loyola chicago law school personal statement

2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Loyola university chicago, 2023-2024 catalog.

The Academic Catalog is the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies and degree requirements for Loyola University Chicago. It is published every year in advance of the next academic year.

School and Academic Centers and Institutes

Undergraduate academic standards and regulations, arrupe academic standards and regulations, professional license disclosures, accreditation, school of law.

Academic excellence. Service for others. A focus on values and ethics.

It adds up to a superior legal education at Loyola University Chicago's School of Law. Combined with top-notch, accessible faculty who provide support and encouragement to students, Loyola University Chicago's legal education prepares you for a successful career as a practitioner, judge, legislator, administrator, business person or other endeavors.

The Loyola University Chicago School of Law curriculum:

• Provides you with the substantive knowledge required for effective and responsible participation in the legal profession
• Fosters your appreciation of the increasingly complex, global, diverse and interdisciplinary nature of law and legal practice
• Promotes your development in a range of lawyering and professional skills
• Provides substantial opportunities for your participation in real-life practical experiences and pro bono activities
• Develops your understanding of the fundamental values of the legal profession
• Promotes the Jesuit values of social justice and service to others
• Instills the idea of law as a learned profession that requires a lifelong commitment to learning, leadership and professional development
• Serves the School of Law academic mission

Graduate Programs

• Advocacy Certificate
• Business Law (LLM)
• Child and Family Law (LLM)
• Child and Family Law Certificate
• Child Development with the Erikson Institute (MJ/MS)
• Children's Law and Policy (MJ)
• Competition and Consumer Protection Law Certificate
• Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management (LLM)
• Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management (MJ)
• Compliance Studies Certificate
• Health Law (LLM)
• Health Law (MJ)
• Health Law Certificate
• International and Comparative Law (SJD)
• International Law and Practice Certificate
• LLM Program for International Lawyers (LLM)
• Law (JD Full time)
• Law (Weekend Part-Time JD)
• Law/Business (JD/MBA)
• Political Science/Law (MA/JD)
• Privacy Law Certificate
• Public Interest Law Certificate
• Public Policy/Law (MPP/JD)
• Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW MJ)
• Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW) (LLM)
• Social Work/Children's Law and Policy (MSW/MJ)
• Social Work/Law (MSW/JD)
• Tax Law (LLM)
• Tax Law Certificate
• Transactional Law Certificate
• Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM)

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.

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The University of Chicago The Law School

Program info, faqs: personal statement, what is the admissions committee looking for in the personal statement.

The Admissions Committee is primarily looking for two things in the personal statement:

• Who are you: Will this applicant be a likeable and interesting addition to our community? Are you thoughtful and reflective? Will our professors and your classmates enjoy working with you and learning from your perspective?
• Writing and communication ability: Can you communicate your thoughts effectively? Are you able to present information in a clear, organized, and concise manner (much like you will be required to do in law school and as an attorney)?

What should I write about in my personal statement?

Our application does not provide a specific topic or question for the personal statement because you are the best judge of what you should write. Write about something personal, relevant, and completely individual to you. This may include writing about a significant aspect of your background, a quality or trait you believe defines you, a transformative experience, or the things that interest and motivate you. Don’t worry so much about selecting a unique or novel topic. Just be yourself. Your personal statement will be unique if you are honest and authentic. See these examples of personal statements .

How does the personal statement fit into the rest of my application?

Think about the personal statement as the fun and interesting part of your application. This is where we get to learn more about who are you as a person and go beyond the transcripts, test scores, and resume. Let each part of your application speak for itself and do what it is intended to do - you don't need to worry about selling us on your credentials in the personal statement.  

Do I need to tell the Admissions Committee why I want to go to law school?

Not necessarily. We request a personal statement; it is not a statement of purpose. You are welcome to discuss your reasons for applying to law school, but please make sure we will still get to know you as an individual. Law schools have different views on this topic, so please consult each school to which you are applying. 

What are some tips for a successful personal statement?

There are few rules that apply to every applicant because of the individual nature of the personal statement, but here are some tips based on our experiences that all applicants should follow:

• Be straightforward. Do not make it more complex than it is. We simply want a candid, well-written essay that helps us learn about you, your story, and your background.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread. Your personal statement should not have errors - this is a sample of your writing and it should be a strong reflection of your written communication skills. Edit extensively and make sure to remove tracked changes.
• Be concise and organize your thoughts. Remember basic writing skills and essay structure. You want to present your ideas in a logical, clear manner.
• Make sure your personal statement is about you . Keep the focus on you with any topic you choose. Focusing too much on a family member or family history, a social or legal issue, or stories about others is a very common mistake. Even if you tell a moving and interesting story, it will not be a successful personal statement if it does not allow us to get to know you.
• Be yourself. We are confident every one of our applicants is unique. Be honest. Do not write about something you think you are supposed to write about or rely too heavily on sample topics or model statements. A topic will not be effective unless it is appropriate for your specific application and background. Don’t try to fit your personal statement into a defined category or box.
• Write in your own voice. This makes your personal statement believable and authentic. Don’t use phrases and vocabulary that you wouldn’t normally use in writing and conversation. It is usually not a good idea to lead with a quote. We are looking for clarity and honesty.
• Make it personal. If someone else could write your personal statement, it probably is not personal enough. We often see this happen when applicants discuss a social issue or area of the law. Remember you are not trying to educate the Admissions Committee about the law or any particular issue.  Your goal should be to educate the Admissions Committee about you.

