FAQ Overview

General Information  
Requesting an Application Fee Waiver
Applying to Catholic Law for First-Year Admission
Applying to Catholic Law for Transfer Admission Applying to Catholic Law for the LLM program
Applying as an International Student to the JD Program
Applying as an International Student to the LLM Program
Application Status

General Information 

  • How do I receive more information about Catholic Law?

    You can submit an online request to have an information packet sent to you, or download the same documents from our website. An information packet contains a hard copy of our viewbook and our admissions profile.

  • How can I visit CUA Law?

    On our admissions homepage you can find current information about tours and class visits. Law school is a serious investment of time and money, and we think it's important to provide you with the opportunity to meet our students and faculty as well as the admissions staff.

    If you are planning a visit to the CUA campus, we strongly recommend that you use public transportation. The law school facility is within easy walking distance of the Brookland/CUA Metro Station.

    If you plan to drive to campus, please allow extra time for traffic delays and parking. There is metered parking along John McCormack Road and also at the Basilica of the National Shrine, but the availability of spaces is not something we can guarantee. 

  • Can I schedule an interview at Catholic Law?

    We do not offer interviews for applicants, but do offer the opportunity to sit down with an admissions counselor to discuss any individual questions and concerns.

  • Does Catholic Law have an Early Admission or Early Decision program?

    All applicants who have completed application files by December 1 will receive a decision before the New Year. This is a non-binding program, and does not require a separate application.

  • I don't live in the DC area; does Catholic Law participate in any of the LSAC Forums or other recruiting events?

    Our representatives travel to a number of forums and fairs every year. Check our to see when we'll be in your area!

  • What are the LSAT and GPA ranges for Catholic Law?

    To view admissions data from the last entering class, download a copy of our admissions profile.

  • What if I've taken the LSAT more than once?

    We see all previous LSAT scores on your LSDAS report, but our policy is to take the highest score, not the average, when considering you for admission.

  • What is the tuition for Catholic Law?

    To see our current tuition and many helpful estimated costs, please visit the Tuition & Fees page.

  • What kinds of scholarships are available?

    Catholic Law offers merit-based scholarships, which are awarded at the time of admission for both first-year and transfer students. Full Scholarships, as well as Partial Scholarships are available. Scholarship decisions are based on a review of the applicant's entire application file. LSAT scores and prior Grade Point Averages are an important, but not exclusive component in the awarding process. All applicants are considered and there is no separate "aid application" required for consideration for merit-based scholarships.

    If you are not awarded a scholarship in the entering class, but perform in the top 25% of your class during your first year, you will be considered for a tuition scholarship in the following year.

  • Does Catholic Law have a part-time program?

    Catholic Law has a thriving part-time evening division. Designed around the needs of working professionals, all classes meet between 6:30 and 9:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. The part-time program takes four years to complete

  • Does Catholic Law offer conditional acceptance?

    We do not offer conditional acceptance.

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Requesting an Application Fee Waiver

  • How do I request an application fee waiver?

    This year we will be waiving all of our application fees for applicants who apply online through the LSAC service.

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Applying to Catholic Law for First Year Admission

  • When is the application deadline?

    Applications for the fall 2024 Entering Class are currently being accepted. Our preferred application deadline for first year admission is March 15, 2024. Your application, personal statement and resume must be postmarked or transmitted by that date. We have extended our deadline to June 30, 2024, so that individuals who take the June LSAT can be considered. Keep in mind, however, that we do practice rolling admissions. By the time we receive your June LSAT score, available seats will be limited and candidates for admission need to demonstrate a higher level of competitiveness

  • Can I apply online?

    We receive the majority of our applications through LSAC's online application service. Our application can be found here.

  • Can I apply by mail?

    You may also apply by mail. Our mailing address is:

    Columbus School of law
    Office of Admissions
    The Catholic University of America
    Cardinal Station
    Washington, D.C. 20064

    What are the application requirements?

    1. Application & application fee

    2. Two-page personal statement (double spaced)

    3. One-page professional resume

    4. At least 1 but no more than 2 letters of recommendation

    5. An LSDAS report containing your LSAT score(s)

    6. Up-to-date undergraduate and graduate transcripts (These can also be in your LSDAS report)

    Can I apply before I've taken the LSAT?

    You may apply at any time, but always indicate a future test date on your application. The committee will not review your application or application materials until your file has all of the above required documents.

  • What are the application requirements?

    1. Application & application fee

    2. Two-page personal statement (double-spaced)

    3. Two-page professional resume; if you have more than 20 years of professional experience you may submit a resume up to three pages.

