How to Apply

How to Apply Our superior faculty, diverse and exceptionally talented student body our outstanding clinical programs, our renowned public service program — all combine to provide a rich and engaging legal education. Admissions and Financial Aid The student body is the foundation of the law school experience. At Penn Law, your classmates will challenge you, teach you, and sustain you in what is one of the most diverse and collaborative learning environments of any top law school. Each year, Penn Law enrolls a select class of 240-250 students who are academically gifted, professionally accomplished, intellectually curious, and culturally and geographically diverse, expecting them to make great contributions to our profession and the world. Our students come from all over the country, from several foreign countries, and from more than 200 undergraduate institutions. They come from a broad spectrum of academic, professional, ideological, and economic backgrounds. Over 65 percent of our students have had at least one year of work experience prior to attending law school, more than a third identify as students of color, and typically 12 percent or more hold an advanced degree. This breathtaking diversity inspires a cross-fertilization of ideas and initiatives which make the Penn Law education intellectually rewarding and professionally transformative. We welcome your interest in becoming part of this extraordinary community. How to Apply Applications may be submitted as follows: LSAC online application which may be found at www.lsac.org Deadlines Early Decision (Binding) November 1 – application must be received November 15 – application must be complete December 31 – decisions will be sent *Note, we accept the October LSAT for Early Decision Regular Notification:** February 15 – Application must be received **Note, decisions are made on a rolling basis. Application Requirements Applicants for admission to Penn Law must hold a bachelor’s degree, take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation, preferably from academic instructors; however, if you have been out of school for a number of years you may submit letters from employers or other individuals who can evaluate your potential for success in a rigorous law program. Finally, applicants must write a personal statement on a topic of their choice. The personal statement is your interview on paper. You may wish to describe aspects of your background and interests – intellectual, personal or professional – and how you will uniquely contribute to the Penn Law community and/or the legal profession. Renée C. Post Associate Dean Admissions and Financial Aid How to Apply The application fee is $75.00; applicants for whom the fee will pose a financial burden may apply for a fee waiver as part of the application process. Detailed information and instructions regarding each of the application requirements and the LSAC/LSDAS may be found on the website at www.law.upenn.edu Standards for Admission Admission to Penn Law is highly selective. Each year we receive approximately 5,800 applications for the 250 seats in the entering class. Our selection process is designed to ensure that each candidate is evaluated in terms of his or her academic promise and potential contribution to the intellectual life of the Law School and to the legal profession. The Admissions Committee considers numerous factors – both academic and nonacademic – to achieve our goal of enrolling a class that is highly accomplished and diverse. There is no pre-law educational requirement or even a specific recommended course of study for admission to Penn Law. Strength of character, breadth of knowledge, and intellectual maturity constitute the base upon which our legal education builds. As such, Penn Law seeks to enroll individuals who have demonstrated outstanding academic success, who are intellectually curious, and who possess superior writing, oral communication, and analytical skills. We also seek individuals who will positively contribute to the Penn Law community, and ultimately, to the legal profession, based on their diverse backgrounds, their personal and professional experiences, service and leadership, and any challenges or obstacles that they may have overcome. Importantly, the Admissions Committee bases its decisions on all material submitted with each application. While undergraduate grade point average and LSAT score are significant factors, they are not decisive factors. There is no minimum LSAT or GPA below which a candidate will not be considered. 54 Transfer and Visiting Student Admission We welcome applications from current law students who wish to transfer to Penn Law or who wish to visit for up to one year at Penn Law. Applicants for transfer or visiting student admission must be in good standing at a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Detailed information and instructions regarding transfer and visiting student admission may be found on our website at www.law.upenn.edu Financing Your Legal Education Student Budget* Tuition and Fees Room and Board Books Health Insurance Miscellaneous Total (2008 – 2009) $44,330 12,090 1,150 2,600 2,480 $62,650 *Students who earn a joint degree or certificate will also incur a nominal administrative fee. At Penn Law we are committed to guiding our applicants through the financial aid process and to helping our students develop a sound financial plan for their legal education. We provide generous financial assistance to deserving students through a variety of grants, scholarships, and low interest loans. Importantly, admission decisions at Penn Law are made without regard to an applicant’s financial need. Therefore, financial aid applications are reviewed only after a student has been admitted. Following is an overview of the types of aid that are available to our students. Detailed information regarding financial aid and scholarships, as well as instructions for applying, may be found on our website at www.law.upenn.edu “Ensuring that we have the ability to transfer our skills from the classroom to the courtroom and beyond is truly what made Penn Law unique and why I felt so lucky to be there, learning from some of the most amazing legal minds