LSAT Alternative Admission for In-State Undergraduate Students
The S.J. Quinney College of Law offers an an alternative pathway for admission consideration to undergraduate students from any of the eight (8) four-year institutions in Utah (University of Utah, Westminster University, Weber State University, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, Southern Utah University, Utah Tech University, and Brigham Young University). This program removes the LSAT standard requirement in our law school application. This alternative application process applies to students who meet specific criteria and plan to enroll in law school the fall semester immediately after they earn their undergraduate degree.
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Alternative Admissions Links
How does in-state undergraduate LSAT alternative admission work?
The American Bar Association (ABA) regulates admission standards for law schools. In some circumstances, variances are available to ease the restrictions in law school admissions. Utah Law receives a variance in addition to an exception under standard 503-3 that students from any of the eight four-year degree granting institutions in Utah who meet eligibility requirements can apply to Utah Law’s JD program without taking the LSAT entrance exam. To qualify, students must meet all of the following:
- Be ready to begin law school the fall semester immediately after they earn their undergraduate degree.
- Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher, as calculated by LSAC. Preference is given to applicants with a GPA of 3.9 or higher.
- Have an ACT or SAT score that places them in the top 15% of test takers with evidence of the score.
- Have NOT taken, or do not plan to take, the LSAT exam.
- Request an LSAT exemption as follows:
How to request an LSAT exemption
Send an email requesting approval to apply as an LSAT exemption applicant to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at admissions@law.utah.edu. Enter “LSAT Exemption Request” in the subject line.
In the body of the message, indicate that you are seeking approval as an in-state university (one of the eight four-year degree granting universities in Utah) bachelor’s degree applicant. Attach an unofficial copy of your undergraduate transcript and ACT/SAT score. After the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid verifies your eligibility by reviewing your transcripts and test score, you will receive a reply message indicating our decision for you to apply as a LSAT exemption candidate. If you are approved, you should then complete the application process through LSAC.org.
NOTE: Applicants admitted under the In-State Undergraduate LSAT Alternative Admission process may not sit for a future-dated LSAT. If an applicant admitted under the this process takes the LSAT, the offer of admission will be rescinded. The applicant may be reviewed under the regular decision process when the LSAT score is posted. All of the above criteria must be met to qualify. No exceptions can be granted.
How do I apply after an exception is granted?
To be considered for admission through this program, qualified students must complete the following application requirements:
Applicants must register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that transcripts from each U.S. college or university ever attended are sent to the CAS, regardless of credits being transferred or applied toward degree requirements.
A complete CAS Report includes:
- CAS Banner/Summary Page (produced by CAS when the applicant requests the CAS Report)
- Official Transcripts
- Letter(s) of Recommendation
You may apply before you receive your undergraduate degree. However, before you matriculate, you must provide official transcripts showing that you have been awarded a baccalaureate degree from a college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or be the foreign equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree.
You are required to have one (1) but may have up to three (3) letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf. Letters of recommendation should come from people who know you well and have had the opportunity to observe you, preferably, in an academic or professional setting. Letters must be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. To use this service, follow the instructions outlined on LSAC's "Letters of Recommendation" webpage.
The statement(s) you are submitting as part of your application are viewed as a document(s) demonstrating your writing ability. As noted in the application certification, you may use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in drafting the content of your statements. If you elect to use AI in drafting the content of your statements, you must disclose this and acknowledge the statements in which you used AI. The statements must be written in the following format: one (1) inch margins, double spaced, and a font size no smaller the 10-pt. The statement length limits are indicated in the prompts for each statement.
