Admissions Process FAQs

Monterey College of Law enrolls first year students for both Spring and Fall semesters. Please note that the Spring admission program is a program with a non-traditional first semester curriculum. It is offered only at the Seaside campus at this time. For more information about the Spring program, please contact Dean of Admissions, Wendy LaRiviere at wlariviere@montereylaw.edu.

Admission to Monterey College of Law is competitive and is limited to students who have displayed the requisite maturity, experience, and academic success necessary to be successful in the study of law. The Admissions Committee reviews applications using a “rolling admissions” process throughout the year. Your file will achieve optimal consideration from the Admissions Committee when your application is received early, rather than waiting until the deadlines for Spring and Fall semesters.

Applications received after the application deadline may be considered on a space-available basis, but will be assessed an additional  late fee ($175).

Applicants for admission should be aware of the nature of the profession, the rigorous requirements for study, and the commitment required to be successful in the study of law.

Applicants to the J.D. and concurrent J.D./M.L.S. program are currently required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). However, the law school has a special pilot program under which the LSAT may be optional for certain eligible applicants. For more information about the LSAT pilot program, please contact Dean of Admissions, Wendy LaRiviere at wlariviere@montereylaw.edu. The LSAT is an examination of analytical and deductive reasoning ability. The test is given four times each year at various test sites throughout the United States, including Monterey College of Law. You may obtain details and registration for the test by visiting the LSAC web site at www.lsac.org, writing to the Law School Admission Council, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940-0998, or by telephoning (215) 968-1001. Monterey College of Law requires LSAT, NOT CAS, registration. Please note that LSAT scores more than five years old cannot be accepted.

The LSAT is not required for the Master of Legal Studies or LL.M. degree programs.

J.D & M.L.S applicants are required to submit to Monterey College of Law official transcripts of all academic pre-law studies, including graduate work. Monterey College of Law accepts official transcripts in envelopes sealed by the issuing school or by official electronic means from the issuing school. As Monterey College of Law does not require CAS registration, you must request your transcript directly from the issuing school. Transcripts become the property of Monterey College of Law and will not be returned.

If you completed your pre-legal education outside the United States, your transcript may have to be evaluated by an approved credential evaluations agency. Please contact Dean of Admissions, Wendy LaRiviere at wlariviere@montereylaw.edu for more details or a list of the approved agencies.

Your opportunity to provide the Admissions Committee with information that distinguishes you from other applicants comes from your personal statement. This narrative enables the Committee members to perceive your uniqueness, as well as your writing ability. You should include life experiences, challenges and how they were met, why Monterey College of Law should admit you as a student, why you are interested in the law and attending law school, and the skills and abilities you bring to the study of law. LL.M. and M.L.S applicants should discuss how the LL.M. or M.L.S degrees are anticipated to advance their professional or academic objectives.

We encourage you to visit Monterey College of Law. As a prospective student, you may arrange to meet informally with students, faculty, and staff. You are also encouraged to attend a class. Please contact Dean of Admissions, Wendy LaRiviere at wlariviere@montereylaw.edu for an appointment.

Monterey College of Law admits students without regard to age, color, creed, ethnic origin, nationality, physical handicap, race, religion, sex or sexual preference.

Monterey College of Law reviews your applicant file after we receive all of the required documents. Personal interviews are not required. However, a meeting (in person or by telephone) with the Dean of Admissions prior to submitting your application is highly encouraged. This meeting will answer any outstanding questions you may have about the admissions process. After submitting all of your required admissions materials, you will be notified in writing when the admissions decision is made.

When you are accepted, you reserve your place in the first year class with a non-refundable reservation fee of $500.00. Upon enrollment, a portion of this fee is applied to your first semester tuition. Please contact Dean of Admissions, Wendy LaRiviere at wlariviere@montereylaw.edu for details related to reservation fees and tuition.