University of Utah

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Application requirements

Deadline

May 15, 2026

Application fee

$75.00

Recommendations

1 to 3

Updated for 2025-2026 application cycle

Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose an act or event such as the ones described below may result in revocation of admission, disciplinary action by the S.J. Quinney College of Law, or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek bar admission.

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.

If the answer is "yes" to any question, you must provide a detailed explanatory statement in an electronic attachment. The statement must give full details, including the date(s), facts, location, and disposition of the matter.

Have you ever been enrolled in any other J.D. program?
Have you ever been convicted of a crime or are charges pending against you? A conviction includes a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, a plea in abeyance or deferred adjudication if it is in its period of probation, or a verdict or finding of guilt regardless of whether a sentence was imposed. All drug and/or and alcohol-related offenses must be reported. All convictions must be report even if expunged from your records. You are not required to report minor traffic offenses.
Have you ever been convicted of a juvenile offense that was classified as felony, or equivalent to a felony? You are not required to report juvenile infractions or misdemeanor juvenile offenses.
Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on academic or disciplinary probation, disciplined, expelled, or requested or advised to withdraw from any post-secondary school, college, university, professional school, or law school - including campus housing?
Have you ever been disciplined in connection with any misconduct matter related to any educational, personal, professional, military, business, or employment behavior or activity? Being disciplined includes, but is not limited to, being sanctioned, placed on probation, suspended, dismissed, resigning in lieu of termination, surrendering a professional license, or having a civil judgment obtained against you.

University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
Application Instructions for Entering JD Candidates

(U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Non-Resident Aliens)

ACADEMIC PREPARATION FOR LAW SCHOOL

No specific pre-law curriculum is required for admission to the S.J. Quinney College of Law. Generally, you should seek rigorous courses from instructors who insist upon high standards of performance. Many undergraduate courses and majors can help you develop the specific skills you will need to succeed in law school and in your career. In particular, you should take courses that develop written and spoken communication, reading and comprehension, logic and analytical thinking, and problem-solving. It is critical that you master English and learn efficient study skills. A helpful resource is the Steps to Apply: JD Programs on LSAC's website

ENTERING JD APPLICANTS

First-year students must attend full-time and begin their study in the 2026 Fall Semester. All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). LSAT exemptions are possible for recent University of Utah bachelor's degree graduates or applicants to the joint degree programs more information can be found on our FAQ at: https://sjquinney.utah.edu/admissions-faq/. Materials submitted in connection with your application file become the property of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law (hereinafter S.J. Quinney College of Law) and cannot be returned, copied, or forwarded elsewhere. We require applications to be electronically submitted through LSAC's electronic application service. This service allows you to electronically complete and submit applications for a vast majority of ABA-approved law schools. The electronic processing service will allow you to submit both your application materials and our $75 application fee through the CAS.

BACCALAUREATE DEGREE REQUIREMENT

You may apply before you receive your undergraduate degree. Before you matriculate, however you must submit official transcripts showing the conferral of a baccalaureate degree, or the foreign equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree. For domestic applicants, the U.S. college or university awarding the degree must have an accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

BROAD SET OF ADMISSION CRITERIA

Admission to the S.J. Quinney College of Law is highly competitive; however, no candidate is admitted or denied solely on a numerical basis. The range of grades and test scores of admitted candidates is broad. Factors such as breadth and difficulty of academic background, extracurricular and community activities, leadership ability, advanced degrees of study, geographic and language background, and significant work experience or life-broadening activities are also considered. You may disclose any factors such as your age, disadvantaged socioeconomic or educational background, non-traditional cultural background, or other similar information you deem relevant to our review of your application.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

For the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, applications may be submitted beginning on September 1, 2025. The JD program has three (3) application deadlines:

October 24, 2025: Early Decision Program application deadline (for early decision consideration, candidate is required to complete the Early Decision Program J.D. application found on LSAC's website);
January 30, 2026: Regular Admission process priority consideration deadline; and
May 15, 2026: Regular Admission process final application deadline.

