Frequently Asked Questions When Applying to Law School
Applying to Law School at Elon Law
When do you begin accepting applications?
The admissions office begins accepting applications on September 1 of each year for the class entering the following fall trimester. Elon Law offers a rolling admissions process: applications will be accepted and considered as long as seats are available in the class. Due to our rolling admissions process, it is better to apply early in the admissions cycle. The admissions process becomes more competitive as additional applications are received and the number of available seats in the class decreases. Those who wish to be considered for merit-based scholarships are strongly encouraged to apply by March 1. That said, as noted in the next question, we will continue to consider applications, offer admission, and award scholarships throughout the summer.
What is your application deadline?
Elon Law offers two decision cycles: Early Decision and Regular Decision. For the August entering class, Early Decision candidates must submit their applications by January 5, and all items necessary for completion of the application must be received by January 15. Under the Regular Decision option, applications must be electronically submitted via the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) by July 15.
How should I submit my application?
Students should apply online by using the electronic application process provided by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). It is free to create an account on LSAC’s website.
I know that the application deadline is July 15. Does this mean that I must submit all of my application materials by then?
Yes. All materials to complete your file must be received in the Office of Admissions no later than July 15.
Preparing Your Law School Application
Do I need to have a certain major to apply for law school?
Elon Law does not require that its students have a specific major in college to apply for law school. In fact, each entering class generally has more than 30 different college majors represented! We suggest that you engage in a well-rounded education that allows you to develop critical and analytical thinking, reading comprehension, writing, as well as communication skills and abilities.
What are your minimum LSAT and GPA requirements?
Elon Law does not have a requirement for a minimum LSAT score nor a minimum grade point average (GPA) to apply. To be a strong candidate for admission, an applicant must have a competitive LSAT score and a solid GPA as indicated by Elon Law’s most recent median LSAT and GPA statistics. Of course, when evaluating an applicant’s undergraduate GPA, the Admissions Committee considers many factors, including trends in one’s grades over the course of their academic career, how one’s grades compare to the grades of their peers from the same undergraduate institution, the difficulty of one’s undergraduate institution and/or degree program, and whether one was employed while in school.
Will Elon Law accept the LSAT Flex?
Yes. We welcome scores from the LSAT Flex.
Will Elon Law accept pass/fail grades?
Yes. An applicant’s pass/fail grades will be reported on an applicant’s college transcript sent through LSAC. The Admissions Committee will continue to consider applicant’s cumulative GPA, as well as trends in the GPA. Most colleges and universities transitioned to Pass/Fail grading for the 2020 Spring Semester, so the Admissions Committee will understand the presence of Pass/Fail grades and the fact that a student has Pass grades for the spring trimester and will not be a negative consideration.
When should I take the LSAT?
The LSAT is offered multiple times each year. Generally, students must register 6+ weeks in advance for the LSAT, so please plan your test date accordingly to meet the required application deadlines for Elon Law. Please see the LSAC website for more information about the LSAT and specific testing dates for the current year.
I'm not able to take the LSAT until June. Can I still apply?
Scores from the June LSAT are available soon enough that a decision can be made on your application. Applicants are advised to submit their application as soon as possible and to have all elements of the application complete, except the LSAT score, so that as soon as the June LSAT score is available, the Admissions Committee can proceed to consider your application. While it is possible to apply relying on the June LSAT score, applicants are encouraged to apply as early in the admissions cycle as possible for the best consideration for admission into the incoming fall class. Unfortunately, the June LSAT is the latest LSAT test we can accept for consideration into the fall class in the same year. Please refer to LSAC for information on LSAT testing, score release dates, etc.
I have more than one LSAT score. How will that be viewed?
For applicants who have two or more LSAT scores, the policy of the admissions committee is to base the admission decision on the highest score within the last 5 years. Generally, we advise prospective students to take the LSAT more than once if the student feels that there were extenuating circumstances that caused the student to perform poorly during a prior LSAT administration or that the score does not accurately reflect their ability to succeed in law school.
I took the LSAT three years ago. Is my score still valid?
Yes. Your LSAT score is valid for five years. You may apply for admission so long as you have a valid LSAT score.
The Law School Application Process at Elon Law
Whom should I get to write my letters of recommendation?
We recommend that students have their recommendation letters written by people who know you well, who think highly of you, who can speak to your academic and/or professional achievements, your leadership potential, your time management and organization skills, your critical and analytical thinking skills, etc. If you are enrolled in undergraduate school or have graduated a year or less prior to the date of applying to the School of Law, one of your letters should be from one of your professors or academic advisors. It is not recommended to have family members write reference letters for applicants.
