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1.
When should I apply?
2. When
should I take the LSAT?
3. Does
Whittier Law School offer an LSAT prep course?
4. How
many times can I take the LSAT?
5. Do you take the higher of two
or more LSAT scores or do you average them?
6. Will cancelling a LSAT score
affect my application?
7. What is the median GPA and LSAT?
8. How many
letters of recommendation do you require?
9. Who should I list as my references?
10. Will using professional references
instead of academic references impact my application?
11. Does
it matter what my major was in undergrad?
12. Why do you ask to disclose academic disciplinary actions and/or
charged convictions within your application?
13. Do
you have an early admission program?
14. Do
you offer conditional admit programs?
15. What
does a Wait List decision mean? How long do I have to wait?
16. Can
I defer admissions?
17. What
is your bar pass rate?
18. How
can I get financial aid?
19. What
types of scholarships are available?
20. How
can I visit the school? Do you offer tours?
21. Does
the school offer high speed internet access?
22. What
is the difference between an ABA accredited law school and
a state accredited law school?
23. What is
the difference between your school and a provisionally accredited
ABA school?
24. If
I have attended a non-ABA law school, can I transfer to Whittier
Law School with my credits?
25. What
does probationary status mean?
26. How
will the Law School get off probation?
27. If
I’m a new student starting this fall, how am I affected
by the ABA probation?
28. Do
you have a Part-Time program?
29. Do
you have a Spring Admissions program?
30. Does
Whittier have an academic curve?
31. What
kind of academic programs are available to 1L’s to ease
them into law school?
32. How
much is tuition?
33. What
kind of housing options are available?
34. Can
I work during my first year of law school?
35. Is
it easier to get accepted into the Part-Time program versus
the Full-Time program?
36. Can
I transfer from the Part-Time program to the Full-Time program?
37. What
is the median starting salary for a WLS graduate?
1. When should
I apply?
(back to top) Applicants are encouraged to apply as early
as possible. For applicants interested in matriculating in
the accelerated program in the Spring term, the Admissions
Office accepts applications in August prior to the start of
the Spring term. For applicants interested in the Fall term,
the Admissions Office accepts applications in October prior
to the start of the Fall term.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. However,
the Admissions Office recommends applicants to apply by the
priority deadline. The Spring term has a priority application
deadline of October 15 of the previous calendar year. The
Fall term has a priority deadline of March 15 of the same
year for the Full-Time program and June 1 of the same year
for the Part-Time program.
2.
When should I take the LSAT?
(back to top)
Applicants can take the LSAT at any time
as long as it is within five years of the intended matriculating
semester. For example, if an applicant intends to enroll for
the Fall 2007 term, the LSAT score must be no earlier than
August 2002.
For the accelerated program in the Spring term, the latest
LSAT administration the Law School will consider is the June
administration of the same year. For the Full-Time program
in the Fall term, the latest LSAT administration the Law School
will consider is the February administration of the same year.
For the Part-Time program in the Fall term, the latest LSAT
administration the Law School will consider is the June administration
of the same year.
3.
Does Whittier Law School offer an LSAT prep course?
(back to top)
The Law School does not offer assistance
on preparing for the LSAT.
4.
How many times can I take the LSAT?
(back to top)
LSAC will limit prospective applicants to
a maximum of three LSAT administrations within a three year
period. If an applicant wishes to exceed the maximum, an applicant
must enlist a law school to vouch for the applicant and request
LSAC to waive the restriction. For further information, contact
LSAC.
5.
Do you take the higher of two or more LSAT scores or do you
average them?
(back to top)
The ABA requires all law schools to report
the highest score of a matriculated student. The Law School
will look at individual scores and assess the reliability
of each LSAT score and its combination.
6.
Will cancelling a LSAT score affect my application?
(back
to top)
The Admissions Committee evaluates results
from an applicant’s LSAT score(s) when reviewing applications.
The Admissions Committee does not consider unscored LSAT administrations
caused by no-shows or cancellations by applicants.
7.What
is the median GPA and LSAT?
(back to top) (back to
top)
8.
How many letters of recommendation do you require?
(back to top)
Two letters are required.
9.
Who should I list as my references?
(back to top)
The Law School prefers academic references
attesting to an applicant's academic abilities. However, references
are not limited to academic references. Applicants may opt
for professional references in lieu of academic references.
Ultimately, applicants should choose references who can discuss
the applicant’s skills and aptitude as it relates to
performance in law school.
