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Application Deadlines

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  September 1: Application Opens

  The application opens for the incoming class that enters the following fall. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the admissions cycle for maximum consideration.

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  February 15: Priority Deadline

  Applications received by this date will be given priority consideration for admission and scholarships. After this deadline, the admissions committee will continue to accept applications on a space-available basis and award scholarships on a resource-available basis.

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  August 1: Final Deadline

  The admissions committee will continue to review applications over the summer months until August 1. The final LSAT score that can be accepted is the June LSAT; however, space will be extremely limited in the incoming class at this point, so students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

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  Bachelor’s Degree

  Students must receive a bachelor's degree before entering law school. While many students apply in the final year of undergraduate studies prior to receiving their degree, others apply after receiving their degree. All undergraduate degrees are acceptable. Each year, the incoming class includes students with a variety of degrees in liberal arts, education, criminal justice, business, and STEM. We encourage candidates to maintain a cumulative undergraduate grade point average at or above 3.0 for admission; however, we consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application.

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  LSAT Score

  Students must have taken the LSAT within the past five years and have a current score available.  Applicants must have a high LSAT score in at least the 15th percentile of that test's administration to be considered. We encourage candidates to perform at the 50th percentile or better for admission; however, we consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application. Applicants may apply before sitting for the LSAT. We will complete and hold the application pending the LSAT score release.

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  Application

  Detroit Mercy Law accepts online applications submitted through LSAC.  Applications must include complete responses to all questions.

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  CAS Report

  Applicants must request that LSAC provide Detroit Mercy Law with a Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report that includes all LSAT score(s), transcript(s), and TOEFL scores (if applicable).

  TOEFL scores, including the Test of Written English and the Test of Spoken English, are required from applicants who earned their undergraduate degree outside of the US, its territories, or Canada.  Applicants should contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for TOEFL registration at www.toefl.org. Applicants submitting TOEFL results must request that ETS send TOEFL scores to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code is 0058.

  Applicants who completed more than one year of post-secondary work outside of the US, its territories, or Canada, with the exception of study abroad, consortium, or exchange programs sponsored by a US or Canadian institution and stated as such on the home institution transcript, are required to use CAS for the authentication and evaluation of international transcripts. For less than one year of study, an applicant may submit transcripts of this work directly to Detroit Mercy Law.

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  Letters of Recommendation

  Two letters of recommendation are required, and one must come from a college professor, unless the applicant has been out of college for a number of years. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through LSAC.

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  Personal Statement

  The personal statement is an opportunity for the Admissions Committee to learn more about your qualifications and how you will contribute to the classroom and the profession. The statement should not exceed three pages double spaced and should include your name and LSAC account number on each page. Please share information about what inspired you to pursue a legal education, your professional goals, and your interests.  The statement also serves as a writing sample and should adhere to conventional rules of writing.

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  Resume

  A one-page resume is preferred. Resumes should not exceed two pages. Please include an education section and experience section. In the education section, you may list any awards, scholarships, publications, and activities. In the experience section, you may include both paid and unpaid experiences. You may also include other sections, for example, languages, memberships, and interests. Do not include an objective or references section.

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  Dual JD Supplemental Form

  This is only required of applicants to the Transnational Canadian and American Dual JD Program. Please see the Supplemental Form section of the online application to download the form.

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  Addenda

  Please submit an explanatory addendum for each academic and criminal disclosure that includes specific dates, causes, circumstances, and outcomes for each disclosure. Other explanatory addenda are accepted, but not required. Addenda should not exceed one page in length, absent extraordinary circumstances.

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  Academic Credentials

  We encourage candidates to maintain a cumulative undergraduate grade point average at or above 3.0 and to perform at the 50th percentile or better on the LSAT for admission; however, we consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application.

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  Additional Criteria

  We consider a range of applicants based on all aspects of the application. Additional criteria include writing and analytical skills, leadership, work experience, and service. We recognize that a diverse student body enhances our community, and we value individuals who offer unique backgrounds and experiences.

Other Applicants

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  Transfer Applicants

  Detroit Mercy Law accepts applications to transfer for the fall and spring academic semesters from applicants who have completed the first full year of law school (24-30 credits) and are in good standing at a fully accredited ABA law school. Transfer applicants follow the JD program application procedures. A transfer application also must include an official law school transcript, a letter of good standing from the dean of the last law school attended, and an original or a copy of the applicant's current CAS report.

  For transfer admission, Detroit Mercy Law normally requires the applicant to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, having completed the first 24-30 credits at the prior law school.
   
  At least one half of the credit hours required for graduation must be taken at Detroit Mercy Law. Credit hours earned at another law school will not be accepted for transfer unless a grade of 2.0 or better is attained. Only the course name and credit hours transferred are recorded. The number of credit hours awarded for any one transfer course shall not exceed the number of credit hours earned for a similar course offered at Detroit Mercy Law.

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  Guest Applicants

  Guest students plan to complete their JD at their home institution but plan to take classes at Detroit Mercy Law. To apply as a guest student, applicants submit the application for admission to the JD Program using the Personal Statement to specify reasons for requesting guest student status at Detroit Mercy Law. The application must also include a letter of good standing from the dean of the home law school, approving the course(s) the guest student may take, and a copy of the CAS report.

  Guest students will only be approved to take upper-level courses. First year courses are reserved for Detroit Mercy Law students only.

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  Course Audit Application

  Detroit Mercy Law accepts course audit applications. Auditors must possess a Juris Doctor to audit classes. Auditors will not receive academic credit for courses. All audits are subject to space availability in the class. A separate application must be completed for each course an auditor is seeking to audit. Course audit applications will remain open until a week before the start of a new term. The tuition is waived for Detroit Mercy Law alumni auditing a course; the tuition for non-alumni is the prevailing rate per credit hour.
  
  Auditors agree to review the Detroit Mercy Law Student Handbook (law.udmercy.edu > students) and agree to obey all applicable rules.
  
  Course Audit Application
  Course Schedule

Equal Opportunity

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  Non-Discrimination Policy

  University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender including gender identity and gender expression, height, weight, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, creed, military service or veteran status, or political belief.