Southern Methodist University

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Application requirements

Deadline

Apr 01, 2026

Recommendations

0 to 3

Updated for 2025-2026 application cycle

Please note: 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.

Additionally, because of the high ethical standard to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose an act or event such as the ones described in this section is often more significant, and leads to more serious consequences, than the act or event itself. Failure to provide truthful answers or failure to inform the Admissions Office of any changes to your answers may result in the revocation of admission or disciplinary action by SMU Dedman School of Law or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek admission.

You must answer these questions for your application to be considered complete. If you answer yes to question 2 or 3, you understand and agree that the University has the right to check your criminal background and to follow its policies and procedures relative to the admission of students who have criminal records or are under indictment. If you answer yes to any of these character and fitness questions, you must attach an electronic attachment giving the dates, causes, outcomes, and a narrative description of the event.

Have you ever been disciplined in any way for any matter by any college, university, law school or other institution of higher learning, or by any professor, administrator, employee or entity representing any college, university, law school or other institution of higher learning, or have you been allowed to withdraw from such an institution to avoid such discipline, whether or not the record of such action was retained in your file? (Discipline includes, without limitation, a letter or other written notice of reprimand or warning, suspension, expulsion, adjustment of grade, assignment of community service, any form of probation, or any other adverse action). (Entity includes, without limitation, residential facilities or other facilities owned or managed by a college, university, law school, or other institution of higher learning.)
Have you ever been arrested, cited or ticketed for, or charged with any violation of the law? You must report all offenses, including offenses involving alcohol or drugs. You may exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations, however you must report any failure to appear charge or warrant resulting from any offense, including Class C misdemeanors. An offense is not a minor traffic violation if it involved alcohol or drugs, or if there was an attempt, whether successful or not, to suspend or revoke your driver's license as a result of the violation.
Are you currently under indictment or have you ever been convicted of any offense, placed on probation or granted deferred adjudication or any type of pretrial diversion? You must report all offenses, including offenses involving alcohol or drugs. You may exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations, however you must report any failure to appear arrest or conviction for any offense, including Class C misdemeanors.
Have you ever been discharged or dismissed from the armed forces (other than honorably) or sentenced in a court-martial proceeding?

The goal of our admission process is to identify applicants who will flourish in law school and who will gain a distinct lifelong advantage by having attained a Dedman law degree. The application process is our opportunity to look at you as a whole person. We want to know about you and your accomplishments. Throughout the admissions process, the Admissions Office will make every effort to give you prompt and individualized attention. Every application is read in its entirety; no decisions are made on the "numbers" alone. When evaluating an application, we look for well-rounded students who have proven evidence of academic success and who will enrich our overall educational community.

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.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU?s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX. The Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.

Preliminaries

Register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Registration for CAS can be accomplished at the same time that you register for the LSAT, if you intend to submit an LSAT score with your application. Please note that LSAC will not send any law school a report until they have received transcripts from every undergraduate institution you have attended, including summer sessions and semesters abroad. You also must pay any necessary fees. SMU's LSAC code is 6660. Please be aware that candidates must have a complete LSAT writing sample in their file in order to see their score or have their score released to schools.

Applicants must complete this application by using an LSAC electronic application. LSAC permits applicants to complete more than one application at a time by asking for common information only once. For information about LSAC electronic applications, please contact LSAC at 215-968-1001 or LSAC.org.

If you intend to apply with a GRE score rather than an LSAT score, please register for the GRE at https://www.ets.org/gre. SMU's GRE code is 4690.

If you intend to apply with a JD-Next Exam Score Report rather than an LSAT or GRE score, please register for JD-Next at https://jdnext.org/. SMU's JD-Next code is J1121.

Your file will not be reviewed until all required materials have been received. Please save a copy of your application, as it will be required for many bar applications.

Letters of recommendation are optional. If you choose to submit letters of recommendation, we will accept up to three (3). Submit your letters of recommendation through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. This service is included in your CAS registration.

Applicants to the combined JD/MBA or JD/MA in Economics degree programs must submit separate applications to the Graduate Division of the Edwin L. Cox School of Business or to the SMU Department of Economics in Dedman College. Applications to the MBA program may be obtained at https://www.smu.edu/cox/degrees-and-programs/jd-mba-program. Applications to the MA in Economics program may be obtained at https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Academics/Departments/Economics/GraduatePrograms/MastersPrograms.

Race and Ethnicity Data Collection
Information regarding race and ethnicity collected in this application will not be available to the admissions committee or considered in the admission process. We collect the information to comply with and satisfy reporting requirements of the American Bar Association and federal agencies.

Waiver of Minimum-Hour Requirement (Reduced Load)
A limited number of well-qualified JD applicants, who show good cause why they are unable to take the standard number of credit hours required in the first year, may request a waiver of the minimum-hour requirement. Applicants seeking admission under the reduced-load option should submit a written statement explaining their interest in this option.

Deadlines

Regular Decision
Applications must be submitted and all supporting documentation, including your CAS report, must be received by April 1. All Regular Decision Admission applicants will receive a decision by May 31 whether their application has been accepted, denied, or placed on a waiting list.

Late Decision
Late decision applications are considered on a space-available basis. Applications will be reviewed upon completion, and decisions will be made shortly thereafter.

Scholarships

All applicants are considered for a Dean's Scholarship at the time they are considered for admission, and a separate application is not required to receive a scholarship from SMU. One or more students per entering class are awarded the prestigious Hutchison Scholarship. This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and fees and does not require a separate application. If you are awarded a scholarship, we will notify you with your admission decision or shortly after you have been admitted.

Because we believe a broad spectrum of viewpoints enhances our educational environment, we award additional scholarships to students whose experiences, accomplishments, or background suggest his or her perspective will enhance or diversify the learning atmosphere at SMU. To be considered for a scholarship based on your experiences, accomplishments, or background, you must complete the optional question on the application for admission.

In addition to the scholarships above that are funded and awarded by SMU, there are also several scholarships available to our admitted students that are funded by private organizations, including the following:
The Sumners Foundation Scholarship: https://www.sumnersfoundation.org/scholarships/
The Sarah T. Hughes Scholarship: https://www.dallasbarfoundation.org/sarah-t-hughes-diversity-scholarship

Tuition and Expenses

Please refer to our website (https://www.smu.edu/law/admissions/costs-and-financial-aid/estimated-cost-of-attendance) for tuition and fees and estimated costs for the JD programs or contact the Admissions Office with any questions.

Contact Us

Office of Admissions
SMU Dedman School of Law
PO Box 750110
Dallas, TX 75275-0110
Phone: 214-768-2550
E-mail: lawadmit@smu.edu mailto:lawadmit@mail.smu.eduWebsite: https://www.smu.edu/Law/Admissions

SMU Division of Enrollment Services - Financial Aid
PO Box 750181
Dallas, TX 75275-0181
Phone: 214-768-3417
E-mail: enrol_serv@smu.edu mailto:finaid@smu.eduWebsite: www.smu.edu/ofa

SMU Residence Life and Student Housing
PO Box 750215
Dallas, TX 75275-0215
Phone: 214-768-2407
E-mail: housing@smu.edu
Website: http://www.smu.edu/housing