All materials necessary to complete the application must be received by the prescribed deadlines. Applications submitted or completed after the May 15 deadline will be reviewed only if circumstances allow. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that the application file is complete.

APPLICATION FEE

A nonrefundable $75 application fee is required. The fee must be submitted via the LSAC electronic application processing service and must be paid using a credit or debit card.

USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND DATE OF BIRTH

The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law confidentially maintains your Social Security number and date of birth for routine uses. Disclosure of this information is voluntary, but failure to provide it may result in confusion regarding your identity and could lead to a delay in the processing of your application. Additionally, if you are admitted, there may be a delay or loss of federal and state financial aid, tax credits, student loan deferments, veteran's benefits, and other benefits under law. A separate University of Utah identification number will be assigned to you during the application process.

APPLICATION FORM

Providing your Social Security number, date of birth, and the information requested in the "Personal Background" and "Miscellaneous" sections of the application form is voluntary. You must respond to all other questions and digitally sign and date the form. Completion of the Personal Background section is optional and in no way will adversely affect your candidacy. The question set will be used to identify students whose ability to overcome disadvantages or obstacles of any sort correlates with success in law school and the profession. Your responses will be held in the strictest confidence. Answer the questions to the best of your knowledge. You may add clarifying comments about any answer by attaching an addendum. The gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity information in the demographics section is for accreditation reporting and federal financial aid reporting. It will appear blank on your application and will not be provided to admission file reviewers as part of the decision-making process. Please answer the questions asked on the application form in the space provided and use additional pages or electronic attachments only when necessary. Failure to answer required questions may delay the processing of your application. Re-applicants must submit a new application. In connection with many state bar licensing requirements, copies of law school applications are provided to the state bar as part of the character and fitness evaluations of bar applicants. Because the requirements of each state bar vary considerably, you are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements from the bar organization of each state in which you intend to practice law.

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION COUNCIL ACCOUNT NUMBER

The Law School Admission Council issues individual account numbers to candidates when they register for services such as the LSAT or the Credential Assembly Service. You may obtain your LSAC account number by going to their website, www.LSAC.org.

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST

All candidates must take the LSAT. LSAT scores from tests taken before September 2020 will not be accepted for candidates seeking admission in Fall 2026. April 2026 LSAT scores will meet our May 15 completion deadline. LSAT exemptions are possible for recent University of Utah bachelor's degree graduates or applicants to the joint degree programs more information can be found on our FAQ at: https://sjquinney.utah.edu/admissions-faq/.

CREDENTIAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE

You must register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). As part of the CAS report, the candidate must submit transcripts from all U.S. (or foreign) colleges or universities ever attended, regardless of credits being transferred or applied toward degree requirements. This includes college or university transcripts from high school concurrent enrollment programs. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that transcripts from each U.S. (or foreign) college or university ever attended are sent to the CAS. Applicants who are reapplying must submit a new CAS report. Once your CAS file is complete, please allow one to three weeks for the S.J. Quinney College of Law to receive and process your CAS report in preparation for Admission Committee review. For additional information on the LSAT, and the Credential Assembly Service, visit the LSAC website, www.LSAC.org.

STATEMENTS

The statement(s) you are submitting as part of your application are viewed as a document(s) demonstrating your writing ability. As noted in the application certification, you may use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in drafting the content of your statements. If you elect to use AI in drafting the content of your statements, you must disclose this and acknowledge the statements in which you used AI. The statements must be written in the following format: one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt. The statement length limits are indicated in the prompts for each statement.

REQUIRED PERSONAL STATEMENT

Candidates are required to submit a personal statement of no more than (2) two pages in length. The Admission Committee's goal is to assemble an intellectually stimulating community of students composed of individuals who have varied backgrounds and perspectives. In addition to outstanding academic ability, we seek students whose life experiences, backgrounds, and interests will enhance our educational community. This includes, but is not limited to, qualities such as leadership, maturity, organization, knowledge of other languages and cultures, sincere commitment to community service, a history of overcoming disadvantage, extraordinary accomplishment, or success in a previous career. The subject matter of your personal statement is up to you. The personal statement should let the Admission Committee know more about you as a person and should address the above qualities if that information is not presented in other areas of your application. Issues addressed in your personal statement may include the background, experiences, and events (positive or negative) that have affected you. You may address the perspectives and experiences you will bring to classroom discussions and the law school community or your motivations for seeking a legal education. The personal statement must be written in the following format: one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt.

