University of South Carolina

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Application requirements

Application fee

$60.00

Recommendations

2 to 4

Updated for 2025-2026 application cycle

This section is optional.

You are invited to provide a brief supplemental essay that will help us know more about you. Please limit this essay to one page.

Optional Personal Essay. The University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law seeks to enroll a class of talented and engaged students who advance our mission, vision, and values and meaningfully contribute to the University community. We invite you to submit an optional essay that discusses how your goals for your legal education and career align with these principles. Feel free to share ways in which your experiences, achievements, and background inform the perspective you would bring to the law school classroom and to cocurricular activities. We are particularly interested in understanding your journey to law school so far, especially any of your experiences that might not be widely shared among our student body. We are not imposing any requirements or limits on the information you may include in this statement; we simply want to know more about you. Please note that the law school cannot use your essay in any way to discriminate or provide a benefit based on the applicant's race or other legally protected status.

MISSION. The University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law prepares lawyer-leaders to serve their communities through rigorous legal studies, exceptional experiential training, and comprehensive professional identity formation within an intellectually dynamic environment. We serve justice and advance the law through engaged learning, teaching, scholarship, and service.

VISION. To be an innovative, student-centered public law school that advances knowledge and the common good, with a local impact, a national voice, and a global reach.

VALUES. Service. Serving justice, the legal profession, the diverse people of South Carolina, the nation, and the world. Success. Placing students and their success in the center of all that we do, while promoting excellence and opportunity. Passion. Fostering a scholarly community that promotes passion for the pursuit of knowledge, the exchange of impactful ideas, innovative research, and transformative teaching. Integrity. Modeling and instilling integrity and professional values. Community. Cultivating through our words and actions a civil community where everyone is valued and supported.

Applicants should familiarize themselves with the rules for admission to the Bar of the state in which they intend to seek admission, especially those rules relating to character, fitness, and other qualifications for practice. When responding to the character and fitness questions below, you must include all disciplinary actions, charges, convictions, and traffic violations. If you have questions about whether an incident or charge should be disclosed, we suggest that you err on the side of full disclosure. You must respond to every character and fitness question, or your application will not be considered complete.

You must disclose disciplinary actions from academic actions or proceedings at any college or university you attended, such as a violation of the honor code or student conduct code, placement on academic or disciplinary probation, suspension, expulsion, request to withdraw, or any discipline for academic or personal conduct. You must disclose all traffic violations including those you consider to be minor, excluding parking violations. You must provide a complete record of all instances in which you have been arrested, taken into custody, or accused, formally or informally, of a violation of the law. Include instances that were expunged by Order of the Court, and juvenile offenses, whether or not the records are sealed.

For any incident involving disciplinary action or proceeding, attach a detailed explanation of the circumstances, including dates, charges, resolution, and sanctions, if any. Disclose each instance even if the charges were dismissed; you were acquitted; adjudication was withheld; a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated; the record was sealed or expunged, or you participated in a pre-trial intervention program. For any incident involving involuntary termination of employment or employee discipline, attach a detailed explanation of the circumstances, including name of employer, dates, location, and other relevant information.

You have a continuing duty to inform the Office of Admissions of any changes in the information in the application, or of any new information without which the application as previously submitted would be inaccurate or incomplete. This duty continues until you receive a final admissions decision and, if admitted, until the date that me

1. Has any disciplinary proceeding of any kind, formal or otherwise, been taken against you at any college or university you have attended?

2. Have you ever withdrawn from a college or university after being accused of a conduct or honor code violation?

3. Are any disciplinary charges pending or expected to be brought against you?

4. Have you ever been arrested, taken into custody, or accused, formally or informally, of a violation of the law?

5. Are any criminal charges pending or expected to be brought against you?

6. Have you ever been involuntarily terminated from a position of employment or subject to disciplinary action by an employer?

Application Instructions

Applying for Admission to the JD Program as a First-Year Student

In the JD admission process, applicants consider how their varied needs, interests, and priorities align with the character and institutional values of a law school. The University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law enjoys a rich tradition as one of the oldest law schools in the nation. Since 1867, it has sought to enroll a talented and diverse student body with members who embrace our rigorous educational environment and who, as graduates, will contribute to the state, the nation, and our global society. Please let our institutional mission, vision, and values guide you as you prepare your application for admission.

