How to Apply: First-year JD Applicant

To apply for admission to Pace Law, please select the degree program first, Juris Doctor or Graduate programs. Our JD application is available electronically in the following ways: 1. Apply online with through LSAC   • Spring 2011 JD Application   • Fall 2011: JD Application 2. Download the application in PDF Format;   • Applicant Instructions   • Appraisal for Admission  If you have difficulty accessing the application electronically and wish to receive a paper copy of the form, please call the Office of Admissions at (914) 422-4210 and we will send a copy to you with our viewbook.

First-year, full-time students may begin their JD studies in the fall and or spring semester. First-year, part-time students may begin only in the fall semester. View the Admissions Calendar for deadlines for each entry term.

Please note: Students applying to the part-time day division have special admissions requirements. See step 6 for details.

First-year students applying to the JD program must submit the following to be considered for admission.

1. A completed application, which must be signed, dated, and received by the Office of Admissions by the priority deadline of the term in which you wish to enroll.

2. Your official Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) report, which will include your Law School Application Test (LSAT) score. To send your LSDAS report to Pace Law School, use code 2644.

You may register for both the LSAT and LSDAS online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Web site, www.lsac.org. Or, you may call 215-968-1001 or write to Box 2000, Newton, PA 18940 to receive a paper form in the mail.

Please note: The LSAT is administered four times a year, typically in February, June, September/October, and December. The priority LSAT date for January admission is the September exam. If you took the LSAT more than five years before the date of enrollment, you must re-take the test.

3. A brief, typed, double-spaced personal statement, typically not to exceed 500 words.

In your statement, you should describe any personal attributes you consider to be assets that will serve you well as both a law student and a professional. Since a formal interview may not be possible, your personal statement is an opportunity to communicate to the admissions committee anything that is not immediately apparent from your academic record – helping to give them a broader picture of who you are, as well as your capabilities, goals, and perspectives. You may wish to include a description of prior work experience, extracurricular or volunteering activities, and substantial time commitments you will face while attending school. You should try to anticipate any questions the committee may have while reviewing your application – such as distinct trends or inconsistencies in your academic record – and attempt to address them.

4. Two appraisals for admission. At least one faculty appraisal is preferred for recent college graduates.

Please note: The Law School requires the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service that serves all member schools. Click here for more information.

You also have the option of using the paper forms enclosed in the application or supplying personal letters. If the recommender uses his or her own letterhead instead of the form, you must indicate: 1) whether or not you have waived your right of access* and 2) the recommender’s full name, address, and title. (This information should be submitted by attaching the form or a separate note to the appraisal.)

If you do waive your right of access and intend to send appraisals with your application, you must supply your recommender with an opaque envelope. The recommender must place the appraisal in the envelope, seal the envelope, and write his or her name in a continuous motion across the flap.

*The admissions committee does not place additional weight on letters to which you have waived your right of access.

5. An application fee of $65.00. If you require an application fee waiver, you must supply copies of your most recent tax forms or a financial aid transcript from your most recent college or university.

6. Part-time, day division applicants only: In addition to steps 1-5, you are required to submit a one-page, typed statement describing why you must attend this particular program.
 
7. Diversity Statement (Optional):

Pace Law School is committed to diversity in legal education and to ensuring that the profession and ultimately judiciary, is representative of the American public.  In an effort to ensure diversity, the law school offers potential students the opportunity to provide a statement to be considered for the Pace Law School Commitment to Diversity Grant.  This statement should demonstrate a candidate's potential to contribute meaningfully to the diversity of the law school community and the legal profession.  In assessing applications for receipt of the grant, the committee shall take into account all factors that indicate that the candidate will contribute to diversity, including, but not limited to: a history of overcoming socioeconomic hardship; family background with little or no formal education; membership in a group that has historically been under-represented in the legal community, including, but not limited to groups based on race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, veteran status, or age; geographic diversity; or service employment in furtherance of the goal of diversity.  This statement should be included at the time of application.

 

The above materials should be mailed to:

Office of Admissions
Pace Law School
78 North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
USA