    4. At least 2 but no more than 3 letters of recommendation

    5. An LSAC Credential Assembly Service report containing your LSAT score(s)

    6. Up-to-date undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Must be submitted through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service.

  • Can I apply before I've taken the LSAT?

    You may apply at any time, but always indicate a future test date on your application. The committee will not review your application or application materials until your file has all of the above required documents.

  • I have a disability. What information should be included with my application?

    You are never required to disclose a disability of any kind. If you would like the committee to be aware of your disability, you may submit any documentation you feel comfortable providing. If you are admitted, it's always helpful for us to know if any accommodations will be necessary.

  • How long should my personal statement be?

    The application clearly states that the personal statement should be no longer than two pages. We do not recommend exceeding the two page limit. If you have additional information you wish to share with the committee, you may include it in a brief addendum.

  • Should my personal statement be single-spaced or double-spaced?

    Our general recommendation is that your personal statement should look as neat and professional as possible. While we do not have official regulations for font or spacing, we recommend that students use at least a 10-point font and double spacing.

  • How many letters of recommendation should I send?

    At least two but no more than three letters of recommendation. All letters must be submitted directly to LSAC

  • I've been out of school for several years and have not kept in touch with my professors; are academic letters of recommendation required?

    Academic letters of recommendation are encouraged, but not required. For applicants with extensive professional experience, it's more important that a letter of recommendation be current and speaks directly about the applicant's skills and qualifications.

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Applying to Catholic Law for Transfer Admission

  • When is the application deadline?

    The deadline for spring 2021 admissions is November 25th, 2020. The application for fall 2021 admission is July 1, 2021. You application personal statement and resume must be postmarked or transmitted by that date.

  • Can I apply by mail?

    You may also apply by mail. Our mailing address is:

    Columbus School of law
    Office of Admissions
    The Catholic University of America
    Cardinal Station
    Washington, D.C. 20064

  • What are the application requirements?

    1. Application & application fee

    2. Two-page personal statement (double spaced)

    3. One-page professional resume

    4. A letter of good standing from your current law school

    5. At least 1 but no more than 2 letters of recommendation. It is highly recommended that one of those letters be from a professor at your current law school

    6. An LSDAS report containing your LSAT score(s)

    7. All undergraduate, graduate and first year law transcripts (These can also be in your LSDAS report)

  • Can I apply before my grades are in?

    You may apply at any time, but the committee will not review your application or application materials until your file has all of the above required documents.

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Applying to Catholic Law for the LLM program

  • When is the application deadline?

    The application deadline for domestic LLM applicants is June 1, 2021. Your application, personal statement and resume must be postmarked or transmitted by that date. The application deadline for international LLM applicants is March 15, 2021.

  • Can I apply online?

    The application deadline for domestic LLM applicants is June 1, 2021. Your application, personal statement and resume must be postmarked or transmitted by that date. The application deadline for international LLM applicants is March 15, 2021.

  • Can I apply by mail?

    You may also apply by mail. The LLM application is available on the LLM website. Our mailing address is:

    Columbus School of Law
    Office of Admissions
    The Catholic University of America
    Cardinal Station
    Washington, D.C. 20064

  • What are the application requirements?

    1. Application & application fee

    2. Two-page personal statement (double spaced)

    3. One-page professional resume

    4. One-page statement regarding the LLM concentration you have selected.

    5. At least 1 but no more than 2 letters of recommendation

    6. All undergraduate and law school transcripts

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Applying as an International Student to the JD Program

  • When is the application deadline?

    Applications for the fall 2021 Entering Class will be accepted beginning September 1, 2021. Our preferred application deadline for first year admission is March 15, 2021. Your application, personal statement and resume must be postmarked or transmitted by that date.

  • Can I apply by mail?

    You may also apply by mail. Our mailing address is:

    Columbus School of law
    Office of Admissions
    The Catholic University of America
    Cardinal Station
    Washington, D.C. 20064

  • What are the application requirements?

    1. Application & application fee

    2. Two-page personal statement (double spaced)

    3. One-page resume

    4. At least 1 but no more than 2 letters of recommendation

    5. An LSDAS report containing your LSAT score(s)

    6. A TOEFL score of 100 or higher

    7. All undergraduate and graduate transcripts. (These can also be in your LSDAS report) If you received a degree from an institution not located in the United States or Canada, you will need to provide a translated copy of those transcripts from an organization such as WES, ECE, or LSAC's JD Credential Assembly Service.

  • Can I apply before I've taken the LSAT?

