Frequently Asked Questions

The highest LSAT score will generally be used to evaluate applications for admission and scholarship consideration.

USD considers an LSAT score valid for five years.

USD uses a "rolling admissions" process. The admissions committee reads completed files and makes decisions on a continual basis. We begin accepting applications on September 1. Applications received before February 1 will be given priority consideration. All applications received before July 31 will be considered.

Only for transfer students. We admit first-year students once a year for the fall semester only.

The Admissions Committee considers a number of important factors including the LSAT score, undergraduate grade point average (GPA), difficulty of undergraduate major, course of study, progression in grades, personal statement, community involvement, work experience and extracurricular activities.

The University of San Diego School of Law seeks to enroll a highly qualified and diverse student body to ensure academic excellence and enrichment of the legal education as well as legal profession through the participation of students with different perspectives and backgrounds. While LSAT and undergraduate GPA are important elements, other factors are significant in the admissions decision process.

Due to the large number of applications, it is not possible to grant personal interviews. You should highlight pertinent information about your experiences in your personal statement.

Letters of recommendation are not required. However, applicants who wish to have them included in their admissions file should send them to CAS who will forward up to two letters to USD.

USD offers a four year part-time evening program. Classes are generally held Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

See more information about part-time program.

You must initially apply to either the full-time or part-time program. However, you have the option of stating in your personal statement or optional addendum that you are willing to accept the other program if not admitted to your first choice program. Decisions are subject to space availability and academic considerations.

The first admitted applicants are usually notified in the early part of December. However, since decisions are made continuously, applicants may receive a decision letter any time throughout the spring, or even as late as June or July.

No, first year schedules are predetermined. First year full-time students are divided into sections. Students are assigned to a section the week before classes start. Full-time classes are held Monday through Friday. Usually students have two classes each day Monday through Thursday and one class on Friday. The times will vary based on the section.

USD offers dual degree programs for JD/MBA (Master of Business Administration), JD/IMBA (International Master of Business Administration), JD/MA (Master of Arts in International Relations) and JD/MAPJ (Master of Arts in Peace and Justice).

The master's degree programs require a separate entrance exam and a separate graduate admissions application. Many students decide to apply for these programs in their first year of law school.

The University has an excellent academic success program. In addition, students may request the assistance of the University counseling department or health services.

Applicants who have applied for admission and either were not admitted or were unable to accept admission at the time may reactivate their applications the following year. To reactivate an admission file, applicants need to follow all the steps of a normal first-time applicant. Students who have attended USD Law and have been academically disqualified must wait one year before re-applying to USD Law.

All international graduates seeking admission to the Juris Doctor Program are required to have the Educational Testing Services submit an official TOEFL score report directly to the Juris Doctor Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Information about the service can be obtained at www.lsac.org. For admission to the JD program, the suggested minimum TOEFL score is 600 points on the paper-based test, 100 points on the internet-based test or 250 points on the computer-based test.

In some cases there is the possibility of waiving the TOEFL requirement. If you are from a country in which an official language is English, if you studied law at an institution that teaches only in English or if you have additional extenuating circumstances, you may submit a written request for waiver of the TOEFL requirement to jdinfo@sandiego.edu. In such a request, please explain the reason(s) for your request.