Juris Doctor (JD)

Applications for admissions are evaluated by the GGU Law Admissions Committee. The review process is holistic and the Committee takes many factors into account during the review process. While we recognize that LSAT and GPA will play a factor in rendering a decision, no one element weighs more heavily than another. Our comprehensive file review incorporates your resume, personal statement, letters of recommendation, LSAT writing sample, work experience, and life experience into consideration. We also accept addenda that allow you to expand on special academic achievements and professional opportunities or that may give us greater context on matters of character and fitness.

We review all applications on a rolling basis and evaluations take approximately 6-8 weeks. All decisions are communicated via e-mail as well as posted on the LSAC Online Status Check.

All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible during the admission cycle. Applicants must register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and submit applications via the LSAC website. To receive consideration by the Admissions Committee, applicants must submit their applications by the posted deadline. Applications may be accepted after the posted deadline and are reviewed on a space-available basis. Foreign-educated students must submit their official transcripts to LSAC for evaluation. LSAC does not accept evaluations from other credential review services.

A complete JD program application consists of the following:

• Completed and signed Application Form;
• Personal Statement;
• Current Résumé;
• Additional Statement of Interest (if applicable);
• Character and Fitness Addendum (if applicable);
• Letters of Recommendation;
• A current LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Report including a valid LSAT score, all post-secondary transcripts, and any transfer and/or foreign-earned credits; and
• Non-U.S. applicants must submit additional documents

There is no fee to apply. It is highly recommended that applicants apply prior to the priority deadline as admission and scholarship decisions are made on a rolling basis.

• April 15 is the priority application deadline
• July 15 is the application deadline

Applications are complete when they contain all of the required materials detailed below. Once an application is complete, it is forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. A decision is typically rendered four to six weeks after an application is forwarded to the Committee, but may be reached sooner. Applicants will be notified of decisions through email and LSAC’s Online Status Check (see below). All admission decisions are final.

Application Form

Applicants must use the electronic application form available through the LSAC website. Applicants are advised to read the application form thoroughly and follow the instructions carefully.

Personal Statement

Applicants must submit a personal statement. The statement must be no more than two double-spaced, typed pages in 12-point font. The statement should specifically address: the applicant’s motivation for attending law school; why the applicant will make a successful law student and lawyer; and why the applicant wishes to attend Golden Gate University School of Law. The statement may also address the applicant’s ethnicity/race, employment history, volunteer experience, sexual orientation and/or gender identity, socioeconomic and cultural background, or any unique personal characteristics that would contribute to the university’s law school community. Applicants MUST certify their authorship of the statement, and the fact that they did not receive undue assistance in its preparation.

Resume

Applicants must include a current résumé detailing educational and work history along with any current or past community service or volunteer experience.

Statement of Interest

Applicants interested in the Public Interest Scholars Program (PISP) or Environmental Law Scholars Program (ELSP) must indicate their interest on the application form and submit an accompanying Statement of Interest. The PISP statement should describe any of the applicant’s relevant professional, educational, and/or volunteer experience. It should also include any plans to pursue a career in public interest law. The ELSP statement should also describe any of the applicant’s relevant professional, educational, and/or volunteer experience. It should also include any plans to pursue a career in environmental law. If applying to both, please submit a different Statement of Interest per program.

Character and Fitness Addendum

If an applicant answers “Yes” to any of the questions in the Character and Fitness section, an addendum is required. Applicants must provide a statement that includes the date(s) of occurrence, an explanation of relevant circumstances, and how the matter was resolved for each “Yes” response in that section. If an applicant has questions or is uncertain about how to answer, the applicant is strongly encouraged to consult our Office of Admissions and/or the Committee of Bar Examiners in the state in which the applicant intends to practice law.

Optional Addendum

Applicants may include an optional addendum to highlight, for example diversity, or address any issues not included in their personal statement. Applicants should also include an addendum to address significant disparities in their Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores. The personal statement, résumé, and any addenda must be uploaded to the LSAC website as part of the online application.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit at least two, but no more than four, letters of recommendation. Letters from current or former professors, professional colleagues, and/or supervisors who can attest to the applicant’s intellectual and professional attributes are most effective. Letters from friends, family members, and other such acquaintances are not advisable. All letters of recommendation must be submitted by the recommender directly to LSAC. Read more about submitting letters of recommendation.

Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report)

LSAC will consolidate each applicant’s LSAT score(s), post-secondary transcripts, and letters of recommendation into a single CAS Report, which is sent to each law school indicated by the applicant.

• LSAT Score — Applicants must have a valid LSAT score. LSAT scores that are less than three years old are preferred, and scores that are more than five years old will not be considered (no exceptions). Read more about the LSAT.
• Transcripts — Applicants must provide all undergraduate and graduate (if any) school transcripts directly to LSAC for inclusion in the CAS Report. AT MINIMUM, APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE FROM AN ACCREDITED UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTION BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION. Admitted students are required to submit an official transcript reflecting the bachelor’s degree and conferral date. GGU Law will withdraw offers of admission from admitted students who cannot show proof of a conferred bachelor’s degree. Read more about requesting transcripts from LSAC.

 JD Flex Online Applicants (Only)

• Two short answer essay questions, as listed on the apllication.

Through the LSAC website, GGU Law provides an Online Status Check for applicants to check the progress of their application. We encourage applicants to check their status via this service, as it provides the most up-to-date information. Once the Admissions Office receives an application, the applicant is emailed a confirmation, which includes a unique username and password to access the Online Status Check.