Application for Visiting Students

Admission to Mitchell Hamline School of Law is based on both academic and nonacademic factors. We encourage you to submit all information that you feel we need to know to make an admission decision. We don’t require admission interviews but encourage applicants to schedule informational sessions with admissions representatives. We look forward to reading your application, and hope to meet you soon!
Students enrolled in other ABA-approved law schools who seek to take a semester or year of courses at Mitchell Hamline may apply as visiting students. Note that applicants seeking to apply as a visitor to the hybrid program should contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@mitchellhamline.edu or 651-290-6476 before beginning the application.

Complete application for admission

To be considered as a visiting student, you will need to fill out the application form, and submit it online together with a personal statement and a résumé. Visiting students do not need to fulfill the LSAT and CAS requirements. Mitchell Hamline School of Law does not charge an application fee.

Attach a personal statement

Your personal statement should be one to three pages in length, and should include any information that will help the Admissions Committee act on your application. We encourage you to tell us why your application should be considered favorably. Please include such information as:

• Your reasons for wishing to visit Mitchell Hamline
• Life and career goals
• Particular experiences or background applicable to law school
• Academic abilities or special skills, talents, or strengths
• Leadership and interpersonal skills

Statement of Interest

The statement of interest is required of applicants to the Hybrid Program only. Your statement of interest should be one to two double-spaced pages in length and distinct from your personal statement in that it should address the circumstances or experiences that have led you to seek admission to our Hybrid Program.

If 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 your essay your commitment to practice in that community. Please also consider reflecting on experiences that demonstrate the following qualities:

• Self-motivation
• Determination
• Discipline

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. Other information that you should list on your résumé includes community service, leadership activities, awards and honors, and internships.

Submit a current law school transcript

Official, certified copies of your law school transcripts must be sent to Mitchell Hamline’s Office of Admissions directly from your previous law school(s).

Request a letter of recommendation

One confidential letter of recommendation is required. Your recommender should be a professor from your current law school who knows you well and is able to assess your personal qualities and your potential for success in law school. He/she should describe at least some of these characteristics:

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

All recommendations should be written on official or personal stationery and should be mailed directly to the Admissions Office at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Request a letter of academic standing

The dean of your current (and previous, if applicable) law school must send a letter stating that you are in good standing and eligible to continue at that school. The dean’s letter should also state that the courses taken at Mitchell Hamline will be accepted by the applicant’s current law school.

Apply for visiting enrollment