Application Procedures, Requirements and Deadlines
Q. How do I obtain a fee waiver?
A. Emory Law offers three types of fee waivers. First, we offer financial hardship fee waivers to applicants who have received a fee waiver from LSAC to take the LSAT exam. To receive a financial fee waiver, please email a copy of your LSAC fee waiver to admission(at)law.emory.edu. Second, Emory Law offers merit-based fee waivers directly to applicants through LSAC's "Candidate Referral Service." We do not grant merit-based fee waivers upon request. Third, Teach for America participants and alumni also are eligible for fee waivers by sending proper documentation to admission(at)law.emory.edu.
Q. Does Emory Law have an agreement with Teach for America?
A. Yes, Emory Law has an agreement with Teach for America to grant application fee waivers for their students who:
- Recently completed Teach for America in their two year program
- Currently in Teach for America and applying to law school, or
- Have been accepted to Teach for America for the next two years.
Applicants should send a copy of a written confirmation letter stating one of the above. They should attach the letter to their application for admission when using the paper application or attach it to their signature certification page when applying on-line.
Q. Do you offer an early admission program?
A. No, Emory Law does not offer an early admission program. http://woodruff.
Q. Does it matter when I turn in my application?
A. Yes, it can make a difference. We have a rolling admission process. The committee begins reviewing completed applications in January. The priority deadline for Fall 2013 has been extended to March 15th due to internet service issues with the www.lsac.org application portal, but we recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
Q. I already submitted my application but now I would like to add additional information, what should I do?
A. Due to the high number applicants to Emory Law, we strongly discourage the submission of supplementary application materials after the initial application has been received by the Office of Admission. This includes application addendums and replacement items. Please ensure that your application is complete and of the utmost integrity at the time it is submitted. The submission of supplementary materials may delay the Admission Committee’s ability to timely review an otherwise complete application.
Q. My file is complete. Can I call the office to see if my file is in committee OR if a decision has been rendered on my file?
A. We DO NOT give decisions or a decision status over the phone nor via email. Again, we will not inform an applicant once a decision has been rendered on their file or when their file is sent for committee review. Please wait for the official letter in the mail regarding your decision. Most decision letters will be mailed by April 1st.
Q. Will the committee look at my application if I get it in early, but still am missing some information?
A. No. The committee will NOT review a file until we have ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS including the LSDAS report, both letters of recommendation, the application fee, and personal statement. In addition, all questions on the application must be answered in full. Your application must be complete before it will be reviewed by the committee.
Q. My file is complete with LSAC why haven't I received notification that my file is complete with the law school?
A. A complete file with the LSAC does not necessarily indicate a complete file with the law school. We do not consider a file complete until all information from LSAC has arrived and been placed in your applicant file. If you have submitted your application and all materials have been sent to LSAC then there is nothing else that you need to do at this time. Once your file is complete within the law school we will send you an email notification. Please allow a few weeks for processing.
Q. Does it matter when I take the LSAT? What if I take it more than once?
A. You may take the LSAT at any time. Most students will take it in June following their junior year. December scores will be received before the March 1 postmarked deadline. We will accept the February score, however, it puts the applicant at a disadvantage because the February test results usually do not come in until after the March 1 deadline. This means that the committee has already accepted a number of qualified applicants. We will only accept LSAT scores less than 5 years old. If there is more than one score on the LSDAS report, the highest of those scores will be used.
Q. What about letters of recommendation?
A. Emory Law requires two letters of recommendation which we prefer be submitted through the LSAC letter of recommendation service that serves all member schools. This service is included in your LSDAS registration subscription. Your letters will be copied and sent to us along with your LSDAS report as soon as your file becomes complete. Once we receive your application for admission, we will initiate the request for this data from LSDAS.
Ideally your letters of recommendation should come from professors, or other people who are familiar with your performance in an academic setting, and can tell us about your research and writing skills. If you have been out of school for a while, try to find recommenders who can attest to your scholarly abilities and your writing and organizational skills.
Q. What should I say in my personal statement?
A. The personal statement serves a number of purposes; unlike the LSAT writing sample, it gives the Admission Committee the chance to evaluate your writing when you are not under pressure. It also gives the committee a chance to find out more about you personally. We strive to have a diverse student body in terms of culture, interests, work experience, etc. This personal statement gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself and elaborate on the diversity you are able to add to our entering class. The statement should describe any unusual aspects of your background that might provide an element of diversity in the law school. You should describe any skills or traits that you have had an opportunity to develop to an unusual level. Discuss as well any significant activities or work experience that might enrich your law study.
Q. Should I include a resume?
A. Yes, if you would like to. We are also interested in any activities you have been involved in and leadership roles you have held.
Q. Does the committee take graduate work into account?
A. Yes. It tells us what you have been doing since graduation. Please note that we consider your undergraduate GPA. However, the committee also reviews graduate transcripts and take those courses and grades into account.
Q. I had a bad period in undergrad, and it affected my overall GPA. Will the committee take that into account?
A. Yes. They will review your undergraduate transcripts and take into account what courses were taken, as well as grade trends. If there was a particular circumstance or reason you had a bad period in undergraduate you may submit a written addendum explaining the reason.
Q. What happens if I turn in my application late?
A. If your application materials are not all complete (including LSDAS report, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and application fee) by the deadline, we can not guarantee you full consideration from the Admission Committee. Please be aware that the Woodruff Fellowship application deadline is Jan. 16. All applicants are considered for other merit-based aid, and if funds are exhausted later in the admission cycle, we will be unable to consider you for merit-based aid.
Q. I am applying as a transfer student. What are the requirements?
A. You will need to be in the top half of your class, have completed a full year of law school, and eligible to be classified as a second year law student. We will need a letter of good standing and rank from your dean, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a copy of your LSDAS report (this can come from your current school). It is hard to predict your chance when applying to transfer; the decision will depend on space available and how your application weighs against the other transfer applications received. Transfer files will not be reviewed until AFTER your complete first year grades are available. Part-time students must have earned enough credit hours to be classified as a second year student at their home institution.