What are some of the common mistakes I should avoid?

While what works for one individual will not work for another because the personal statement is so individualized, here are some common mistakes we see from applicants: 

• Restating your resume. Resume restatements are one of the most common errors. We will read your resume in detail. We want the personal statement to tell us something new about you.
• Listing your qualifications.  Don't try to overtly sell yourself to the Admissions Committee. This isn't the place to convince us how qualified you are. Your qualifications will shine through in other parts of your application. Remember, this is the part where we get to know you as an individual.
• Typos and “tracked changes”. Make sure to upload the correct version of your personal statement into CAS. If you plan to reference law schools by name, please reference the correct school for each application. 
• Legalese or Latin phrases.   Avoid using legal terms or Latin phrases if you can. The risk you are incorrectly using them is just too high.
• Extensive discussions of the law and attorneys. It is not necessary to discuss the law, tell us what type of law you want to practice, or convey the extent of your legal experience. Legal experience is not a factor in admission.  It is not the place to demonstrate your knowledge of the law or the role of attorneys. These personal statements do not tell us much about the applicant as an individual.
• Telling us you'll be a good lawyer because you like to argue.
• Name-dropping. It is not necessary to cite the names of our faculty and programs from our website in your personal statement unless you are placing the reference in a meaningful context. It detracts from your authenticity. However, if one of our faculty members or something about our community has genuinely inspired you, you are more than welcome to tell us about it.
• Covering too much information. You don't have to cover your entire life story. Use your discretion - we know you have to make a choice and have limited space. Attempting to cover too much material can result in an unfocused and scattered personal statement. 

Is there a page limit on my personal statement? 

There is no page limit, but we generally find 2-4 pages to be sufficient. If it is longer, make sure it is absolutely necessary and really interesting. We do not have any formatting rules with respect to spacing, font type, font size, or margins. 

May I submit additional essays?

You may submit additional essays to highlight particular topics you wish to bring to our attention. Please remember you want to be concise and genuine.

Examples of types of additional essays include Diversity Statements and explanations of undergraduate and/or standardized test performance. 

• UChicago aims to train well-rounded, critical, and socially conscious thinkers and doers. Describe how your background or experiences will contribute to the UChicago Law and Chicago Booth communities. Example topics include: lessons you have learned; skillsets you have developed; obstacles you have overcome based on your background or upbringing; or topics you have become passionate about studying in law school based on your lived or educational experiences.
• Undergraduate and/or Standardized Test Performance: If you do not think that your academic record or standardized test scores accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, please tell us why.

The Admissions Committee typically finds one page or less is a sufficient length for most additional essays. 

Home » Law Schools » Rankings and Profiles »

Loyola University Chicago School of Law

The mission of Loyola University Chicago School of Law is to provide students with the education and skills necessary to become responsible and compassionate lawyers in an increasingly diverse world. The school also aims to prepare graduates who will be ethical advocates for justice and equity and lead efforts to dismantle the legal, economic, political, and social structures that generate and sustain racism and all forms of oppression. Additionally, the school seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the law, legal institutions, and systems of oppression through a commitment to transformation, intersectionality, and anti-subordination in its teaching, research, scholarship, and public service.

Loyola University Chicago is the right choice if you're looking for a top-ranked university with a global reputation. Loyola has everything you need to succeed with its excellent academic programs, diverse student body, and range of campus locations.

• 2.1 Statistics
• 2.2 Application Deadline and Fee
• 2.3 Application Requirements
• 2.4 Letter of Recommendation
• 2.6 Personal Statement
• 2.8 Character and Fitness Question
• 2.9 Qualification for Admission to the Bar
• 2.10 Transcript
• 2.11 TOEFL or IELTS
• 3.1.1 Full-Time JD Program
• 3.1.2 Weekend JD Program
• 3.2 Types of Aid & Resources
• 4.1 Faculty
• 4.2 Clinical Programs
• 5 Quality of Life
• 6 Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
• 8 Contact Information
• 10 Forum and Discussion
• 11 Reference

Loyola University Chicago was founded in 1870 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) as St. Ignatius College. The first campus was on Chicago's near South Side, where St. Ignatius High School is now located. In 1908, Loyola was moved to the Lake Shore Campus on Chicago's North Side.

