The goal of Rutgers School of Law–Newark is to produce lawyers who are well qualified for the legal profession as well as representative of all segments of society. Law is practiced in a changing, dynamic environment, involving real people and current issues in society. The faculty recognizes that having a student body with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and accomplishments enriches the intellectual experience of law school for all students, and provides better preparation for the practice of law.

The faculty has directed the Admissions Committee to consider a broad range of factors, including, but not limited to, LSAT, UGPA, educational and employment experiences, community service, race, ethnicity, socio-economic background, and extraordinary family circumstances. The faculty has also directed the Committee to implement a unitary admissions system under which every applicant can choose to compete for admissions with primary emphasis placed either on numerical indicators, such as the LSAT and UGPA, or on non-numerical indicators, such as experiences and accomplishments.

For more than 40 years, the faculty has recognized that the LSAT and UGPA may not be the best predictors of success in law school and the legal profession for all applicants. Therefore, applicants may indicate that they want their application considered primarily on educational and employment experiences, personal and academic accomplishments, community service, socio-economic background, extraordinary family circumstances, and the contribution the applicant will make to the overall diversity in the school. Under this alternative, less, though still significant, emphasis is placed on LSAT and UGPA.

Approximately 2,700 applications for admission are received each year. While New Jersey residents account for nearly 65 percent of the enrolled students, all parts of the United States and more than 25 foreign countries were represented in the class entering in 2012. Of the total enrollment of about 800 students, approximately 38 percent are members of minority groups. Many students come with advanced degrees in a variety of academic disciplines, work experience, and community service.

The minimum academic requirement for admission to the law school is completion of the program for a bachelor’s degree in a college or university accredited by an appropriate regional accrediting association. Because of the number of applicants, personal interviews are not part of the application process. Beginning students, both full and part time, are admitted in the fall semester only.

The 2013 Application Form is available through Law Services, http://www.lsac.org/.
The online application is compliant with Section 508 Standards for Web Accessibility

General Information

• Fall admission only with full-time day program and part-time evening program.
  
  
• Rolling admission. The application deadline is April 15.
  
  
• LSAT scores are good for three years.
  
  
• Financial aid is awarded based on need. FAFSA forms must be completed by March 15. A number of Dean’s/Academic Scholarships are available.