Admissions - Frequently Asked Questions

When should I apply?

Try to apply several months prior to when you would like to start law school. More applications are received for the September class than for the January or May classes; therefore reviewing applications for September takes a lot longer. Think of four to five thousand applications for a September class compared to a thousand for a January class. Many candidates apply for a fall class as early as one year prior. The September Class often reaches capacity as early as April or May. You do not want to miss out on being considered for the fall class if that is your preferred starting time.

The peak time for processing applications seems to hit in January through April. With rolling admissions (no application deadline/continuous review of applications) we do attempt to get decision letters out within six to eight weeks of receiving information to complete the file for review.

Do I need to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test)?

Yes.

You must take the LSAT regardless of life experience and other academic credentials.

Do I need to register for the LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service)?

Yes.

You must register with LSDAS if you attended a university in the United States, its territories, or Canada. After you register for the LSDAS, you must have a separate transcript sent to LSAC directly from each undergraduate and graduate institution you attended in the US, its territories, or Canada. This includes all classes taken at the undergraduate level, even one or two classes, and whether it was applied toward your degree or not. This also applies to college courses taken while in high school.

LSDAS for Foreign-Educated Applicants

Cooley Law School does not require foreign-educated applicants to utilize the JD CAS service provided by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The JD CAS does not provide the cumulative undergraduate grade point average that Cooley needs in order to calculate the Cooley admission index.

Schools outside of the United States, Outside of U.S. Territories, or Outside of Canada

If you attended a foreign school outside of the United States, its territories, or Canada, please have your undergraduate and graduate transcripts sent to World Education Services, Inc. (WES) for the transcript evaluation. WES will assign a cumulative undergraduate grade point average as well as evaluate and determine U.S. equivalency of your course work.

For foreign-educated applicants, Cooley requires the Comprehensive Course-by-Course Report provided by WES. Please go to www.wes.org for information and fees.

When you register with LSAC, you will register for "LSAT Only" if you did your undergraduate work at a foreign school. You will need to pay for and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), but you will not have your foreign transcripts sent to LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service) at LSAC. Instead of paying for LSDAS at LSAC, you will pay WES to evaluate your transcript(s).

What should I send with my application? Do I need to submit a personal statement? What about letters of recommendations?

Cooley does not require a personal statement nor letters of recommendation as part of our admission process. We ask that applicants simply complete all portions of the application for admission using either a printed copy or an electronic version. Once completed, submit the application by mail, fax, or if using an on-line version by following the procedures provided. The FAX number to the Admissions Office is (517) 334-5718.

How specific must I be about my answers to questions on the law school application?

Please answer each question candidly. Any question not answered truthfully at time of application will be considered a "late disclosure". If you answer "yes" to any of the character and fitness questions, (other than minor traffic violations not involving drugs or alcohol) you must submit a personal explanation of your answer with details that answer the questions "who, what, when, where, and why" and your age at the time of the incident, as well as submit court documents/official documents that verify what you have disclosed showing final disposition and proof that all court imposed fines and penalties have been satisfied.

Does Cooley Law School require a personal statement and letters of recommendation?

A general personal statement and letter(s) of recommendation are not required nor used in the decision process.

The applicant is responsible for submitting what is required and/or requested by the Admissions office to best prepare one's application for review. No decision will be made until all requested information and documentation has been received.

How important is the LSAT Writing Sample on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)?

Cooley Law School will, in some cases, score the writing sample. It is important that you do your very best to demonstrate your ability to write clearly and logically.

If I take the LSAT more than once, does Cooley Law School "average" the scores?

No, we will use the highest LSAT score as long as it is not over five years old.

What if I am awarded an Honors Scholarship based upon my LSAT score, but I decide to retake the LSAT in order to increase my scholarship?

As long as you retake the LSAT prior to beginning law school, we will use your highest score to determine your scholarship.

Is there a minimum LSAT score required for admission?

Click here for more information on Cooley's Admission Formula.

What if I meet the minimum index but I do not have the minimum LSAT score required? Or what if I have the minimum LSAT score, but not the minimum index? Will I be considered for admission?

Click here for more information on Cooley's Admission Formula.

What is the tuition cost?

Current costs are available via this link:
http://www.cooley.edu/finaid/costsfa.htm

To learn more about Financial Aid, please follow this link: http://www.cooley.edu/finaid/index.htm

If I am accepted to Cooley Law School, what's next?

1. We invite you to visit Cooley's facilities. Arrange to have a tour by a Student Admissions Counselor in the Admissions Office. Contact the Admissions Office by telephone at (517) 371-5140, extension 2244 or 2245, or by e-mail at admissions@cooley.edu.

1. Contact our Financial Aid Department. Visit the Financial Aid page on this Web site: www.cooley.edu/finaid/index.htm.

1. Request that your final transcript (posting the Bachelor's Degree and the date the degree was conferred) be sent directly from your undergraduate institution to the Admissions Office at Cooley. (The copy of your transcript attached to your LSDAS report is not considered official.) Once classes begin, the Registrar's Office at Cooley does an audit of your file. If the official transcript posting your bachelor's degree is not in your file, you will be warned, and then, dismissed from school. Please attend to this important requirement.

1. Pay the $25 non-refundable enrollment fee and return the signed Intent to Enroll form to reserve a seat.

1. Pay the $500 tuition deposit (applicable to your first term's tuition) by the deadline date. Once the deposit has been paid, the Financial Aid Office can proceed with processing your financial aid.

1. Check the housing link to Cooley's Housing Services page: http://www.cooley.edu/housing

1. Once the $25 enrollment fee and the $500 tuition deposit have been paid, you can expect to receive information about how to access Cooley's web Portal. This information will arrive about two months prior to the start of classes. Everything you will need for attending orientation and for starting classes will be accessible through the Portal. You will receive your class schedule approximately 4 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

1. Plan to attend our JumpStart Program. All new students are invited. (The program is mandatory for some students.)

1. Attend the mandatory Orientation Program.

1. Begin the study of law.

What about deferments? If I cannot attend classes when I originally planned, how can I defer enrollment?

Deferments are decided on a case-by-case basis. If you have enrolled in a class and would like consideration for a deferment of your enrollment, you must submit your request in writing to the Admissions Office stating your reason for a deferment. You must meet the requirements for the entering term to which you request deferment.
(A deferment is not guaranteed.)

What if I left another ABA law school or a state-accredited law school not in good academic standing?

Cooley Law School's Restart Policy states that a student previously dismissed for academic reasons or after leaving another ABA law school or a state-accredited law school not in good academic standing must sit out for two years before a restart application will be considered. These cases are reviewed on an individual basis by the Faculty Admissions Committee. A student admitted under the Restart Policy is not eligible for an Honors Scholarship as a new student. Please contact the Admissions Office for details at admissions@cooley.edu.

How do I get in touch with Cooley alumni?

You may contact our Alumni Office at (800) 243-ALUM to request a list of current alumni in your area.

* All polices subject to change.

To apply online, please read Character, Fitness, and Disclosure.

Application Procedure

The Admissions Formula

Character, Fitness, and Disclosure

Applying Without a Bachelor’s Degree

Honors Scholarship Program

NEW! Michigan Resident Honors Scholarship Enhancement Program (PDF)

Admission for Lawyers, and Guest & Transfer Students

LL.M. Program and Application

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