University of Maryland

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Application requirements

Deadline

Aug 01, 2026

Application fee

$70.00

Recommendations

2 to 4

Updated for 2025-2026 application cycle

You are invited to complete one (and only one) of the optional essay prompts below. In responding to a prompt, please keep in mind that what you contributed to or took away from any experience is far more important to us than the experience itself. Your optional essay should be no longer than 250 words, double-spaced, and must be typed and not hand-written. Please title your document with the option you select. Upload any submission as an attachment to the application form. Option 1: Some years ago, the Supreme Court struck down race-based affirmative action programs at two universities. Writing for the majority, the Chief Justice wrote: "At the same time, as all parties agree, nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant's discussion of how race affected his or her life." We invite you to describe how your identity or background (such as your race, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, culture, religion, socioeconomic status, etc.) has, as the Court wrote, "affected [your] life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise." In crafting your response, please note that the law school attaches no inherent value to any applicant's race, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, culture or religion, we are interested only in how your experience has impacted your courage, determination, adaptability, leadership skills, or other unique ability that you will bring to the law school and legal profession. Option 2: Members of the Maryland Carey Law community make a difference in the world in ways big and small. We encourage our students and alumni to make their corner of the world a bit brighter through leadership and innovation. Describe one of your most important accomplishments and explain why it is important to you. Discuss how you demonstrated leadership, helped innovate, and/or drove change as part of that accomplishment. Option 3: The Law School values determination and resilience and recognizes that these traits are critical to success not just in law school, but also in the legal profession. Describe a significant challenge, disappointment, or setback that you faced. Discuss how you approached this experience and what you learned from it. Option 4: To succeed at the Law School and in the legal profession, you must be able to have respectful discussions across differences and, where appropriate, be open to changing your mind. Describe a time when you changed your mind on an important topic after discussing it with a person with whom you disagreed or after learning additional information. Discuss what you learned from this experience. Option 5: Maryland Carey Law has a strong sense of community and a longstanding tradition of public engagement. Our students and graduates are committed in rich and varied ways to public service and community engagement. Describe a community that has been particularly meaningful to you. Discuss what you gain from being a part of this community and what you contribute to this community.

Have you ever been terminated, suspended, laid off, discharged or permitted to resign in lieu of termination from any employment? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Have you ever been discharged from the military under conditions other than honorable? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Excluding incidents which may have occurred as a juvenile, have you ever been charged, disciplined, placed on probation, suspended, expelled, or asked to withdraw because of a disciplinary or academic violation of any kind by any school, college, or university, whether formally or informally? This includes, but is not limited to, any instances in which you were charged but the charges were ultimately dropped or where you simply received a written warning. (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Excluding incidents which may have occurred as a juvenile, have you ever been charged with a violation of any honor code, ethical code, code of conduct, or code or rules governing academic and/or personal behavior while a student at any school, college, or university? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
With regard to the two questions immediately preceding this one, is there any situation involving a disciplinary or academic violation on your part that is currently pending? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Has it ever been determined that you filed false honor code charges or false complaints against fellow students, faculty or staff, or other members of your school, college or university community? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Excluding offenses committed as a juvenile, have you ever been arrested or charged, formally or informally, and without regard to the result, with a violation of any law? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Are any charges pending or expected to be brought against you for the violation of any law? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Are you in default on any financial obligation for any student loans or to any college or university? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Has your driver's license ever been suspended or revoked? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Are you currently deferring enrollment at a law school that requires a commitment not to apply elsewhere? (If yes, please attach an explanation of the circumstances, including relevant details.)
Have you ever attended a law school? If you answered yes, please upload a statement explaining why you are no longer attending.