How to Apply

At the Columbus School of Law, we have always understood that one of our greatest strengths is the diversity of our community. We value the perspective that each student brings to the law school and we embrace diversity in all of its measures, whether by race, ethnicity, gender, geographic region, language, personal history, culture, or country.

Applying for First-Year Admission

The Columbus School of Law seeks students with both the academic potential and the unique intangibles to thrive in our classrooms and to bring diverse perspectives to our community. Thus, we rely upon an applicant’s undergraduate GPA and LSAT score to predict the ability to excel in our rigorous academic setting. The intangibles — leadership through extracurricular activities, substantial and relevant work experience, demonstrated commitment to community service, significant graduate work — are examples of the many factors we examine to predict an applicant’s ability to thrive in law school.

In short, we are selecting a relatively small number of candidates from a pool of approximately 1,500 applicants who possess both the academic predictors and the perspective-driven motivation to join our community at Catholic University.

To be eligible for admission, an applicant generally must have received an undergraduate degree from a college or university accredited by one of the regional associations, and also demonstrated competitive performance on the Law School Admission Test.

Learn more about Catholic Law Admissions.

Law School and Admission Test (LSAT)

The test is administered six times a year by the Law School Admission Council. Applicants should apply between Sept. 1 and June 30 for either the day of the evening division. First-year students may matriculate in the fall semester only. Applications are complete when the following required materials have been received:

An application. Applicants must apply electronically through the law school's partnership with the Law School Admissions Council
An official Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report containing a transcript analysis, recommendations, and LSAT score. Transcripts from colleges and universities from outside the United States or Canada should be sent to us through a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services.
A personal statement that discusses your reasons for pursuing the study of law and describes how your background has led you to make this decision.
A one-page résumé.

Early Action Program

Candidates to the law school should submit an application and subsequently complete all the application requirements by Dec. 1 will be considered for the Early action Program. In addition, candidates must have taken the LSAT prior to applying. Decisions on eligible applications will be rendered on or before Dec. 21. Early Action admission is nonbinding.

Financing A Legal Education

Our Office of Financial Aid is committed to assisting students in acquiring the funding necessary to make it possible to attend law school. Between 75 and 80% of our students finance their education with federal loans. For more information contact the law school financial aid office or visit our website www.law.edu

Scholarships

All scholarships from Catholic Law are merit-based. Scholarships received during the first year of attendance (except some Special Interest Scholarships) are renewed for subsequent years subject to the recipient remaining "in good standing." First-year students who did not receive a scholarship for the first year of study, but finish in the top 25% of their respective class may still be considered for scholarships in ensuing years.

Tuition

Tuition charges are set each year by the Board of Trustees. The most current information is included with the enclosed admissions profile and it also available on the financial aid section of the law school's website, www.law.edu

Housing

Nearly all law students live off campus. The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area offers many off campus housing opportunities to prospective law students, such as apartments, rooms to rent, and group houses. Each summer, the Office of Admissions assist incoming students with their housing search. For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions at 202-319-5151.

Transportation

The Law School is within easy walking distance of the Brookland/CUA Metro Station, which is on the red line (just three stops from Union Station). There is also a parking garage attached to the Law School. Catholic provides security patrols 24/7, safe escort and transportation, identification and access services, and emergency alert systems to maintain a safe and secure campus environment.

Admission To The Bar

Before entering law school, students should be familiar with the character requirements and other requirements for admission to the bar of the state or states where practice is intended. Responsibility for fulfillment of all requirements rest with the student.

Applicants With Disabilities

If you have a disability that you believe should be taken into account in reviewing your credentials, it should be described in response to question 16 on the application form. This optional and confidential procedure is intended to shed additional light on the applicant's background and will not be used to discriminate against individuals. Some applicants may have disabilities that do not require special consideration in the review, but may require planning by the law school to assist students upon enrollment. Such disabilities may be discussed on the application, or students may notify the school upon admission. It is beneficial to have as much advanced notice as possible to enable the law school to make necessary accommodations.

Candor In Application

Accurate answers to questions on the application are very important. Past arrest, criminal convictions, and disciplinary offenses are assessed individually on factors that include applicant's age at the time, time lapse since the event, seriousness of the offense, whether record suggest an isolated event or pattern, and surrounding circumstances. Such events are considered with the total application and are rarely a deciding factor in themselves. Lack of candor and inaccurate disclosure on the application are serious matters, which can result in suspension or expulsion if discovered after admission.

Required Consumer Disclosure To All Applicants

Title IV of the Higher Education Act requires the University to make certain required disclosures to all applicants to the University. Pursuant to this law, Catholic has created a webpage at law.edu/consumerinformation that contains links to all of the relevant information. This page contains information about tuition and fees, financial aid, employment outcomes, scholarship retention data, transfer of credit policy, admissions, and other consumer information.

The Transfer Application Process

Students may be admitted with advanced standing from an American Bar Association accredited law school after successful completion of the first year. Students must be in good standing and eligible to continue study at that school. The application deadline for spring admission is Nov. 25. The application deadline for fall admission is July 1. Submission of the following documents is required:

An official law school transcript demonstrating first-year grades. If the applicants law school ranks its students, first year rank is required.
A letter of good standing from the dean of the law school following completion of the first year.
A copy of the applicants entire CAS report may be sent to the Office of Admissions by either the LSAC or the applicant's current law school. To be complete, the copy of the CAS must include all transcripts and letters of recommendation as contained in the original report.
Though not required , we recommend that transfer applicants submit a letter of recommendation from a current law school faculty member.

Statement of Nondiscrimination

The Columbus School of Law, motivated by the Catholic identity of The Catholic University of America of which it is an integral part, recognizes the inherent value and dignity of all members of the human family. It values equal opportunity and seeks racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran. The University maintains its Catholic character but is open to persons of all religious faiths who respect the goals of The Catholic University of America, as adopted by the Board of Trustees. It does not discriminate on the basis of religion, except to the extent that applicable laws and constitutional provisions respect its right to act in furtherance of its religious objectives. The University accepts the teachings of the Catholic Church with regard to homosexual conduct and sexual conduct outside the bounds of matrimony as set forth by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Consistent with those teachings, the University does not discriminate solely on the basis of an individual’s sexual orientation.