ADMISSION TO THE SCHOOL OF LAW

(For complete details concerning admission to the University of Arkansas School of Law, see the School of Law catalog or write to Dean of Admissions, 110 Waterman Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, telephone 501-575-3102.)

General Information

Except for students in the "3/3 Program" described later, applicants must have completed all requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution prior to the date of enrolling in the Law School.

All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) administered by the Law School Admission Services.

Admission is based on the applicant's undergraduate grade-point average and his or her LSAT test score. In a small percentage of cases, additional criteria such as ethnicity, vocational or professional experience, graduate work, and progressive improvement in college work are considered by the faculty Admissions Committee.

There is no predetermined satisfactory grade-point average or law school admission test score. Admission is on a selective basis.

While admissions personnel are happy to answer any questions that an applicant may have, the interview as a device for the applicant to "sell" herself or himself is not a part of the admissions process. The Admissions Committee works only with the written materials in an applicant's file.

LSAT

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is given four times a year in Fayetteville and at other locations throughout Arkansas, as well as in other states. Arrangements may be made by writing to Law School Admissions Services, Box 2000, Newton, PA 18940. Applicants for admission are urged to take the test at least nine months prior to expected entrance to law school.

LSDAS

The University of Arkansas participates in the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). The LSAT/LSDAS Registration Packet may be obtained by writing directly to Law School Admissions Services, Box 2000, Newton, PA 18940. The packet includes instructions for providing transcripts of scholastic work for analysis by the LSDAS. The applicant should see that the LSAT score and LSDAS reports are sent to this school.

Pre-Law Study

No pre-law curriculum is prescribed at the University of Arkansas School of Law or at any other American law school. Experience has shown that students do equally well in law school and in law practice regardless of their differing educational backgrounds. As a result, no single "pre-law major" is required or even recommended.

Students in a position to structure their college curricula should select courses that emphasize analytical and problem-solving skills and courses in which written work is vigorously edited.

Arkansas admits applicants from a wide variety of college majors. The resulting diversity enhances and enriches the educational experience of all students.

The Admission Process

The University of Arkansas School of Law admits one beginning class in August of each year. Applications for admission may be obtained from the Dean of Admissions, University of Arkansas School of Law, Waterman Hall, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.

Applications should be completed as early as possible. While applications are considered as long as there are openings in the entering class, few applications received after April 1 receive favorable action.

The admission process at Arkansas is a continuing one. As test reports and scores are received, admission decisions are made. It is impossible to give a final decision on some applicants until late spring.

An applicant whose admission has been approved will receive a Tentative Admission Notice. The applicant will be required to deposit a $75 pre-registration fee. This fee is not refundable but is applied to the regular registration fee when the student registers.

Other Admission Information

Persons who have attended other law schools should not follow the above procedure but should apply to the Dean of the School of Law as a transfer student, indicating previous attendance at another school. Failure to indicate such attendance will automatically void a Tentative Admission granted to such person.

A student may not register in the School of Law for any course without first complying with all admission requirements for regular law students.

3/3 Program

The School of Law and the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences have agreed on a pilot program that will enable outstanding students to enter law school after their third year of college. Students in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences are eligible to begin law school after the completion of at least 94 hours of college work if:

1. they have completed all University, College, and major course requirements for their undergraduate degree;

2. their cumulative grade-point average is at least 3.50; and

3. their Law School Admissions Test score is at least 159. Such students will receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree after the completion of sufficient hours of law school work to meet the regular requirements of Fulbright College. These students will then receive a J.D. degree after completing the required number of hours of law school work.

Joint J.D./M.B.A. Program

The School of Law and the College of Business Administration cooperate in offering an opportunity for a student to pursue the J.D. degree and the M.B.A. concurrently. Students working to pursue their degrees concurrently must gain admission to both the School of Law and the Graduate School and be accepted in the program of study leading to the M.B.A. degree. If the student is accepted into both programs, a maximum of six hours of approved upper-level elective law courses may be used as duplicate credit toward the M.B.A. degree and a maximum of six hours of approved graduates courses in business administration may be used as duplicate credit toward the J.D. degree, thus reducing the total time necessary for completion of the degrees.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

A law student who has received a degree from an approved college and thereafter has completed work with satisfactory scholarship in a law school which is accredited by the American Bar Association is eligible to be considered for transfer to the University of Arkansas School of Law. The amount of transfer credit to be granted will depend upon the quality of performance and the relation of completed courses to the program of this school. Credit or units only (not grades) are transferable in any case, and even credits will not be accepted for any course or other work in which a grade below 2.0 or the equivalent are given at the other law school. In order to qualify for a degree, the student must complete the final two semesters of law study in the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Failure to disclose attendance at another college or law school or expulsion or suspension therefrom is sufficient grounds to require withdrawal.

VISITING STUDENTS

A student in good standing at another fully accredited law school may apply for admission as a visiting student. Enrollment restrictions may limit class selection, and visiting students are not eligible to receive degrees from the School of Law.