Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I visit and tour the law school?

The Office of Admissions can assist you in scheduling a visit to the School of Law. Individuals can visit a class, tour the school and meet with an admissions representative. Visits can be scheduled Monday through Friday. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 314-977-2800 to arrange your visit. 

Q. What factors determine admission?

The Admissions Committee considers several factors to determine a candidate’s eligibility: academic achievement, strength of the undergraduate program, application information, Law School Admission Test (LSAT) results, personal statement, work experience, any graduate degrees earned, motivation, leadership and service. The LSAT, undergraduate G.P.A. and personal statement receive equal weight in the admissions process.

Q. What are the G.P.A. and LSAT ranges for the middle 50% of the 2007 entering class?

The middle 50% of the Fall 2007 entering class earned between a 3.24 and a 3.74 undergraduate G.P.A. and scored between a 154 and 159 on the LSAT.

Q. I have not had the opportunity to take the LSAT yet. Will I be severely affected by not being able to apply earlier?

The December or February LSAT is definitely not too late.  We encourage December and February test takers to submit their applications to the School of Law prior to the December and February results being released. Then when we receive the LSAT scores and LSDAS reports from the December and February test, your file will be complete.  In order to be eligible for scholarship consideration, applicants should complete their file prior to February 12, 2008. 

Q. What are you looking for in a personal statement?

Used as a way for students to set themselves apart, the personal statement is an important part of the application process. With the additional information provided in the statement, the Admissions Committee looks beyond LSAT scores and undergraduate G.P.A. in order to gain insight into a student's individual character. As such, information regarding personal or professional goals, academic performance and career history are helpful. Attention is given to brevity and clarity of thought and expression.

Q. Who should write my letters of recommendation?

The School of Law requires two letters of recommendation. The Admissions Committee prefers at least one academic letter of recommendation. Students should solicit letters from individuals who can accurately assess their intellectual ability, motivation, character and academic performance.  Great importance is placed on content that verifies the qualifications of the applicant. 

Q. If I applied in September when should I expect an answer?

The School of Law reviews applications on a rolling basis. We begin to review completed applications mid November with the first round of decisions going out in December.  Individuals are more than welcome to contact the Office of Admissions to check the status of their application. Typically, applicants receive decisions roughly 4-5 weeks after their file is complete. 

Q. How many students are accepted who were not in a prelaw program?

The School of Law admits students from a broad array of academic backgrounds and majors. All majors and disciplines are eligible to apply.

Writing skills are crucial to success in law school and as a future attorney.  Although all majors are accepted, students should take classes that will enhance their writing and analytical skills. 

Q. What can I do to prepare for law school?

Preparing for law school should involve preparing yourself for rigorous study. You will be reading a lot once you start, so prepare yourself by taking courses that involve a lot of reading and writing.

Q. Do you prefer in-state or out-of-state applications?

Saint Louis University is a private Jesuit institution. As such, we have no preference regarding in-state or out-of-state applicants. We seek to enroll the most qualified and diverse class possible each year. About half of our incoming class comes from our region and half from the rest of the country.

Q. What should I know before starting law school?

You should know that law school is very time consuming and you need to get things "in order" before starting (i.e. finances). It is strongly recommended that you do not work your first year if you are in the full-time program.

Q. What is the typical class size at Saint Louis University?

The first-year students are broken up into small sections - about 35 students per section. The incoming class is 240 for full-time and 92 for part-time (evening). The small sections will be intermixed - you will see two small sections combined and three small sections combined for certain classes. The largest class size you see as a first year would be about 100 people (3 small sections together).

Q. How many days a week does the typical student actually attend classes?

Typically, a full-time student will have class 5 days a week. Our part-time evening students are here 3 to 4 nights a week.

Q. How many days/nights does each class meet?

It depends upon the class. Classes meet one hour for each credit hour.

Q. How many hours a week will I spend studying outside the classroom?

It depends on how long it takes you to read productively. Different students study differently. Typically students spend more time the first year, until they become accustomed to reading case law.

Q. What is student life like at Saint Louis University?

Students here know that they will work very hard during their tenure here, but our School prides itself on our cooperative and collegial student body. Students are very active in student organizations, service projects, clinics, athletics, moot court competitions, journals and social activities as well.  

Q. What is the legal market like in St. Louis and are there opportunities for me to gain experience while in law school?

There is a definite advantage to attending law school in a major metropolitan area. St. Louis is approximately the 15th largest legal market in the nation. Our students gain experience in a wide range of practice areas, firms, government agencies and public interest organizations while in school and after graduation. We have a strong alumni base within the St. Louis legal market, and throughout the nation, which is a benefit to our students and alumni.

Q. What type of services does the School offer to help students get summer jobs and internships?

Individual assistance is provided with resume writing, interviewing techniques, job searches and referrals to practicing attorneys. The Career Services Office offers programs throughout the school year to explore, with the students, both traditional and non-traditional career paths.

Additionally, each fall and spring, the Career Services Office invites numerous employers from across the country to interview students for summer and full-time positions. The Office also maintains an online listing of jobs for both students and alumni.

Students can also view current job postings in the Career Services Office. The Career Services library is home to a variety of legal directories, job search information, government position listings, handouts, articles of interest, employer resumes and other useful career planning information.

Additionally, there are many judicial clerkship opportunities available. In the federal court system, each of the nearly 600 district court judges is authorized to hire two law clerks. Circuit court judges (federal appellate level) are generally allowed three. There are also senior judges, magistrate judges, administrative law judges and courts with special subject-matter jurisdiction (such as bankruptcy and tax courts) that hire clerks. Additionally, each state administers its own court system with the number of clerkships varying from state to state. The trick is to find a clerkship that matches your qualifications and goals. The Career Services Office offers advice to effectively focus your judicial clerkship job search.