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Admission Policies and FAQs

Admission Policies and Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you need a LSAT score to apply for your programs?

An LSAT score is not needed to apply and several waivers are offered to the admissions requirement (at the discretion of the Admissions Review Committee).  Examples of waivers that may be offered to applicants:

  • You have earned a graduate degree
  • You have taken the GRE in lieu of the LSAT
  • You have active military service or are a vet
  • You have an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 and above GPA
  • You have an undergraduate degree with years of relevant work experience

Do you require interviews?

We do not require interviews.  Occasionally, the Admissions Review Committee may request one with an applicant to get a better understanding of their experiences. Our Assistant Dean of Admissions will contact you if that is the case.

Do you allow campus visits?

Yes.  As a prospective student, you are able to contact us to meet, informally, with students, staff or faculty.  Please contact our Assistant Dean of Admissions and Recruitment, Dena Dowsett, at ddowsett@slolaw.org for an appointment.  Note:  Due to COVID-19 protocols, campus tours are by appointment only.

Can I apply if my pre-legal education was outside of the United States?

Yes, but there is a timely process, so start early.  Prior to the application review, your transcript(s) must be evaluated by a pre-approved credit evaluation agency.   The State Bar of California provides a list of approved agencies.  Please contact our Assistant Dean of Admissions, Adam Ancira-Corrigan, at aanciracorrigan@slolaw.org for more information.

Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be admitted to practice law in jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to seek admission to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admission requirements.

Can I apply with an Associates of Applied Science degree?

Yes, but applicants must complete the state bar's Application for Evaluation of Pre-Legal Education during the application process.  Acceptance to the law schools is conditional until the applicant provides confirmation from the state bar that they have met the pre-legal education requirement to enroll.  If the state bar finds that the applicant has not met the education requirement, the applicant will receive a full refund of all monies paid.

When are your classes held?

Our classes are typically held Monday through Thursday from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at ALL campus locations and 6:30 - 8:30pm for the hybrid online program.

Do you require a deposit/reservation fee?

Yes, we do.  If admitted, we require a non-refundable $500.00 deposit to reserve your seat.  An admission email will list the due date (depending on how close we are to the admit term). 

Can I defer my admission offer (reviewed and offered admission)?

Yes, applicants may defer their admission offer for up to one year from the date of their submission, which may or may not be a full academic year.  After that time period, applicants will need to reapply to the school since the nature of the applicant pool has changed drastically (admission is not guaranteed).

Can I defer my application (submitted but not reviewed)?

Yes, applicants who have submitted their application BUT would like to be considered for a future term can request to defer their application for up to one year.  After that time, applicants will need to submit a new application and supporting materials.

What is the difference between earning a J.D. and the concurrent J.D./M.L.S. program?

Not a lot.  When someone matriculates into our J.D. program, we automatically enroll you in both the J.D. and the M.L.S. because it is easier to start concurrently.  The vast majority of the course requirements for the M.L.S. are met when you successfully move through the J.D. program.  The only additional work (and cost) it adds, is the writing requirement on a current legal issue, which is successfully met through our Gibson Appellate Advocacy writing course.  In essence, you can get two degrees in the same time as the stand-alone J.D. if you choose.  Students can also opt out of the concurrent degree when they start and continue on as a single-degree J.D. student.  You can learn more about that additional requirement on our J.D./M.L.S. program page.

What is your Bar pass rate?

The California State Bar requires all California Accredited Law schools (CALs) to report a cumulative five-year.  We proud to of our higher than average CAL pass rate:

2022= 55.1%, 2021=53.8%, 2020=53.7%, 2019=54.3%, 2018=47.9%