Prominent Chicago lawyers established the Lincoln College of Law in early 1908, hoping to affiliate with St. Ignatius College. That hope was realized later that same year, when St. Ignatius College was reorganized into Loyola University, and the Lincoln College of Law became the Loyola University Law Department.

The city of Chicago provides many opportunities for professional advancement. It is home to many of the nation's top trial and transactional lawyers. You'll have access to important connections with colleagues and Loyola law alumni who have stayed on to become some of the city's most successful lawyers.

Loyola University—Chicago has a 1L class size of 381 and a yield of 27.62%. 379 out of 1,372 applicants who were offered admission were accepted, meaning that 27.62% of that offered admission ended up attending the school. The 1L class at Loyola University—Chicago has a median LSAT of 159. The 25th percentile LSAT is 157, and the 75th percentile LSAT is 161. The median GPA is 3.46. The 25th percentile GPA is 3.2, and the 75th percentile GPA is 3.64.

Application Deadline and Fee

They accept applications for their full-time and weekend JD (part-time) programs beginning October 1 for the fall term. The Admissions Committee begins application file review in December, and they release decisions on a rolling basis beginning in early January. You can use the online application form through the Law School Admission Council to apply to law school. There is no application fee to apply.

Application Requirements

Applicants must register with the CAS and submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. The CAS report will include your LSAT score(s), LSAT Writing, letter(s) of recommendation, and official transcripts. The CAS report fee cannot be waived.

Letter of Recommendation

To be accepted into law school, you will need one letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your ability to complete law studies. This person could be a professor, employer, or someone familiar with your academic or professional achievements. Ensure to provide them with all the information they need to write a strong letter on your behalf.

The LSAT is a test that all applicants must take to be considered for admission to law school. The test is administered by LSAC several times a year, and your highest score from the past five years will be considered.

Personal Statement

For a personal statement, The school wants to know your motivation for continuing your schooling, your career aspirations, and how you believe our program will help you meet your goals. Your two-page statement can be submitted through the online application. For more information on personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements.

A current resume or curriculum vitae can be uploaded through the online application. To read some advice about creating a professional law school resume, click here .

Character and Fitness Question

Applicants for admission to law school must complete a character and fitness questionnaire. If you answer affirmatively to questions on the questionnaire, you must provide a detailed explanation, or your application will be considered incomplete.

Qualification for Admission to the Bar

It would be best if you met a particular character, fitness, and other qualifications to be admitted to the bar. This includes passing a bar examination and meeting the requirements of the jurisdiction in which you are seeking admission. You can learn more about the specific requirements for each jurisdiction by contacting the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

If you have completed any postsecondary work outside of the United States or Canada, you must submit your transcripts to LSAC for authentication and evaluation. This includes transcripts from any school where the instruction was in a language other than English.

TOEFL or IELTS

The TOEFL or IELTS score report is required for international students whose first language is not English to demonstrate their ability to communicate in English. The minimum acceptable scores on the TOEFL and IELTS exams are 100 and 7.0, respectively. This requirement is waived for students who have completed a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree program or are citizens of countries where the language of instruction is English.

Law school can be a major investment in your future. That's why it's important to know where to seek help when paying for school. Loyola University Chicago School of Law has identified the types of financial aid that may be available to you.

Tuition and Financial Aid

2022-2023 estimated budgets, full-time jd program, weekend jd program.

NOTE: Subject to change. These numbers are presented as estimates of total cost.

Types of Aid & Resources

Completing your education is an investment in your future. We want to provide you with information and resources to help you make the most of that investment. They encourage all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The earliest you can submit the FAFSA is October 1st, the year before when you’ll receive aid. Loyola’s code is 001710. After the Student Award Report is confirmed, Loyola sends you verification, which outlines the amount of aid awarded based on your Expected Family Contribution. The award may include federal loans, scholarships, and work-study.

There are different types of loans that you can take out to pay for college. Federal loans have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private or alternative loans. However, private and alternative loans are another option if you need more money. You should complete the FAFSA form to determine how much federal aid you're eligible for.

Scholarships and fellowships are available for first-year law students at Loyola University Chicago. The scholarships are given to qualified students who demonstrate academic, leadership, and service excellence. First-year awards are based on various factors, including academic achievement, LSAT scores , writing ability, and community involvement.

To apply for their upper-class awards, you must submit a resume, the FAFSA, and an application through Loyola Scholarship Connection. Additional materials may be required. The application for 2022-2023 will open in March 2022.

Academics & Curriculum

The first-year law students at Loyola Chicago take Civil Procedure, Property, Torts, Legal Writing, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, and Legal Writing classes. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14.5 to 1, so the classes are not too large. They offer specialties in Business Law, Child and Family Law, and Health Law. Additionally, students may pursue a joint degree such as a JD/MBA or a JD with a master's in political science.