MISSION. The University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law prepares lawyer-leaders to serve their communities through rigorous legal studies, exceptional experiential training, and comprehensive professional identity formation within an inclusive and diverse environment. We serve justice and advance the law through engaged learning, teaching, scholarship, and service.

VISION. To be an innovative, student-centered public law school that advances knowledge and the common good, with a local impact, a national voice, and a global reach.

VALUES. Service. Serving justice, the legal profession, the people of South Carolina, the nation, and the world. Success. Placing students and their success in the center of all that we do, while promoting excellence and opportunity. Passion. Fostering a scholarly community that promotes passion for the pursuit of knowledge, the exchange of impactful ideas, innovative research, and transformative teaching. Integrity. Modeling and instilling integrity and professional values. Community. Cultivating, through our words and actions, a diverse, inclusive, and civil community where everyone is valued and supported.

We invite you to explore our website, schedule a tour of our law center, and meet an admissions representative on campus or at one of our recruiting events scheduled throughout the year. Thank you for taking a closer look at the University of South Carolina Rice School of Law!

Eligibility for Admission. Admission to the law school is competitive. To apply for admission, an applicant must have, or expect to receive by the date of enrollment here, a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The only exception to this requirement is for participants in the University of South Carolina Honors College Six-Year BA(BS)/JD plan. All applicants must register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and apply for admission through this service. All applicants are required to have a score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) that is valid and reported by the appropriate testing agency.

Applicants with LSAT Score(s). The LSAT is our primary admissions test. The majority of the applicants admitted will have at least one valid score on the LSAT. Applicants with one or more valid LSAT scores must submit those scores for the application to be considered complete and eligible for an admissions decision. When an applicant has multiple valid LSAT scores, we will consider all of the valid scores but will generally report the highest score when scores are required or requested by accreditation or other evaluative entities. Applicants who also have valid scores on the GRE or GMAT are encouraged to have those scores reported to us by the appropriate testing agency.

Applicants with GRE or GMAT Score(s). Applicants who do not have a valid score on the LSAT will be considered on the basis of a valid score on the GRE or the GMAT that is reported to us by the appropriate testing agency. If you are applying on the basis of a valid GRE or GMAT score, all valid scores must be reported for an application to be considered complete and eligible for an admission decision.

Applicants with SAT or ACT Scores and Eligibility for the Now2JD Admissions Program for USC Graduates. The American Bar Association allows a small number of candidates who are graduates of a campus of the University of South Carolina to be admitted based on attainment of a prescribed SAT or ACT score and undergraduate grade point average. Please see details at our website (www.law.sc.edu) to determine your eligibility to apply.

Application Deadline. Each year the priority deadline for complete applications is March 1, but we usually welcome applications through mid-summer, including from June test takers. All applications, including those received after the priority deadline, will be reviewed fully, but seats in the entering class are normally filled by late-spring.

How to Apply. All applications for admission are submitted through the Law School Admission Council's electronic application service. Applicants must create an account at LSAC.org and subscribe to the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). The application for admission and required documents are transmitted by LSAC to the admissions office. Applicants are notified by email when the application is received.

Required Elements of the Application. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all required materials are received by the Office of Admissions. Much of our communication with applicants will be through email and use of the status checker feature of the LSAC website. Applicants are notified by e-mail when we receive the application, and again when the application is complete and ready for review. Please be sure that we have a current e-mail address and promptly advise the Office of Admissions of any change.

A complete application file contains the following items-

A completed application form with content certified by electronic signature and any attachments in response to questions on the application.
Reports submitted by the appropriate testing agency for any valid scores on the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT.
A personal statement.

Writing is a critical skill for lawyers. This application provides you with several opportunities to demonstrate your writing skills. Each required or optional statement you provide should be of your own creation and be substantially your own work. Statements you submit as part of this application process will be considered as an example of your ability as a writer, including your ability to respond to the prompts that you are provided.

