Application for First-Year Enrollment

LSAT and Other Resources

1. LSAT Preparation Scholarship – EXHAUSTED/CLOSED for Fall 2023, OPENS July 1 for Fall 2024

   Mitchell Hamline School of Law offers a scholarship to cover the cost of an online, self-paced LSAT preparation course offered by BluePrint. Applications open July 1 each year. Mitchell Hamline will make awards to selected recipients on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted or until March 1. Priority will be given to applicants from underrepresented backgrounds (e.g., students of color, first generation, LGBTQIA+. economically disadvantaged, and/or active military or veteran) with demonstrated financial need.

   2022-2023 Mitchell Hamline School of Law LSAT Preparation Scholarship Application

2. Discounted BluePrint LSAT Preparation and Free Logic Games Book

   Mitchell Hamline has partnered with BluePrint LSAT Preparation to offer a discounted self-paced, online LSAT preparation package available for interested prospective applicants. After the discount, the total cost is $385. BluePrint offers a three-month time frame to study and sit for the LSAT. This course includes access to the Official LSAT Plus®. BluePrint also offers a free trial. For more information about how to obtain the discounted price of the course, please contact Ann Buesgens at ann.buesgens@mitchellhamline.edu.
   BluePrint LSAT Preparation
   Free LSAT Logic Games eBook

3. Khan Academy

   Through a partnership with the Law School Admissions Council, Khan Academy offers free, personalized LSAT preparation materials including interactive lessons, timed practice tests, strategies, tips, and more to help you build the skills you need to reach your LSAT goals. This course includes access to the Official LSAT Plus®.
   Khan Academy

4. LexScholars

   A free program through AccessLex for underrepresented students that provides LSAT prep and admission counseling. The application cycle begins in March each year for the following application cycle.
   LexScholars

5. Barnes and Thornberg Prelaw Scholars Program

   Scholars are eligible to receive up to $2,500 to help pay for the LSAT application, LSAT study course, credential assembly service, and law school application fees.
   Barnes and Thornberg Prelaw Scholars Program

6. Native Forward Student Access Scholarship

   This scholarship helps cover the cost as well as preparatory expenses related to the LSAT for American Indian and Alaskan Native students.
   Native Forward Student Access Scholarship

7. Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Program

   This program offers a select number of students a free LSAT prep class each summer at the University of Minnesota Law School.
   Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Program

8. Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)

   CLEO is an organization that expands opportunities for BIPOC and low-income students to attend law school. They offer a variety of programs for people doing their undergraduate to post-baccalaureate work.
   Council on Legal Education Opportunity

9. Kaplan and Vela Wood LSAT Prep Course Scholarship

   Black students are invited to enroll in Kaplan’s LSAT Live Online program at no cost.

   Kaplan and Vela Wood LSAT Prep Course Scholarship

10. Admission Unmasked™

    Admission Unmasked™ is an invaluable program for those planning to apply to law school and is hosted by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). This program covers important application components, how to make informed choices about where to apply, what a law degree could mean for your career, how to write an effective personal statement, and preparing for the LSAT (and more!).
    Admission Unmasked™

For more information about LSAT preparation resources, please contact Ann Buesgens.

Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The exam is offered nine times a year. Scores are typically released four weeks after the exam date. Other application materials can be submitted in advance of receipt of your LSAT score. The admissions committee will look at all scores when reviewing an application for admission, taking into consideration score trends, the most recent score, and the average of all reported scores. Mitchell Hamline will consider the highest LSAT score among multiple scores for the purpose of scholarship awards.

You may include an addendum of no more than one page, double-spaced, explaining any exceptional circumstances relating to test preparation or testing conditions or providing other information that will help the admissions committee interpret your scores.

LSAT writing sample

At least one LSAT writing sample is required. The admissions committee reviews LSAT writing samples carefully, taking into consideration use of facts provided, reasoning, thoroughness, organization, and technical writing skill.

The Law School Admission Council administers the LSAT and charges a fee to take the LSAT. There is an LSAC fee waiver program for candidates who cannot afford to pay for the exam.

• LSAT Fees

LSAT scores are reportable by LSAC for five years from the time of testing. Applicants must have a reportable LSAT score to be considered for admission.

• Register for the Law School Admission Test at LSAC.org

Register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

You will submit several documents necessary to complete your application for admission through CAS.

• Register for the Credential Assembly Service at LSAC.org

After you submit all official undergraduate and graduate school transcripts and letters of recommendation (see below for more information) you will submit a request to LSAC to have a CAS report submitted to Mitchell Hamline School of Law. The CAS report will include these materials and your LSAT score(s) and LSAT writing sample.