    You may apply at any time, but always indicate a future test date on your application. The committee will not review your application or application materials until your file has all of the above required documents.

  • I have a disability. What information should be included with my application?

    You are never required to disclose a disability of any kind. If you would like the committee to be aware of your disability, you may submit as much documentation as you feel comfortable providing. If you are admitted, it's always helpful for us to know what accommodations will be necessary.

  • How long should my personal statement be?

    The application clearly states that the person statement should be no longer than two pages. We do not recommend exceeding the two page limit. If you have additional information you wish to share with the committee, you may include it in a brief addendum.

  • Should my personal statement be single-spaced or double-spaced?

    Our general recommendation is that your personal statement should look as neat and professional as possible. While we do not have official regulations for font or spacing, we recommend that students use at least a 10-point font and double spacing.

  • How many letters of recommendation should I send?

    At least 1, but more than 2 letters of recommendation.

  • I've been out of school for several years and have not kept in touch with my professors; are academic letters of recommendation required?

    Academic letters of recommendation are encouraged, but not required. For applicants with extensive professional experience, it's more important that a letter of recommendation be current and speaks directly about the applicant's skills and qualifications.

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Applying as an International Student to the LLM Program

  • When is the application deadline?

    The application deadline for international LLM applicants is March 15, 2021. Your application, personal statement and resume must be postmarked or transmitted by that date.

  • Can I apply by mail?

    You may also apply by mail. The LLM application is available on the LLM website. Our mailing address is:

    Columbus School of law
    Office of Admissions
    The Catholic University of America
    Cardinal Station
    Washington, D.C. 2006

  • What are the application requirements?

    1. Application & application fee

    2. Two-page personal statement (double spaced)

    3. One-page resume

    4. One-page statement regarding the LLM concentration you have selected.

    5. At least 1 but no more than 2 letters of recommendation

    6. A TOEFL score of 100 or higher

    7. All undergraduate and law school transcripts. If you received a degree from an institution not located in the United States or Canada, you will need to provide a translated copy of those transcripts from an organization such as WES, ECE, or LSAC's JD Credential Assembly Service.

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Requesting an Application Status

  • When will Catholic Law confirm that my application was received and is complete?

    Because of the volume of applications we receive, please allow for approximately 4-6 weeks of processing time. Early in the admission cycle it may take less time, and late in the cycle it may take more. Our office will always contact you if you have missing materials and we will notify you when your file is complete for committee review. All of these notifications come via email, so it's very important that you provide a valid, active email address.

    We've also noticed that spam filters will often catch our messages and divert them to a junk mail folder. If you submitted your application 6 weeks ago and have not heard from our office, we encourage you check your junk mail folder before contacting our office.

  • Can I check my application status online?

    You may check your application status online here. Your user name and password will be emailed to you within 7 days of the date your application was received. Please note the following when using this service:

    If you do not appear to have an application status, your application has been received and is in processing.

    If your current status reports that your file is complete, your file is either in queue or currently with the committee for review.

    When a decision has been made on your file, you will receive an email from our office notifying you of such. All decisions will be posted online via your application status page.

  • If my file is complete but I have additional documents or scores coming in, can I place a hold on my file?

    If you receive notification that your file is complete, but have additional materials or scores to submit, contact our office immediately. We may ask that you submit a written request, but we are happy to hold your file for additional information

  • I would like to withdraw my application. Can my application fee be refunded?

    We do not provide application fee refunds. The application fee covers the time and processing expenses that go into every application file.

  • When can I expect to receive an admissions decision?

    The "turnaround" time for an admissions decision depends heavily on when the application was submitted. Once a file has been submitted to the committee for review, a decision is usually rendered within 4-6 weeks. As our application volume increases, so does the turnaround time.

  • I discovered a typo on one of my documents after I submitted it. Can I replace that document with a new one?

    If your file has not yet been sent to the committee for review you may submit an updated or corrected document for your file. Please keep in mind that we absolutely cannot remove any document from your application file, so your new document will not replace the old one. Both documents will be seen by the committee, but adding a new document shows that you are aware of your mistake.

  • Can I find out my admissions decision over the phone or via email?

    Decision notification may come via email under certain circumstances, but an official decision letter is always signed, and sent via mail to the address you provided. Under no circumstances will we release your decision over the phone.

  • Can my parents or spouse check my application status for me?

    In compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and well as university policy, our staff will not discuss an applicant's file with anyone other than the applicant. If the request is made via phone, our staff may ask for identifying information to protect the applicant's privacy.