Can I apply without an LSAT score on file?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application and to complete as much of the application as they can as soon as possible. Likewise, even while awaiting a score, an applicant can request that letters of recommendation and undergraduate transcripts be sent to LSAC. That way, when the LSAT score is available, LSAC can send a CAS report to the law school, and the Admissions Committee can move forward with considering the application.
Can I update my application after submitting it?
Yes. You may contact the Admissions Office at lawadmissions@elon.edu to update your application and/or contact information.
How should I submit my transcripts?
Transcripts must be submitted through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service. If you are still in undergraduate school when you apply, it is likely that the transcript you submit will not yet reflect receipt of an undergraduate degree. Before you enroll, we must receive an official transcript from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution through LSAC. Your final and official transcript must be received by LSAC by July 1 of the year you are enrolling.
Why does the law school application include character and fitness questions?
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 law school application asks questions related to your conduct in the past – academic discipline, criminal charges, and even what may seem like minor traffic violations. These questions are the first step in assessing your character and fitness for the legal profession, and how you respond to them can have important implications not just for your admission to law school, but for your admission to the practice of law. Applicants should answer all questions on their application for admission completely and accurately. Full and honest disclosure is critical in the law school admission process and later in the licensing process.
As part of your bar exam application, many states ask that you or your law school submit a copy of your law school application. The State Bar or Board of Law Examiners will compare your answers to its questions with those provided in your law school application. Discrepancies can result in adverse consequences, so it is imperative that the information you provide on your law school application is accurate and complete. If your answers on your law school application are inconsistent with those on your bar exam application, the Board of Law Examiners will likely initiate a more intensive review of your file. Should that occur, you may suffer sanctions, including: revocation of law school admission; delay in certification of fitness; or the Board may determine that you are not fit to practice law, which means you will be unable to sit for the bar exam and, subsequently, practice law. Acceptance by Elon Law does not guarantee certification by any state’s Board of Law Examiners.
Every state has its own process for evaluating the character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the Bar of that state, and we encourage you as an applicant to law school to determine what those requirements are in the state in which you intend to practice. You can find detailed information about requirements in various states in the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, published by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, or you can contact the board of law examiners in the jurisdiction where you plan to seek admission to practice.
If you have questions about the character and fitness questions or the Elon Law application for admission generally, please contact the Office of Admissions at 336.279.9200.
Does Elon Law conduct interviews?
Yes. Interviews are conducted by invitation only. All applicants who are admitted to Elon Law will have interviewed prior to their admission. Applicants may also visit the school to meet with admissions professionals and student ambassadors by appointment.
Are deferrals available?
One-year deferrals are available on a case-by-case basis. To obtain a deferral, a written request should be submitted to the Admissions Committee at lawadmissions@elon.edu.
Does Elon Law offer a part-time or evening program?
Elon Law now offers a part-time/Flex program with evening classes at their regional campus in Charlotte, NC. The inaugural class is expected to begin in Fall 2024. The Full-Time Greensboro campus does not offer a part-time program.
Can I visit the law school?
Prospective and admitted students are welcome to visit the law school by appointment. Without an appointment, the law school cannot guarantee that prospective students will have access to tour the school or talk to an admissions staff member. Generally, students can request a tour by emailing or calling the admissions office at lawadmissions@elon.edu or at 336-279-9229. To learn more about opportunities to visit Elon Law, go to the Visit Elon Law page of the law school’s website to schedule your visit.
Elon Law’s Regular and Early Decision Options
Does Elon Law offer an Early Decision program?
Yes. The Early Decision option is available for prospective students who, after careful consideration of their future plans and a thorough investigation of a variety of law schools, have concluded that the Elon University School of Law will provide them with the legal education that best fulfills their needs and expectations. Applicants who are certain that Elon Law is their first choice institution are encouraged to apply as Early Decision candidates.
What are the application deadlines for Early Decision candidates?
Early Decision candidates must submit their application by January 5, and all items necessary for completion of the application must be received by January 15. Only completed applications are considered for admission. An application is considered complete when all required documents, including the application form, the application fee, a CAS report, and two letters of recommendation have been received by the school. Early Decision candidates must take the LSAT no later than the November test date to be considered for this option. Applicants should also consider, and incorporate into their application timelines, the time it will take for the CAS reports to be processed and transmitted to the School of Law.
What is the timeline for Early Decision candidates to receive an offer of admission?
