Apply to Suffolk Law

Applicants are required to take either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or the JD-Next Exam.

All applicants must participate in the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) provided by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) regardless of which standardized test is being taken. Through this service, Suffolk Law will automatically receive reportable LSAT scores and will consider those results in its review process.

Applicants who elect to take the GRE or the JD-Next exam instead of the LSAT must instruct the Educational Testing Service (ETS) or Aspen Publishing to send Suffolk Law all test scores from the prior five-year period. Suffolk Law's ETS code is: 4343.

Applicants who take both the LSAT and another exam must report their LSAT score to Suffolk Law; they also have the option of submitting their other exam scores as part of their application.

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

If you answer yes to any of the character and fitness questions, you must provide additional explanation in an addendum to the personal statement. The addendum should provide a clear and concise explanation of the circumstances and charges or actions against the applicant, including court dates and outcomes. Vague or general explanations may delay review by the Admission Committee.

Applicants are required to submit an updated resume with their application. Upload your resume as part of the LSAC.org application to Suffolk Law School. Any gaps in employment or education should be noted and explained in a separate addendum submitted with the personal statement.

Upload your personal statement (essay) as part of the LSAC application to Suffolk Law School.

What Goes into the Statement?

The applicant personal statement should address your motivation and preparation for the study of law; illustrate your proficiency in written, professional communications; and highlight any circumstances that you believe are relevant to the evaluation of your credentials. The personal statement should be 2-3 pages in length, double-spaced, and in 12-point font.

Addenda

If you answer yes to any of the character and fitness questions, please explain in an addendum to the personal statement. The addendum should provide a clear and concise explanation of the circumstances and charges or actions against the applicant.

Filling in Gaps

Explanations regarding gaps in employment or educational history, including the circumstances behind attendance at multiple institutions, also should be submitted as addenda to the personal statement with clear headings separating them from the main body of the personal statement.

Submit at least two letters of recommendation (no more than three) through LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). A recommendation should come from a college professor if you have graduated from college within the past three years. If you have been out of school longer than three years, your recommendation may come from a professional source. Letters of recommendation should never come from family member or friends.

Letters of recommendation must be sent through LSAC. Letters will not be accepted if sent directly to the Office of Law Admission.

Register for LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). You must register for this service separately. This service authenticates all transcripts and recommendations. This is also how we receive your LSAT score(s).

You must submit transcripts for all collegiate, graduate and professional study. This is also how we receive your LSAT score(s). Official copies of transcripts for all collegiate, graduate and professional study by the applicant must be sent directly to LSAC from the college or graduate school.

Applicants who are still attending an undergraduate institution should submit all transcripts up to the most recent semester completed.  All new students must provide a final transcript evidencing a bachelor's degree conferred. This is an ABA requirement.

Foreign Attorneys and Graduates of foreign law programs who are intending to sit for the Massachusetts State Bar Examination may be admitted as Special Students to take courses required for the bar. Fill out the Application Form.

Application for Special Student Status is due by December 1 for spring enrollment and July 15 for fall enrollment.

For a ruling on the precise requirements necessary for bar examination eligibility in his/her case, every foreign-educated attorney who intends to practice in Massachusetts should apply to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners.

All JD applicants should use the first-year application available on LSAC. This includes those who have received, or who will receive, their undergraduate bachelors degree from a foreign institution by September 1 of their enrollment year.

Visa Requirements

If you require to have form I-20 for an F-1 visa, or you qualify for a form DS-2019 under the J-1 program, please contact Suffolk's Office of International Student Services as soon as you are admitted. If you are seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa through Suffolk, you must attend the full-time (day) program; those visa categories require full time enrollment.

Evaluation of Foreign Credentials

LSAC's foreign credential evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and will be incorporated into your CAS report. Questions about the JD Credential Assembly Service should be directed to LSAC via email or at 215-968-1001.

Translation of Transcripts

Suffolk Law requires Credential Assembly Service Authentication and Evaluation for all transcripts, including those from institutions that are not in the United States. All documents from foreign institutions must be sent directly to LSAC by the issuing institution. No transcripts will be accepted by the Office of Law Admission.

Under special circumstances, an accepted student may defer admission until the next academic year. To qualify for deferment you must:

1. Be admitted before June 1;
2. Submit a written request to the Admissions Office before August 1; and
3. Pay the $500 nonrefundable tuition deposit.

Applicants admitted from the waitlist may not defer.

The $500 tuition deposit will be applied toward tuition the following year and is non-refundable.

If you have been approved to defer admission, the Law Admission Office will reach out to you early in the spring semester of the year you plan to enroll. You will be asked to submit a statement of activities for the period the deferment was granted.

1. A new application through lsac.org (the $60 application fee is not required; you may request a fee waiver code from the Office of Law Admission).
2. A statement of activities for the period the deferment was granted.
3. An updated CAS Report from LSAC to the Law Admission Office.

Students who have been granted a deferment should maintain an updated mailing address and e-mail with the Law Admission Office.  Deferred students who do not submit the proper paperwork due to bad contact information may be required to re-apply as a new applicant.

Any student who has withdrawn or has been dismissed from Suffolk University Law School who wishes to return must submit a Petition for Readmission to the Law Admission Office.

Please review Section VI of the Suffolk University Law School Rules and Regulations for readmission policies and procedures.

In addition, no student dismissed for academic, administrative, or disciplinary reasons may apply for readmission to the Law School more than once every five years.

Applicants who previously attended another law school, even if you are applying to Suffolk Law as a First-Year Student, must provide any transcripts from the previous law school and a Letter of Good Standing from the Dean of the prior law school.

Suffolk University Law School will not review applications from students who have been dismissed from another law school in the past two years.

Graduates of Suffolk Law are permitted to audit classes offered by Suffolk Law, if space allows. Alumni pay the regular tuition rate per credit. To enroll, submit the registration form [PDF] to the Office of Academic Services. Questions: 617-573-8160.