Admissions
Application Procedures
| 1. | LSAT |
| 2. | Register with LSDAS |
| 3. | How to Apply |
| 4. | Deadlines |
| 5. | Personal Information |
| 6. | Additional Documents |
| 7. | Joint degree |
Application Procedures
6. Include resume, personal statement and letters of evaluation.
To fully evaluate an applicant’s file, UF Law requires that a resume and admissions statement be on file to consider the application complete. Letters of recommendation also are strongly encouraged, but not required. In making admissions decisions, the college evaluates applicants based on demonstrated academic skills and potential, GPA, LSAT score(s), and other criteria.
This is your “first case” and it should be prepared carefully. Be mindful that at the core of this process, the admissions committee is focused on making an “academic” admission decision. Hence, applicants should discuss their academic history, skills, accomplishments, weakness or special needs or situations.
Your admissions case begins when you graduated from high school and continues to the present, so build your case from that point forward. The basic task before each applicant is to make, support, and document your individual “academic case,” and define your other factors. Other factors, such as community service, extra-curricular activities, work, and military service, to name a few, can contribute to the ultimate decision.
A. ADMISSIONS STATEMENT
UF Law seeks to enroll a class with varied backgrounds, interests, and perspectives. Such diversity contributes to the learning environment of the law school, and historically has produced graduates who have served in all segments of society, and who have become leaders in many fields of law.
To better assess these qualities, the college requires each applicant to write an admissions statement not to exceed four double-spaced pages in a font no smaller than 12 pts. This statement, written by the applicant, may include, but is not limited to, information regarding academic experiences and academic skills, career goals, interests, unique abilities, academic and non-academic activities and public service.
If applicable, applicants may describe disadvantages that may have adversely affected past academic performance or that were overcome. To summarize, your statement should provide information not found in any other part of your file. Although interviews are not part of the admissions process, admissions statements can serve as “interviews on paper.”
B. Resume
All applicants are required to submit a professional resume, which should include specific, factual information about items such as education, honors and awards, extracurricular or community activities, publications, work history, military service, and/or foreign language proficiencies. Please define time frame(s) and be as detailed as possible.
C. Letters of Recommendation
UF Law strongly encourages candidates to submit up to four letters of recommendation for their file. Letters should evaluate in detail the applicant’s academic performance and skills, extracurricular activities, community service, and/or employment. UF Law does not consider personal recommendations. Candidates have two options for submitting letters:
- LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service — The college strongly prefers that letters be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service included in the LSDAS registration subscription. To use this service, see the Law School Admissions Information Book
OR
- Directly to the college — If applicants elect to submit letters directly to the law school, they should come in standard business letter format on letterhead accompanied by the UF Law cover form [94 kb PDF]. Packets from career planning offices are acceptable in lieu of individually submitted letters. UF Law does not accept unsolicited letters of evaluation. Letters must be accompanied by the UF Law cover letter with the applicant’s signature.
NOTE: Letters of recommendation are not required; therefore, action will proceed with or without letters once all required materials are received. The college does not acknowledge receipt of letters.
D. Addendums and Other Materials
Applicants who wish to discuss any unique issue at length can include a separate one-page addendum. This document may include information dealing with poor grade progression, history of problems with standardized testing, linguistic barriers, or a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage.
Do not include writing samples, newpapers/magazine articles, pictures, CDs, audio cassettes, or videotapes. These items will not be evaluated as part of the application and will not be returned to the applicant.