Loyola Chicago is known for its strong trial advocacy program. Consequently, they have a perennially formidable moot court team that does exceptionally well in the well-known Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition. This nationwide competition has scholarship prize money, and Loyola Chicago teams have won it nine times since its inception in 1993. Students with a strong interest in trial advocacy and participation in moot court should consider this particular strength of Loyola Chicago's overall program.

The full-time JD program courses will be taught by experienced and qualified professors who are experts in their field. The coursework will cover various legal topics and benefit students who want to pursue a career in law.

Clinical Programs

Loyola's clinics allow students to learn in a hands-on environment while giving back to the community. Jesuit philosophy promotes helping others, and the clinics offer a way for students to do just that. The clinics offer various services, allowing students to gain experience in many different areas. This is a valuable resource for students, allowing them to explore different career paths. The clinics are an important part of Loyola's curriculum and help prepare students for future careers.

Quality of Life

When it comes to the quality of life for law students in downtown Chicago, there are many great options for things to do. There are plenty of social and cultural activities and entertainment and sports options. In addition, there are lots of museums nearby. If you're looking for an urban environment with plenty of activities to keep you busy, then downtown Chicago is a great place to be. However, it's worth noting that the winters can be quite harsh, so make sure you're prepared for that.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

Most JD graduates from Loyola University-Chicago make around $90,000 per year in the private sector after they graduate. However, if they choose to work in the public sector instead, they can expect to earn around $57,500. Most law graduates from Loyola University-Chicago (56.8%) go on to work for law firms right after graduation. Another 7.5% of graduates choose to clerk for a judge. Finally, 7.0% of grads end up working in the public interest. Almost all (88.8%) Loyola University-Chicago law graduates pass the bar on their first try.

For students willing to pay high tuition and compete for a high-class rank to secure employment, Loyola Chicago can be a rewarding experience. There is a problem with getting applicants placed due to the intense competition for Chicago's many legal jobs.

Contact Information

Loyola University Chicago School of Law Admissions Office Philip H. Corboy Law Center 25 E. Pearson Street, Chicago, Il 60611 312.915.7120 312-915-7170 Email: [email protected] https://www.luc.edu/law/admission/apply/

Forum and Discussion

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https://www.luc.edu/law/ Rank #73 LSD Law LSAC Guide How to Learn to Do Well on a Law School Exam Success in Law School - A Unique Perspective The Guide to Law School Loans Guide to Fee Waivers

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Personal Statement

Every statement is unique and represents an individual; therefore, the following general guidelines may not apply to you. You should plan on writing a main personal statement which can serve as the core statement. In addition, some law schools will ask you to write on a specific topic. You can usually use your core statement for the heart of their specific statement, polishing and tailoring to their specific topic as required. Be sure to address their topic directly, however, even if this means abandoning your core statement.

In general, the statements which have the most positive impact on the admissions decision have certain characteristics. From the experience of members of the Loyola faculty who have read hundreds of these statements in the past, you are strongly advised to adhere to the following guidelines:

• The length should not exceed two pages, double spaced, one inch margins, 12 pt. font. Remember, the law school admissions people have many statements to read. Nuances in long statements will be missed by most readers. Small fonts will be resented, especially by readers whose eyes are going.
• The statement should have an interesting title.
• The statement should be unique. It should be a statement which only you could write. A generic statement, for example, one concerning “why I want to go to law school,” “how I overcame a serious obstacle in my life,” “My strengths as a potential lawyer,” etc....such statements could demonstrate a lack of creativity, an attraction to triteness, and could even harm your admissions profile.
• The grammar has got to be right! Spelling, too!
• The topic can be anything but the theme of the statement should be linked to the legal enterprise in some way, usually near the end of the statement.
• The statement should be personal. It is your statement and should concern your view on something, your experience(s), etc.
• Sink the hook in the beginning of the statement

Several recent statements come to mind as especially good statements and especially illustrative of some of the above guidelines:

• One statement was written by a Loyola student who, while studying at the Bangkok campus, rented a motorcycle and took off into Thailand. He got lost and was seized by the Khmer Rouge in then-Cambodia. He was held overnight. Talking was forbidden. Food was none. He was justifiably afraid, given the “killing fields” history of the Khmer Rouge. The next day, he was released and directed through several checkpoints back into Thailand. His personal statement began, “My first encounter with the law was when I was seized by the Khmer Rouge.” The one and a half page statement told a little about the encounter and linked it to the rule of law. It was a unique, arresting personal statement.
• A second example is from a student who worked in Americorps for a year. On one of the group’s spikes (trips out), she went to Cleveland where Americorps had rented some rooms in a hotel for the group to stay in while they worked in Cleveland. The hotel turns out to have been a crack house. Her personal statement began, “I used to live in a crack house.” She linked her statement to the reality versus the appearance of law.

