Samford University

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Application requirements

Deadline

May 01, 2026

Recommendations

2 to 4

Updated for 2025-2026 application cycle

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.

A character and fitness review will require truthful, accurate and complete reporting of all requested information related to past conduct that bar examiners may deem relevant to one's fitness to practice law in most jurisdictions, including (but not limited to) all criminal arrests, charges, plea agreements, convictions, or instances of being taken into custody, as a juvenile or adult; all traffic violations except minor parking citations; involvement as a party to civil litigation; acts of fraud, dishonesty or lack of candor; educational discipline or misconduct; failure to pay financial obligations; and substance abuse. Many jurisdictions require disclosure of all criminal arrests, charges, plea agreements or convictions, as a juvenile or adult, even where the record has been expunged.

It should be noted, however, that while bar admission boards require complete disclosure of requested information, in many instances past relevant conduct, particularly if isolated and/or not recent, has not resulted in denial or delay of admission to the bar in a particular jurisdiction of interest. (This is not to suggest or predict how any jurisdiction's bar admissions board would respond to any applicant's particular conduct disclosures going forward.)

A failure to truthfully, accurately and completely respond to a character and fitness inquiry, however, is commonly deemed a character and fitness violation in and of itself, and may be more detrimental to bar admission prospects than the undisclosed or incorrectly disclosed underlying conduct.

You are encouraged to determine the character and fitness requirements of the jurisdiction(s) where you intend to practice law. If you are uncertain where you will practice law, you may wish to review the Standard NCBE Character and Fitness Application, titled Request for Preparation of a Character Report, which is used by a number of jurisdictions' bar admission authorities. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available at http://www.ncbex.org/.

Applicants must attach separate addenda explaining in detail each instance that necessitates a "yes" response to these questions. It is not sufficient to simply attach court records. Those who provide unclear responses will be asked for clarification and/or additional information.

Applicants should also be aware that this law school application is a "continuing application." Continuing applications require applicants to update their responses to these questions as needed throughout the application process. Should an event occur, either before or after applicants receive their admission decision, that would change their response to a question in their application, they must immediately communicate the details of that event in writing to the Office of Law Admission at lawadm@samford.edu.

CRIMINAL CHARGES: Have you ever been formally accused, cited for, arrested for, charged with or convicted of violating any law, including traffic violations? (All citations, arrests, charges and convictions, whether pending or otherwise, must be noted and explained even if the charges were dismissed, you were acquitted, plead nolo contendere or adjudication was withheld or a conviction was expunged, dismissed, overturned or vacated.)

(You must include the date of each occurrence, explain the circumstances that gave rise to each occurrence, any charges received, and the outcome of those charges.)

ACADEMIC ACTION: Have you ever been academically dismissed, suspended, placed on academic probation or given an academic warning?

(You must include the date of each occurrence, explain the circumstances that gave rise to each occurrence, and the outcome: when or if sanction/probation lifted.)

DISCIPLINARY ACTION: Have you ever been placed on disciplinary probation, accused of violating or found in violation of a school's honor code?

(You must include the date of each occurrence, explain the circumstances that gave rise to each occurrence, and the outcome.)

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE: Have you ever had a business, trade or professional license revoked?

(You must include the date of each occurrence, explain the circumstances that gave rise to each occurrence, and the outcome.)

Application Instructions

This application is for students pursuing admission to Samford University's Cumberland School of Law as a first-year law student. Please refer to our website for information on transfer and visiting student applications.

Admission Process

Complete applications for admission, accepted between September 1 and May 1, are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their complete application by the priority deadline of December 31, as this will expedite the review process and increase an applicant's chance for scholarship consideration. There is no application fee. The Admission Committee does not interview candidates for admission.

After submitting your application, you'll receive a confirmation email with instructions to track your application status online. The Office of Law Admission checks your application for completeness and will contact applicants via primary email if their application is incomplete or requires additional documentation. Complete applications undergo a holistic review, and decisions (admit, waitlist, or deny) are sent via email and mail. Admitted students are automatically considered for scholarships and notified of awards within 48 hours of admission. After admission, students receive a series of onboarding emails to prepare them for law school. Waitlisted applicants remain under consideration based on class space; denied applicants may re-apply next cycle. Applicants should note that all admission decisions are final. Admission decisions typically take 6-8 weeks.

