Admissions Requirements

Applications

• Complete an application online
• Check application status

Admissions Testing

The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is administered four times a year by Law Services in cooperation with leading law schools throughout the country. Information concerning registration for the Law School Admission Test can be obtained from:

Law School Admission Council
P.O. Box 2000, 661 Penn Street
Newtown, PA 18940-0998
215-968-1001
www.lsac.org

Admissions Policies / Decisions

The Admissions Committee acts on all admissions requests following receipt of a completed application.

The LSAT is designed to measure some of the mental and academic abilities that are needed for successful law study. Within limits, it provides a reasonable assessment of these factors. Similarly, undergraduate grades are a significant indicator of potential success in law school. In addition to being one measure of academic ability, a strong scholastic record may indicate the level of a student's perseverance, motivation, and maturity.

Applicants will be accepted for admission to the School of Law if they are of good character and have LSAT scores and GPAs which indicate a likelihood for academic success. This statement applies to those applicants who apply in a timely manner before the class is filled.

Applicants are notified by email or writing of all decisions pertinent to their applications taken by the Admissions Committee. The Committee meets frequently, so decisions are made promptly after receipt of all required admissions documents. Following written notification of acceptance as a student, each degree candidate should send in the required seat deposit, and an official undergraduate transcript conferring a Bachelor’s degree.

Student Employment

Although some students find it necessary to work to finance their legal education, the ABA requires that a full-time student work no more than 20 hours per week. Outside work during the first year of law school is strongly discouraged by the Faculty in view of the unique educational experience of the first year and time constraints imposed by it.

Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.

The basic requirements to apply for admission are noted below:

• An applicant must hold a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by an agency approved by the Department of Education.
• The applicant must submit the Application for Admission electronically to the School of Law. The online application must be complete (with all questions answered) and include supporting documentation, if applicable. All required information should be attached before the application is transmitted.
• The applicant must submit a personal statement with the electronic Application for Admission. At Barry University School of Law, we value diversity and commitment to public service. Your personal statement may address diversity and a commitment to public service and/or your motivation to attend law school, any obstacles you have overcome, or your goals once your law degree has been awarded. The personal statement should be 600 - 1,200 words. Please do not attach writing samples or other such material to your application. You are encouraged, but not required, to attach a resume.
• The applicant must register with the Credential Assembly Services (CAS) at www.lsac.org and submit official transcript(s) from each college or university attended. The applicant also is required to have 1 letter of recommendation included in the CAS report. The letter may be written by a faculty advisor, instructor, employer, commanding officer, or other person who can recommend the applicant on the basis of aptitude for the study of law. CAS reports will not be sent until this information is received. Barry University School of Law’s LSAC School Code is #5830.
• The applicant must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). No LSAT score obtained by the applicant more than 5 years before applying will be accepted.
• Applicants have the responsibility to ascertain that all materials have been received by the School of Law.
• Barry Law follows a rolling admissions policy. Applications for the Fall semester will be accepted starting September 15 with a priority deadline of May 1. Applications for the Spring semester will be accepted starting March 1 with a priority deadline of November 15. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as all pertinent information is available for review.

A committee composed of Faculty, Dean of Admissions, and the Dean of Barry Law will review applications and make admissions decisions. The Admissions Committee performs a holistic review of all components of the application, including a prospective student’s academic record (undergraduate GPA and LSAT score), personal statement, leadership ability, commitment to public service, employment history, military service, background, diversity, and character and fitness history.

Character and Fitness

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The Florida Board of Bar Examiners conducts a rigorous background investigation of all bar applicants to determine their character and fitness to practice law. You are strongly encouraged to consult with the relevant agencies about any incident(s) which may have a bearing on your eligibility for admission into a state bar.

International students and others who have completed undergraduate education outside of the United States should submit their transcripts to LSAC through CAS for evaluation. A minimum educational equivalency of a bachelor's degree must be met for eligibility.

Students are required to submit the law school application via the LSAC website (www.lsac.org). Beginning with the Spring 2014 entering class, international students whose native language is not English  and who did not receive a bachelor's degree from an undergraduate institution within the United States are required to take TOEFL and have official scores submitted through LSAC as part of the application. For questions concerning submitting your TOEFL score to LSAC, please visit their website at www.lsac.org/jd/help/faqs-cas.

TOEFL Requirement

Minimum scores of 100 on the Internet-based and 600 on the paper-based TOEFL test are required. Information on the TOEFL can be obtained by writing to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, or by visiting www.toefl.com.

Admitted Students

Upon admission, all students must pay a non-refundable $400 deposit to hold their seat. This deposit will be credited toward tuition. Once the seat deposit is paid, international students must contact the main campus regarding the international paperwork. Please contact Kim Rupert at krupert@barry.edu with any questions regarding international student requirements.

The Admissions Committee reviews applications from transfer students according to ABA Standards. A transfer applicant must meet the following:

• The student currently attends a fully-approved ABA Law School.
• The Law School general admissions application must be completed with "transfer applicant" marked accordingly.
• The student is in "good standing" and "eligible to return" to that institution as documented by a Letter of Good Standing.
• An official transcript from the current Law School must be submitted. An unofficial (student version) transcript may be submitted initially for the admissions decision and for registration purposes. Credits are only transferred from an official transcript.
• Generally, a 2.5 law GPA is required for transfer consideration.
• The CAS report must be submitted for review of the LSAT scores, undergraduate GPA, and two recommendation letters.
• A personal statement explaining the reason for the intended Law School transfer must be submitted.

Please Note: A maximum of 30 credits may be transferred. Only credit from courses where a student earned a grade of C or better may be transferred.^[1]

Barry Law uses one application for both incoming 1L students and Transfer students. Please apply using the 1L application and under the Enrollment section, checkmark "Transfer."