in the country, alongside classmates that I know will go on to achieve great things.” —Holly Fernandez Lynch L’06/M.Bioethics ’06. Hometown: Albany, NY B.A. 2003 University of Pennsylvania. Fellow, Harvard Law School’s Petrie Flom Center for Health Law Policy. Current Position: Associate, Pharmaceuticals Biotechnology Group, Hogan and Hartson, Washington, D.C.. Applying for Financial Aid Eligibility for need-based aid or grants is determined from financial information provided by the applicant, the applicant’s parent(s), and if applicable, the applicant’s spouse. Applicants for financial aid are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Need Access Application. You may submit the FAFSA electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Need Access application is available at www.NeedAccess.org If you are interested in applying for need-based aid, complete the aforementioned financial aid forms as early as possible so that your financial aid analysis can be completed soon after you have been admitted. We strongly recommend that all applicants submit these forms by March 1 even if they have not yet received an offer of admission. Merit Scholarships Penn Law awards merit scholarships to a select number of students based primarily on their academic achievements and intellectual ambition, but also based on nonacademic factors such as leadership, service, and professional or life experiences. All applicants who are admitted to the Law School are considered for our merit scholarships. Although there is not a separate application for merit scholarships, applicants who are nominated by the Admissions Committee may be asked to complete an interview or to submit an essay for particular scholarships. Scholarship nominees and recipients are notified on a rolling basis between January and late April. Levy Scholars Program Silverman-Rodin Scholarship James Wilson Scholarship Dean’s Scholarship Full tuition 1L, two-thirds 2L and 3L Full tuition 1L, half tuition 2L $60,000 – $75,000 over three years $15,000 – $60,000 over three years Toll Public Interest Scholarships and Loan Repayment Assistance Penn Law, committed to promoting the pursuit of public interest careers, has developed the Toll Public Interest Scholars Program for select incoming students and the Toll Repayment Assistance Program (TollRap) for graduates. The Toll Public Interest Scholars Program combines financial support (full tuition for the first year and two-thirds tuition for the second and third years) and a challenging academic program for highly accomplished students seeking academic training and practical experience in public interest law. Scholars are selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to public service, their academic record, and their potential for leadership in the legal community. TollRap offers generous repayment assistance, on an annual basis, to Penn Law graduates working in public service careers. The amount of assistance is based on a formula that considers the applicant’s annual income and law school debt. Loans In addition to the aforementioned grants and scholarships, there are a variety of federal and private loans for which students may be eligible. Students admitted to Penn Law will receive information on the various loans for which they may apply and will work directly with the Law School financial aid staff in completing this process. Penn Law Profile Student Profile – Class of 2011* Applicants Enrolled Women Students of Color Average Age Directly from College Advanced Degrees LSAT 171 166 5,829 249 50% 34% 24 32% 10% GPA 3.88 3.47 Career Planning & Professionalism Penn Law students are recruited nationally and internationally by close to 500 employers each year. Our graduates are working in the following fields and geographic regions: Business & Industry Public Interest and Government Judicial Clerkship Private Practice Academia Location New England New York City Philadelphia California & West Coast Washington, D.C. Southeast Chicago & Midwest Texas & Southwest Mountain International 2-4% 4-8% 15-22% 65-82% 1-2% 75th Percentile 25th Percentile Distribution This year’s class includes students from 32 states, the District of Columbia, 12 foreign countries (Canada, China, England, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Rwanda, South Korea, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela), and 88 colleges and universities. Faculty 2007-2008 71 full-time teaching 68 adjunct or lecturer 77% with advanced degrees 49% with PhD or equivalent Over a third hold secondary appointments at Penn Faculty-Student Ratio: 12 to 1 * As of August 14, 2008 56 3-6% 35-50% 15-20% 8-10% 8-10% 3-6% 2-4% 1-2% 1-2% 1-3% Private Sector Salaries – Recent Graduates Range: $72,500 to $250,000 Median: $135,000 Public Sector Salaries – Recent Graduates Range: $35,000 to $59,700 Median: $50,000 Visiting Penn Law We encourage you to visit the campus, tour the Law School, and observe first year classes. Please check our website or contact us for information session schedules. University of Pennsylvania Law School 3400 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-6204 Office of Admissions & Financial Aid Admissions: 215.898.7400 Financial Aid: 215.898.7743 Fax: 215.898.9606 Admissions Email: admissions@law.upenn.edu Financial Aid Email: finaid@law.upenn.edu Office of Graduate Programs Telephone: 215.898.0407 Fax: 215.898.6979 Email: gradadmissions@law.upenn.edu http://www.law.upenn.edu University of Pennsylvania Non-Discrimination Policy Statement The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration of educational policies, programs, or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan awards; athletic, or other University administered programs or employment. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to: Executive Director, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, 3600 Chestnut Street, Sansom Place East Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106. 215.898.6993 (voice) or 215.898.7803 (TDD). www.upenn.edu/affirm-action. The University of Pennsylvania must reserve the right to make changes affecting policies, fees, curricula, or any other matters announced in this publication or on its website.