Standards for J.D. Admission

The admissions policy of the University of Florida Levin College of Law furthers the mission of the College of Law: excellence in educating professionals, advancing legal scholarship, serving the public, and fostering justice.

UF Law seeks to admit students who will:

• excel academically
• attain the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity
• bring vision, creativity, and commitment to the legal profession
• distinguish themselves in serving the state, nation, and world through the practice of law, formulation of public policy, legal scholarship, and other law-related activities.

Thus, the College of Law seeks to enroll students who, collectively, bring to its educational program a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and perspectives. The breadth and variety of viewpoints to which graduates of the College of Law are exposed while in law school will enable them to provide outstanding service in many different public and private capacities.

The College of Law gives substantial weight to numerical predictors of academic success (undergraduate grade point average and LSAT scores). Numbers alone, however, are not dispositive. The College of Law considers all information submitted by applicants. Factors such as the difficulty of prior academic programs, academic honors, letters of recommendation, or graduate training may provide additional information about academic preparation and potential. In some cases, demonstrated interest, prior training, or a variety of experiences may indicate that an applicant is particularly well-suited to take advantage of specialized educational opportunities.

Information about work experience, leadership, community service, overcoming prior disadvantages or commitment to serve those for whom legal services have been unavailable or difficult to obtain may show that an applicant is in a unique position to add diversity to the law school community or to make significant contributions to the practice of law.

The J.D. Application

Go to : Application Deadlines | Application Fee Waivers | Required Documents | Optional Documents

Apply Now at LSAC.org

Application Options and Deadlines

Thanks for your interest in University of Florida Levin College of Law. The UF Law JD application is available August 15, 2024, only for Gator Scholars applicants. Regular Decision and Binding Decision applicants should apply beginning September 01, 2024. Please carefully review specifications and requirements. All applicants will apply via the Levin College of Law LSAC online application at www.lsac.org.

Option #1    Regular Decision Timeline

(Scroll down for general requirements.)

September 01, 2024

• Application Available

March 15, 2025

• Recommended submission/completion Deadline

June 2025 LSAT

• Last LSAT accepted for Fall 2025

July 15, 2025

• Application Closes

   

Option #2 (Limited)    UF Law Binding Decision Timeline

(Scroll down for general requirements.  Click here for specific Fall 2025 Binding Decision option requirements.)

September 01, 2024

• Application Available

February 15, 2025

• Binding Decision application submission/completion final Deadline

 

Option #3 (Limited)    Gator Scholars Timeline

(Scroll down for general requirements.  Click here for specific Fall 2025 Gator Scholars option requirements.)

**August 15, 2024**

• Application Available

**September 1, 2024**

• Gator Scholars application submission and completion Deadline (including all required parts per application instructions, and a copy of official ACT or SAT results)
  

 

Application Fee Waivers

UF Law is waiving the $30 application fee through December 31, 2024 for all applicants.

UF Law cannot waive fees charged by LSAC. 

Additionally, the application fee will be waived throughout the entire cycle for the following candidates:

• Candidates who receive an LSAC fee waiver.  (The UF Law application fee should automatically show a zero amount due at LSAC checkout.)
• Candidates who are currently a member of or alumni of Teach for America, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps; upon request.
• Candidates who have served or are serving in the U.S. military; upon request.

To request an application fee waiver, please email admissions@law.ufl.edu and include your LSAC account number and reason for the waiver request.

Please note:  Application fees are non-refundable. The $30 application fee cannot be refunded to candidates who might qualify for a waiver but apply prior to receiving it.  Additionally, the fee waiver process begins anew each application cycle, and a waiver is valid only until the expiration date indicated. 

Required Documents

Bachelors Degree

Applicants to the J.D. program must have a U.S. bachelor’s degree or international equivalent (in any field) conferred prior to the first day of law classes of the application year.

Standardized Test Requirement

With the exception those applying through the Gator Scholars Program, all applicants must submit a valid score from the LSAT, GRE General Test, or both exams. Scores for both exams are valid for five years. If you elect to submit an LSAT score and a GRE score, UF Law will choose which of the scores will be used in considering the application for admission. Your application will become complete and be submitted for review as soon as UF Law has one valid standardized test score. If you have multiple valid LSAT scores, your highest score will be given the most weight. If you have multiple valid GRE scores, the highest percentile scores from each section will be given the most weight.

Valid LSAT test scores are included as a part of the LSAC CAS Report and cannot be waived from your application. However, if you take the GRE, you may choose not to submit your GRE score(s) to UF Law. If you elect to apply with a GRE score, you must request that your score(s) received within the last five years be sent by ETS to UF Law. The UF Law GRE school code is 3945.

