The University of Maryland School of Law

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J.D. Admissions and Application Information

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or expect to graduate during the current academic year.

First-Year J.D. Application Check-List

A completed application file for a first-year J.D. applicant consists of:

Application for First-Year J.D. Admission
Submitted online through LSAC or by mail directly to the School of Law
$70 application fee
Via credit card through LSAC, or by check or money order made payable to the University of Maryland
LSDAS Report
The following items must be submitted through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (LSDAS); LSDAS will deliver the report to the School of Law.
- LSAT Score
  - taken no later than February 2010 for fall 2010 admission
  - taken within the last five years (no earlier than 2005)
- Two letters of recommendation. More Info »
- All undergraduate and graduate transcripts. More Info »
Personal Statement
Submitted online through LSAC or by mail directly to the School of Law. More Info »
Résumé
Submitted online through LSAC or by mail directly to the School of Law. More Info »
Diversity Statement (optional)
Submitted online through LSAC or by mail directly to the School of Law. More Info »
Financial Aid Application (FAFSA-priority deadline, March 1)
Submitted online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ using the code for the University of Maryland Baltimore: 002104
Application for In-State Status Classification (Maryland Residents Only)
Submitted by mail or fax, or e-mail directly to the School of Law. More Info »
Applicants educated outside the U.S. or those with English as a second language should review addtional application information and instructions.

J.D. Application Deadline:
Postmarked or submitted online by March 15

How to Apply

Submit your complete application, together with a non-refundable application fee of $70:

online through LSAC (preferred), or,
via mail:

Office of Admissions
University of Maryland School of Law
500 West Baltimore Street, Suite 130
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

(Although many parts of the application may be submitted via mail, all applicants must register with LSDAS and submit LSAT scores, letters of recommendation, and transcripts through LSDAS)

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation through the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). References should include instructors under whom you have studied or with whom you have worked closely during college or graduate study. If you have not had recent contact with such persons, you may submit evaluations from employers or others able to assess accurately your academic and other capabilities. Evaluations from personal friends and relatives ordinarily are not of assistance to the committee.

Personal Statement

Applicants are required to submit a personal statement along with the application. We recommend that you use the personal statement to present to the admissions committee information and perspectives regarding your background, experience, special circumstances and interests that you believe will help the committee understand your unique story. In addition, the statement should address why you are interested in obtaining a law degree and, more specifically, in attending the University of Maryland School of Law. The personal statement should be no longer than 2 to 3 pages double-spaced.

Résumé

Submit a complete résumé or curriculum vitae detailing your education, employment, skills, honors, awards and accomplishments.

Diversity Statement (Optional)

The University of Maryland School of Law is committed to promoting diversity in legal education and in the profession as a whole. Toward that end, the Admissions Committee invites applicants to submit a statement explaining how you would contribute meaningfully to the diversity of the law school. The qualities of students we seek may be reflected in background characteristics such as geographic origin, age, cultural and language, racial, social, disability and economic barriers overcome; and other special characteristics that demonstrate the capacity for making a special contribution to the community. Limit the length of the statement to approximately 250 words.

Applicants educated outside the U.S. or those with English as a second language

Students who wish to apply for our Juris Doctor (J.D.) program and who completed their undergraduate education outside of the United States must provide us with additional information explaining their undergraduate program. If you completed your undergraduate education at an institution that is NOT eligible for subscription to LSDAS, you must have your foreign transcript evaluated by a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or directly through the LSAC. The evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation.

Because facility with written and spoken English is necessary in order to successfully participate in our academic experience, applicants for whom English is a second language or not their primary language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Our TOEFL code is 5814 03. TOEFL scores are only valid for two years, and we will not accept outdated scores. We will only accept TOEFL scores sent to us directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS). If you believe that you are proficient in English and that the TOEFL requirement should be waived in your case, please submit a brief statement describing your English language instruction and proficiency.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University of Maryland School of Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, financial status or veterans status. The University is required by federal regulatory agencies to supply admissions and enrollment information by racial, ethnic and gender categories. Provision of the information is voluntary and will not be used to determine eligibility for admission.