A resume.

Please attach a résumé or curriculum vitae which details your college education (including significant leadership, academic honors, and accomplishments), employment, community involvement, volunteer service, or other activities. Since law school recruitment preparation begins early in the first- year of law school, save time now! Convert your current resume to the format you will use in law school. Here is a link to specific guidance and a template you can follow.

A writing sample.

LSAT Writing is required for candidates who are applying with an LSAT score. The writing ability of candidates who apply with a GRE or GMAT score will be evaluated through components of those examinations. Please allow 2-5 weeks for LSAC to convey completed writing samples to us.

Two letters of recommendation.

Recommendations should evaluate your potential as a law student, so letters from members of your college or graduate school faculty who can discuss your academic performance are particularly helpful. If you have been out of school for a number of years and have difficulty securing an academic reference, you may substitute letters from employers or others who have worked closely with you. Letters should address the skills necessary for rigorous, advanced academic work: the ability to read complex textual material closely, to analyze it carefully, and to present reasoned conclusions in writing and orally; maturity; self-discipline; commitment; and professionalism. We prefer that recommendations be submitted through the CAS service, which is included in your LSAC/CAS registration subscription. Letters are sent to the law schools you designate as part of the LSAC/CAS Report. Directions for submitting letters can be found on the LSAC website at www.lsac.org.

A nonrefundable $60 application fee, paid by credit card through LSAC's secure server, or a fee waiver.

Please complete this form to request an application fee waiver from the Office of Admissions. The application fee is automatically waived for any applicant who receives a waiver of LSAT or CAS fees from LSAC. No separate request is required; the waiver will apply automatically when you submit the electronic application. A prospective student who is serving in the Peace Corps, Teach for America, AmeriCorps/VISTA, City Year, or other established public service program is invited to request an application fee waiver, as well as any applicant for whom the application fee poses a financial hardship or who would otherwise be deterred from applying.

A complete LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report, forwarded directly from LSAC.

LSAC will analyze and duplicate student transcripts and will send a copy to the School of Law with your LSAT scores and letters of recommendation. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all transcripts are mailed directly to LSAC. The Admissions Committee will consider all information presented in the application for admission including scores earned on all valid entrance examinations (LSAT, GRE, and GMAT). For that reason, if there are significant differences between your scores on different admissions tests or test dates and you have any information to help explain the disparity - illness, poor testing conditions, or the like - you may provide this information in an addendum to your application. Instructions for obtaining the LSAC/CAS Report are available on the LSAC website at www.lsac.org. A transcript from each college and university attended should be sent directly to:

Law School Admission Council Box 2700, 662 Penn Street Newtown, PA 18940-0981 215-968-1001

Optional Elements of the Application. We invite applicants to write and submit one or more of our four optional essays: a Personal Essay, a Statement of Demonstrated Personal Qualities, a Statement of Economic, Social or Personal Background, and a Statement of Academic Context. Please follow the prompts for each optional statement in our application materials. Candidates will not be disadvantaged if they choose not to supply a response to any or all of these optional essays. Please note that the law school cannot use your essay(s) in any way to discriminate or provide a benefit based on your race or other legally protected status.

Foreign-Educated Applicants. Applicants who attended a college or university outside the United States or Canada must submit transcripts from that institution through LSAC's international Credentials Assembly Service (CAS). The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a US or Canadian institution and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript. All non-US/Canadian transcripts are forwarded to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), where they will be authenticated and evaluated. This service is included in the LSAC/CAS subscription fee. AACRAO will prepare a Foreign Credential Evaluation, which will be incorporated into your LSAC/CAS Report. This report will contain AACRAO's summary, copies of the transcripts (and translations, as necessary), and a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if applicable. Upon submission of a matriculation decision, the original non-US/Canadian transcript(s) received by LSAC will be forwarded to the law school. If we determine that you need to submit a TOEFL score, you must contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that your TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. LSAC's TOEFL code for the JD Credential Assembly Service is 0058. Your score will be included in the Foreign Credential Evaluation document that will be included in your LSAC/CAS Report. To use the JD CAS, log in to your online account and follow the instructions for registering for the service. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it promptly to them. More time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts.