Admission Policy

Applicants must provide complete, accurate, and truthful responses to all questions. Submitting false, incomplete, or misleading information may lead to serious consequences, including revocation of admission, disciplinary action by the law school, or denial of permission to practice law in the state where you seek bar admission. Additionally, Samford University reserves the right to revoke admission, expel, withhold degrees, or recommend revocation of any degree earned by applicants who provide inaccurate or incomplete information.

To avoid these outcomes, carefully read and follow the application instructions. Ensure your responses are thorough and accurate and note that some questions may require additional documentation.

Applicant Eligibility & Requirements

To be considered for admission to Samford University's Cumberland School of Law as a first-year law student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Possess a bachelor's degree from a college or university with institutional accreditation prior to entering law school.
Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) within the past five years.
Register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and enroll in the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) at lsac.org, ensuring LSAC receives and compiles your letters of recommendation, transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, and LSAT score into a CAS Report.
Submit Cumberland School of Law's official application by the specified deadline, including a personal statement, résumé, any required addenda, and a completed CAS report. Additional details about the application can be found in the "Application Materials" section.

Applicants previously enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school must submit an official transcript and a letter of good standing from that institution, while those not in good standing or academically dismissed from such a school are ineligible.

International applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree, evaluated by World Educational Services (WES) or AACRAO through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service, and those from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate English proficiency with an iBT TOEFL score of 90 (minimum 20 per section) or an IELTS score of 7.0 (minimum 6.0 per sub-score).

Applicant Status

Applicants may choose to attend law school under full- or flex-time status, with the flex-time option allowing a reduced course load, ideal for those with flexible work schedules. Flex-time students attend classes during the day, Monday through Friday. The admission process is identical for both programs, but flex-time students are ineligible for scholarship assistance during the first two semesters.

Application Materials

A complete application that is ready for review includes the following:

Electronic Application: This application allows you to showcase your unique qualities beyond grades and test scores. Along with basic application questions, you will include the following:

Personal Statement
Résumé
Addenda (if applicable)

CAS Report: The Credential Assembly Service (CAS), managed by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), is a centralized system that collects, authenticates, and distributes your key application materials to law schools. The CAS Report is a comprehensive document that compiles your academic and testing records, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the admission process. Register at lsac.org and pay a one-time fee plus per-school report fees. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all items are received by LSAC. The CAS Report consists of the following items:

LSAT score(s), taken within the last five years: We receive all LSAT scores, however we will give weight to your highest score during review. Applicants can elect to have their application withheld from review until a new LSAT score is received. Please note that without notification that the applicant will retake the LSAT, the Admission Committee will consider the highest score on an applicant's CAS report. June 2026 is the final accepted LSAT date.
LSAT writing sample
Two letters of recommendation
Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended

More information about application materials can be found here.

Selection Process

Each year, the number of applications received by Samford University's Cumberland School of Law far exceeds the openings available in the first-year class. The goal of the law school is to select the most qualified applicants possible and to award those applicants a seat in the entering class. It is our belief that we best serve the law school, our alumni and the current student body by choosing wisely those who will carry on the law school tradition.

Along with an applicant's LSAT score and undergraduate GPA, the Admission Committee considers additional factors to measure an applicant's potential to succeed in law school and the legal profession. These include:

The rigor of the undergraduate major pursued.
Upward trends in academic performance.
Involvement in extracurricular activities, athletics, and/or employment during and after undergraduate studies.
Any graduate studies completed.

Additionally, applicants whose backgrounds bring unique and enlightening perspectives to the school will be recognized by the Admission Committee.

Notification from the Office of Law Admission

Applicants will be contacted via email, phone, regular mail or SMS, as needed throughout the admission cycle. Applicants must provide contact information that will remain valid and update it to ensure that they are receiving all communications. All mailings will be sent to the applicant's permanent address.

Emergency contact information is vital to the safety of the students at Cumberland School of Law and must be accurate and current. This information will be used only by authorized Samford University personnel in case of emergency.

Financial Aid & Scholarship Assistance

Information about financial aid and scholarship assistance can be found here.

Equal Opportunity

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.

Questions

Direct questions to the Office of Law Admission:

Phone: 205-726-2702
Email: lawadm@samford.edu
Address:
Office of Law Admission
Cumberland School of Law
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229