Apply Now: First Year Students

Table of Contents

  1. Eligibility
  2. Application Checklist
  3. Applicant Status Online system
  4. Reapplicants
  5. Character and Fitness
  6. Financial Aid & Scholarship Application

Early application is encouraged, beginning September 1. Marquette University Law School utilizes a paperless JD application process. Candidates apply using the online application. Please refrain from submitting any materials to the Office of Admissions in hard-copy form. The application fee payment of $50 must be submitted via credit card or debit check card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa); please do not submit payment via cash, check, or money order. LSAC credential reports will be requested for all applicants.

Eligibility For J.D. Application

An applicant seeking admission as a J.D. student will be eligible to apply to Marquette Law School if they:

  1. have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university before enrolling in the Law School;
  2. have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the LSAT-Flex. (LSAT scores taken within the last five years are considered valid.); 
  3. subscribe to the LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). The CAS Report provides the Law School with copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts (if applicable), LSAT score or scores, a copy of the LSAT writing sample and letter(s) of recommendation, and an undergraduate academic transcript summary and analysis.

 

Application Checklist

All materials relating to admission or the Law School application, once submitted, become property of Marquette University Law School and will not be returned. The following items must be submitted to the Office of Admissions:

Full-Time Application Timing

Full-time candidates may begin submitting applications September 1.

Rolling Admission

  • Full-time candidates are strongly encouraged to take the LSAT no later than February and to complete an application no later than April 1.
  • However, the Law School will continue to accept and evaluate full-time applications after April 1. 

Part-Time Option Application Timing

Part-time candidates may begin submitting applications September 1.

Rolling Admission

  • Part-time candidates are strongly encouraged to take the LSAT no later than February and to complete an application no later than April 1.
  • However, the Law School will continue to accept and evaluate part-time applications after April 1.

Again, early application is encouraged. The Admissions Committee reviews files in the order in which they are completed. Applicants will be advised when their application files are complete (including our receipt of the LSAC Law School Report). Typically, applicants receive notification from the Admissions Committee within eight weeks after their applications become complete. Applicants are notified on a rolling basis of any action taken on their applications by the Admissions Committee. Admitted applicants will be required to submit tuition deposits.

If a candidate will apply for a joint degree program, they must submit two distinct applications, one to the Law School and one to the other school/program, and must fulfill all of the application requirements (entrance examinations, fees, deadlines, etc.) for each program.

In the interest of equity, no evaluative interviews are conducted as part of the application review process. Applicants are welcome, however, to submit in writing any information they believe is relevant to their applications.

Once submitted, all application materials become the property of Marquette University Law School and will not be returned.

  • Completed online application.
  • $50 application fee (payable by major credit or debit card only; cash/checks/money orders not accepted).
  • A personal statement written by the applicant.
  • Descriptive statement(s) regarding affirmative response(s) to character and fitness questions, if applicable.
  • A résumé or curriculum vitae (strongly encouraged).
  • Optional statement(s) are welcome.
  • If additional space is needed for any response, please use electronic attachments and reference your response.
  • A complete LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report* including:
    • All academic transcripts, including all undergraduate transcripts and any graduate transcripts;
    • A valid LSAT score and writing sample;
    • At least one (1) letter of recommendation.
      *Note: After receipt of your application, the Office of Admissions will request your law school report from the Credential Assembly Service.

Applicant Status Online System

Once your application for admission has been received and uploaded, you will receive an email providing you with information regarding our Applicant Status Online (ASO) system via the Law School Admission Council. We hope that you will utilize this system to keep track of your application as it proceeds through the review process.

ASO will reflect for you the approximate timing for the review of your application.  Please know that decisions are not relayed via ASO.  

Marquette University Law School's ASO URL is: https://aso.lsac-unite.org/?guid=pDBzR7U8vOs%3D 

 

Reapplicants

Those reapplying for admission are required to submit:

* The submission of an entirely new personal statement and an updated resume is strongly encouraged. Most applications made within the last four to five years should still be retained in our electronic archive, and will be pulled from the archive and matched to the new application form. A reapplicant is welcome to submit a new letter(s) of recommendation, although if the previously submitted recommendation(s) remains on file with LSAC, that is acceptable.

  • The current version of the Law School application.
  • An addendum to the application summarizing their activities since the previous application was made. In lieu, updates may be made directly within the application, in applicable questions such as education, employment, etc.
  • An updated résumé or curriculum vitae (strongly encouraged).
  • $50 application fee (payable by major credit or debit card only; cash/checks/money orders not accepted).
  • If necessary, Credential Assembly Service registration should be renewed.
  • Items from the prior application may be reused*, including:
    • Letter(s) of recommendation;
    • Personal statement;
    • Any optional statement(s).

Character and Fitness

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. 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.

Financial Aid & Scholarship Application

Information regarding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and related financial aid information will be automatically sent to admitted applicants as soon as it becomes available for the school year that you will be applying for, probably in early February. Marquette's title code is 003863. All applicants offered admission are considered for scholarships as long as funds remain available; no separate application is required or used.