JD Program
Video Overview
When to Apply
Apply now for fall 2023. Our application is currently available online through LSAC.
The Admissions Committee typically begins admitting applicants by November and completes the majority of its work by April. The opportunity for gaining admission may be reduced if an application is completed after March 15. All completed applications are carefully reviewed in their entirety to determine whether the applicant possesses the academic preparation and motivation to successfully complete a rigorous law school curriculum. Committee members attempt to gauge each applicant's prior academic performance, expected performance, and writing skills. While LSAT scores and undergraduate GPA are important factors, the Admissions Committee also considers personal statements, letters of recommendation, résumés, and supplemental materials.
It is recommended that applicants apply in the fall preceding the year they wish to enroll. Typically, an applicant can expect a decision on their application within four weeks of their application being complete or from the time the Committee begins its review work, whichever is later.
Materials Required for Admission Consideration
Application and Fee
Our application for fall 2023 is currently available online through LSAC.
Electronic Applications through LSAC incorporate a common information form and flow-as-you-go features that allow users to answer common law school application questions to multiple law schools. Please check the Law School Admissions Council's website at www.lsac.org to find out more. Please note that WNEU School of Law has waived the application fee for all 2023 applicants.
Fee Waiver: Details about obtaining an LSAT or CAS fee waiver are available at www.lsac.org.
LSAT, CAS, and Prior Academic Work
It is strongly suggested that you take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) in the summer or fall during the year before you wish to enroll. That way, if you don't achieve your target score, you will have the opportunity to sit for the exam once or twice more before our recommended application deadline of March 15th. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have questions or concerns about when to take the LSAT.
You will also need to register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Visit the Law School Admission Council Website at www.lsac.org for more information. Through CAS, you will submit all postsecondary transcripts for review. The Admissions Committee considers undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate studies as part of their review of your application. Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree at the time of matriculation to the JD program.
Letters of Recommendation
All applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. The Admissions Committee strongly prefers letters that discuss your intellectual attributes, ability to reason, and ability to write clearly and persuasively. Letters that describe these characteristics in general terms are much less valuable than those that cite specific examples of your strengths. The most persuasive letters often come from faculty members who are familiar with your academic abilities. If you graduated from college some years ago, you should include a letter from an employer or coworker to provide insights into these areas. Unless they are familiar with your professional or academic abilities, recommendations from family, friends, or politicians are not helpful.
For your convenience, two options exist for the submission of letters of recommendation. You may download and complete our Cover Sheet which you should then provide to those writing recommendations on your behalf. They, in turn, can send us their letters of recommendation attached to the required cover sheet. You may also elect to utilize LSAC's Letter of Recommendation service (included with your CAS registration). More info is available through www.lsac.org.
Personal Statement
Each applicant must submit a personal statement. The purpose of the personal statement is to allow the Admissions Committee to assess your writing ability and learn more about you. Applicants must submit a statement that discusses their interest in law school and what they hope to do with their legal education in the future. This statement should not exceed 1,000 words.
Résumé
All applicants must submit a current résumé. The Admissions Committee does consider work experience and extra-curricular activities when assessing the application of each candidate.
Character and Fitness
Any applicant who answers one of the Character and Fitness questions on the application in the affirmative must include an addendum fully explaining their response, including any and all attendant circumstances. We recommend that applicants explain how they have grown or changed from this experience.
Optional Addenda
We encourage applicants to submit optional addenda if they wish to convey additional information to the Admissions Committee. Optional addenda may include, but are not limited to, clarification of your educational record, or obstacles you have overcome in the pursuit of higher education. Applicants may also submit a diversity statement, explaining to the Admissions Committee what background, experience, and perspective they will bring to the classroom experience at the School of Law.
TOEFL / IELTS
Applicants who have completed their secondary education in a language other than English are encouraged, but not required, to submit official score reports for either TOEFL or IELTS exams. Please note that we do not have a minimum required score.
Interviews
Please note that we do not conduct interviews as part of the admissions process. However, prospective students are invited to contact the Office of Admissions and schedule a visit for informational purposes. See Become a Student > Plan a Visit for more details.
Application Procedure for Transfer and Visiting Students
Western New England University School of Law will evaluate transfer applications from a student who is in good academic standing at an ABA or state-accredited law school and who has typically completed one full year of law study. Transfer and visiting student applications are accepted for spring semester admission with a deadline of November 15th. Transfer and visiting student application are accepted for fall semester admission with a deadline of July 1st.
Transfer and Visiting applicants must submit to the Admissions Office:
- All materials listed above
- Letter of Good Standing from the Dean of the law school where you are currently attending
- Official transcript from all law schools attended
- Addendum explaining your decision to apply as a transfer or visting student
If you wish to attend as a visiting student, written permission is also required from the Dean of your law school stating that credit will be given for courses taken at Western New England University School of Law.
The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will evaluate and determine the number of credits accepted from another law school. No more than 32 academic credits will be accepted for transfer from an ABA-approved law school and no more than 29 academic credits will be accepted for transfer from a state-accredited law school. If students are granted transfer credits from another law school, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will inform students in their letter of acceptance. Transfer credits are determined on a case-by-case basis. Typically, criteria for transfer credit consideration includes, but is not limited to, the course grade, the grading criteria at the law school attended, the course description, the number of course hours attempted and earned, and the comparable courses taught at Western New England University School of Law.
Transfer applicants are eligible for scholarships and will be automatically considered on a case-by-case basis during the application review process.
Admission Contingent Upon Truthfulness
The School of Law’s decision to admit an applicant is contingent upon the truthfulness of the information contained in his or her application, including material submitted on the applicant’s behalf. Discovery of false information subsequent to admission is grounds for immediate dismissal at any point in the applicant’s course of study. Such dismissal shall result in forfeiture of all charges paid and academic credits earned. Applicants and students are subject to the provisions of the Academic Standards and the Student Honor Code, available on request.
Bar Admissions Requirements
There are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar. Prior to matriculation, applicants should contact the Board of Bar Examiners of the state(s) in which they might practice to determine those requirements. Each state has a bar admissions office, such as the Board of Bar Examiners in Massachusetts, the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee in Connecticut, and the Board of Law Examiners in New York. The National Conference of Bar Examiners provides the address and website of each state's bar admissions office. You should consult the bar admission office in the jurisdiction in which you intend to apply for admission as to the specific forms and requirements for that particular jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction has specific requirements that are strictly enforced, and the application process requires careful attention to all requirements, forms, and deadlines.