ADMISSIONS

Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution are considered the strongest candidates for admission. Irvine College of Law often admits those with a two-year associate degree from an acceptable community college, while those without a college degree will be considered and admitted if they have earned at least 60 units of acceptable college credit in academic subjects (English, History, Political Science, Economics, Mathematics, Philosophy) that teach the analytical and writing skills needed to study law successfully. Courses teaching vocational skills and most elective subjects may not be found to meet the 60-unit requirement.

The law school does not require applicants to take and report a score on the Law School Admissions Test. However, if an applicant has an LSAT score, they will be asked to provide it so that it may be considered among the applicant’s other qualifications for admission.

The law school also has a unique admissions requirement: Participation and completion of its Pre-Law Course; four, three-hour class sessions taught by a member of the faculty who covers how law is taught, including the use Socratic teaching, along with the basic elements of legal analysis and writing. The course is designed to give applicants real insight into the nature, rigor and demands of Irvine College of Law’s J.D. program, while each applicant’s participation is used as a factor by the Irvine College of Law Admissions Committee in its decision to grant or deny admission to each applicant.

Irvine College of Law admits new students twice a year, either in its Summer/Fall semester (starting in early July), or its Winter/Spring semester in early January. To be admitted, applicants must have their admissions file completed at least eight weeks before the start of either semester.

Finally, given its educational mission and focus on admitting those who appear able to succeed, the law school makes its admissions decisions by taking into consideration each applicant’s prior education, their individual work history and their life experiences and accomplishments.

To learn more about Irvine College of Law’s admissions requirements and process, please contact its Director of Admissions, Ronald Johnson, to discuss your interest in the study of law at Irvine College of Law.