We believe successful law students come from a wide range of backgrounds-including yours. Our admissions requirements reflect this passion for diversity and inclusiveness, and we admit students with a wider range of test scores and undergraduate GPAs than most law schools.
However, because we also believe all students who enter law school should be committed and prepared for success as students and legal professionals, we do follow strict admissions requirements:
Undergraduate Degrees
You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution. You can apply before graduating, but your degree must be in hand before the first day of classes.
LSAT Results
You must have LSAT scores that are less than five years old. The LSAT is offered four times a year, and you may at Phoenix School of Law, or any authorized testing location. Find one at www.lsac.org.
Test Scores & GPA
Phoenix School of Law takes a holistic admissions approach that considers LSAT or GPA and evaluates a broad range of factors to a student's potential to succeed in law school. If you have lower grades or test scores than the typical law student, you can submit an addendum of up to one page that explains your past performance, as well as why you believe you will now be successful as a Phoenix School of Law student. The Admissions committee will take into account your ability to overcome obstacles. If submitting your application online, please use the electronic attachment.
Law Violations or Criminal Charges
If you've been charged or convicted of a crime or other violation of the law, you may be required to submit further documentation prior to consideration:
- Docket sheets indicating the final disposition will be required for all felony criminal arrests/and or convictions, regardless of the type of plea agreement.
- Docket sheets will also be required for any traffic offenses involving drugs and/or alcohol.
- Docket sheets may be required for misdemeanor criminal arrests and/or convictions depending on the severity and nature of the incident as well as the frequency of similar types of incidents in your history.
If you have been charged or convicted in a legal matter, you may also submit a one-page addendum to your application explaining the circumstances.
Character & Fitness
Successful completion of law school does not guarantee admission to the bar in any jurisdiction. Attorneys are held to high ethical standard, and you should be aware that there are character and fitness requirements prior to admission to the bar.
The practice of law is a public profession. In the interest of protecting the public, in all jurisdictions, a bar applicant's character and fitness to practice law must be established prior to licensure. Thus, bar applicants are required to disclose, and bar examiners will request from various sources, detailed background information to be evaluated by the relevant bar examiner. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Neglect of financial responsibilities
- Employment history (including charges of dishonesty or misconduct)
- Involvement in legal or disciplinary proceedings
This background examination includes events that occurred prior to and during law school. It is imperative that you answer all questions asked by the bar examiners completely and honestly, and update such information, should additional relevant events occur.
You should use the same candor on your law school application, as this information will be disclosed to bar examiners. Failure to disclose relevant information may have more detrimental consequences than the proper disclosure of the underlying matter.
More detailed information about the various jurisdictions' character and fitness determinations can be reviewed in the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admissions, published by the National Conference of Bar Examiners and available directly from the publisher or online at www.ncbex.org.
You can also contact a jurisdiction directly for information. Contact information for the various boards of bar examiners can be found at www.ncbex.org or www.barexam.org.
