J.D. Admissions
Admissions Online
On this website you may download or request a catalog and submit an electronic application for admission to the School of Law for the program leading to the Juris Doctor degree. Applicants can use the online application status check at the UC Davis website to monitor the progress of their application through the admission process.
A link on our website takes the applicant to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website and our electronic application. The $75 non-refundable application fee required by UC Davis School of Law is the only fee required for submission of the electronic application.
The last date for filing completed application forms together with all supporting documents including a personal statement, LSAT score, LSAC Credential Assembly Service report and 2 letters of recommendation is February 1 of the year in which admission is sought. Early filing of all application material is strongly recommended.
The application must be accompanied by a $75 nonrefundable application fee in the form of a credit card payment. Fee waivers granted by LSAC are honored by UC Davis.
The School of Law Admission Committee reviews all applications. Students are admitted only on a full-time basis and may enroll only in August.
Students who have been disqualified at another law school will not be admitted to UC Davis.
Any fraudulent practices relating to the admission process will be considered grounds for disqualification by the Admissions Committee.
LSAC Credential Assembly Service
Applicants should register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service no later than December preceding the year in which admission is sought by creating an online account at www.LSAC.org 
. Information about the registration process is included at the LSAC website.
Personal Statement
To evaluate your application, the Admissions Committee has available only the information you provide. Applicants are therefore asked to write a statement that adds further dimension to the quantitative predictors. The statement may discuss any of a variety of factors, including academic promise, background information and any discrepancies in GPA and/or LSAT score; growth, maturity and commitment to law study as evidenced, for example, by extracurricular activities, community service, employment experience and advanced study; severe economic disadvantage or physical disability; other factors relating to diversity, including bilingual skills and unusual accomplishments, skills or abilities relevant to the legal profession. It is highly recommended that the personal statement be limited to no less than two or no more than four typewritten pages, double spaced. Applicants may include within this four page limit other documents they want the Admission Committee to consider such as Diversity Statements, Addendum, explanations of special circumstances, etc.
Letters of Recommendation
The applicant must provide two letters of recommendation from responsible (and unrelated) persons who know the applicant well. At least one recommendation must come from a faculty member under whom the applicant has recently studied. Applicants not currently enrolled in an academic program may substitute references from employers if it is not possible to obtain an academic reference. The letters of recommendation should comment on the applicant's academic abilities, character and significant accomplishments, including extracurricular activities, community involvement and prior work experience. Applicants must submit recommendations through the LSAC letter of recommendation service. Information about the service can be found at the LSAC website. LSAC evaluations submitted in addition to the recommendations are accepted though not required.
The Admissions Committee cannot seriously consider an application before letters have been received.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
All applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test as early as possible and no later than December preceding the year in which admission is sought. LSAT scores earned before October 2008 are not valid for Fall 2012 admission. Applicants should take the test by October and no later than December for admission the following fall.
Transcripts
Applicants should submit directly to LSAC supplementary transcripts covering fall work as soon as the transcripts become available. Failure to do so may delay consideration of your application materials.
Successful applicants will be required to have the degree-granting institution submit directly to the School of Law a final transcript showing the award of a bachelor's degree and any graduate degrees earned. Transcripts submitted with an LSDAS/CAS report do not meet this requirement.
Diversity Statements, Addenda or other supplemental information
Applicants may use the four pages designated for the personal statement to include a diversity statement, explanations or clarifications, addendums or other supplemental information. Title each page appropriately so that it is clear where the personal statement and any other documents begin and end.
Resumes
Resumes are not required but are highly recommended. Please limit resume length to 1 or 2 pages.
Reapplication
Applicants who reapply for admission must comply with all of the above procedures. The LSAT does not need to be repeated (scores received before October 2008 are not valid), but a current 2011-2012 CAS report must be provided in addition to the application and the $75 non-refundable fee. An addendum to the previously submitted personal statement is strongly advised.
Requirements and Standards for Admission to the School Of Law
Applicants for admission to the professional curriculum of the School of Law, leading to the degree of Juris Doctor, must evidence a record of sufficiently high caliber to qualify for the study of law. A bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree from a college or university of approved standing must have been earned prior to the time the applicant begins work in the school.
The Admissions Committee is seeking law students of demonstrated academic ability, as evidenced by many factors including LSAT scores, the undergraduate grade point average (GPA), any economic or other disadvantages overcome by the applicant, graduate studies and extracurricular activities.
With approximately 4000 applications projected for the 2012 entering class of 190-200, the Admissions Committee will be looking beyond the LSAT and GPA for special qualities in its applicants. The Committee is seeking law students of diverse backgrounds, interests, and skills.
Commitment to Diversity
The students and faculty of the UC Davis School of Law recognize the desperate need for lawyers representing the diverse populations of California. Although a legal career is not the only way to address the effects of racism, poverty and the myriad social, political and economic problems that continue to affect this country, it is one way to work for change.
Experience or background that enables an applicant to bring a unique perspective to the study of law or contribute to serving the diverse populations of California may be taken into account in the admission process. Because it promotes learning, an important goal of the admission process is a student body with diverse backgrounds, interests and skills. The personal statement may be used to provide such information.
Combined Degree Programs
Combined Degree Programs are available with the UC Davis Graduate School of Management and most of the master's degree programs offered through the UC Davis Department of Graduate Studies. Separate applications should be submitted to each department because the evaluation and decision processes are performed independently. If admitted to both programs, the applicant must enroll at the School of Law for the first year. Contact the Graduate School or department for their requirements.
Qualifications for Admission to the Bar
You are advised to contact the Committee of Bar Examiners in the state in which you intend to practice for information regarding qualifications for admission to the bar of that state. Admission to and successful completion of law school does not ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the bar of California or any other state.
California Residency
The law school admission process does not take residency into consideration although tuition is based on residency. Detailed information about Residency is provided at the UC Davis Office of the Registrar's web site. Specific questions about residency should be directed to the UC Davis Residency Deputy.
