Admissions—Application Procedure and Instructions

Candidates must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation. (Click here for a list of the Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies.)

Candidates for admission must be of good moral character and must maintain continuing good moral character as a condition of continuing enrollment.

If an applicant has completed a year of law study at another law school and is applying as a first-year applicant, The University of Montana law faculty policy requires that a minimum of two years must have elapsed before the submission of such an application.

The application materials which must be submitted include:

1.       Application for Admission form

2.       Application fee of $60 (or reapplication fee of $30)

The fee must accompany the application form (make checks or money orders payable to The University of Montana). This fee is nonrefundable and is not credited toward any charges when an admitted applicant registers as a student. If the applicant's personal check is returned to the University for insufficiency of funds, that applicant's file will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

The School of Law is unable to waive the application fees which are established by the Board or Regents. However, if you are awarded an LSAT/LSDAS fee waiver, the fee may be deferred. Requests for deferral of the application fee must be received prior to or with the application and be accompanied by proof of receipt of an LSAT/LSDAS fee waiver.

3.       Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) Report

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required of all applicants. The School of Law will not consider an LSAT score dated more than five years before the application deadline. For fall 2008 entrance, the School of Law will accept an LSAT score achieved after March 1, 2003.

The LSAT is administered in June, October, December and February. Each applicant must register with the Law School Data Assembly Service, (LSDAS). However, an applicant may be at a disadvantage if she waits until February to take the LSAT for admission in that year. The LSDAS report will show scores for all LSATs the applicant has taken.

Each applicant should request the authorities of the colleges or universities attended to send an official transcript of all courses taken and grades received to the LSDAS. The applicant is urged to request that transcripts be sent from their institution(s) by December. If the applicant is in college when application is made, the transcript should cover all work completed to date. The applicant should continue to submit records of academic courses subsequently completed to the LSDAS who then forwards updated reports to law schools so all current academic work is considered. The applicant must ensure transcripts listed under old names reach the proper file.

Academic work beyond the first bachelor's degree is not included in the computation of the cumulative undergraduate grade point average. When the Admissions Committee determines the applicant has a significant proportion of academic credits received in credit/no credit, pass/no pass, satisfactory/unsatisfactory, the Committee may consider those grades at the "C" level (2.0) unless the applicant provides documentation of a higher grade. LSAT/LSDAS registration forms and information may be obtained from most colleges and universities as well as the Law School Admission Council, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940. (215) 968-1001.

4 .      Two personal statements

Applicants are required to submit two personal statements as part of the admission application packet. The first statement should describe the applicant's interest in the study and practice of law as well as the reason for their interest in enrolling at The University of Montana School of Law. The second statement should describe an activity, event, or accomplishment and its relationship to the development of one or more of the applicant's personal qualities (for example, writing and speaking skills, care and concern for others, initiative and sustained effort, commitment to political or moral principles). Please limit each statement to no more than 1000 words.

5.      Three reference letters

Applicants are required to provide three letters of reference, one general letter of reference from someone other than a relative and two academic reference letters from faculty members from colleges or universities. Applicants who graduated from an undergraduate institution several years ago and are unable to arrange academic references from teachers who knew them well, may substitute letters from employers or supervisors who can address the applicant's academic abilities and intellectual promise for the study of law.

The University of Montana School of Law requires that your letters be submitted through the LSAC. This service is included in your LSDAS Registration subscription. Your letters will be copied and sent to us along with your LSDAS Report, or as received. To use this service, follow the directions for submitting letters outlined by the LSDAS.

A reference letter that is particularly helpful is one that discusses, by way of example or specific illustration, the applicant's abilities in each of these areas:

1. native intelligence (analytical powers, rigor of thought, critical faculty, reasoning ability);
2. independence of thought (originality, imagination, creative intelligence);
3. effectiveness of oral communication;
4. effectiveness of written communication;
5. industry and motivation (persistence, self-discipline, study techniques);
6. judgment and maturity (conscientiousness, common sense); and,
7. leadership ability.

Additional information about this applicant that is not likely to be available from other sources, such as emotional maturity, character, and special background or interests, also may have an impact on admission decisions.

If a letter writer wishes to send the letter directly to the University of Montana School of Law, he or she should address the letter directly to: School of Law, Admissions Office, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812 accompanied by this form.

6.       Responses to Character and Fitness Questions

All states require applicants for admissions to the bar to fulfill certain character and fitness requirements. These requirements are separate and may differ from those of the School of Law. Applicants are encouraged to secure information prior to law school matriculation on the bar admissions requirements of the state(s) in which they plan to practice.

Application Deadline

The University of Montana School of Law recommends you submit your application as soon as possible. We begin reviewing completed applications as they are completed. Applications are not considered complete until all application materials, including the LSDAS report, are received. If your file is completed by February 15, you will be notified of a decision (admit, deny or retain for further review) by March 15. If your file is completed by March 15, you will be notified of a decision by April 15. Files completed after March 15, may be considered on a space-available basis.