Application Process

Requirements and Procedures

Applications for admission are accepted after September 1 for the following academic year. Before any applicant can be considered, all of the following items must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

1. Application Form: Complete and accurate information is essential. The application must be signed and dated. A one-page statement outlining the applicant’s reasons for selecting the Duquesne University School of Law must be attached.
   
   Please apply via the Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
   
   
2. Fee: A $60 non-refundable processing fee is required and must accompany the application.
3. Law School Admission Test (LSAT):
   • All applicants are required to take the LSAT
   • Multiple test scores are discouraged; scores that are more than three years old will not be considered.
   • When to take the LSAT?
     Day Division - no later than December
     Evening Division and Part-Time Day Division applicants -  no later than February.
   • Taking the test at a later date may significantly decrease the opportunity for admission.
4. Candidate Assembly Service (CAS): All applicants are required to subscribe to the CAS. Official transcripts from each college or university attended must be sent directly to CAS.
   
   
   Registration information for the LSAT and CAS can be found on the LSAC website at http://www.lsac.org.    You may contact LSAC directly by calling 215.968.1001 or by writing to:
   
   Law Services
   Box 2000
   662 Penn Street
   Newtown, PA 18940-0998
5. Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required for each applicant. Applicants still in college or graduate school, or those out of school for less than two years, should request one letter from a professor and one letter from a responsible citizen who is not connected with the school. All other applicants should request one letter from a current or former business supervisor and one from a responsible citizen who is not connected with the applicant’s employment.
   
   Evaluation forms, which may be completed and submitted in place of letters if so desired, are provided in the application package. While the Admissions Committee recognizes letters of recommendation from the CAS letter of recommendations service, the Admissions Committee prefers the evaluation forms contained in the application.

6. Supplemental Information: Applicants are not required to submit a personal statement but may do so if there is significant information relevant to the Admissions Committee’s review of academic performance or other criteria which is not indicated by the required documentation. Part-Time Day and Evening applicants are asked to submit a statement outlining information on employment history or other post-baccalaureate experiences which are relevant to the Admissions process.

7. Deadlines: Applications for all three divisions are accepted after September 1 for the following academic year.

   • Day Division applications must be postmarked no later than April 1.
   • Evening Division applications must be postmarked no later than May 1.
   • Part-Time Day Division applications are accepted through June 1.

Complete and accurate information is essential. Failure to furnish all supporting credentials or the furnishing of incorrect information may invalidate admission and registration. Applicants should retain copies of all items submitted as part of the admission application. These materials become the property of Duquesne University and will be neither reproduced nor returned to the applicant.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the file for Admissions Committee consideration is complete and that all required documents have been received by the Admissions Office.

Notification of Decision

The Admissions Committee reviews applications as they become complete.

• Day Division applicants are typically notified of acceptance in November.
• Evening and Part-Time Day Division applicants are typically notified beginning in late February.

After the above dates, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they become complete.  The review process can take several months.  Once a decision is made, the applicant is notified immediately in writing.

• Acceptance Deposits
• Accepted Student Transcripts

Applicants/Admitted applicants who intend to practice law should be aware that admission to the bar in all states involves character, fitness and other qualifications.  Applicants are encouraged to determine what those requirements are in the state(s) in which they intend to practice by consulting the website of the National Conference of Bar Examiners at http://www.ncbex.org/.