Two other memorable statements are one which described a conversation with Mother Theresa and one which told about working in the City Jail for the Public Defender’s office.

I am sure that the admissions people, on beginning to read these statements, did not sigh, “Oh, gosh, here’s another Khmer Rouge statement. Why can’t these people write something to keep me awake?” or “Another crack house statement! Boy, do I get tired of these!”

Whatever you write, write something unique to you. Others with whom you confer may advise you in other directions. You must decide on what approach best represents you and what approach will put you in the best light with a law school admissions reader. Next steps:

• Make an appointment with the Writing Center to go over the personal statement.
• Next, identify a faculty member whom you would like to advise you about your personal statement. Coordinate working with the faculty member. Do not ask the faculty member to read a first draft or anything short of a polished statement.
• After you have finished with the faculty member and have revised your statement (if revisions are needed), email the statement to the pre-law advisor and set up an appointment to go over the statement.
• Once all that is done, send the personal statement to LSDAS.

For more information on writing your personal statement, visit the Top Law Schools website .

Path to Law (PDF)

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QUALIFICATIONS

In order to apply for admission to the MLS program, you must have completed at least 90 semester units from an accredited undergraduate institution and expect to graduate and receive a bachelor's degree before the start of Orientation (typically in August). Final transcripts confirming the conferral of all undergraduate degrees and advanced degrees must be submitted prior to the beginning of classes in the fall. 

Please note the American Bar Association does not allow credits received in an MLS program to be transferred to a JD degree. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Application Deadline
• MLS Application
• Personal Statement
• Official Transcripts
• Résumé
• Letters of Recommendation
• TOEFL/IELTS Requirement   (if applicable)
• Disclosures

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Fall 2024 Term  

Application priority deadline is June 1 , 2024 Classes begin on Monday, August 19, 2024

MLS APPLICATION

Applicants have the option to apply to Loyola's MLS program through Loyola's LLM Application form online or by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).  To determine which application is best for you, please review the information below.

Loyola's MLS Application

Candidates can apply directly to Loyola by completing the  MLS Application form online. The application form asks applicants to complete and upload a personal statement, résumé, copy of TOEFL/IELTS score (if applicable), and unofficial transcripts online. Please note that letters of recommendation must be delivered or emailed directly from your recommender.  A copy of your letter(s) of recommendation may be accepted for the evaluation but an official letter(s) must be received before the orientation.  

LOYOLA'S MLS APPLICATION

LSAC MLS Application   To apply through the  Law School Admission Council (LSAC) , please click the link below.  Once on LSAC's website, you will be able to create your account and access Loyola's application to submit. Applicants who apply through LSAC will be required to submit all application materials (personal statement, academic transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS score report, recommendation letters, and résumé) to LSAC's platform.  This information will then be provided to Loyola for processing.  Please note that LSAC has separate fees that Loyola cannot waive, including the CAS report fee. For details about the CAS report, please see below.  To apply through LSAC, go to   LSAC Application .  You may also check your  Application Status  throughout the admissions process.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

We require a personal statement to assist the Admissions Committee in selecting a highly-qualified and diverse entering class, and in assessing each applicant's written English skills. The personal statement provides each applicant with the opportunity to describe his or her interest in the MLS program, the uniqueness of his or her character and experience, and his or her potential to contribute to Loyola's community.

The personal statement should be typed: 2-3 pages in length and, double spaced, using no smaller than 10 point font. The personal statement must be the original work of the applicant.

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

U.S. applicants must submit a transcript for baccalaureate and all post-baccalaureate degrees.  You may submit an unofficial copy of your transcripts, but if you are admitted you must submit official transcripts before enrollment.  Official transcripts should be sent directly from the school or maybe submitted in a sealed envelope.

International applicants must submit an official English translation or certified evaluation of an official transcript for baccalaureate and all post-baccalaureate degrees.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Two letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions by the recommender to [email protected] . Letters of recommendation offer insight into a prospective student's potential for law school success and provide information about the candidate that is not reflected in other parts of the application. Letters can comment on the applicant's intellectual capacity, analytic and communication skills, and character traits. Although academic letter(s) are preferred, letters submitted by the candidate's employer or supervisor are accepted. Letters from family members or family friends are strongly discouraged.

Applicants are required to submit a résumé. A candidate's résumé should not exceed two typed pages and may include: education information (including honors and awards), employment history, extracurricular or community activities, military service, publications, special achievements, etc.

