1.01 Admissions Criteria

1. Applications for admission to the Law School shall be acted on by an Admissions Committee appointed by the Dean. The Committee will select the persons best qualified for the study of law and for the profession, taking into account Law School Admission Test scores, grade point average, the educational facilities of the school, and other relevant factors.
2. The Admissions Committee shall not accept any applicant with a predicted first-year average of less than 77 (on 65-95 scale) or 2.0 (on 4.3 scale). This rule may not be waived by any committee of the Faculty.
3. Each October the Committee shall submit to the Faculty a report which shows the LSAT scores and grade point averages of those who were admitted and rejected and the criteria applied by the Committee.

1.02 Prelegal Education

Generally graduation from an approved college is a prerequisite to admission.

1.03 Valid and Reliable Test

All applicants are required to take a valid and reliable test, as required by our accreditor.

[Modified via Faculty action February 2, 2024. Rule 1.03 formerly stated: "Law School Admission Test. All Applicants are required to take the Law School Admissions Test administered by the Law School Admissions Service, Newtown, PA." ]

1.04 Fall Admission Only

Beginning law students will be admitted only in the fall semester.

1.05 Transfer Applications

Subject to rule 1.08, applicants who are qualified to enter the Law School as candidates for the J.D. degree and who have satisfactorily completed resident work in a law school which is a member of the Association of American Law Schools or which has been approved by the American Bar Association may be admitted to this law school with advanced standing. The admissions criteria shall be determined by the Admissions Committee in accordance with the general guidelines set forth in 1.01 The Dean shall determine the extent of advanced standing on the basis of properly authenticated transcripts and other appropriate criteria.

Cross Reference. See also Rule 9.01(3).

1.06 (Reserved)

1.07 Readmission after Dropping Out

1. A student who drops out without completing the first semester of law school and subsequently wants to re-enter must apply for admission as a beginning student unless the Dean has permitted a different arrangement at the time the student drops out. Normally, such a different arrangement will be approved only if the dropping out is caused by circumstances beyond the student's control.
2. A student who completes the first semester of the first-year program but fails to register for the second semester or drops out before completing that semester may re-enter as a matter of right, subject to the following conditions:
   1. Regardless of first semester grade point average, the student may re-enter in a subsequent second semester subject only to the conditions stated in subsections (4) and (5).
   2. If the first semester average is below 77 (on 65-95 scale) or 2.0 (on 4.3 scale), the student may re-enter in a subsequent first semester or summer session only with the permission of the Retentions Committee and subject to such conditions with respect to course load and course selection as the committee may impose and subject to conditions stated in subsections (4) and (5).
   3. If the first semester average is 77 or above (on 65-95 scale) or 2.0 or above (on 4.3 scale), the student may re-enter in a subsequent first semester or summer session only with permission of the Dean and subject to such conditions with respect to course load and course selection as the Dean may impose and subject to conditions stated in subsections (4) and (5).
3. A student who drops out after having completed the first two semesters of law school may re-enter in any subsequent term, subject only to the conditions stated in subsections (4) and (5).
4. A student who does not re-enter in time to complete course work requirements within the time periods specified in Rule 7.06 or whose grade point average renders the student subject to retentions rules, may not re-enter without the consent of the Retentions Committee.
5. Every student who has registered and subsequently decides to withdraw, whether in a regular semester or summer session, must notify the Dean's office of the intent to withdraw. Failure to do so will make re-entry contingent upon a satisfactory explanation of the failure to give notice.
6. A student attending Law School on a part-time basis is considered to have completed a semester within the meaning of Rule 1.07 when the student has completed the course work for which the student is registered for that semester. Rule 3.02 controls to the extent that it is inconsistent with any provision of Rule 1.07.

1.08 Persons Excluded From Admission

A person who has received a first degree in law from a law school which is accredited by the American Bar Association is not eligible for admission to this law school as a candidate for the J.D. degree.