10.
Will using professional references instead of academic references
impact my application?
(back to top)
The Admissions Committee will evaluate the
quality and relationship of each reference. The Admissions
Committee will not negatively look upon an application with
no academic references.
11.
Does it matter what my major was in undergrad?
(back to top)
The Law School does not recommend any particular
major at the undergraduate level. The Law School will look
at the curriculum of every applicant to assess abilities and
potential excellence in the areas of research and analytical
writing skills relevant to the study of law. Applicants should
take courses where these skills will be developed.
12.
Why do you ask to disclose academic disciplinary actions and/or
charged convictions within your application?
(back to top)
A false answer of "no" can have
very serious repercussions. The Moral Character portion of
the bar admission reviews all documentation regarding your
admission to the bar including law school applications. Any
discrepancy between your law school application and your bar
application can have adverse effects to the admittance to
the bar as well as grounds for expulsion from the Law School.
When submitting your application, fully answer the disclosure
questions number 22 to 23 regarding your personal history.
13.
Do you have an early admission program?
(back to top)
There are no early admission programs. The
Law School offers a Summer Institute to admitted applicants
who would like to strengthen and/or test their study skills.
The Summer Institute is a two week program in early August
and is limited to 30 participants. Admitted students interested
in the Summer Institute program must apply to the Admissions
Office to participate.
14.
Do you offer conditional admit programs?
(back to top)
The Law School does
not offer conditional admission to any applicants.
15. What
does a Wait List decision mean? How long do I have to wait?
(back to top)
Applicants who receive a decision of Wait
List were determined by the Admissions Committee as a probable
candidate for admission. The Admissions Committee will continue
to evaluate the rest of the applicant pool and will review
Wait List applicants after the initial review of the entire
applicant pool. Typically, second reviews will begin late
spring and/or early summer. Wait List applicants can anticipate
a decision up until the first day of Orientation.
16.
Can I defer admissions?
(back to top)
The Law School does not offer deferred admissions.
Exceptions are given only to uncontrollable events such as
life threatening medical emergencies, military activation,
etc.
17. What
is your bar pass rate?
(back to top)
76% of our graduates ultimately pass the
bar. For more information on bar results, refer to the California
Bar website.
18.
How can I get financial aid?
(back to top)
The first step in procuring financial aid
is to fill out the FAFSA form from the federal government.
Applicants are encouraged to fill out the form prior to receiving
an admissions decision. In addition, the financial aid form
within the applications form must be submitted to the Admissions
Office. Click here
for more detailed information.
19.
What types of scholarships are available?
(back to top)
| There are three
types of scholarships available:
1. Institutional scholarships are
funded by the Law School and scholarship awards are
usually given at time of admission offer. Scholarship
award amounts vary depending on an admitted applicant’s
academic and professional resume. |
| 2. Merit for continuing. |
| 3. Private scholarships and institutional
scholarships. Private scholarships are non-profit entities
funding various students in their studies. The Law School
is not aware of all of the private scholarships available
and recommends applicants to use search engines to locate
these opportunities. |
20.
How can I visit the school? Do you offer tours?
(back to top)
Prospective applicants are encouraged to
visit the campus. The campus is open to the public and personal
tours can be requested by contacting the Admissions
Office.
21.
Does the school offer high speed internet access?
(back to top)
The Law School is equipped with internet
access. All classrooms are wired at each desk in the classrooms.
Public facilities such as the library and cafeteria have ethernet
jacks located at convenient locations. All students must ensure
that their laptops are equipped with the appropriate equipment
to access the internet.
22. What
is the difference between an ABA accredited law school and
a state accredited law school?
(back to top)
A state accredited law school is a law school
that the state bar has approved as an educational institution
where its facilities and curriculum have met the minimum educational
requirements for the state bar. Graduates of a state accredited
law school can only sit for the state bar where the school
resides. An ABA accredited law school is a law school that
the ABA has approved as an educational institution where its
facilities and curriculum have met the minimum national standards
for all state bars. Graduates of an ABA accredited law school
are eligible to sit for any state bar in the country.
23. What
is the difference between your school and a provisionally
accredited ABA school?
(back to top)
Provisionally approved ABA law school are
those determined to be operating in substantial compliance
with each of the ABA Standards and with a reliable plan for
coming into full compliance within three years. These schools
are reviewed annually during the period of provisional approval.
