JD Application Information

Application Process

• First-Year Students

  First-year students are those that have not previously attended law school. To be admitted to the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. No undergraduate field of study is favored, based on evidence that a strong student in any major can develop the skills of writing, analysis, and persuasion necessary for success in law school.

  First-Year JD Application Requirements Completed online application. The application will include your: Resume – should list employment experience, educational background and extracurricular and community activities. It should also include any honors and awards you have received. Please include dates for all items on your resume. Personal Statement – please submit a personal statement describing the circumstances that have led you to pursue a law degree. Among other topics, you may wish to highlight your unique personal and professional experiences, any specialized talents and skills you possess, challenges you have had to overcome, and/or opportunities you have had to exemplify leadership, determination, or courage. Your statement should be no more than 500 words. Optional Materials – in addition to your personal statement, you are welcome to submit one or more additional statements that provide additional insight into you, your commitments, or your life experiences. For example, you may choose to submit a statement that highlights how you hope to contribute to a diverse, inclusive, and respectful learning environment. You may also choose to submit a statement that provides context about your grade point average, your LSAT score, or other aspects of your application materials. Please limit any optional statement that you elect to submit to 250 words. $65 non-refundable application fee. Completed Credential Assembly Service Report from LSAC. This requires the following items: Valid Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) score and LSAT Writing All transcripts from any post-secondary schooling completed. Two letters of recommendation from professors or employers evaluating your analytical skills, writing ability, and/or personal integrity.

  Application and Decision Timeline The University of Denver Sturm College of Law admits first-year students for matriculation in the fall semester. Applying earlier in the application cycle (November/December) is strongly encouraged. All first-year students are automatically considered for merit scholarships at the time of admission. If you are awarded a scholarship, the offer will be included in your admission email. Scholarship funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. The timing of when you submit a complete application will impact your admissions decision and scholarship opportunities.   September-October – September 1: Denver Law begins accepting online applications – Applications are reviewed for completion and await Committee review   November – The Denver Law Faculty Admissions Committee begins reviewing complete applications – Decisions begin to be sent via email   December Recommended deadline for submitting your application   January – January 15: Deadline for the Chancellor Scholarship application (first-year students only) – January 15: Recommended priority deadline for applying for federal financial aid   April 1st Admissions Deposit Due   June 2nd Admissions Deposit Due   August – Orientation – Mid-August: First Day of Class

• Transfer Students

  Law students who have satisfactorily completed one year of work at another American Bar Association-accredited school can apply for transfer to the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

  Typically, up to 30 hours of course credit from another law school can be applied to your University of Denver law degree. In some circumstances, by petition to the Faculty Admissions Committee, up to 45 credit hours of coursework from another law school can be transferred.

  Transfer Application Requirements Completed online application. The application will include: Resume – should list employment experience, educational background and extracurricular and community activities. It should also include any honors and awards you have received. Please include dates for all items on your resume. All Transfer applicants are required to attach a double-spaced, typed statement, which, generally, should not exceed two pages. Therefore, take this opportunity to explain to the Committee why you should be selected for admission as a Transfer student to Denver Law. Topics that the Committee may consider helpful in evaluating qualifications may include: Reason(s) for desiring transfer to Denver Law Significant personal experiences beyond what may be reflected on the transcripts and on the résumé, especially experiences associated with the law Long-range career plans and goals that you intend to pursue with your law degree The intellectual contribution you will make to the classroom $65 non-refundable application fee A Copy of your original Credential Assembly Service Report, sent directly from LSAC, including: LSAT score(s) and LSAT Writing(s) Transcripts from any post-secondary schooling completed prior to law school The following items sent directly to Denver Law: Official transcript from your current law school. Letter of good standing from your current law school Class rank Letter of recommendation from a professor at your current law school from whom you have taken a class. Documents can be sent to: Denver Law Office of Admissions 2255 E. Evans Ave, Suite 115 Denver, CO 80208

  Application and Decision Timeline The University of Denver Sturm College of Law admits transfer students for matriculation in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Once your file is complete, it may take a few weeks to receive a decision. The Faculty Admissions Committee will not make full admissions decisions with law courses/credit pending.   September September 1: Denver Law begins accepting online applications for transfer for spring, summer and fall semesters   December – December 1: Recommended Deadline for Spring Transfer applicants – Spring Transfer Deposit Due   January Spring Semester begins   May – May 1: Recommended Deadline for Summer Transfer applicants – Summer Transfer Deposit Due – Summer semester begins   July – July 1: Recommended Deadline for Fall Transfer applicants – Fall Semester Tuition Deposit Due   August – Orientation – Mid-August: Fall Semester Begins

• Advanced Standing Students

  To be admitted to as an advanced standing student you must have obtained a law degree from another country. Advanced standing students take the same required first-year courses as do our first-year students and they can receive up to 30 credit hours of transfer credit from their prior degree. The amount of transfer credit will be determined by our Academic Dean and Registrar.

