Application Components

California Western accepts reportable scores from the LSAT, the GRE General Test, and the JD-Next course with exam. The American Bar Association permits law schools to accept all three tests for admission decisions. Applicants are encouraged to take the test that will best display their aptitude for law school. The results of each test are reviewed by the Admissions Office as part of the application evaluation process. If more than one test is taken, we will consider the highest reported score. However, the Admissions Committee will see all scores reported. The results of each test are reviewed by the Admissions Office as part of the application process. 

Applicants should take the LSAT, GRE, or JD-Next by June in order to meet the final deadline of July 31st for Fall 2024 admission.  

For JD-Next course and exam information, visit the JD Next | Aspen Publishing website.

For GRE test dates, deadlines and preparation tools visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) webpage. 

Check the Law School Admission Council website for LSAT test dates and deadlines. LSAC partnered with Khan Academy to offer online test preparation resources.

All applicants are required to provide a two-page personal essay. The personal essay is your chance for the Admissions Committee to get to know you. We encourage you to highlight unique or valuable experiences gained outside the classroom. Whether you are a working professional who is looking to return to school to join the legal field or you completed a valuable internship that inspired your pursuit of a law degree, or you have a specific goal of using your law degree to help underserved communities, a well-written personal statement can play an important factor in the admissions process.   

PLEASE NOTE: The Admissions Committee does not conduct personal interviews.

California Western believes a diverse student body enhances the educational experience for all students. We encourage students from all walks of life to submit a diversity statement if they feel their background can enhance the law school’s goal of diversity and educational enrichment. To ensure the benefits of diversity, we consider applicants with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and personal characteristics, along with academic credentials, when reviewing applications.  

Examples of factors that may be considered for diversity purposes include but are not limited to the following:

• Ethnic minority applicants.
• LGBTQIA+ applicants.
• Older applicants or applicants with work experience.
• Applicants from geographically diverse areas.
• Applicants with disabilities.
• Applicants who have overcome economic, religious or cultural disadvantages, personal adversity or other social hardships.
• Applicants who have lived in a foreign country or come from a home where English is a second language.
• Applicants with unusual career goals, employment history, volunteer or community service, or military or law enforcement experience

An applicant who wishes to have his/her background or experience considered as part of the admissions process should provide written detailed information about his/her background or experience as part of the personal statement or in a separate diversity statement.

If you have perceived weakness in your application, you can submit a separate statement explaining that perceived weakness to the Admissions Committee. This could include, but is not limited to, unique situations that affected your LSAT score or an illness in college that impacted your grades. It is important to note this written statement should not be used as a means for making excuses for substandard academic performance or test scores but as a means of explaining perceived weaknesses or inconsistency.

Applicants must submit transcripts to LSAC for processing from all colleges or universities they have attended. To enroll, you should send an official final transcript, documenting undergraduate degree completion and date received, directly to LSAC. If you are still completing classes to finish your undergraduate degree, we must have your final transcripts no later than by October 15.  

If your official final transcript is not on file with California Western by your applicable deadline, you will be administratively withdrawn from all classes.

Resumes should include a summary of your volunteer and/or work history, and activities where a leadership role is held.

Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation. We do not require recommendations from a specific source; however, we encourage you to select someone who can speak to your work either in the classroom, at a job or internship, or in a mentorship capacity.