Candidates are required to submit a personal statement of no more than (2) two pages in length. The Admission Committee's goal is to assemble an intellectually stimulating community of students composed of individuals who have varied backgrounds and perspectives. In addition to outstanding academic ability, we seek students whose life experiences, backgrounds, and interests will enhance our educational community. This includes, but is not limited to, qualities such as leadership, maturity, organization, knowledge of other languages and cultures, sincere commitment to community service, a history of overcoming disadvantage, extraordinary accomplishment, or success in a previous career. The subject matter of your personal statement is up to you. The personal statement should let the Admission Committee know more about you as a person and should address the above qualities if that information is not presented in other areas of your application. Issues addressed in your personal statement may include the background, experiences, and events (positive or negative) that have affected you. You may address the perspectives and experiences you will bring to classroom discussions and the law school community or your motivations for seeking a legal education.
The S.J. Quinney College of Law requires that your foreign transcripts be submitted through the Credential Assembly Service. If you completed any postsecondary academic work outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study-abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly indicated as such on the home campus transcript. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee. An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), and will be incorporated into your Credential Assembly Service Law School Report. To use the Credential Assembly Service for your international documents, follow the online instructions for registering for the service. Be sure to print out a Transcript Request Form for each institution and send it promptly to them. More time is usually required to receive foreign transcripts. Questions about foreign transcripts and the Credential Assembly Service can be directed to LSAC at 215.968.1001 or LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
- Addendum
- Life Perspective Statement
- Leadership Statement
Important Dates and Deadlines
2025-2026
The October 2025 LSAT is the last exam considered for Early Decision.
Learn more about the Early Decision Program
The committee begins reviewing Regular Decision applications in early November. After the committee begins reviewing files (on November 1), decisions are generally made six (6) to eight (8) weeks after the date the applicant completes and submits the application.
NOTE: If an applicant completes and submits their application before the admission committee begins reviewing applications, a decision on the application will not be made until six (6) to eight (8) weeks after November 1.
First-round merit-on-entrance scholarship evaluations begin with this candidate group.
The January 2026 LSAT is the last exam considered for the priority consideration application deadline.
The April 2026 LSAT is the last exam considered for the final application deadline.
*The Early Decision application program is binding; thus, if you apply, and you are subsequently admitted, you commit to enrolling at and attending the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. If you submit your completed Early Decision application by October 24, you will be notified of your application status on or by November 21.
**Completed applications received after the final deadline will be reviewed if seats remain available.
Admission Factors
When we assess applicants for admissions, academic aptitude is not the only factor considered. Below is a list of considerations to keep in mind:
- LSAT score(s)
- Undergraduate GPA
- Advanced work, other degrees
- Major
- Difficulty of college course work
- Grade trends
- Dominant language or other language skills
- Quality of high school and prior academic experience
- Family education history
- Other test scores
- Hours worked and other responsibilities during school
- Age (Life experience)
- Geographic residence
- Socioeconomic status, family size
- Multicultural experiences
- Growing up in a low-income community
- Law related experience or knowledge
- Military status
- Work experience
- Position
- Level of responsibility achieved
- Full time, part time
- Number of years worked
- Type of industry or business
- Follow-through ability
- Undergraduate or graduate leadership activities
- Community leadership/accomplishments
- Volunteer activities
- Academic leadership and organizations
- Civic engagement
- Athletic activities
- Travel, foreign living
- Service activities
- Special skills and talents
- Music, drama, writing, artistic
Why Utah Law?
Law school is the first step towards a becoming a lawyer—a unique career that empowers you to make change in the world. Lawyers work in a wide variety of areas, including for businesses, courts, nonprofits, governments and more. They have a versatile degree that can be tailored to practice many areas of law, such as litigation, environmental law, family law, business law, public interest law, and more.
The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law is one of the top law schools in the nation. Our students love our welcoming, tight-knit community. They build strong relationships with their professors and classmates, and have access to a range of resources that help them succeed in law school and launch fulfilling legal careers.
The JD is a three-year, full-time, in-person program. Classes include lectures, small-group seminars, and experiential education—real-world learning through practice. Students can choose from seven optional certificates of specialization, which focus on specific areas of law. After graduating, students must pass a bar exam that qualifies them to begin practicing law.