Reapplying For Admission. An applicant who applied in the prior admissions season must submit a new application and application fee or application fee waiver. If you had not finished your bachelor's degree when you applied previously, you also must submit a new LSAC/CAS report that includes all academic hours attempted in pursuit of your undergraduate degree. We also strongly recommend that you submit an updated resume and personal statement. An applicant who is reapplying after more than one year must submit all required materials.

Use of Outside Assistance in Your Personal Statement and Optional Supplemental Essays. The written responses you submit to our required personal statement, optional supplemental essay prompts, and open-ended questions should be your own work. The ideas, concepts, framework, and conclusions should be of your own creation. Any outlines, drafts and submissions should be your own compositions. You should not use ChatGPT or other generative artificial intelligence tools as part of your creative or drafting processes. You may use electronic tools (like Grammarly or spellcheck), or you may ask prelaw advisors, mentors, friends, or others for basic proofreading assistance and general feedback and critiques.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

I have read your application instructions, but may I speak with someone for information or to answer a specific question? We welcome your inquiry. We make every effort to provide clear and helpful information on our website and in our admissions materials, as we want to get to know you and help you present the best application you can. Contact the Admissions Office at usclaw@law.sc.edu or call us at 803-777-6605.

How will my academic work be evaluated? The Admissions Committee will consider not only your undergraduate GPA, but also trends in your grades, the difficulty of the coursework taken, the grading patterns at your school, how recent the academic work is, and any external factors which may have affected your academic performance, such as family responsibilities, work obligations, or other individual circumstances. If you attended graduate school, the Committee will also consider academic performance in a graduate program, but those grades are not averaged into the undergraduate GPA calculated by LSAC.

Why is the undergraduate GPA on my CAS report different from the GPA on my transcript? LSAC recalculates your cumulative undergraduate GPA according to a uniform set of rules that apply to all applicants. For instance, all academic work is taken into account, not just the work completed at the school where you receive your degree, so if you took summer school classes at another school or transferred to a different institution, grades earned at the other school will be included. In addition, LSAC assigns numerical values to letter grades that may be different from those assigned by your school, and it does not allow for grade substitutions if you retake a class. For a complete explanation of LSAC's transcript analysis process, see the LSAC website.

Which admissions test is preferred - the LSAT, the GRE, or the GMAT? The primary entrance examination is expected to remain the LSAT and the vast majority of applicants will be admitted with an LSAT score. Candidates with GRE and GMAT scores are expected to be a small percentage of the class and their percentile scores are likely to be comparable to or higher than the median percentile score on the LSAT of the immediately preceding entering class.

Is LSAT Writing required? We expect that the majority of applicants will apply with an LSAT score. Those applicants must submit a writing examination through LSAT Writing, a proctored, on-demand writing exam that is administered online using secure proctoring software that can be installed on your computer.

If I have taken the LSAT and the GRE or GMAT, am I required to submit all valid scores on all of these tests? No. LSAT scores are the only test scores you are required to submit. However, applicants who have scores on the GRE or the GMAT are encouraged to have these scores submitted to the School of Law by the appropriate testing entity using the appropriate University of South Carolina School of Law code number. Our GRE code is 4157 and our GMAT code is JV2-W2-58.

May I submit a GRE or GMAT score in place of an LSAT score if I already have a valid LSAT score? No. If you have a valid LSAT score(s), a score on the GRE or the GMAT will only be considered in addition to the LSAT score, not in place of an LSAT score. All valid LSAT scores are required to be submitted. If you choose to preview and then cancel your score on the LSAT and apply with a valid GRE score, you will be required to report your cancelled LSAT score in your application for admission.