TOEFL/IELTS SCORE (foreign-educated applicants only)

Foreign-educated applicants must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. The Admissions Committee prefers TOEFL scores of 90 and higher; however, the application will be reviewed in its totality. A slightly lower TOEFL score may be acceptable if the candidate’s other qualifications are very strong. The Admissions Committee will accept an IELTS score report in place of a TOEFL score report. Every IELTS score will be converted into an estimated TOEFL score by using this comparison table. Applicants who retake the TOEFL or IELTS may submit their new score to the Office of Admissions.  

Individuals who are native English speakers or who have completed a baccalaureate or a post-baccalaureate degree at an English language institution of higher education may request a waiver of the English language test score requirement.  

DISCLOSURES

Applicants must answer questions in the "Disclosures" section of the application. Applicants who answer "yes" to these questions in the "Disclosures" section must provide a written explanation of their response. Applications with "yes" responses that do not provide written explanations are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

The application form requires disclosure of any charge or conviction of any felony or misdemeanor or other offense, with the sole exception of a minor traffic offense. A conviction for DUI (or any other alcohol or drug-related offense) is not a minor traffic offense. A conviction may be a legal consequence of (1) a verdict of guilty after trial by judge or jury, (2) a plea of guilty, or (3) a plea of nolo contendere. You must disclose this information even if your record has been sealed or expunged.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Loyola Law School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Law School. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Loyola Law School prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in the administration of the Law School's programs and activities, including hiring, compensation, work assignments, and promotion. Loyola Law School also prohibits unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.  For inquiries regarding this non-discrimination policy, contact Loyola Law School’s Director of Human Resources/Deputy Title IX Coordinator at 213.736.1415 or the University’s Title IX Coordinator at 310.568.6105.

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Pre-Law Program

• Application Process

Personal Statement

Every statement is unique and represents an individual; therefore, the following general guidelines may not apply to you. You should plan on writing a main personal statement which can serve as the core statement. In addition, some law schools will ask you to write on a specific topic. You can usually use your core statement for the heart of their specific statement, polishing and tailoring to their specific topic as required. Be sure to address their topic directly, however, even if this means abandoning your core statement.

In general, the statements which have the most positive impact on the admissions decision have certain characteristics. From the experience of members of the Loyola faculty who have read hundreds of these statements in the past, you are strongly advised to adhere to the following guidelines:

• The length should not exceed two pages, double spaced, one inch margins, 12 pt. font. Remember, the law school admissions people have many statements to read. Nuances in long statements will be missed by most readers. Small fonts will be resented, especially by readers whose eyes are going.
• The statement should have an interesting title.
• The statement should be unique. It should be a statement which only you could write. A generic statement, for example, one concerning “why I want to go to law school,” “how I overcame a serious obstacle in my life,” “My strengths as a potential lawyer,” etc....such statements could demonstrate a lack of creativity, an attraction to triteness, and could even harm your admissions profile.
• The grammar has got to be right! Spelling, too!
• The topic can be anything but the theme of the statement should be linked to the legal enterprise in some way, usually near the end of the statement.
• The statement should be personal. It is your statement and should concern your view on something, your experience(s), etc.
• Sink the hook in the beginning of the statement

Several recent statements come to mind as especially good statements and especially illustrative of some of the above guidelines:

• One statement was written by a Loyola student who, while studying at the Bangkok campus, rented a motorcycle and took off into Thailand. He got lost and was seized by the Khmer Rouge in then-Cambodia. He was held overnight. Talking was forbidden. Food was none. He was justifiably afraid, given the “killing fields” history of the Khmer Rouge. The next day, he was released and directed through several checkpoints back into Thailand. His personal statement began, “My first encounter with the law was when I was seized by the Khmer Rouge.” The one and a half page statement told a little about the encounter and linked it to the rule of law. It was a unique, arresting personal statement.
• A second example is from a student who worked in Americorps for a year. On one of the group’s spikes (trips out), she went to Cleveland where Americorps had rented some rooms in a hotel for the group to stay in while they worked in Cleveland. The hotel turns out to have been a crack house. Her personal statement began, “I used to live in a crack house.” She linked her statement to the reality versus the appearance of law.

Two other memorable statements are one which described a conversation with Mother Theresa and one which told about working in the City Jail for the Public Defender’s office.

I am sure that the admissions people, on beginning to read these statements, did not sigh, “Oh, gosh, here’s another Khmer Rouge statement. Why can’t these people write something to keep me awake?” or “Another crack house statement! Boy, do I get tired of these!”

Whatever you write, write something unique to you. Others with whom you confer may advise you in other directions. You must decide on what approach best represents you and what approach will put you in the best light with a law school admissions reader. Next steps:

• Make an appointment with the Writing Center to go over the personal statement.
• Next, identify a faculty member whom you would like to advise you about your personal statement. Coordinate working with the faculty member. Do not ask the faculty member to read a first draft or anything short of a polished statement.
• After you have finished with the faculty member and have revised your statement (if revisions are needed), email the statement to the pre-law advisor and set up an appointment to go over the statement.
• Once all that is done, send the personal statement to LSDAS.

