Law School Application Process

The University of Mississippi School of Law requires:

1. Scores from the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
2. Registration with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
3. The completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university prior to matriculation or pursuant to a 3+3 program approved by the University of Mississippi School of Law.

Admission to the School of Law is based on the applicant’s academic ability and aptitude for the study of law. Two of the primary factors considered in the admission process are performance on the LSAT and undergraduate grade-point average.  If you’ve taken multiple LSAT exams, we take the highest LSAT score when making our admission decision. Scores are valid for 5 years.  Other considerations are:

1. Residency
2. Difficulty of major field of study
3. Job experience
4. Social, personal or economic background and circumstances
5. Nonacademic achievements
6. Letters of recommendation
7. Grade patterns and progression

Transforming your life and career begins here. Everything you need to complete your application process to the University of Mississippi School of Law is located in this section. The application and scholarship process is competitive, so we encourage you to submit all materials well in advance of the listed deadlines.

Applicants who intend to practice law should be aware that admission to the bar in all states involves character, fitness and other qualifications. Applicants are encouraged to determine the character and fitness requirements of the jurisdiction(s) where they intend to practice law. If you are uncertain where you will practice law, you may wish to review the Standard NCBE Character and Fitness Application, titled Request for Preparation of a Character Report, of the National Conference of Bar Examiners, which is used by a number of jurisdictions’ bar admission authorities. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available at www.ncbex.org.

Applications Open September 15, 2025

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant based upon race, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, or genetic information. 

Application Process

Below you will find information guiding you through the application process at the University of Mississippi School of Law.

****Please be aware there is specifically designated information for International Students and Transfer Students.

If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions.

Steps in the Application Process

Step 1 – Take the LSAT & Register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service.

Instructions for registering with LSAT/CAS can be obtained from Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) at www.lsac.org. Although LSAC provides six opportunities each year for law applicants to take the LSAT, you are advised to take the LSAT no later than December prior to the term in which you wish to enter law school (summer or fall). The highest test score will be used for multiple tests.

Step 2 – Submit application through the LSAC website.

All applications must be made through LSAC. You will need to login or create an account to apply.

LSAC has created an application guide to aid in the application process.

You may check your application status through LSAC’s status checker.

Step 3 – Submit personal statement.

Your personal statement gives us an opportunity to get a sense of your voice, perspective, and experiences. You may elaborate on your significant life experiences; meaningful intellectual interests and extracurricular activities; your inspiration for pursuing a legal education or your particular career goals; significant hardships you have encountered and how you responded to them; your special talents or skills; or your educational path or employment history.

As you consider potential directions for your Personal Statement, please know that you do not have to tell us everything. You may develop a single theme with authentic and genuine information about yourself that will aid us in reaching a thoughtful decision. For example, you might explain your interest in the University of Mississippi School of Law and why we are a good fit for you culturally, academically, or professionally.

Alternately, you could describe a challenge, failure, or setback you have faced, explaining how you confronted that challenge and what you might have done differently. Importantly, this may include the manner in which you have overcome obstacles.

Or you could write about how the place you come from has shaped who you are today. You may explain what has motivated you or inspired you to assume a leadership position or attain a particular goal. You may have been inspired or motivated by your identity, heritage or culture, a particular area of interest or past experience, including any struggles, successes, mistreatment or discrimination. You may describe how a mentor, role model, or former professor inspired or motivated you. Another possibility is for you to tell us how an acquaintance might describe you and whether their superficial description would be the truth.

If you feel your academic credentials do not reflect your potential for success, consider using the Personal Statement to explain your capabilities. Alternatively, you may submit an addendum addressing this issue as part of your application.

Each applicant will be considered based upon their unique qualities and experiences.

While we do not impose a page or word limit for the Personal Statement, we value clear and concise writing. Most Personal Statements range from two to four pages. For ease of reading, please double-space and use at least an 11-point font.

Step 4 – Community Essay

Please Select Either Topic A or B

While we do not impose a page or word limit for the Community Essay, we value clear and concise writing. For ease of reading, please double-space and use at least an 11-point font.

Topic A

All students at the University of Mississippi have the responsibility to uphold the Creed:

• The Creed of The University of Mississippi
• The University of Mississippi is a community of learning dedicated to nurturing excellence in intellectual inquiry and personal character in an open and diverse environment. As a voluntary member of this community:
• I believe in respect for the dignity of each person.
• I believe in fairness and civility.
• I believe in personal and professional integrity.
• I believe in academic honesty.
• I believe in academic freedom.
• I believe in good stewardship of our resources.
• I pledge to uphold these values and encourage others to follow my example.

Why do you want to join a community bound together by these commitments?