Request transcripts

Request official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended. Transcripts must be sent to CAS using the form provided by LSAC. Mitchell Hamline requires that students have earned a bachelor’s degree before entering law school.

The admissions committee will review all your undergraduate and graduate work from every institution and program you attended. The committee will consider trends in your grades, specific coursework, and the length of time since your coursework.

You may include an addendum of no more than one page, double-spaced, explaining any exceptional circumstances relating to your post-secondary education experience or providing other information that will help the admissions committee interpret your grades.

Note: If you withdrew or were dismissed from any law school in the past, please provide an official transcript from the law school, a complete explanation, and information about why you believe you will succeed at Mitchell Hamline.

Obtain letters of recommendation

Two confidential letters of recommendation are required. Your recommenders must submit their letters directly to CAS. Letters submitted directly to Mitchell Hamline will not be accepted.

You have the option of submitting up to two additional letters of recommendation, for a total of four letters.

Your recommenders should know you well and be able to assess your personal qualities and your potential for success in law school. They should describe at least some of these characteristics:

• Academic ability, including creative thinking, reasoning ability, analytical skills, and oral and written communication skills
• Leadership and interpersonal skills
• Motivation and self-discipline
• Demonstrated ethics

The admissions committee strongly prefers letters that are no older than two years and from recommenders who know you through a work, academic, or other professional setting.

LSAC Letters of Recommendation Information

Complete application for admission

Applications must be submitted online. We do not charge an application fee.

Attach a personal statement

Your personal statement should be two to three double-spaced pages in length and include any information that will help the Admissions Committee make admission or scholarship award decisions. Please consider including such information as:

• Your reasons for applying and your specific legal interests
• Life and career goals
• Particular experiences or background applicable to law school
• Academic abilities or special skills, talents, or strengths
• Leadership and interpersonal skills
• Experiences in your journey to law school that show motivation, persistence, resilience, or ability to overcome obstacles

We also urge you to discuss reasons you believe Mitchell Hamline is the right school for you, including information about why you chose to apply for part-time or full-time enrollment, on campus or in the blended format.

Attach a values statement

Mitchell Hamline values being a leading law school in civic engagement, public service, social justice, and access to law school and the legal profession.  Your values statement should be one to two doubled-spaced pages in length and explain what it means to you to attend a law school with these specific values.

Attach a scholarship addendum (if applicable)

A student may apply to both scholarships, however, if rewarded, only be granted one of the two scholarships.

Northstar Scholarship

If you are applying to the blended-learning enrollment option and you intend to use your legal education to practice law in a rural area, reservation, or small city or town currently underserved by local lawyers, please explain in a one-page, double-spaced essay your ongoing experience with and commitment to practice in that community.

• Clearly indicate that you are applying for the Northstar Scholarship. See Mitchell Hamline Scholarships for more information.

Native Justice Scholarship

If you are a Native applicant and/or you have demonstrated work experience in Native communities, please explain in a one-page, double-spaced essay your ongoing experience working in and with Native American communities and your intention to use your JD degree in the field of Native American law.

If you submitted documentation regarding your tribal affiliation and/or a heritage statement with your application, you do not need to include this information in the Native Justice Scholarship essay.

• Clearly indicate that you are applying for the Native Justice Scholarship. See Mitchell Hamline Scholarships for more information.

Attach a résumé

Your résumé should include a complete history of your post-secondary employment and education, including graduation and employment dates, colleges, and degrees received. It may also include a listing of significant extracurricular activities, volunteer or community service experience, leadership activities, awards and honors, or internships. The resume is not limited to one page.

Attach character and fitness addendum(s) (if applicable)

If you answered “yes” to any character and fitness question, you must submit a full explanation and relevant documentation. The explanation should include clear information about what occurred as well as your response to the incident. If relevant documentation is unavailable, please explain why it is not available.

Provide a separate addendum for each question to which you answered “yes.”

Other standardized tests

If you have taken the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) and would like to include your scores in your application, please use Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s code (4750) to submit them. Mitchell Hamline does not require GRE scores or accept them in place of the LSAT score. However, we will take your GRE scores into consideration if you submit them.

Verify bar exam eligibility

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. Each state or jurisdiction has its own unique requirements, which may include activities to be completed prior to examination or admission to the bar, such as pro bono service, or registration during your first year of law school (as early as within 60 days of starting law school). Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

• National Conference of Bar Examiners

Many Mitchell Hamline applicants plan to sit for the bar in Minnesota. Applicants with questions regarding their past conduct and character and fitness standards in Minnesota are encouraged to call the Minnesota State Board of Law Examiners at 651-297-1857 for a confidential consultation with a Character and Fitness Administrator.