Hamline University School of Law will accept applications for 2010-2011 from September 15, 2009 through July 1, 2010. However, our preferred deadline is April 1, 2010.
You must Apply Online through the LSAC's E-Application Service and register for the Credential Assembly Service.
You will be asked to register for the LSAC e-application service (even if you already have an LSAC user account). If you run into technical difficulty with the online application, please call LSAC's Help Desk at (215) 968-1393.
Admissions Statement
The Hamline University School of Law Admissions Committee, in its holistic review of an applicant's file, seeks a variety of components, such as: strong academic performance, leadership and service, and community/university involvement. We are committed to admitting a diverse class of academically talented students to advance our mission of leadership, scholarship, and service in order to produce lawyers who are locally engaged and globally connected. We seek intellectually curious students with differing backgrounds and experiences to promote a law school environment where students engage in a lively exchange of ideas.
Admissions Process
The Admissions Committee will evaluate your application upon completion. Hamline begins to accept applications on September 15. An application is complete as soon as ALL ITEMS listed under Admission Requirements have been received. These items are discussed in detail below.
While LSAT scores and GPAs help predict law school performance, non-quantifiable information about you is also very important. Hamline University School of Law seeks diversity of intellectual and personal experiences in order to enrich our educational environment. Therefore, the Admissions Committee also strongly considers your personal statement, résumé (which should include employment history, honors and awards, volunteerism, and community service), and letters of recommendation.
The Office of Admissions will notify you promptly, by mail, of your admissions decision. If admitted, you will be required to pay a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit to reserve your seat in the entering class. We also require that prior to enrolling at Hamline, an official copy of your undergraduate transcript from your degree-granting institution be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. The transcript sent to Hamline with your LSDAS report does not constitute an official transcript.
Applicants who have questions about any step in the admissions process are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions at 651-523-2461, 800-388-3688, or email us at lawadm@hamline.edu. Our mailing address is: 1536 Hewitt Avenue, MS-D2001, St. Paul, MN 55104.
Admission Requirements
- Application
All applicants must complete the entire application for admission. Applicants must submit an electronic application through LSDAS. The application fee is $35.00.
- Undergraduate degree
Applicants for admission to the first-year class must possess a Bachelor's Degree from an appropriately accredited college or university prior to matriculation.
- Personal Statement
A personal statement of two to three double-spaced pages is required. Your essay should address your motivation for attending law school, and specifically Hamline University School of Law. The personal statement provides you with the opportunity to tell the Admissions Committee about your unique abilities, character, and experiences. The committee weighs this statement heavily in the decision making process and also considers it a writing sample.
- Résumé
A detailed résumé is required. It should include work history, extracurricular activities, community service, internships, academic honors, hobbies, and other special interest, abilities or accomplishments, (most recent activities first).
- LSAT Score
All applicants must provide a valid LSAT score, meaning that the LSAT must have been taken within five years of the planned matriculation date.
- LSAC's Credential Assembly Service Report
In addition to all LSAT score report, the LSDAS report should include the following:
- Transcripts
All transcripts from post-secondary academic work must be submitted to LSDAS. This includes: community college credits, multiple undergraduate institutions attended, and any/all graduate work.
- Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. The letters of recommendation must be submitted through LSDAS.
Deadlines
The preferred application deadline for admission is April 1, and the majority of decisions are made by May 1. Applicants completing the application process after the deadline may be made offers if space is available. It is in your best interest to apply as early as possible. However, the Admissions Committee will accept applicants until the class is filled.
International Applicants
In addition to the submission of an application and all of its components, international applicants should adhere to the following guidelines.
- Evaluation of transcripts
All applicants who completed their post secondary work outside of the United States, United States territories, or Canada must use the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (JD CAS) for the evaluation of transcripts. This service is included in the LSDAS subscription fee and the evaluation will be incorporated into your LSDAS report. Questions about the JD CAS can be directed to LSAC at 215-968-1001 or LSACINFO@LSAC.org.
- TOEFL requirements
Potential students must demonstrate proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a score of: 600 (paper-based format), 250 (computer-based format), or 100 (Internet-based).
- Financial documentation
Admitted applicants must provide proof of sufficient financial support, including an original bank letter and account statements demonstrating the ability to pay for expenses. Also, you must submit an affidavit of support if you are being sponsored financially by another party.
Transfer Applicants
Transfer applicants are required to submit the same admission materials as all other applicants. In addition, transfer applicants shall provide the following:
- Personal Statement
A transfer applicant's personal statement should address the reason(s) why the applicant has chosen to apply for a transfer.
- Transcripts
Transfer applicants will be considered for admission to Hamline upon completion of the first year at an ABA-approved law school. Once a full, first year has been completed, the student's current law school should send an official copy of the applicant's transcripts to Hamline's Office of Admissions.
- Letter of Academic Good Standing
In addition to providing a law school transcript, all transfer applicants must also have their current law school Registrar submit a letter of academic good standing to Hamline's Office of Admissions.
Visiting Student Applicants
All students seeking visiting student status must contact the Office of the Registrar at 651-523-2468. Applications can be found online at: http://www.hamline.edu/law/registrar/pdfs/Forms/Visiting%20Application.pdf.
Applicants with disabilities/special needs
Hamline's Admissions Committee reviews and processes all applications in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- LSAT Accomodations
Accommodations are often available for applicants taking the LSAT. Request forms for test accommodations can be found at http://www.lsac.org/, or with test materials.
- Admitted students with disabilities
Contact Darrell J. Davis, Assistant Dean for Student and Multicultural Affairs, at 651-523-2966 to discuss any questions concerning disability accommodations in law school.
The Hamline University School of Law Office of Admissions looks forward to receiving your application. Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.
Accreditation Information
Hamline University School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). The ABA may be contacted at: Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar, 321 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, telephone 312-988-6738. The AALS may be contacted at: 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036, telephone 202-296-8851.