Fully approved law schools are those who have been determined
to be operating in full compliance with the ABA Standards.
All fully accredited law schools are evaluated every seven
years. Whittier Law School has been a fully accredited ABA
law school since 1978. For further details about accreditation,
visit the ABA website at www.abanet.org.
24.
If I have attended a non-ABA law school, can I transfer to
Whittier Law School with my credits?
(back to top)
The Law School will only accept transfer
students from another ABA-accredited law school.
25.
What does probationary status mean?
(back to top)
The ABA has imposed probationary period
of up to two years from August 9, 2005 on Whittier Law School’s
educational accreditation. During that time, while our accreditation
remains in place, the ABA will be overseeing our efforts to
come into compliance with its standards regarding bar passage.
26.
How will the Law School get off probation?
(back to top)
The school will continue to prove to the
ABA that the enhancements we have made to our academic program
and bar preparation program will continue to make a positive
difference in our bar passage rate in California. We hope
students will continue to take advantage of the programs that
are in place:
| •Summer program for incoming
first-year law students who have overcome significant
obstacles in achieving their education |
| • First-year program (Academic
Success Program) emphasizing study skills and exam taking
skills with small group sessions , individualized practice
and feedback |
| • An upper-level program (Academic
Success Program) featuring bar examination essay and writing
workshops |
| • Early Bar Preparation Program
- a year-long series of workshops providing a review of
all substantive law courses covered on the California
Bar Exam and a simulated bar exam |
| • A Supplemental Bar Preparation
program with proven success on the Multistate Bar Examination |
| • Free tutoring for all students
preparing for the bar after graduation. |
27.
If I’m a new student starting this fall, how am I affected
by the ABA probation?
(back to top)
The probationary status does not impact
your studies or the legal education you will receive. Probation
is not the loss of accreditation. Whittier Law School is a
fully accredited ABA law school. Under the ABA’s rules,
our graduating students will be deemed graduates of an ABA
law school. It is prudent for students to check with
their states' bar authorities regarding admission requirements.
"For further information, you can visit the ABA
website for further clarification. Standard 103
and the interpretations for Standard 103 are available."
28.
Do you have a Part-Time program?
(back to top)
The Law School offers two Part-Time programs.
The Part-Time Evening program is a four year JD program where
classes are primarily scheduled in the evenings. The Part-Time
Day program is a four year JD program where classes are primarily
scheduled mid-day. First-year courses for the Part-Time program
are generally scheduled three days per week.
29.
Do you have a Spring Admissions program?
(back to top)
The Law School offers an accelerated full-time
JD program in the Spring term. The accelerated program is
a two and one-half year program. Students of the accelerated
program will graduate at the same time as the entering Fall
class of the previous semester. Students of the accelerated
program will not have a free summer in their first year of
study. For more information, click
here.
30.
Does Whittier have an academic curve?
(back to top)
As typical with most law schools’
curriculum, the Law School adheres to an academic curve for
grading. The majority of classes at the Law School are graded
on an academic curve. Click
here for grading policy.
31.
What kind of academic programs are available to 1L’s
to ease them into law school?
(back to top)
The Law School offers a Summer Institute
program for admitted applicants prior to their first year
of law school.
32.
How much is tuition?
(back to top)
Tuition for the Fall 2007 academic year
is $31,710 for the Full-Time program and $1,057 per credit
for the Part-Time program.
33.
What kind of housing options are available?
(back to top)
The
Office of Student Advising and Career Counseling offers
assistance in housing. Click
here for more information.
34.
Can I work during my first year of law school?
(back to top)
For students in the Full-Time program, the
ABA requires that no student work for more than 20 hours per
week. Students who need to work in excess of 20 hours per
week are required to pursue their studies in the Part-Time
program. Click
here for employment policy.
35.
Is it easier to get accepted into the Part-Time program versus
the Full-Time program?
(back to top)
The Law School does not distinguish the
academic selectivity for either program and evaluates all
applicants equally. Competitiveness for each program varies
from year to year and is dependent on the applicant pool.
36.
Can I transfer from the Part-Time program to the Full-Time
program?
(back to top)
Students cannot transfer from one program
to another due to curriculum scheduling unique to each program.
However, students may opt to reduce or increase course loads
in any given semester upon approval from the Office of Student
Advising and Career Counseling.
37.
What is the median starting salary for a WLS graduate?
$65,000
(back to
top)
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