Application Requirements and Procedures

Online application | Paper application

Hamline University School of Law will accept applications for 2007-2008 from September 15, 2007 through July 1, 2008.

You can Apply Online through the Law School Admission Council.

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.

If you prefer, you can submit a paper application. You can either download the application or request it from the Office of Admissions.

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 $400 non-refundable tuition deposit to reserve your seat in the entering class. We also require that prior to your matriculation to 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

  1. Application

All applicants must fully complete the application for admission. Applicants may opt to apply using a paper application, or by submitting an electronic application through LSDAS. The $50 application fee will be waived for applicants who choose to apply electronically.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Resume

A detailed resume 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).

  1. 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.

  1. Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) 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.
Once all application materials, the law school transcript, and letter of academic good standing have been received, a transfer application is considered complete and ready for review.

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 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.

Hamline University School of Law | 1536 Hewitt Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55104-1237 | U.S.A. | 651-523-2941