- Prerequisites & Requirements
- The Test
- Applying (for Regular Admission, Transfers, Summer Program Admission, and Financial Aid)
- International Students
- Time it Takes to Graduate
- Part-time students Hybrid Students
- Dual Degrees
- Acceptance/Being Admitted
- LL.M. Program
Prerequisites & Requirements
Q: What are the prerequisites for law school?
To be eligible for admission to our Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants must also take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through the Law School Admission Council (http://lsac.org/jd/applying-to-law-school/cas).
Q: What undergraduate major should I choose?
No particular areas of undergraduate study are required or recommended. Applicants should select a major that interests them because students are more likely to earn better grades in such a program. We recommend that applicants take courses which develop research and writing skills, analytical thinking, critical reading and problem solving.
Q: How important are undergraduate grades and LSAT scores?
The Admissions Committee looks first at an applicant's undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) and LSAT score, but considers other factors. Undergraduate GPA and LSAT scores also weigh heavily in awarding merit-based scholarship awards.
Q: What factors besides undergraduate grades and LSAT scores do you take into consideration?
Most admissions decisions are based on a combination of factors, including the quality and strength of the applicant's undergraduate program, worthwhile community and extracurricular activities, employment during and after college, graduate work, and letters of recommendation (particularly those from faculty). The Admissions Committee recognizes that motivation and a willingness to work are also significant factors contributing to the applicant's success in law school and in the legal profession. Although these factors are difficult to assess, letters of recommendation from persons in a position to make candid evaluations of an applicant’s motivation and drive may be helpful.
Q: How can I bring other relevant information to the Admission Committee's attention?
Applicants are encouraged to include, in writing, any additional relevant information you wish the Admissions Committee to consider in making its decision. Some applicants show motivation by demonstrating a specific purpose for seeking a law degree or by showing through past actions a devotion to community causes that could be served more effectively by a lawyer. Some applicants show that their UGPA does not reflect their real academic ability because they were employed during college or were engaged in worthwhile extracurricular activities that took time away from college studies. Others who have excelled in some relevant field of endeavor show that their postgraduate achievement better represents their abilities than does their undergraduate performance. Applicants who have been disadvantaged because of economic, educational, racial, or cultural circumstances are advised to bring this to the attention of the Admissions Committee.
The Test
Q: When should I take the LSAT?
The LSAT is given multiple times a year. Specific dates and locations are available on the Law School Admission Council's Website: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/lsat-dates-deadlines-score-release-dates/future-lsat-dates. We strongly advise applicants to take the LSAT in the summer of the year preceding the year in which they plan to apply for admission, and not later than April of the year they wish to start law school. Please keep in mind that admission is rolling and taking the LSAT late in the admissions cycle could impact your likelihood of being admitted, as there may be minimal space available in the incoming class. If you wish to apply through our Early Decision Program, you must take the LSAT no later than October.
Q: How do I register for the LSAT?
Applicants may register for the LSAT and the CAS online at the Law School Admission Council's Website: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/register-lsat
Q: How long is my LSAT score valid?
An LSAT score is valid for five years for purposes of applying to Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Applicants can take the LSAT three times in a single testing year (June 1 to May 31) and five times within the past five years. Please note, the maximum times you can take the LSAT over your lifetime is seven.
Q: If I take the LSAT more than once, which score do you use?
We use your highest score.
Q: Do you accept the GRE?
Yes, we do accept the GRE in lieu of the LSAT. Applicants can register for the test at the following website: https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/register.html. IU McKinney's GRE DI Code is 3977. If you decide to take the GRE instead of the LSAT, you are encouraged to notify the Office of Enrollment Management at lawadmit@iu.edu to ensure the Admissions Committee receives your score.
Q: Which test is better to take?
Both the LSAT and the GRE are accepted for admissions decisions; however, the LSAT is a test specifically designed to assess an applicant's readiness for law school. Thus, the LSAT does carry more weight in an admissions decision. If an applicant takes both tests, the Admissions Committee will assess using the LSAT score.
Applying for Admission
Q: How do I apply for admission to the Law School?
In order to apply, you must register with the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS): https://www.lsac.org/jd-applicants.
Applications are only accepted via the CAS electronic application service. Your application will include a personal statement, resume, character and fitness explanations (if applicable), and optional addenda.
Applications are only accepted via the CAS electronic application service. Your application will include three, short-answer statements of motivations & goals, a resume, character and fitness explanations (if applicable), and optional statements.
Q: When should I apply?
We begin accepting applications on September 1. Our admission application priority deadline is March 1. Although we will accept applications through May 15, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications earlier in the admissions cycle. Applicants who wish to apply through the Early Decision Program must have their applications complete by November 15.
Q: Can I transfer to your law school from another law school?
An applicant will be considered for admission with advanced standing after completing the first year of law study at an ABA approved law school or a non-ABA approved law school pursuant to ABA standard 505. A maximum of 30 credit hours may be accepted for transfer. The amount of transfer credit depends upon the quality of the applicant's record and similarity of the course work completed at the other school to the program at the IU McKinney School of Law. For more information, see the instructions for Admission with Advanced Standing.
