St. John’s Law stands as a distinguished institution committed to providing an exceptional legal education deeply intertwined with its Vincentian mission and a global perspective. Situated within the dynamic metropolitan landscape of New York City, St. John’s Law strives to cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community while empowering future legal leaders.
Embracing the Vincentian Mission at St. John’s Law
At the heart of St. John’s Law lies a profound commitment to the Vincentian mission, guiding its principles and actions. This mission propels the institution to:
- Ensure Access to Excellent Legal Education: St. John’s Law actively works to open doors to legal education for individuals from all backgrounds, with a particular focus on those facing economic, physical, or social disadvantages. This commitment to accessibility underscores the belief that a legal education should be within reach for all deserving individuals.
- Uphold Rigorous Academics and Innovative Scholarship: The pursuit of knowledge is central to St. John’s Law. The institution is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing its reputation for rigorous teaching methodologies, impactful scholarly research, and the innovative application of legal knowledge to address contemporary challenges.
- Foster an Equitable and Inclusive Community: St. John’s Law champions diversity in all its forms, fostering a community where diverse experiences and perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. The institution is steadfast in its commitment to building an anti-racist environment that emphasizes respect for the rights and inherent dignity of every individual.
- Inspire Civic Engagement and Social Justice: St. John’s Law instills in its students a sense of civic responsibility and a passion for justice. The curriculum and ethos of the institution encourage students to critically examine the root causes of injustice and to actively seek adaptable, effective, and concrete solutions to these pressing societal problems.
- Empower Future Legal Leaders: The ultimate goal of St. John’s Law is to equip its graduates with the comprehensive knowledge, essential skills, and core values necessary for successful leadership within the legal profession on local, national, and global stages.
This mission statement serves as a constant source of inspiration, reminding the St. John’s Law community of its aspirational goals and its enduring commitment to providing a transformative legal education grounded in excellence and social responsibility.
Navigating J.D. Admissions at St. John’s Law: A Holistic Approach
The J.D. admissions process at St. John’s Law is designed to identify individuals who possess the qualities and skills deemed crucial for thriving in a demanding and intellectually stimulating legal academic environment. While standardized test scores like the LSAT and GRE, along with undergraduate GPAs, are considered, St. John’s Law employs a holistic review process that goes beyond mere numbers.
Students studying at St. John's University School of Law
This comprehensive evaluation aims to understand each applicant as a whole person, considering a wide array of factors, including:
- Academic Readiness: This encompasses a review of LSAT/GRE scores, academic transcripts (GPA, major, course rigor, and academic trends), disclosures of performance on prior standardized tests, completion of advanced degrees (Master’s or Doctorate), and relevant certificate programs.
- Skills and Professional Readiness: St. John’s Law values practical experience and professional skills. The admissions committee considers professional work history, internships, fellowships, and insights gleaned from letters of recommendation to assess an applicant’s readiness for the legal profession.
- Commitment to Community: A strong alignment with the Vincentian mission is highly valued. The committee evaluates an applicant’s engagement in volunteer work, contributions to societal advancements, and demonstrated ethical standards, seeking individuals dedicated to service and justice.
- Challenges Faced and Overcome: Recognizing that life experiences shape individuals, St. John’s Law considers challenges applicants have faced and overcome, including adversity, socio-economic impacts, experiences with injustice, and disabilities. This aspect of the holistic review seeks to understand resilience and perseverance.
- Commitment to the St. John’s Law Mission: A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the St. John’s Law mission is essential. The admissions committee looks for clear indications that applicants are eager to join a community-oriented institution with a rich history of promoting fairness, equity, anti-discrimination, and anti-racism.
J.D. Admission Requirements: Essential Steps to Apply to St. John’s Law
To be eligible for admission to St. John’s Law’s J.D. program, applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and submit a valid standardized test score from either the LSAT or the GRE. For those aiming to meet the priority application deadline of March 15, 2025, it is recommended to take the LSAT or GRE no later than February 2025.
St. John’s Law utilizes the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to streamline the admissions process. Registration with CAS is mandatory for all applicants, regardless of whether they choose to apply with an LSAT or GRE score. To register for the LSAT and CAS, please visit the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) website at LSAC.org.
Applicants submitting GRE scores should request that their official results be sent directly to St. John’s University School of Law using the ETS code: 2624. This ensures that your scores are accurately and efficiently processed as part of your application to St. John’s Law.
Assembling Your Application Materials for St. John’s Law
Prospective first-year J.D. students at St. John’s Law are required to submit a comprehensive application, including the following materials:
- Electronic Application Form: Accessible through LSAC.org, the electronic form is the central component of your application.
- Resume: A detailed resume presented in reverse chronological order is required. This should encompass all employment experiences, volunteer activities, extracurricular involvements, and educational institutions attended. Any gaps in time exceeding three months that are not explicitly explained on the resume should be addressed.
- Personal Statement: A personal statement or essay is a crucial element of the application. Applicants are encouraged to write on a topic of their choice, with suggested themes including their motivation to pursue a legal career, their perspective on a recent current event, or reflections on a meaningful community service or extracurricular experience. The recommended length is two typed, double-spaced pages. Ensure your LSAC account number is included on your personal statement.
- Supplementary Statement (Optional): St. John’s Law recognizes that applicants may have unique backgrounds and experiences that have shaped their journey. This optional essay provides an opportunity to share information about challenges overcome, significant life factors, or aspects of their identity and development that they wish the admissions committee to consider. This may include socioeconomic challenges, educational obstacles, societal barriers, experiences with discrimination or prejudice, health issues, disabilities, immigration status, or complex family circumstances. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather an invitation to provide a more comprehensive understanding of your strengths and personal narrative.