For more information on writing your personal statement, visit the Top Law Schools website .

Path to Law (PDF)

• Visit the Loyola University New Orleans page

Application Requirements

The College of Law will accept applications for the Fall 2024 class from October 15, 2023 through July 15, 2024 . The application portal will promptly close at July 15, 2024, 5pm CT. Admission to Loyola is based on a number of factors, including the applicant’s academic record, Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), JD-Next score, or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score, work and life experience, and personal statement. A complete application consists of the following:

A complete application submitted through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC),

A valid LSAT score and LSAT writing sample, valid JD-Next score, or valid GRE Score,

A complete Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report submitted to Loyola Law, through lsac.org, that includes transcripts from each college and/or university ever attended, up to and including conferral of each bachelor, graduate, or professional degree,

A personal statement,

A resume that includes education, extracurricular activities, work history, community service, and other awards, and

Two letters of recommendation (dated on or after March 1, 2022). The Law Admissions Office will accept up to four letters of recommendation.

Based upon candidates' answers to questions regarding moral character and potential fitness to practice law, applicants may be required to supplement their application with additional documentation. All supporting documents must be electronically attached to the application.

Loyola Law reviews applications on a rolling basis. Our goal is to build a diverse student body that is committed to the ideals of a Jesuit-centered education. The Faculty Admissions Committee reviews applications for admission on a rolling basis. The Committee takes a holistic approach in reviewing each application for admission. In addition to the JD-Next, LSAT, or GRE score and undergraduate academic record, the Committee also considers a candidate’s graduate and/or professional school record if applicable; letters of recommendation; personal statement; resume; employment, leadership, and life experiences; extracurricular involvement; community service; military experience; character and fitness statements, if applicable; and, standardized test writing sample, if applicable; and other explanatory or supporting addenda. 

Undergraduate Degree Requirement

Applicants are required to complete all undergraduate degree work prior to beginning their law studies at Loyola.

Loyola’s Early Admissions Program allows applicants who have completed three-fourths of their undergraduate degree requirements at Loyola University New Orleans to be considered for admission to the College of Law. Applicants to this program must have stronger credentials (i.e. GPA, LSAT) than those who would have normally completed four years of undergraduate studies.

LSAT, JD-Next, or GRE

All law applicants must submit a valid LSAT, JD-Next, or GRE score. A score is considered to be valid if it is no older than five years. If an applicant has significant variance between LSAT scores (e.g. six or more points), an explanation should accompany the application.

Loyola College of Law will only consider the examination scores received by the application deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to be well prepared before sitting for either examination. Applicants are referred to http://lsac.org/jd/lsat/preparing-for-the-lsat for information about preparing for the LSAT, including sample tests that may be acquired.

All applicants must indicate on the application if they anticipate taking the LSAT. If the applicant indicates a future test date, the application will not be evaluated until the admissions office receives the report for the indicated test date. If the applicant does not sit for the indicated test, the applicant must notify the law admissions office in order to resume the evaluation process.

 At Loyola Law, an applicant may submit a JD-Next score—instead of the LSAT or GRE—if and only if the applicant has an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.  During this initial exam period in 2024, JD-Next scores will be reported directly to schools that the applicant indicates. 

Applicants who intend to apply with a JD-Next exam score must apply for law school admission in the same manner as they would with an LSAT or GRE score. This includes completing an online application and a Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). When JD-Next scores are released, LSAC will report your score directly to Loyola Law through the online portal.

After you complete the online application, please email the Law Admissions Office at [email protected] to let us know that you plan to submit a JD-Next score with your application.

Applicants who elect to take the GRE must instruct ETS to send Loyola University New Orleans College of Law all GRE test scores from the preceding five-year period. Applicants who have already taken the GRE can log into their ETS account and select Loyola University New Orleans College of Law as a recipient of GRE results using the school code: 4810.

Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

All applicants must register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service for the compilation of their academic record. Official transcripts from every post-secondary institution that the applicant has ever attended must be forwarded to LSAC. Transcripts are considered to be official only when they have been forwarded directly to LSAC by a university's or college's registrar. LSAC will provide the College of Law with applicants' CAS reports.

International Applicants

We require international applicants to register for the Credential Assembly Service Report via LSAC. In addition, international applicants must take the LSAT, unless they have earned an international law degree. All foreign transcripts sent to LSAC will be evaluated and processed through CAS. Loyola Law also requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores, including the Test of Written English and the Test of Spoken English for applicants in which English is a foreign language. These applicants should contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for TOEFL registration at www.toefl.org. Applicants must request that ETS send relevant scores to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code is 0058. Loyola Law will then receive them in the applicant’s CAS report.

