Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. USD will accept either the LSAT or the GRE. If you apply using the GRE, all valid scores from the past five years must be reported with your application. Note, the last score we can accept for consideration - without exception - is from the June administration of the GRE exam. To register for the GRE, visit the ETS website for more information and access to a range of test preparation tools. 

No. You can only submit an application for admission using one or the other standardized test (LSAT or GRE). However, if you have applied with an LSAT but would like the admissions committee to also consider a GRE score, you can submit this to us as additional material for review. Individuals who have an LSAT score can only submit an application to University of San Diego School of Law through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and must participate in the Credential Assembly Service. 

The highest LSAT or GRE score will generally be used to evaluate applications for admission and scholarship consideration. Note, all scores are relevant to the application review process. Therefore, if it is your assessment that discrepancies between test scores require an explanation, a separate addendum can be included with your application.  

USD considers an LSAT and GRE 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 June 1 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 the LSAT or GRE 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.

A minimum of two letters of recommendation are required and we ask that you send no more than three. The letters must be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. Letters will be forwarded to USD with an applicant's CAS report. Letters of recommendation should be from professors or individuals who can evaluate some significant aspect of the applicant's academic background and/or work experience. If the candidate has been out of undergraduate school less than 5 years, we prefer letters from academic sources. 

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, at any point prior to a final decision, you have the option of stating in an 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. Note, all decisions are final when rendered and there is no formal appeals process.

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. Please note, all incoming first-year students will have at least one class that meets during evening hours.

USD offers concurrent programs for JD/MBA (Master of Business Administration), JD/MSRE (Master of Science in Real Estate), JD/MAIR (Master of Arts in International Relations) and JD/MAPJ (Master of Arts in Peace and Justice).

The master's degree programs require a separate graduate admissions application and may necessitate a separate entrance exam. 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.

Students who have completed JD credits as a JD student at another ABA-accredited law school in the United States may, upon approval by the Dean, be allowed to transfer credits toward the JD degree. Students who have graduated from a foreign law school, may, upon approval by the Dean, transfer credit toward the JD degree. Students who have graduated from a foreign law school and who have earned course credits in a University of San Diego School of Law LL.M. program may, upon approval by the Dean, transfer credits toward the JD degree. Transfer credits shall not, individually or in combination, exceed one-third of the total required by USD School of Law for the J.D. degree. University of San Diego School of Law offers no other advanced standing or transfer credit programs.

An official final transcript indicating conferral of your bachelor’s degree must be received by the Admissions Office prior to the first day of classes. Only transcripts that include a degree conferral date meet the official transcripts standard. If an enrolled student does not have their final transcripts on file with the Office of Admissions by the applicable deadline, absent a finding of extraordinary circumstances, a student will be automatically withdrawn from the law school. The withdrawn student will remain responsible for all fees and costs associated with their period of enrollment.