  Application Requirements Completed online application. The application will include your: Resume – should list employment experience, educational background and extracurricular and community activities. It should also include any honors and awards you have received. Please include dates for all items on your resume. Submit a personal statement describing the circumstances that have led you to pursue a law degree. Among other topics, you may wish to highlight your unique personal and professional experiences, any specialized talents and skills you possess, challenges you have had to overcome, and/or opportunities you have had to exemplify leadership, determination, or courage. Your statement should be no more than 500 words. $65 non-refundable application fee Completed Credential Assembly Service Report from LSAC. This requires the following items: Valid Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) score and LSAT Writing All transcripts from any post-secondary schooling completed in and outside of the US. A foreign credential evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and included with your CAS Report. Two letters of recommendation from professors or employers evaluating your analytical skills, writing ability, and/or personal integrity.

  Application and Decision Timeline The University of Denver Sturm College of Law admits advanced standing students for matriculation in the fall semester.  September-October – September 1: Denver Law begins accepting online applications – Applications are reviewed for completion and await Committee review   November – The Denver Law Faculty Admissions Committee begins reviewing complete applications – Decisions begin to be sent via email   December Recommended deadline for submitting your application   January – January 15: Deadline for the Chancellor Scholarship application (first-year students only) – January 15: Recommended priority deadline for applying for federal financial aid   April 1st Admissions Deposit Due   June 2nd Admissions Deposit Due   August – Orientation – Mid-August: First Day of Class

• Visiting Students

  Law students currently enrolled at another American Bar Association-accredited school may apply for admission as a visiting student at the University of Denver. Individuals admitted as visiting students will receive their degrees from their home law school. The visiting student option is particularly attractive for students whose spouses are transferred to Denver or for students from other law schools who wish to begin interviewing and networking in order to practice in Denver.

  Visiting Application Requirements Completed online application. The application will include your: All Visiting applicants are required to attach a double-spaced, typed statement, which, generally, should not exceed two pages. Take this opportunity to explain to the Committee your reasons for seeking visiting status at Denver Law. Resume– should list employment experience, educational background and extracurricular and community activities. It should also include any honors and awards you have received. Please include dates for all items on your resume. $65 non-refundable application fee A copy of your original Credential Assembly Service Report, sent directly from LSAC, including: LSAT score(s) and LSAT Writing(s) Transcripts from any post-secondary schooling completed prior to law school The following three items, which need to be sent directly to Denver Law: Official transcript of all prior law school courses Letter from your current law school granting you permission to attend as a visiting student and stating the conditions under which you will be given credit for grades received at the University of Denver Letter of good standing from your current law school Documents can be sent to: Denver Law Office of Admissions 2255 E. Evans Ave, Suite 115 Denver, CO 80208 LawAdmissions@du.edu

  Application and Decision Timeline The University of Denver Sturm College of Law admits visiting students for matriculation in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Once your file is complete, it may take a few weeks to receive a decision. September September 1: Denver Law begins accepting online applications for visiting for spring, summer and fall semesters   December – December 1: Recommended Deadline for Spring Visiting applicants – Spring Letter of Intent to Matriculate Due   January Spring Semester begins   May – May 1: Recommended Deadline for Summer Visiting applicants – Summer Letter of Intent to Matriculate Due – Summer semester begins   July – July 1: Recommended Deadline for Fall Visiting applicants – Fall Letter of Intent to Matriculate Due   August – Orientation – Mid-August: Fall Semester Begins

• Bar Admission Information

  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.

• International Students

  Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or C1 Advanced are required of all applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Scores are valid for two years from the test date. Request that your test scores be sent from the testing organization to LSAC or to the Office of Admissions. The requirement can be waived if you have completed a post-secondary degree at an institution whose language of instruction and tests is English. The whole program of study must have been completed in English.

  • TOEFL
    The minimum TOEFL score accepted by the Sturm College of Law is 95 (internet-based test) or 587 (paper-based test).
    - LSAC TOEFL Code: 0058
    - University of Denver Institution Code: 4842
  • IELTS
    The minimum IELTS score accepted by the Sturm College of Law is 7.0.
  • C1 Advanced
    The minimum C1 Advanced score accepted by the Sturm College of Law is 185.