Early Decision candidates will be notified by January 31 with a decision about whether their application for admission has been accepted, denied, or deferred for further review. If the Early Decision application is deferred for further review, then it becomes a part of the Regular Decision pool and will be considered along with all other applications through the Regular Decision rolling admission cycle. If an Early Decision applicant is denied admission or the decision is deferred for further review, the applicant may continue being considered for admission to law schools to which they had previously applied and may initiate applications to additional law schools.
What are the requirements/stipulations of the early decision option?
Early Decision candidates agree that they will not submit an early decision application to any other law school this year. Early Decision candidates agree that, if admitted to Elon Law under the Early Decision option, they will withdraw pending applications to other law schools and not submit any additional applications.
What happens if I apply Early Decision and receive an offer of admission?
The accepted Early Decision candidate will submit a nonrefundable deposit of $750 to Elon University by the deposit deadline provided by the admissions office (generally the end of February). This deposit will be credited toward fall trimester tuition. The School of Law reserves the right to provide other law schools with the names of applicants accepted under its Early Decision option.
What happens if I receive an offer of admission under the Regular Decision option?
Applicants admitted under the Regular Decision option must submit a nonrefundable deposit of $250 by April 15. A second $500 nonrefundable deposit must then be submitted by May 15. Applicants admitted on or after April 15 will generally have two weeks to submit a first deposit, and applicants admitted on or after May 1 will generally have two weeks to submit both deposits. These deposits will be credited toward Fall Trimester tuition.
Transferring and Visiting Applicants
Is it possible to enroll as a new or transfer student during the Spring Trimester?
No. We only accept these applications for the fall.
What are the application procedures for a transfer student?
In addition to complying with the general admission procedures, a transfer applicant must submit a letter of good standing and an official transcript from the current law school. Either the letter of good standing or the official transcript must indicate the applicant’s current class rank. Transfer applicants must be enrolled at a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association.
How many academic hours must a transfer student complete at Elon Law?
The School of Law requires 86 credit hours for graduation. Transfer students are generally required to complete five full-time trimesters in residence at Elon Law and receive at least 56 credits toward the JD degree at the law school. Up to 30 academic credits may be given for work at another law school. Course credit is generally awarded for work completed with a grade of C or higher. A transfer applicant who has been academically dismissed from a law school must wait at least two years following this dismissal to apply for admission to Elon Law. Students ineligible for readmission at another law school may not transfer to Elon.
Does Elon Law allow students to visit from other law schools?
Yes. Visiting students must have the permission of their home law school and be in good academic standing at their home law school. They are limited to one year of legal studies at Elon Law. Visiting students will receive their law degrees from their home law school and will not be eligible for an Elon Law degree.
What are the application procedures for visiting students?
In addition to complying with the general admission procedures, a visiting applicant must submit a letter of good standing & permission to visit along with an official transcript from the current law school to the Elon Law registrar. Either the letter or the official transcript must include the visiting applicant’s class rank.
Elon Law Applicant Statistics
How many applications does Elon Law receive?
During recent admissions cycles, Elon Law has received approximately 800 to 1,000 applications.
Where do Elon Law students come from?
Typically, half of each entering class is from North Carolina, while half of students are from out of state. Other states/jurisdictions often represented in the entering class include: Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas.
Where do Elon Law students live?
The law school does not provide housing for students. However, numerous housing options exist in downtown Greensboro and throughout the Triad region. The admissions office will provide a list of local apartment communities for admitted students as a starting point for finding accommodations during law school. The law school makes no representation of any housing opportunities recommended in person, over the phone, or online.
How old are Elon Law students?
The median age for the Fall 2020 entering class was 24, and students’ ages ranged from their 20s to 50s.
How Much Does Law School Cost at Elon Law?
I cannot afford the application fee. How do I obtain a fee waiver?
All applications submitted online through LSAC will automatically receive an application fee waiver during the application “check-out” process.
How much is tuition?
Elon Law’s tuition information can be found here. A student’s tuition for the entire program does not change while a student is enrolled.
Are scholarships available?
Definitely. Around 90 percent of each entering class receive a merit-based scholarship. There is no separate scholarship application–all applicants are automatically considered for scholarships. Applicants interested in fellowships are invited to apply for the Advocacy, Business and Leadership Fellows Programs. These fellowships carry with them programming opportunities, additional scholarship assistance and a funded summer externship opportunity.
In addition to scholarships, most Elon Law students rely on loans to finance their legal education. Students must complete the FAFSA to apply for loans. The Office of Financial Planning is available to assist applicants with the loan and financial aid process.
How much do books cost?
Elon Law students spend approximately $1,000 each academic year for case books and other required materials.