JD Frequently Asked Questions

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About Georgetown Law

What are the medians? For the 2011 entering class: UGPA - 3.71; LSAT - 170
What is the size of the entering class? For the 2011 entering class:  510 Full-time students; 68 Part-time students.
How diverse is the class? For the 2011 entering class: 47% were women and 25% identified as members of a racial or ethnic minority.
What is tuition? Tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is $46,865 for the Full-time program and $33,500 for the Part-time program (*Entering part-time students carry 20 credits for the first year.)
Do you offer clinical programs? Yes.  We offer 14 clinical programs.
What extra-curricular activities are offered? There are currently approximately 65 different student organizations on campus.
What are the housing options? Built in 1993, the Gewirz Student Center offers on-campus housing with furnished apartments for approximately 1/3 of the entering class.  The Office of Residence Life also conducts an annual student Housing Orientation Program (SHOP) to assist students in finding off-campus housing.
Where is Georgetown Law located? At the intersection of Massachusetts and New Jersey Avenues, near the capitol and U.S. Supreme Court.  600 New Jersey Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20001.   The Admissions Office is located in McDonough Hall, Room 589.  Click here for directions.
Do you offer tours? Yes.  We offer information sessions and tours throughout the Fall and Spring. Please click here for a schedule.

 

First Year

What is a typical first year class like? The first year class is divided into 5 full-time sections (of approximately 100 students) and 1 part-time section.  Within each section there is a mid-size class and a smaller research and writing section.  Mentors and advisors are assigned to the smaller sections.
Are there tutorial programs? Yes.  Conducted by the Dean's office, tutorial groups are established for each of the five first year sections.  Each group is coordinated by an upper-class tutor who meets with participants at least once a week for two hours.  Any particular learning issue that arises is given individual attention.  Additionally, upper-class students are available to give one-on-one tutorial assistance.
Are there opportunities to meet faculty? Yes.  In addition to regular office hours, Georgetown Law has a Learn at Lunch program in which faculty members discuss an area of law they are interested in and students brown bag it on a walk-in basis.  Another luncheon discussion series Georgetown Law offers is a program called First Wednesdays, where faculty, students, and invited guest speakers get together in an informal setting to discuss cutting edge legal issues.  There are also periodic student receptions which faculty attend, and many professors are active with student organizations as well.

 

Admissions Process
How many people applied last year? Georgetown receives the most applications out of any law school.  This past year, we received over 10,000 applications.
May I apply for both the Full-time and Part-time programs? Yes.  JD candidates may apply to be considered for the Full-time Division, Part-time Division or Both.  Applying to "Both" divisions signifies to the Admissions Committee that you are equally willing to attend either the Full-time or Part-time program if offered admission to Georgetown Law.  If the Admissions Committee approves your application, it will specify in your acceptance letter the division to which you have been admitted.
Is there a GPA or LSAT cutoff? No.  There is no minimum GPA or LSAT required for admission.  Georgetown Law does not use numerical cutoffs.
Does Georgetown Law have rolling admissions? Yes.
When should I apply? Because we have a rolling admissions system, it is to your advantage to complete your application as early as possible in the application cycle.  Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early.
When are the application deadlines? Please click here.
Can I apply online? Yes.  JD applicants to Georgetown Law (except Early Assurance Applicants) may use the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Electronic Application system, which will be available on September 15th on the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) website at www.lsac.org or through the Apply link on this website.  Online applicants must pay the $85. application fee by credit card.  (Early Assurance JD Applicants must submit a paper application; please click here for specific instructions on how to apply.)
Do you offer fee waivers? Yes. Georgetown Law does grant need-based fee waivers on a case-by-case basis. Please note that the deadline to apply for a need-based fee waiver is February 1, 2012.  To apply for a need-based fee waiver, the Georgetown Fee Waiver Application Form must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions prior to the submission of your electronic application. If approved, you will receive email notification with instructions on how to proceed with your electronic application submission.  (Please allow up to 2 weeks for the fee waiver application review process.) Fee waivers are automatically granted to those who receive a fee waiver through LSAC. Georgetown Law waives the JD application fee for all active Teach For America corps members and alumni/a. Requires a letter of successful program completion or a copy of current Teach For America acceptance.  Applicants who desire a fee waiver must contact the Office of Admissions prior to submitting their JD application to provide their LSAC account number and required Teach For America documentation. Georgetown Law waives the JD application fee for all Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Requires a description of service.  Applicants who desire a fee waiver must contact the Office of Admissions prior to submitting their JD application to provide their LSAC account number and required Peace Corps documentation. Georgetown Law waives the JD application fee for all Truman Scholars. Requires submission of an award letter.  Applicants who desire a fee waiver must contact the Office of Admissions prior to submitting their JD application to provide their LSAC account number and required award letter.  Georgetown Law waives the JD application fee for all military veterans and service members. Requires submission of a DD-214 or personal service record.  Applicants who desire a fee waiver must contact the Office of Admissions prior to submitting their JD application to provide their LSAC account number and required documentation.
When will I know the decision? Typically, it takes eight to twelve weeks after your file is complete. However, it depends upon the volume of applications received. If your file is complete by March 1, every attempt will be made to send a decision no later than April 15.
What is the length of the personal statement? There is no minimum or maximum length. We do not feel that an applicant's personal statement should be limited. Please send in your personal statement with your application.