Topic B

The University of Mississippi School of Law is a community committed to creating an educational experience that values a multiplicity of viewpoints. Such a range of views is vital to the education of our students and to the role we play in shaping the legal profession. We embrace our obligation to promote a justice system that provides equal access to all people and eliminates bias, discrimination, and racism in the law. Our law school community is committed to creating and nurturing an academic environment where all people feel welcome, all voices are heard, and together we undertake the serious pursuit of knowledge and growth. Why do you want to join this community?

Step 5 – Submit Letters of Recommendation

A minimum of two academic letters of recommendation from professors who have taught you in class, or from professors who have direct experience with your academic ability and potential, are preferred, especially if you are still in your undergraduate program or have just graduated. We strongly discourage recommendation letters from friends and family, and such letters do not substitute for academic letters of recommendation. If you have been out of school for a period of time, you may substitute letters from employers or others who are well-acquainted with your intellectual ability and academic potential. The Admissions Committee is looking for recommendations that explain how you will succeed academically in law school. Your letters of recommendation should be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service.

Step 6 – Submit application fee

The application fee is $40 and must be paid in the form of electronic transmission (Visa or MasterCard).

If you receive a fee waiver from LSAC to take the LSAT, we will also waive the application fee. You will need to provide our office with a copy of the approval letter that you receive from Law Services (LSAC).

Regular Decision

Applications and supporting materials, including your CAS report, must be received by May 1. We will accept the April LSAT for regular decision, even if the scores are posted after May 1, as long as your application and all other supporting materials are received by May 1. We will inform you that your application has been accepted, denied, or placed on a waiting list by the end of May.

Late Decision

Late decision applications are considered on a space-available basis. Applications will be reviewed upon completion, and decisions will be made shortly thereafter.

Entrance Dates

Students are given the option to enter in the summer or fall of each admissions year. Because summer and fall enrollees are considered as one class, the same standards are applied in the decision-making process.

Waiting List

A waiting list may be established and held open until the registration date. Offers will be extended to applicants on the waiting list as vacancies occur. We will make every effort to give each admitted applicant as much time as possible to prepare for enrollment.

In addition to the requirements mentioned in the application process, the law school requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through the LSAC J.D. Credential Assembly Service.  Applicants who completed any postsecondary work outside the United States (including its territories) or Canada must use this service for the evaluation of foreign transcripts.

The one exception to this requirement is if an applicant completed the foreign work through a study abroad, consortium or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home-campus transcript.  A foreign credential evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which will be incorporated into the CAS report.

The minimum required TOEFL score at this law school is 625 or the equivalent on the computer-based examination. Applicants will be required to contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that the TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. LSAC’s TOEFL code for the J.D. Credential Assembly Service is 0058. The TOEFL score will be included in the foreign credential evaluation document that will be included in the CAS report.

A student who has completed the first year of law study at a law school that is approved by the American Bar Association may be considered for transfer. Admission as a transfer student is extremely competitive. A transfer student can receive credit here for no more than 30 credit hours of work on which the applicant has at least a C grade, based on the standard in effect at that law school. We understand that grading systems for Spring 2020 have changed due the Coronavirus pandemic. The University of Mississippi School of Law will accept P/F grades for transfer students, and transfer students will receive credit for passing grades.

The transfer application should be submitted through the LSAC website. In addition to the requirements mentioned on the Application Process above, applicants will also be required to provide the Law Admissions Office with the following:

1. Official law transcript sent directly from law school(s) of record.
2. Letter of good standing, which includes class rank from the Dean of the law school of record [sent directly from the law school].
3. Statement of Interest in transferring to Ole Miss Law.
4. Letters of recommendation from law professors at the law school of record.

Deadline

Transfer applications must be complete by August 1 for a fall start, November 30 for a spring start and April 15 for a summer start.

Residence

No transfer student is awarded a degree from the School of Law unless that student has completed the last four semesters in residence and has maintained the average required for graduation on all work attempted at the University of Mississippi School of Law.

Admission Requirements for Transient (Visiting) Students

A student (1) who is in good standing at a law school that is approved by the American Bar Association, (2) who has earned a minimum of 25 credit hours at the law school to which credit will be transferred and (3) who wishes to attend the School of Law for a summer or regular term on a transient basis only and to apply those hours toward the degree at another law school is eligible for this enrollment status. Please refer to the admission requirements for transfer students for a list of the remaining steps.

NOTE: A transient student may enroll for up to one academic year (defined as one summer, one fall and one spring semester) or for no more than 30 credit hours.

Admission Requirements for Students who have Previously Attended Another Law School

An applicant who has attended another law school must submit a letter from the dean of the previous law school reporting the status of the student at the time enrollment was terminated. Academic performance as a law student will be taken into consideration as part of the overall admissions process.