Gator Scholars applicants must not have an LSAT or GRE score. Instead, Gator Scholars applicants must provide a copy of their official ACT or SAT score that was used to apply to the University of Florida. The ACT composite score or SAT mathematics and critical reading total scores must be at or above the 85th percentile for the administration of the exam taken. Please upload your ACT or SAT results via the online application under the “Attachments” tab, then select “ACT or SAT score.”

LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service Report

All UF Law applicants must register with the LSAC’s CAS (Credential Assembly Service). LSAC’s CAS creates a CAS Report, a compilation of an applicant’s undergraduate (including dual enrollment), graduate, and professional school records; LSAT scores; LSAT writing sample; letters of recommendation; and other materials. UF Law must receive transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, even if one undergraduate transcript shows the grades earned at another institution.

Transcripts for any work undertaken after an applicant has fulfilled the requirements of a complete CAS Report, such as the transcripts for the final term(s) of undergraduate work, should be submitted via LSAC’s CAS as soon as possible upon completion, even if a decision has been rendered on the application.

Upon an applicant’s submission of the application for admission to UF Law, UF Law will request a CAS Report, and the LSAC will send the report to UF Law. UF Law’s CAS school code is 5812.

More information about the CAS Report may be found here.

LSAT Writing Sample

Per LSAC.org:  For your LSAT to be considered complete, you must have at least one writing sample on file – either from an earlier paper-and-pencil administration of the LSAT or from LSAT Writing. Using LSAT Writing, candidates can now complete the writing sample portion of the test at a convenient time and place of their choosing. LSAC will now open LSAT Writing eight (8) days prior to every test administration. Candidates must have a complete writing sample in their file in order to see their score or have their score released to schools.  If you already have a writing sample on file, you do not need to complete LSAT Writing. If you have questions concerning your writing sample, please contact LSAC.org.

Important Note for Foreign-Educated Applicants: The University of Florida Levin College of Law requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) which will authenticate and evaluate your transcripts.

The Levin College of Law requires an official TOEFL or IELTS score, submitted through LSAC, for JD applicants whose primary mode of educational instruction has not been in English (ref. Standardized Tests Question 2 of online application). To be competitive for admission, foreign-educated, non-English speaking applicants generally possess at least a 100 TOEFL or 7.0 IELTS score.  You may contact Admissions@law.ufl.edu with questions about English-proficiency requirements.

Applicants who completed any post-secondary work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, must use the CAS for the evaluation of foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is foreign work completed through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and where the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript.

Please see www.LSAC.org for more details about the CAS.

Personal Statement

UF Law seeks to enroll a class with varied backgrounds and academic skills. Such diversity contributes to the learning environment of the law school and historically has produced graduates who have served all segments of society and who have become leaders in many fields of law. To better assess such qualities, UF Law requires each applicant to submit a Personal Statement.

• UF Instructions: Tell us who you are, what matters to you, and why you want to be here.  Please keep it to three (3) double-spaced pages or less, in a font we can read.

Personal Statements should be uploaded as an attachment to your LSAC Flex App.

Résumé

Submitting a comprehensive professional résumé is an essential part of the law school application process, as it offers an overview of an candidates qualifications.

• Education details provide the academic foundation, while honors and awards showcase exceptional achievements.
• Extracurricular or community activities reveal the commitment to social engagement and leadership skills.
• Mentioning publications highlights any academic contributions.
• Work history illustrates real-world experience that enriches the applicant’s perspective, and
• Information about military service and foreign language proficiency underscores diverse competencies.

The emphasis on clearly defined time frames and detailed descriptions ensures that the admissions committee gains a deeper understanding of the candidates unique journey and accomplishments, fostering a holistic assessment of their candidacy.

Resumes should be uploaded as an attachment to your LSAC Flex App.

Letter(s) of Recommendation

Candidates are required to submit one (1) letter of recommendation, and we will accept up to four (4). Recommenders should evaluate in detail the applicant’s academic performance and skills, academic activities, community service, and/or employment. Candidates applying while still enrolled in undergraduate studies, or within six months of having graduated, are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of recommendation that attests to their academic ability (e.g. from a current or former professor/advisor).

Candidates have two options for submitting letters of recommendation:

• LSAC Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Service: The Levin College of Law strongly prefers that letters be submitted through the LSAC LOR Service, which is included with the CAS registration.
• Submit letters directly to the Levin College of Law: Letters submitted directly to the Levin College of Law should be on letterhead and contain the contact information and signature of the recommender.

Candidates may verify receipt of documents using the Application Status Online (ASO).

ACT or SAT Official Results (Gator Scholars Option Only)

Applicants applying through the Gator Scholars application option must provide a copy of their official ACT or SAT results.

ACT or SAT results should be uploaded as an attachment to the LSAC Flex App.

Character & Fitness Documents

Please see detailed information at  Character & Fitness. UF Law strongly prefers that the explanation and supporting documents for any C&F disclosure be uploaded as an attachment to your LSAC Flex App.

