Law School Application Advice

Still have questions? Feel free to ask our admissions team.

Our best advice is to apply early. Cincinnati Law works on a rolling admissions process, meaning applications are prioritized and reviewed as they are submitted. Applying early will allow your application to be viewed more competitively for both admission and scholarship. For us, applying early is before December 1. You can find our admissions timeline on the JD Admissions page.

The personal statement is your chance to tell the admissions committee about why you want to go to law school, and what you as an individual can add to the incoming class. It's also a chance to show us you're a competent writer, so be sure to proofread. A well written personal statement can go a long way, whereas a poorly written statement can hurt your chances of admission.

In roughly two pages, we want you to tell us:

• Why you want to go to law school
• Why you want to come to Cincinnati Law
• Why we should admit you (i.e. life experiences that have prepared you to be a strong law student)

There is no required or preferred length of a résumé. The length will depend on the extent of your background and experiences. The biggest thing to note is that a résumé for law school should not necessarily look like a typical job resume. Be sure to prioritize the experiences you feel are directly related to—and have best prepared you for—success in law school.

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180. There is no minimum LSAT score to be considered at UC Law, nor is there a high score that guarantees admission. Looking at the range between the 25^th and 75^th percentile for any given year (for the most recent class, it’s 153-159) can give you an idea of what a competitive score would be. Applicants should keep in mind that the LSAT score is only one component of an admissions decision, and that GPA, the personal statement, and letters of recommendations are also important.

As to preparation, many excellent books and courses are available to help you study for the LSAT. UC offers an in-person course that meets on weekends, for more information see UC's Pre-Professional Advising Center website. The Khan Academy now offers free-to-access materials in collaboration with LSAC. Your local public library can also be a great resource. Taking timed practice tests under simulated conditions is essential. Even if you only take one section at a time, time yourself for that section.  Focus on the types of questions you struggle with, and repeat. 

You can, but it’s best to make sure you prepare well and do your best on the first try. According to LSAC, large jumps in score are rare, and usually happen when the test taker didn’t prepare the first time or had something really go wrong on test day. You are allowed to retake the test up to three times in a year, five times in five years, or seven times total. Your highest score will be considered by the committee. 

We sure do. (If you need a refresher, a complete list of application requirements is on our Apply page.)

• Qualifications for Admission to the Bar: full disclosure is best when it comes to character and fitness, but keep it to the facts!
• Sample LSAT Essay: The writing sample is not really something you can prepare for, but it should be taken seriously. It is not scored, but the members of the admissions committee will review it as they are considering your application, as an example of your written communication skills. 
• Letters of recommendation: Recommendations from professors are preferred, but if you’ve been out of school awhile or have had exceptional work experiences, letters from supervisors are perfectly acceptable. Regardless, be sure to take time to sit down or hold a phone call with your recommender, walking them through your résumé discussing your experiences, why they have prepared you for law school, why you’re interested in pursuing a JD, and the impact you hope to make. This will help the recommender write a more personal and substantial letter of recommendation.
• And most importantly: Apply early!
  

Affording a legal education shouldn't have to be difficult. All admitted students at UC Law are automatically considered for scholarships. Our awards are primarily merit-based, relying most heavily on LSAT, GPA, and your educational background.

For the incoming Class of 2020, roughly 95% of students received scholarship offers. The average award was roughly $15,000. We also guarantee a student's scholarship for all three years of law school, provided that you remain in good academic standing (a.k.a. maintaining a 2.0 GPA or above.)

It's also worth mentioning that our alumni graduate with debt levels nearly $80,000 less than the national law school average. And, according to a 2019 Bureau of Economic Analysis report, Cincinnati has the lowest cost of living of any major metro in the U.S. Learn more about our tuition and financial aid.

Absolutely! Visiting a law school is the best way to determine if it's a good fit and a viable option for your legal studies. You can schedule your visit to Cincinnati Law online. 

During your visit, you'll typically meet with an admissions director, participate in a first-year class, and tour the law school with a student ambassador. You're welcome to visit alone or with guests.

After you apply, it typically takes, on average, between 2-4 weeks to receive a decision. If you're admitted, we try to provide you with your acceptance packet and scholarship offer (if awarded) at the same time. Two Admitted Student Open Houses are held in the Spring and you are highly encouraged to attend. We'd love to see you there.