What should my personal statement include? Please refer to the specific prompt for the required personal statement. It is your chance to tell us about yourself: what your most significant achievements have been; what has shaped you into the person you are today; what engages you intellectually; what you are passionate about; or what you hope to accomplish in your life. It may, but does not need to, address why you want to go to law school or to be a lawyer. Remember that the salient characteristic of a good personal statement is that it is personal. It is our chance to assess what qualities, viewpoints, or experiences you will bring to the law school classroom, which is, at its best, a lively discussion in which many different voices participate. Remember, too, that this is a means to assess your writing skills. In many cases, the personal statement is the make-or-break element in the application, and it is the one element over which you have complete control. While there is no specified page limit, remember that "economy of style" is a strength in good writing!

What information should be disclosed in response to character and fitness questions? Please comply with the guidance provided on our website and the instructions preceding the questions about character and fitness before you submit your application. An answer of "Yes" to any portion of the Character and Fitness section of the application requires an addendum. Incomplete or inadequately documented responses can delay consideration of your application.

When can I expect to receive an admissions decision? Decision dates vary. We begin to review applications as soon as they are complete. The Admissions Committee may reach a decision very quickly, and the applicant is notified of the decision immediately. In other cases, the file may be held over for a second round of review, to give the Committee an opportunity to make a comparative evaluation of credentials later in the admissions process. Applicants are notified when the Committee makes a decision using our thorough, individualized, and holistic process of review by members of the admissions staff and Committee.

How are applicants notified of the admissions decision? You may be notified through the LSAC electronic status checker, by postal mail, e-mail, or all of the above. To protect your privacy, we will not release admissions decisions over the phone, nor will we discuss an application with anyone other than the applicant.

How do I communicate my decision to accept (or decline) an offer of admission? We hope you will accept our offer! Admitted applicants will be given a date by which they must place a non-refundable seat deposit through our enrollment portal, Self Service Carolina, and a date to confirm their intent to enroll in mid-summer. The seat deposit is normally in the amount of $500 and is applied to fall tuition and fees. The seat deposit signifies your intent to enroll at the University of South Carolina Rice School of Law. A seat deposit should not be placed merely to "hold a seat? in the entering class. Candidates should not place seat deposits at more than one law school at any one time. If you decide to decline our offer of admission, please do so in writing, through email or a letter sent to the Admissions Office as soon as your decision is made. Candidates who decline our offer will be asked to complete a short survey about their admissions preferences.

Is there a second seat deposit? Deposited candidates will be required to confirm their intent to enroll through a short survey, usually submitted in June. This is the final step in our enrollment commitment process. No additional financial payment is required. Deposited candidates must take this step in order to be registered for their first semester classes. Deposited candidates who do not confirm their intent to enroll by the stated deadline will be withdrawn from the class.

If I am admitted, may I defer my enrollment? Deferrals are granted on a case-by-case basis. A deferral is appropriate for a student who wishes to commit to enrolling at USC, but in a future year. When a deferral is requested, you will be required to pay the $500 acceptance deposit by the deposit deadline and agree not to hold a place in another law school's entering class or to apply for admission to another law school during the deferral year. To confirm your intention to enroll the following year, you will be asked to pay a second $500 deposit. Both deposits are nonrefundable and are applied to your first semester's tuition.

Applying for Admission to the JD Program as a Transfer Student

An applicant who has successfully completed a minimum of 26 credits of law study at an American Bar Association-accredited law school may apply as a transfer student. The USC Rice School of Law accepts a maximum of one year's credit toward a J.D. degree for work completed at another law school. Although graded hours may exceed 30 hours, no more than 30 earned hours will be accepted toward the 90 hours required for graduation.

In reviewing transfer applications, typically the most important factors will be the applicant's law school grades and class rank as well as the undergraduate grade point average and LSAT score. Because grading curves vary substantially from school to school, class rank is often the primary way that we evaluate the strength of the first-year academic record. Most successful transfer applicants have placed at least in the top third of their class. In addition, the Admissions Committee considers criteria similar to those considered for admission to the first-year class: residence status, work experience, leadership, community service, letters of recommendation, and potential for contribution to a collegial and diverse academic community.

