration forms are available from the Admissions Office or by contacting Law School Admissions Services, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940, telephone: 215-968-1001.

Applicants are accepted on the basis of their college records, LSAT score, information contained in the application forms, personal statements, optional letters of recommendation, and any other information provided.

Applications Procedure

The applicant must complete the following steps:

1. Return the application for admission to the School of Law Admissions Office with the $75 application fee. A personal statement should be included. If letters of recommendation are being submitted they should be enclosed with the application when possible or be submitted through Law Services letter of recommendation service that is a part of the LSDAS subscription. February 1 is the deadline for maximum consideration. Early application is recommended.

2. Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Tests are generally considered current for four years. If the test is taken more than once, the higher score will be considered.

3. Register with the Law School Data Assembly Service. Have official transcripts sent to LSDAS from every North American college or university attended. Transcripts from institutions outside the United States or Canada should be submitted directly to the School of Law.

4. Upon acceptance, make the tuition deposits required to hold a seat in the entering class.

Admissions Process

The School of Law attempts to avoid taking a mechanical approach to admissions. Grade point average and LSAT scores are not determinative. The Admissions Committee is made up of four faculty members with years of experience at Santa Clara who individually study the application. They look for non quantitative data such as life experience, the selection of academic courses, improvement in the undergraduate academic program, graduate work, employment in law-related fields, maturity, and a variety of other factors. It is their function to uncover students who show the capacity to become good lawyers.