Q: How do I apply for financial aid?
The majority of law students finance their legal education, entirely or in part, by some combination of federal and private loans. To be eligible for federal loan assistance, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at http://fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is available online effective December 1st. The University’s federal school code is 001813 and should be included under “school choices."
Q: How do I apply for scholarships?
Merit Based Awards: The law school awards merit-based scholarship awards to entering first-year students each year. All entering students are considered for these awards. No separate application is necessary to be considered for the merit-based awards.
Donor Funded Scholarships: To be considered for one of our endowed scholarships, J.D. applicants must complete the Additional Questions for Scholarship Purposes section in the law school application. Recipients are chosen based on criteria specified for each award such as academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, interest in public service, need, or diversity. Award amounts vary and most of them are one-time awards. Student will be notified of selection in the spring after receiving a decision letter.
Q: When are scholarship decisions made?
Generally, a merit award is decided at the time the admissions decision is made. If an award notice is not included in the acceptance letter, the admitted student may, in rare circumstances, be awarded a scholarship at a later date. As funds become available, we could continue to offer awards up to the first day of orientation.
International Students
Q: How do I apply if I am a foreign student?
International applicants should use the online application through LSAC at https://www.lsac.org/jd-applicants/steps-apply-jd-programs . All transcripts are required to be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service. This service is included in the CAS subscription fee. If you completed postsecondary work outside the US (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. Questions about this service can be directed to LSAC at 215-968-1001, LSACINFO@LSAC.org or visit the website at http://www.lsac.org/jd/applying-to-law-school/cas for additional information.
International applicants are also required to complete the Indiana University Graduate Application which can be found under How to Apply at https://international.indianapolis.iu.edu/admissions/index.html. You must have ETS or IELTS send TOEFL or IELTS scores to LSAC to be included in your CAS report. If you are from or graduated with a degree from a college or university in the US or other English-speaking country, you may be exempt from submitting a TOEFL. Please visit IU Indianapolis's Office of International Affairs website for more information https://international.indianapolis.iu.edu/admissions/english-speaking-countries-undergrad.html.
Q: What is the application fee for foreign students?
The law school waived the application fee for this admission cycle.
Time it Takes to Graduate
Q: How long does it take to graduate from law school?
Full-time students can graduate in three years by taking an average of 15 credit hours per semester. Part-time students students usually graduate in four years by taking 10 credit hours each semester and 3 - 5 credit hours during summer. Students must complete the 90 credit hours required for graduation within a maximum period of 84 months.
Q: Can I graduate in less time?
Full-time students can graduate in 2 1/2 years by taking 16 credit hours each semester and 7 - 8 credit hours during each summer session. Part-time students can also accelerate by taking more credit hours each term, but not in excess of 11 credit hours per semester if employed full-time.
Q: Can I start law school in January or summer?
At IU McKinney, there is only a fall start date for students.
Part-Time Hybrid Students
Q: How are classes scheduled for part-time students?
Part-Time Hybrid students only attend in-person classes two days a week. Classes for part-time hybrid students are scheduled in the evening Monday and Thursday from approximately 5:30-9:00pm. Additional classwork, readings, and assignments are completed virtually in an asynchronous format throughout the week. For more information, visit https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/admissions/jd/part-time-hybrid.html.
Q: How many credit hours do part-time students take each semester?
Part-time students are required to take 21 credit hours during their first year, as well as a 3-credit hour summer class from mid-May to mid-July. Students can take fewer credit hours after their first year, but must complete the 90 credit hours required for graduation within a period of 84 months.
Q: How much time should part-time students expect to devote to attending classes and studying?
As a general rule, students study about two hours for every hour of class. Thus, part-time students attending class for 3.5-4 hours in the evening can count on approximately 8 hours of study time for each Monday and Thursday evening.
Q: Can I switch from part-time to full-time or vice versa?
First year students must stay in either full-time day classes or part-time evening classes for the entire first year. Part-time students also have to complete two required basic level courses after their first year in the evening. Otherwise, students may switch between full-time and part-time students status after the first year.
Dual Degrees
Q: Do you have any dual degree programs?
We offer the following dual degrees (formerly referred to as joint degrees):
- JD/MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- JD/MPA (Master of Public Affairs)
- JD/MHA (Master of Health Administration)
- JD/MPH (Master of Public Health)
- JD/MD (Doctor of Medicine)
- JD/MA (Master of Arts in Philosophy)
- JD/MA (Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies)
- JD/MSW (Master of Social Work)
It normally takes four years of full-time study to obtain dual degrees. Students usually spend the first year in law school and then take law courses and graduate courses in the other discipline concurrently for the remainder of the program.
Q: How do I apply for a dual degree program?
Applicants must apply to both the Law School and the school offering the other degree. Applicants will need to take both the LSAT and the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT. Please visit https://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/degrees/jd/joint-degrees.html for further information.