Applicants for transfer admission must submit the following-

A completed application form, including a statement of reasons for the desire to transfer, submitted by July 1. Please use the regular JD application: the first question on the application is your chance to indicate that you are applying for transfer admission.
A nonrefundable $60 application fee, paid through LSAC's secure server, or a fee waiver.
An official transcript of all work completed at the law school previously attended and a statement of class rank or percentile in class. This information should be provided upon completion of the second semester of the first year of law school. If you submit a transcript or statement of class rank before second semester grades are posted, you will be asked to submit updated document(s) once those grades and class rank are available. If your school does not rank students, please provide a statement from the academic dean or registrar verifying that the school does not calculate class ranks.
A complete CAS Report sent directly from the LSAC. If you applied to the USC Rice School of Law in the prior year but your CAS report did not include the final year of undergraduate work, you will need to update your CAS file with your final undergraduate transcript and have a new report sent to us.
A letter from the academic dean or registrar of the law school previously attended certifying that you are in good academic standing and are eligible to return. This letter should be sent only upon completion of the first year. If you submit a letter of good standing before second semester grades are posted, you will be asked to submit an updated one once those grades are in.
One letter of recommendation from a law faculty member.

Admitted transfer students who decide to enroll at the USC Rice School of Law are required to submit a final official undergraduate transcript showing award of the undergraduate degree, sent directly from the applicant's undergraduate school to the Admissions Office. Transfer applications must be submitted by July 1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete all parts of the application by this date. The Admissions Committee will begin to review transfer applications and make offers of admission when files are complete.

We ask that transfer applicants have completed a minimum of 26 credit hours. That allows a transfer student to complete a law degree from USC Rice School of Law in four semesters without taking a course overload. If you are currently enrolled in a part-time program and will take classes in a summer session that will meet the 26 credit hour minimum, you can submit the application with grades from your first two part-time semesters, typically 18 hours. The Admissions Committee will review the work in the first 18 hours and may offer admission contingent upon successful completion of the remaining 8 hours of work in the summer session. All work must have been completed before the date of enrollment at the USC Rice School of Law.

An academic audit of all transfer applicants' files will be conducted. Candidates accepted for transfer admission must meet with the Law Registrar/Director of Academic Services to review transfer of hours, grade point average, graduation requirements and registration. If required to enroll in any first year course, students will be randomly placed in a first year section for the fall semester and/or spring semester. Transfer students cannot drop/add or change sections of a first year course. Upper level course registration rules and procedures do not apply to first year courses.

During the first year at the USC Rice School of Law, a transfer student will have no class rank. Upon completion of two full semesters at the USC Rice School of Law, a cumulative GPA and class rank will be computed according to law school policy on the basis of all law school grades earned. The grades earned at the student's former school in courses accepted for transfer credit will be included in computing the transfer student's cumulative grade point average. Also, if a transfer student earns a grade below "C" in a course, those credits hours will not transfer, but will remain in the GPA. Based on the cumulative GPA, transfer students will be eligible for all University and USC Rice School of Law awards governed by the law school. The procedure and timetable for consideration by any of the academic journals is established by those journals.

Applying for Admission to the JD Program as a Transient/Visiting Student

A student currently enrolled at another ABA-approved law school may apply to attend the USC Rice School of Law for one or two semesters as a transient (visiting) student and receive credit toward the J.D. from their "home" law school. Transient student applications should be completed by July 1, if applying to visit in the fall semester, or November 15, if applying to visit in the spring semester. Decisions on transient student applications are typically made in mid-July for the fall semester and late November for the spring semester.

Applicants for transient (visiting) admission must submit the following-

A completed and signed application form including a statement of the reason for wanting to visit at USC Rice School of Law. Please use the regular JD application. At Section 8, under Enrollment Information, please mark "Transient" even if you have applied previously.
A nonrefundable $60 application fee, paid through LSAC's secure server, or a fee waiver.
A copy of your LSAC/CAS report. A photocopy of the CAS Report from your current law school is sufficient.
An official transcript from your current law school, mailed directly from the law school to the USC Rice School of Law.
A letter of good standing from the dean of the law school currently attended. The letter should provide information regarding academic standing, eligibility to return, and a statement granting permission to attend the USC Rice School of Law. Any information relating to the courses to be taken, credits earned, or other requirements should also be included.
One letter of recommendation from a law faculty member.