Prior Law School Attendees Only

Applicants who have attended another law school must submit a written statement about their attendance, a complete law school transcript, and a statement from their dean indicating class rank and certifying they are in good standing and eligible to return to the institution as a continuing student.

If you would like to request a substitution or modification of our admission requirements because of a documented disability, please contact the Assistant Dean for Admissions at admissions@law.ufl.edu.

Optional Documents

Why UF Law?

It is totally ok to apply to UF just because you think we are great, and you don’t have to tell us that. If you haven’t addressed this in your personal statement, we would like to know any other reasons, specifically, why you have chosen to apply to UF Law. Please also let us know if you are directly connected to UF or UF Law through alumni, professors, or other ways. Most candidates can communicate these interests in one or two short paragraphs.

“Why UF Law” statements should be uploaded as an attachment to your LSAC Flex App.

Addenda and Other Materials

Applicants who wish to discuss any unique issue may submit a separate addendum with their application. This document may include, but need not be limited to, information about poor grade progression, history of standardized testing, linguistic barriers, character and fitness disclosures, or a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage. Materials received before a final decision is made on your application will be considered by the Admissions Committee.

Addenda, including Character and Fitness explanations/documentation, should be uploaded as attachments to your LSAC Flex App.

Other Items

Residency Declaration and Other Required Supplemental Data

The Residency Declaration, which you will submit through your UF MyAdmissions portal (expect emailed information from the University within 1-2 weeks following submission of your LSAC online application), will be collected by the University of Florida Graduate Admissions Office, which makes all residency determinations for tuition purposes (UF Law does not decide residency classifications).  Final decisions on residency matters are determined by the UF Graduate Admissions Office in accordance with Florida State Statute, 1009.21. Please be advised that the UF Graduate Admissions may request additional supporting documentation to verify residency classification for tuition purposes. Applicants may contact UF Graduate Admissions directly with concerns or questions at (352) 392-1365. For more information, visit UF’s Residency for Tuition Purposes page.

Residency determinations are made outside the scope of admissions decisions and do not impact the admissions decision timeline.  However, admitted students are strongly encouraged to work with the University Admissions Office to finalize their residency determination as it will impact scholarships.

All admitted students, including current UF students and UF alumni, should complete the residency declaration for tuition purposes.

Evaluative Interviews

The Admissions Committee may, at their discretion, invite candidates to interview in order to learn more about the candidate prior to rendering a decision. Interviews are by invitation only and candidates may not request an interview.

 

Admissions Decisions

Timing of Admissions Decisions

UF Law anticipates admitting the first round of students in mid-November followed by a second round in early December, with rolling admissions thereafter. We manually process and review every application and appreciate your patience throughout the process. The amount of time from the date an application is received to the date a decision is communicated can vary. Some candidates may receive a decision more quickly than others based on the relative strength of their application. Candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible. Applying early in the cycle before our March 15 Priority Deadline will place applicants in the best possible position for admission and scholarship consideration.

Deposit deadlines vary from school to school, and candidates may be asked to deposit before they have received a decision from UF Law. In these instances, we will not expedite our review process.

Admissions staff cannot give application status updates over the phone or via email. Instead, please use the Applicant Status Online page to monitor your application status.

All decisions are sent via email to the address listed as primary email on the candidate’s application. Candidates should ensure the @law.ufl.edu and @ufl.edu domains are allowed/trusted senders to ensure communication from UF Law is not routed to spam/junk. Candidates must keep their primary email updated with the Office of Admissions, especially where the email on file is a school email.

The Waitlist Process

UF Law typically receives applications from more applicants we would like to accept than we can accept. In order to ensure that we enroll the target number of students in the entering class, the Office of Admissions creates a “waitlist” of candidates each year. Candidates on the waitlist are those that UF Law feels are competitive for a possible later vacancy in the entering class.  These candidates will be considered for seats that may be available in the class after the deposit deadline, or seats which may become available before the first day of Orientation.

The waitlist process is ongoing and we encourage candidates who remain committed to UF Law to let us know via a letter of continued interest. We also request that candidates no longer interested in UF Law advise us via email of their decision to withdraw from the waitlist.

Additional details may be found in our Waitlist FAQs.

Appealing an Admissions Decision

To appeal the decision to deny admission to the College of Law, an applicant must send a written appeal to admissions@law.ufl.edu within ten (10) business days of receipt of the admissions decision. The applicant’s full name and “Appeal of Admission Decision” must be in the subject line of the email. The appeal must provide new and compelling material information that was not available to the applicant at the time of the initial admissions decision. New grades, additional activities and honors, additional letters of recommendation, and appeals by someone other than the applicant are never considered.

The final decision will be communicated to the applicant by reply email within ten (10) business days of receipt of the appeal.  The decision on a petition for reconsideration is final and is not subject to further appeal.