 

Early Decision
What is the Early Decision Process? The Early Decision process is a binding early notification process. When applying via Early Decision, your decision will be mailed within 3 weeks of your complete date if your application is complete with all required documents by February 1.
  Please note: Early Decision is a binding application process. If your application is complete with all required documentation (including application form and fee and personal statement, letter(s) of recommendation, resume, etc.) by February 1, a decision will be communicated to you within 3 weeks of completion. If your Early Decision application is submitted after February 1, the Admissions Committee will expedite review of your application but will not guarantee a decision within three weeks of completion. Early Decision applications may be submitted as early as October 1. Early Decision applications must be complete with all required documentation by March 1.
May I apply Early Decision if I am taking the February LSAT? Yes.  You should submit all required documentation (including your application form and fee, personal statement, letter(s) of recommendation, resume, etc.) by March 1.  Since your Early Decision application will not be complete with all the required documents by February 1, the Admissions Committee will expedite review of your application but will not guarantee a decision within three weeks of completion.  
What decision may I receive by applying through the Early Decision process? Admit, Deny, Waitlist, or Defer. In the past we have deferred about 15% of the applicants to the regular admissions process in order to get a better sense of the applicant pool. Early Decision applicants that receive a Deferred or Waitlisted decision are no longer bound to attend Georgetown.
What if the Admissions Committee defers my Early Decision application to the Regular Admissions Process? If the Admissions Committee chooses to defer an applicant to the regular admissions process, your decision will be non-binding.
If I am denied through Early Decision, may I apply through the regular admissions process? No. Since an applicant has a better chance by applying through the Early Decision process, we do not allow applicants to reapply through the regular admissions process.

 

LSAT
Must I register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)? Yes.  All ABA-accredited law schools will require you to register with CAS.
What is the minimum score I must get to be eligible for admission? Georgetown Law does not use numerical cutoffs in admissions decisions.
How are multiple LSAT scores addressed? For reporting purposes, Georgetown Law adheres to the ABA policy of reporting the higher LSAT score. For evaluation purposes, the Georgetown Admissions Committee typically considers the highest LSAT score. Georgetown may consider an average of scores if you have taken the LSAT more than two times. Please address any mitigating circumstances you feel the Admissions Committee should consider.
May I apply if I plan on taking the December or February LSAT? Yes.  Due to our rolling admissions process, however, we strongly encourage you to take the LSAT by the October test date if you plan to apply. Although we will accept the February LSAT, taking an earlier exam is strongly encouraged.
What is the oldest score that you will accept? We accept LSAT scores that are five years old. For Fall 2012 applicants, candidates must have taken the LSAT on or after June 2007.

 

Recommendations
May I use the CAS Letter of Recommendation Service? Yes. This is the preferred method, however, you may submit the recommendations in a sealed envelope or have them sent directly by your recommender(s) to Georgetown Law.
How many recommendations do you require? We require only one recommendation or evaluation for the JD application, but you may submit as many as you like. Please note, however, that once we receive one recommendation or evaluation, your application is considered complete and sent to the committee, unless you request in advance that we hold your application until we receive all of your recommendations/evaluations.
How many recommendations do people generally submit? On average, applicants tend to submit about 3 recommendations.
May I submit a recommendation from an employer rather than a professor? Yes. If you are still in school or less than 3 years out, academic recommendations are preferred, but non-academic recommendations are accepted.
May I submit an LSAC Evaluation Form in lieu of a traditional letter of recommendation. Yes.
Do you accept composites / recommendation packages from universities? Yes.

