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)

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:

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)