Loyola University New Orleans assists international students with securing the appropriate visas. Contact the Law Admissions Office for more information.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit at least two letters of recommendation (limit of four). Letters must be written on or after March 1, 2022. Recommendation letters looked upon most favorably are sent by the applicant's undergraduate or graduate professors, as these give better evidence of the applicant's capabilities as a student. However, one who can attest to the applicant's skills and abilities to succeed in law school are helpful, such as writing acumen, time management, and work ethic.

Personal Statement and Diversity Statement

A personal statement, up to three pages in length and written in the applicant's own words, is required. The personal statement is an applicant's opportunity to promote and personalize their application, highlighting accomplishments that may not otherwise be addressed in other areas of the application.

All candidates are welcome to supplement their application with an optional Diversity Statement. This optional statement does not replace the Personal Statement. It is intended to provide the Faculty Admissions Committee with additional background information, such as an applicant's discussion of how their racial identity or ethnicity has affected their life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise; gender identity or gender expression; the impact of extenuating health issues; the history of overcoming hardships; or, managing socio-economic disparities. The Diversity Statement should not exceed two pages.

JD Transfer & Advanced Standing

Loyola welcomes applicants who wish to enroll at College of Law after attending another law school, including select foreign-educated attorneys. An applicant who wishes to apply for transfer or advanced standing admission can do so by utilizing Loyola Law’s Transfer & Select Foreign Attorneys Application available through LSAC. At a minimum, two year’s residence (60 credit hours at any time or, if they are the last remaining hours, 45 credit hours) in the Loyola University College of Law is required of students to be eligible for a Loyola degree.

Applicants with prior law school experience must present evidence of successful academic study in their prior law record and have completed at least 15 credit hours at their current law school. In addition to the application requirements for entry as a first-year student, transfer applicants must also submit at least one letter of recommendation from a law school professor, a letter of good standing from their current law school, include an official copy of their most recent law school transcript with their CAS subscription, and statement asserting the reason(s) for transferring to Loyola Law. 

Successful transfer applications must demonstrate above average academic study in their prior law school record. Once a transfer applicant is accepted, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will determine how many credits will be accepted by Loyola from their prior law school. No credit will be awarded for a course taken at another law school unless the grade in that course is at least equal to the minimum grade point average required for graduation at that school. If the transfer student has failed to earn a grade that is at least equal to the minimum grade point average required for graduation at the school from which the student seeks to transfer and that course is a Loyola required course, then the student must repeat that course at Loyola. The right to refuse credit in whole or in part is reserved. Transfer quality points are not used in calculating Loyola law school GPAs or rank in class.

Candidates who earned a law degree outside of the U.S. and began their legal studies in 2019 or later may have the standardized test requirement waived, and the opportunity to earn a U.S. law degree at Loyola in less than three years. Loyola Law may grant up to 30 credit hours of advanced standing toward a JD from Loyola for a student that obtained a law degree. The course of study for the J.D. degree must be completed no earlier than 24 months and, except in extraordinary circumstances, no later than 84 months after a student has commenced law study at the law school from which the school has accepted transfer credit.

ABA Standard 504: Qualification for Admission to the Bar

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Certain character and fitness issues may preclude bar admission. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners .

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School of Law, Health Justice Clinical Fellow/Supervising Attorney, Non-Tenure Track

• Juris Doctor
• Admission/eligibility for admission to the Illinois Bar
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Other Document

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Writing Center

Loyola university chicago, application portfolios.

At Loyola's Writing Center, we are happy to look over professional documents as pieces of writing; however, for career specific guidance in drafting your application portfolios, we recommend that students actively seek out the advice of professors and Loyola's Career Services .

Drafting Your Application Portfolio

Click on the bullet-pointed titles below to access printable PDF handouts designed by the LUC Writing Center.

Cover Letters and Professional Emails

• How to Write a Cover Letter  
• Cover Letter Examples  
• Email Etiquette  
• Personal Statement
• How to Write a Personal Statement ‌ 
• Career Services Resume Guide
• Resume Examples  

Curriculum Vitaes (CVs)

• How to Write a CV

Helpful Links for Resumes and CVs

• LUC Career Services
• Job Search Writing
• Cover Letters: "How To"  
• "Curriculum Vitae (CV) Samples and Writing Tips"
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Graduate, Law, or Medical School Application Essays

The following resources are links to sites published by a variety of reputable institutions such as Harvard University and the University of Chicago. 

• Master of Science in Education  
• Sample Application to a Literature Program  
• Sample Graduate School Admissions Essays 
• In Their Own Words: Admissions Essays That Worked  
• Writing Personal Statements for Law School  
• Personal Statement and Resume  
• 15 Tips for Your Medical School Personal Statement  
• Writing a Personal Statement for Medical School
• Undergraduate
• Graduate/ Professional
• Adult Education