OPTIONAL LIFE PERSPECTIVE STATEMENT

The S.J. Quinney College of Law seeks to enroll students who will enrich the classroom environment and represent a broad spectrum of perspectives. As part of this commitment, we invite you to submit additional relevant information in this life perspective statement. If you choose to submit a life perspective statement, it should describe the ways in which you will contribute to the life and vibrancy of the College of Law by virtue of your life experiences. Discussion points may include, but are not limited to, neurodivergence, linguistic barriers, or a history of cultural, educational, or socioeconomic challenges. This statement should highlight topics which have not been discussed in your personal statement. The life perspective statement may not exceed (2) two pages in length and must have one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt.

OPTIONAL LEADERSHIP STATEMENT

We invite you to submit a leadership statement. The S.J. Quinney College of Law values the impactful leadership roles many lawyers undertake in their communities and civic organizations. In the leadership statement, please describe an experience where you held a leadership role in an organization or as part of an activity. What was your role, and what contributions did you make in this capacity? What did you learn from this experience? How will you apply these skills in law school and beyond? The leadership statement may not exceed (1) one page in length and must have one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt.

LETTER(S) OF RECOMMENDATION

You are required to have one (1) but may have up to three (3) letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf. Letters of recommendation should come from people who know you well and have had the opportunity to observe you, preferably, in an academic or professional setting. Letters must be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. To use this service, follow the instructions outlined on LSAC's "Letters of Recommendation" webpage.

APPLICANTS EDUCATED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

The S.J. Quinney College of Law requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted through the Credential Assembly Service. If you completed any postsecondary academic work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study-abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee. An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), and will be incorporated into your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report. To use the Credential Assembly Service for your international documents, follow the online 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. Questions about foreign transcripts and the Credential Assembly Service can be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.

APPLICANTS WHOSE NATIVE LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit official results from the TOEFL or IELTS test. The test must have been administered within 12 months from application. You are not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score if you have received a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.

TOEFL

You must contact the Educational Testing Service and request that your TOEFL score is sent to LSAC to be incorporated into your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report. Your score will be included in the International Credential Evaluation Document. LSAC's TOEFL code for the Credential Assembly Service is 8395.

IELTS

You must contact your IELTS testing center and request that your IELTS score is sent to LSAC to be incorporated into your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report.

UTAH RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Initial residency classification will be determined when your JD application is reviewed. For admitted candidates, the official letter of admission will include their residency classification.

Students classified as nonresidents are required to pay non-resident tuition. Non-resident students admitted to the S.J. Quinney College of Law are not eligible for residency reclassification once they begin their law school studies. Law students will pay tuition at the out-of-state rate for the duration of those studies even during approved "Leaves of Absence." This university institutional residency policy supersedes all other means of qualifying for residency reclassification as outlined in the Board of Regents Policy R512 with the exception of (1) those who qualify for in-state tuition pursuant to Utah Code Section 53B-8-106, as amended; (2) those who qualify for a military service exception (as described in the University of Utah Residency Determination for Tuition Purposes Policy); and (3) American Indians enrolled in qualifying tribes (as described in the University of Utah Residency Determination for Tuition Purposes Policy).

If you are classified as a non-resident and question this assessment or believe you will qualify for Utah resident status before the start of Fall Semester 2026, you may complete the Residency Reclassification Application available on the University web site at: admissions.utah.edu/apply/residency/. Residency reclassification petitions should be submitted at least 45 days before the beginning of fall semester. More information on residency may be obtained from the University's Residency Office at 801.581.8761 or https://admissions.utah.edu/information-resources/residency/

A person who enrolls as a post-secondary student at a Utah institution prior to living in Utah for more than 12 continuous months as a non-student is presumed to have moved to Utah for the purpose of attending an institution of higher education, and is a non-resident for tuition purposes.