 

Joint Degree Programs

What joint degree programs do you offer? We currently offer 16 joint degree programs:  JD/MA or JD/PhD in Philosophy, JD/MAAS, JD/MAGES, JD/MALAS, JD/MAREES, JD/MASSP, JD/MBA, JD/MPH (with Johns Hopkins), JD/MPP, JD/MS FS, JD/PhD in Government (PhD and Masters en passant), JD/LLM Tax, JD/LLM Securities and Financial Regulation, JD/LLM International Business and Economic Law and JD/LLM National Security Law.
Do I apply to these programs separately or as part of the JD application? Separately.
Is acceptance to either program contingent on acceptance to the other? No.
Do I use the same application? No.  Each program within the joint degree has separate admission procedures and separate applications. You must be admitted to both programs separately before you can enter the joint degree.
Do I have to take the GRE, GMAT or other exam? The following programs will accept the LSAT in lieu of the GRE: MPH (with Johns Hopkins), MSFS, MPP, and MASSP.  The MBA program requires the GMAT. All other programs (MAAS, MAGES, MALAS, MAREES, Government and Philosophy) require the GRE.  Note:  Please check directly with the Admissions Office of the other program you are interested in to make sure you are meeting all of the application requirements.
May I apply for a joint degree program after I am accepted into the law school or another program? Yes. Please check with each individual program for application timing and process.  Also, since admissions decisions are made independently, you are not guaranteed any special admissions consideration if you are already enrolled in or accepted to another program.
Do I have to apply for the JD and MA programs at the same time? Although it is recommended that you apply to these programs at the same time, it is not required. Many first year law students apply to the additional program in the fall of the 1L year and become joint degree candidates if admitted.
Do joint/concurrent degree program grades appear on the Georgetown Law transcript? No.
How do the joint degree programs work together? Through the integration of the curricula of the two schools, enrolled students are able to earn degrees in an accelerated program, instead of the time normally required when completing the degrees separately. Georgetown Law has designed these programs to allow students to earn two degrees in a condensed time frame by offering reciprocal credit for coursework. (Completion time varies by program and whether the student is attending part-time or full-time.)
How does attending the part-time program affect the joint degree process? Please check with each individual program for timing requirements. The JD/MPP, JD/ MASSP, JD/MALAS, JD/MAREES, and JD/Government programs offer a full-time program and part-time evening program.  The JD/MPH, JD/MSFS, JD/MBA, and JD/MAGES are full-time programs only.  Students pursuing the JD/Philosophy degree may take the JD program on a full- or part-time basis, but must take the Philosophy program on a part-time basis.
If I am not enrolled in a joint degree program, may I still take graduate courses at another school? Students are allowed to transfer a maximum of 6 credits from another graduate degree program. Georgetown Law JD Academic Services can advise on the feasibility of pursuing a concurrent degree.

 

Part-Time Division

Is the part-time degree/diploma the same as the full-time degree? Yes. Aside from the number of credits and time of the courses (evening), part-time students receive the same opportunities to pursue clinics, journals and moot court.
Are the professors who teach part-time courses the same as those that teach full-time? Yes. Full-time faculty rotate and teach both full-time and part-time courses.
Is it harder to schedule all the classes you want to take because the offerings are more limited in the evening? No. Generally, Georgetown tries to offer the same courses during the day and evening.
Do prospective employers favor full-time students over part-time students? No. Employers do not distinguish between full-time and part-time students. However, fewer part-time students elect to participate in the summer associate program because of their work commitments.
May part-time students participate in journals, moot court and clinics? Yes.  All Georgetown Law JD students are eligible.
May I transfer to the full-time program? Students can request to switch divisions at the completion of their first year of law school, however, approval is granted on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

 

Transfer and Visiting Students

Does Georgetown Law accept transfer students? Yes.
Please click here for specific transfer FAQs.
Does Georgetown Law accept visiting students? Yes.
Please click here for specific visitor FAQs.
Last updated 12/1/11