Acceptance/Being Admitted
Q: What is the application deadline?
March 1 is our priority deadline for admission applications and the deadline for international applicants. Early Decision applicants must have their files complete by November 15. All other applications must be submitted by May 15 and complete no later than June 15.
Q: When can I expect a decision on my application?
Early Decision Program applicants are notified of a decision by the end of December. All other applications are reviewed starting in November. If applications are complete by March 1, applicants will have decisions by the beginning of May. Applications completed after March 1 will receive decisions as soon as we receive decisions from the admissions committee. There is usually a 4-6 week turnaround time from completion to decision.
Q: If I am admitted, how do i claim my seat?
If you are offered admission into the incoming 1L class, you must pay a nonrefundable $500 seat deposit to hold your seat. The admission packet and your online status checker will note your deposit due date. You will also need to complete the IU Indianapolis Graduate Application so that your university identification can be created and have an official copy of your undergraduate transcript showing the conferral of your baccalaureate degree sent directly from the degree granting institution or to LSAC to be added to your CAS report.
Q: How will I receive correspondence from the law school?
Most correspondence between the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM) and applicants is done via email. There may also be some telephone calls and mail. It is essential that applicants keep their address, email address, and telephone numbers up to date with the OEM to avoid missing important correspondence.
Q: If I have been accepted to several law schools and made multiple seat deposits, when should I notify the schools I decide not to attend?
If you make seat deposits at more than one law school, you should contact the schools you decide not to attend as soon as possible so they can release the seat to another applicant.
Q: On the “Character and Fitness” section of the application, how much detail do I need to give if I have answered “Yes” to any of the questions?
You must attach a statement of explanation, giving full details including the facts and disposition regarding ALL civil and criminal matters – juvenile and/or adult, that you have been involved with or a party to. Any incident relating to your character, ethics or integrity should be addressed. This explanation must also include details of all incidents that have not been sealed by a court. Please note that expungement and dismissal are distinct and all offenses that have been dismissed must be disclosed.
Pursuant to Indiana Code §35-38-9, you are under no obligation to disclose expunged offenses to the law school as part of your application for admission. However, you are strongly encouraged to do so. Many state bars, including Indiana, require disclosure of expunged and/or sealed records for assessing character and fitness for admission to the bar. As such, admission to law school and completion of J.D. requirements does not guarantee that you will be able to sit for or be admitted to the Indiana bar (or another state’s bar).
Please be advised that you will have a continuing obligation to maintain the accuracy of these statements throughout the admissions cycle. If you are offered admission, your obligation will continue after your admission and during your enrollment as a student of our school. Failure to disclose may result in the revocation of your admission and/or your law degree as well as exclude you from taking the Bar exam.
If there are any updates, please submit a statement of explanation immediately to the Office of Admissions. Such an update may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Disclosure of all arrests, convictions, accusations, felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, speeding tickets and traffic offenses, as a juvenile or adult, that were not sealed by a court. It is strongly recommended that you include a copy of your Department of Motor Vehicles record with your application.
- Disclosure of all small claims, divorce, landlord/tenant, protective orders, guardianship, or bankruptcy proceedings.
Disclosure of any suspensions, warnings, expulsions, disciplinary proceedings, academic probation from a college, university, law school, or professional organization.
Q. Will I be able to sit for the Bar exam if I have Character and Fitness issues?
A condition for admission to the Bar is proof of good moral character. Prior to being certified to sit for the Bar, Bar Examiners may review the information that is contained in your application during their character and fitness investigation. You are advised to check with the board of examiners or Supreme Court in the state(s) in which you intend to practice law to determine whether any incidents you may have will preclude your admission to the Bar. Please be aware that Admission to law school and/or graduation from law school does not guarantee that you will be approved by the board of law examiners to sit for the Bar.
Q: HOW DO I REGISTER FOR 1L CLASSES?
You will not register for 1L classes until the summer before your 1L year. Our Office of Student Affairs will handle creating your schedule and will provide the necessary information to register for the correct classes.
Q: WHAT’S THE 12 MONTH IN-STATE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT?
In order to meet the 12-month residency requirement, you must have been physically present in Indiana—for a primary reason other than to get an education—for 12 consecutive months prior to your first day of classes.
LL.M. Program
Q: Do you offer an LL.M. degree?
We offer a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree with the following tracks: American Law for Foreign Lawyers; International & Comparative Law; Health Law, Policy & Bioethics; and Intellectual Property Law. This degree allows foreign law graduates to take the bar examination in some American jurisdictions. For more information regarding the LL.M. degree, please visit the LL.M. Program Website at www.mckinneylaw.iu.edu/admissions/llm/index.html.
Q: How do I apply for the LL.M. program?
Application forms, as well as additional information about these programs, are available at www.mckinneylaw.iu.edu/admissions/llm/index.html.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us by e-mail at lawadmit@iu.edu, or call us at 317-274-2459.