J.D. APPLICANT CHECKLIST

The Admission Committee will consider your file incomplete until the following items have been received and processed:

   Completed and digitally signed application form for the J.D.Program

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   Résumé
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   Official Credential Assembly Service report

   All official higher education transcripts

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   Nonrefundable $75 application fee
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   Personal statement (two (2) page limit, one (1) inch margins, double-spaced, and font size no smaller than 10 pt.)

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   One letter of recommendation
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   For applicants educated outside the U.S., foreign transcript evaluation from LSAC and a TOEFL or IELTS score report (if necessary)

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The S.J. Quinney College of Law provides a high-quality education at a competitive. The typical first-year student can meet the cost of law school with a financial aid package that may include federal student loans, a college scholarship, and personal savings or a family contribution. First-year students are encouraged not to work during the academic year. Many advanced law students may borrow less than first-year students because when they have summer and/or part-time compensated employment. The University of Utah requires students wishing to be considered for financial aid to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By submitting the FAFSA, a need-analysis is conducted, including determining the amount a student can be expected to contribute to their educational costs. Even if you have not received an admission decision, you should complete and submit a FAFSA by February 1. Information about the FAFSA and Federal Student Loan Programs can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The University of Utah Title IV school code: 003675.

COLLEGE OF LAW MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

The S.J. Quinney College of Law offers privately funded merit-on-entrance scholarships to selected first-year students. All admitted candidates (including international applicants) are considered on the basis of their admission applications. There are also some merit-based scholarships, fellowships, and stipend programs available to second- and third-year students. More information on these scholarship and award programs can be found at https://sjquinney.utah.edu/fellowships-and-scholarships/

S.J. QUINNEY COLLEGE OF LAW NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

These private-source scholarships are awarded by the S.J. Quinney College of Law. A FAFSA and a supplemental application form (mailed to applicants offered admission) are required. Only U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible for College of Law Need-Based Scholarships. Need-based scholarships are non-renewable and must be applied for each year. Awards generally range from $500 to $2,500.

CAMPUS HOUSING

University housing for single students and students with families is available on campus in one- or multi-bedroom apartments. Some complexes feature community centers, preschool and early childhood educational programs, adult activities, landscaped grounds, gardens, and picnic areas. For housing information, you may contact the follow offices:

Housing & Residential Education 801.587.2002 housing.utah.edu

University Student Apartments 801.581.8667 apartments.utah.edu/housing-options/

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING

Housing in pleasant neighborhoods is available within walking distance of campus and throughout Salt Lake City. Accommodations include large, medium, and small apartment complexes, condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, single-family residences, and rooming houses.

University of Utah Off-Campus Housing website: https://www.offcampushousing.utah.edu/

OFFICE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The University of Utah is committed to providing a supportive learning environment and fostering safe, healthy relationships among our students. To do so, the University will immediately and appropriately respond to reports of sexual misconduct, including the offenses of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are the most egregious forms of sex discrimination. University policy also prohibits discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. These offenses are subject to the same accountability standards as offenses against individuals in any protected class and the same kinds of support are available.

When OEO receives a report of sexual misconduct, the university will respond by providing information about support and resources on campus and will also explain options for addressing the behavior including filing a Formal Complaint with the OEO under university policy and/or reporting to law enforcement. Supportive Measures are available to those who experience Sexual Misconduct, whether or not you choose to file a Formal Complaint or report to law enforcement.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, we encourage you to report it to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX:

Jess Morrison

Interim Director

Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO)

383 South University Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84112

801-581-8365

oeo@utah.edu

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu.

More information about the University policies can be found at our website at

oeo.utah.edu. Relevant University of Utah's policies can be found at:

regulations.utah.edu/general/1-012.php

regulations.utah.edu/general/1-011.php