- Additional Merit Aid Statement (Optional): St. John’s Law offers merit-based scholarships to outstanding applicants who demonstrate academic excellence and align with the institution’s mission. This optional statement allows applicants to further articulate their qualifications for merit aid, particularly if they are first-generation college students, have overcome adversity, are committed to community service, or possess backgrounds and interests that resonate with the school’s mission and the legacy of alumnus Theodore Jones, L’72.
- General Addendum (Optional): Applicants seeking to provide further context or explanation for specific aspects of their application, such as gaps in education or employment, undergraduate academic performance, or LSAT/GRE scores, may submit a general addendum.
- Video Interview (Optional): St. John’s Law offers a unique opportunity to submit an optional video interview. This allows applicants to showcase personal attributes and provide additional information not readily apparent in the written application. A video interview link will be provided one business day after application submission and must be completed within seven calendar days.
- Character & Fitness Addendums: If you answered “yes” to any character and fitness questions on the application, a separate addendum providing further details is required.
- Prior Law School Matriculation Explanation: Applicants who have previously attended a J.D. program must submit an addendum explaining their withdrawal. If the applicant left the prior law school in good standing, a letter of good standing and an official transcript from that institution are required. If the applicant was academically dismissed, a detailed explanation of the circumstances, reasons for readiness to return to law school, and an official transcript are necessary.
- Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report: Submitted directly through LSAC.org, the CAS Report is a comprehensive document that includes academic transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree programs; official LSAT or GRE scores (GRE scores submitted via ETS); the LSAT Writing Sample (if applying with an LSAT score); and letters of recommendation (a minimum of two, maximum of three, from academic or professional sources).
Character and Fitness Standards for Aspiring Attorneys at St. John’s Law
Individuals intending to practice law should be aware that bar admission is contingent upon meeting character, fitness, and other qualifications. It is advisable to review the specific requirements for the jurisdictions in which you intend to practice by consulting the National Conference of Bar Examiners website: https://www.ncbex.org/character-fitness.
Admission to St. John’s Law does not guarantee admission to any state bar. Applicants with concerns regarding their ability to meet the moral character requirements for bar admission are encouraged to contact the Board of Law Examiners or the Committee on Character and Fitness in their intended jurisdiction of practice for guidance.
Honors Early Decision Program: A Binding Path to St. John’s Law
For applicants who have identified St. John’s Law as their top choice, the highly competitive Honors Early Decision (HED) Program offers a binding admission pathway. Successful HED applicants receive a non-forfeitable merit scholarship, ranging from $25,000 to full tuition, applicable for the three years of full-time J.D. study. Part-Time Flex applicants are also eligible for HED consideration, with scholarships adjusted for the four-year part-time program duration.
St. John's Law building exterior on a sunny day
Admission to the HED program is based on a thorough evaluation of academic readiness, skills and professional preparedness, commitment to community engagement, experiences overcoming challenges, and alignment with the St. John’s Law Mission. HED applicants typically present strong academic profiles, with grades and/or test scores at or exceeding St. John’s Law’s median figures.
Honors Early Decision Application Deadlines:
- November 1
- December 1
- January 1
Decisions are released by the last day of the month corresponding to each deadline. Applicants admitted through the HED Program are obligated to withdraw all pending applications at other law schools within five business days of admission and are prohibited from initiating new applications to other law schools. A full seat deposit is required within two weeks of admission for admitted HED applicants.
Applicants not admitted through the Honors Early Decision Program will automatically have their applications considered during the regular admission cycle at St. John’s Law.
Part-Time Flex Day Program: Flexible Legal Education at St. John’s Law
St. John’s Law recognizes the diverse needs of prospective law students and offers a flexible four-year Part-Time Flex Day Program. This customizable program allows students to tailor their schedules to accommodate personal and professional commitments. In the first year, part-time classes are typically held three days per week, potentially reducing to two days per week in subsequent years.
Crucially, part-time students at St. John’s Law have access to the same comprehensive range of classes, activities, hands-on learning opportunities, and academic support services as full-time students, ensuring an equivalent and enriching educational experience.
For more detailed information about the Part-Time Flex Day Program, please visit the dedicated webpage: Part-Time Flex Day Program webpage.
International Students at St. John’s Law: Welcoming a Global Community
St. John’s Law warmly welcomes applications from international students. Applicants who have earned a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, from a foreign institution may be admitted to the J.D. program under the following conditions:
- Compliance with all regular J.D. admission requirements and procedures, including LSAT or GRE completion.
- Submission of academic records to the LSAC J.D. Credential Assembly Service for evaluation.
International students admitted to St. John’s Law who have entered the United States on B-1, B-2, or F-2 visas, or who are in undocumented status, must change their visa status to F-1 student visa status before registering for classes. Applicants requiring an F-1 student visa (Form I-20) should select “F-1” for Visa Type on their application and ensure they are not permanent residents.
International J.D. applicants can access further information and support through St. John’s International Student and Scholar Services Office: International Student and Scholar Services Office.
St. John’s Law is committed to supporting undocumented and DACA applicants. While these applicants are eligible for merit-based scholarships, they are responsible for other attendance costs due to ineligibility for federal loans. It is important to note that the New York Court of Appeals has not yet issued a uniform ruling regarding bar admission for undocumented attorneys.
Deferred Admission Policy at St. John’s Law
Deferred admission to the J.D. program at St. John’s Law is granted in limited cases and only for compelling reasons. Generally, applicants admitted in one admission cycle are expected to enroll in that year and must reapply for admission in subsequent years if they wish to defer enrollment. Requests for deferred admission must be submitted in writing to [email protected].
Contact St. John’s University School of Law Admissions
For any inquiries or further information regarding admissions, please contact the St. John’s University School of Law Admissions Office:
St. John’s University School of Law
Admissions Office
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
718-990-6474
[email protected]
