Applying To Fiu Law: A Comprehensive Guide

Florida International University College of Law (FIU Law) is a place of excellence that treats its students as individuals. With a yearly entering class of approximately 150 students, FIU Law has the most competitive acceptance rate of all Florida law schools. The application process is rigorous and requires a completed application form, a $20 non-refundable application fee, Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or GRE scores, official transcripts, a resume or curriculum vitae, one letter of recommendation, and a personal statement. FIU Law seeks to enrol a diverse group of students who demonstrate academic and personal achievement and is committed to providing a rigorous legal education that meets the needs of an ever-changing world.

Application and fee

To apply for admission to FIU Law, you must submit the following documents before the application deadline. Applications for admission will not be processed more than one year in advance of the date for which entrance is sought.

• A completed Application for Admission must be accompanied by a $20.00 non-refundable application fee. The application must be completed in full and signed.
• FIU Law only accepts applications submitted via LSAC. Visit www.LSAC.org and create an account.
• Supplemental documents may be attached to your LSAC application. If you need to submit additional electronic documentation after submitting your application, you may do so by e-mailing them to lawadmit@fiu.edu.
• All applicants seeking admission to FIU Law must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or GRE. LSAT scores earned prior to June 2019 will not be accepted.
• Applicants sitting for the GRE should select Florida International University College of Law as a recipient of the results using the ETS school code: 4431.
• Official transcripts from each undergraduate, graduate, and professional school you attended must be sent directly to LSAC. All candidates must have been awarded a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year institution.
• Applicants have the option of submitting a resume/curriculum vitae in lieu of completing Parts C and D of the application.
• Applicants have the option of submitting one letter of recommendation. For current college students or recent graduates, the letter must be an academic recommendation.
• The Admissions Committee requires a personal statement. In no more than three typed, double-spaced pages, discuss your reasons for pursuing a legal education and your goals or future plans upon graduation.

The deadline for submission of a completed application is June 30. Applications received or completed after this date will be considered as class space permits.

Test scores

All applicants seeking admission to FIU Law must take either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

LSAT

To register for the LSAT, contact the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at Law School Admission Council, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940-0998, or by telephone at 215.968.1001. You can also visit their website at www.LSAC.org to obtain a registration packet. FIU Law will not accept LSAT scores earned prior to June 2019. Students must sit for the LSAT no later than June to be considered for admission in August of the same year.

GRE

If you are taking the GRE, select Florida International University College of Law as a recipient of the results using the ETS school code: 4431. Visit the GRE website to register for the exam. Determine if you qualify for the GRE Fee Reduction Program. If you have any questions about using a fee waiver, contact GRE Institutional Services at GRE_Fee_Reduction@ets.org or 1-609-771-7092.

If you have already taken the GRE, make sure there is a reportable score in your ETS account and order an Additional Score Report to be sent to FIU Law. When registering, you may have already designated the College of Law as a recipient, in which case a score report will be sent automatically. Students must sit for the GRE no later than June to be considered for admission in August of the same year. Please note that the Admissions Committee will consider your highest GRE score but will be able to see all your reportable scores (including the GRE and LSAT).

Transcripts

FIU Law requires official transcripts from each undergraduate, graduate, and professional school you have attended. These must be sent directly to LSAC (Law School Admission Council). All candidates must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year institution.

If your transcripts are not in English, you must submit a translated copy in addition to the official transcripts. The translation must be completed by an official translation service or translator accredited in the United States or your home country.

Prior to matriculation, admitted students must request that their undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools submit a final official transcript to FIU Law's Director of Admissions and to LSAC.

If you have studied outside of the United States, you must submit a course-by-course credential translation and evaluation, including a grade point average (GPA) calculation, for all non-U.S. coursework. FIU accepts evaluations and translations from any NACES member evaluation service.

Resume/CV

A resume or CV is an optional component of the application for admission to FIU Law. However, it is a good idea to include one, as it can help strengthen your application.

Your resume or CV should include examples of your professional, academic, civic, and extracurricular accomplishments. This could include your employment history, honors and awards, community service, foreign language proficiencies, and military service.

When creating your resume or CV, be sure to highlight any experiences or achievements that demonstrate your leadership ability, commitment to public service, and command of global issues. These are all factors that the FIU Law Admissions Committee considers when evaluating applications.

In addition to your resume or CV, you will also need to provide other documents such as test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Make sure to carefully review the application requirements and deadlines to ensure that you submit a complete application on time.

Letters of recommendation

Number of Letters:

FIU Law requires at least one letter of recommendation as part of your application. You have the option to submit additional letters if you desire. Submitting multiple letters from different recommenders can provide a more holistic perspective on your qualifications and character.

Who Should Write the Letters:

For current college students or recent graduates, the letter must be an academic recommendation. This means it should be written by a professor, instructor, or academic advisor who can speak to your academic performance, intellectual capabilities, and potential for success in law school. If you have been out of school for an extended period, you may also seek letters from employers, mentors, or other professionals who can attest to your character and abilities.

Content of the Letters:

Submission Process:

FIU Law prefers that letters of recommendation be submitted through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) as part of your application package. This ensures a secure and efficient delivery of your recommendation letters. You can provide your recommenders with instructions on how to submit letters through LSAC.

Waiving Your Right to View:

When submitting letters of recommendation, you will have the option to waive your right to view the letters. This means you are giving up your right to read the letters and are allowing the recommenders to provide their honest assessment of your qualifications. Waiving your right to view is often seen as a sign of authenticity and can carry more weight with the admissions committee.

Timing and Deadlines:

Make sure to give your recommenders ample time to write and submit their letters before the application deadline. It is a good idea to request letters at least a month in advance to account for any delays. The completed application, including all supporting documents, must be submitted by the deadline of June 30th. Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis as space permits.

Frequently asked questions