» Admission FAQs

There is no single pre-law program that best prepares students for law school.  Programs that require you to think logically, analyze issues, propose possible resolutions, and develop strong writing skills will be of benefit to students in their legal studies.

The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis with a holistic perspective.  While the LSAT and undergraduate cumulative GPA are very important to the process, there is no specific weight given to either score, nor is there a numerical index applied to the two scores.  In addition to those two factors, particular attention is paid to your writing skills exhibited in your LSAT writing sample, personal statement, and resume.  The Committee is looking for applicants who are able to communicate ideas with precision and are able to think creatively.  Lastly, the length of time you spent in college, difficulty of your major, the number of hours worked during college, unusual achievement, honors/award, and completion of graduate work also factor in to the admissions decision.  Finally, the letters of recommendations should be positive and meaningful recommendations concerning the applicant’s analytical skills, communication, and decision-making abilities.  Typically professors, academic administrators, advisors, and employers are best able to address these qualities and characteristics.

First year students typically attend two to three classes each day and spend several hours studying and reading each day in preparation for classes scheduled for the following day. At various times throughout the semester, first year students also must spend time working on assignments for their Legal Research and Writing course. Students are provided ample advance notice of these projects so your workload will remain manageable unless you leave these assignments to the last minute. No classes are scheduled during the noon hour. Students typically use this time to attend presentations, participate in student organization meetings, or socialize with friends.

During your first year of law school, we strongly advise against work.  After the first year, many students balance law school, work, internships, etc.  We do understand that circumstances may require a student to work; however, students should work as few hours as possible.

The part-time day program (9-11 units) is a reduction of units from the full-time program (14-15 units) and can be completed in four years.

Currently, we offer merit-based scholarships to incoming and continuing students.  Some need-based scholarships are also available. Visit our Graduate Financial Aid page for more information.

Visit our Cost of Attendance page for more information.

If you have been academically disqualified from another law school, please attach a statement with your electronic application completely explaining the circumstances. Also explain why you believe you possess the requisite ability to complete the course of study at Fowler School of Law by the nature of interim work, activity or studies indicating a stronger potential for law study.

Lawyers and law students are held to higher ethical standards and applicants are cautioned to be truthful and candid during the entire admission process. The Fowler School of Law expects that all applicants will furnish all requested information in a complete and accurate manner. Failure to disclose an act or event may be more significant, and lead to more serious consequences, than the act or event itself. Depending on the nature of any additional disclosures, the offer of admission may be withdrawn. Failure to provide complete and truthful information, or failure to inform the Law Admission Office of any changes to application answers, may result in dismissal from or disciplinary action by the law school, revocation of the degree, or denial to practice law by the state in which bar admission is ultimately sought.

Offers of admission are based on the information available at the time, and the law school reserves the right to revoke an offer based on material information disclosed after the offer of admission has been made.

It is the policy of Chapman University Fowler School of Law not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, admission policies, employment policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs. This policy is enforced by federal law under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Application files are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will usually receive a decision, within 4 to 6 weeks after the file is complete and has been reviewed by the Admission Committee. The review of applications typically begins in December for the fall entering class and continues until the class is full.

Although there is no formal scholarship application required, we strongly recommend completing your application before our scholarship priority consideration deadline of April 15. First-year applicants will only be considered for fall admission. Transfer applicants may apply for either fall or spring admission, but must submit the required documents before November 15 for spring admission and June 15 for fall admission.