LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

All applicants must take the LSAT or GRE. We recommend that you complete the admission test no later than February of the year in which you wish to apply. We accept scores from the June LSAT for the same year, but the application must be submitted by July 1.

You must submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation through the LSAC. At least one recommendation must be from an academic source, such as a professor who can comment on your critical thinking, writing skills and potential for success in law school. 

Submit Letters of Recommendation

Official transcript(s) (in English or with translation) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution with regional accreditation for that degree and previous graduate credit and degrees must accompany an application. Official transcripts of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for all students. USD Knudson School of Law shall have on file the student’s official transcripts verifying all academic credits undertaken and degree(s) conferred. USD Knudson School of Law retains the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.

Official transcripts must be sent directly to the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law from the issuing institution(s). Official transcript(s) may be sent in paper or electronic format. A paper official transcript must bear the original seal and signature of the official in charge of records at that institution. An electronic official transcript must be transmitted directly between institutions using the electronic transcript service authorized by the issuing institution and acceptable to the receiving institution. A transcript delivered by the student or issued to the student is not official. Official transcripts must be received by the USD Knudson School of Law by October 15 of the student’s first semester of matriculation at the USD Knudson School of Law. If the official transcript is not received by that date, the student will be administratively withdrawn.

Submit Transcript

You must submit a one- to two-page personal statement with the application through the CAS. Your personal statement may contain but is not limited to the following topics:

• What has led to your interest in law school?
• What would you describe as your most significant accomplishment?
• What would make you a successful law student?
• What do you want to do with a law degree?
• How would you contribute to the law school community and legal profession?
• Describe any life experiences that have shaped you as an individual or led to your interest in law school.
• Describe challenges you've encountered and how you have overcome them. 

For the purpose of admission, an international student is defined as a student who is, or will be, in the United States on a non-immigrant visa. International applicants are required to submit all application requirements listed above, as well as the following materials:

English Proficiency Test Scores

A Proficiency Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 79 on the internet-based TOEFL or 550 on the written TOEFL is required for admission. The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) exam is also accepted with a minimum score of 6.0. The PTE Academic English Test is also accepted with a minimum score of 53.

Students from English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland and New Zealand, are not required to submit a TOEFL score if their academic records indicate that English was the classroom language for the majority of their schoolwork. Foreign students who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an American college or university are not required to submit a TOEFL score.

Financial Ability Requirements

Once you have been accepted to USD, your I-20 cannot be issued until you have proven financial ability. You must complete the financial ability form and provide official financial documentation showing the amount of cost to attend USD. If the statement is not your personal bank statement, a letter from the person owning the bank account is necessary indicating that person will be sponsoring you. Please send the form and financial documents together.

Financial Ability Form - Contact the Gallagher International Center

Candidates wishing to transfer from another accredited law school must follow the procedure for regular applicants. In addition, you must provide transcripts showing the grades of all law coursework attempted and a letter from the dean of your previous law school attesting that you are in good academic standing and eligible to re-enroll.

Submit Transcripts  Submit Letter of Recommendation

You must also request an official copy of the CAS report to be sent to the USD Knudson School of Law Office of Admissions from the LSAC. Photocopies will not be accepted. Electronic requests for reports may be made here.

Credit for courses taken at an ABA-approved law school in which you earned a grade of C (or the numerical equivalent) or better usually will transfer, but those grades will not be calculated into your cumulative grade point average at the USD Knudson School of Law. Determination of transfer credit acceptance is made by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. For more information about transferring, please consult the Academic Rules and Student Policies.

To be eligible for a Juris Doctor, you must complete at least 50 semester hours of work in residence.

For further information, contact the office of admissions at law@usd.edu or 605-658-3505.

If you want to attend the USD Knudson School of Law as a visiting student, you must complete an online application via LSAC and provide a letter from the dean of your law school, certifying that you are in good academic standing and eligible to re-enroll. You must have the permission of your dean to enroll in any classes offered at the USD Knudson School of Law and may enroll only in those courses that have received prior approval.

Dean's letters may be sent to:

USD Knudson School of Law
Office of Admissions
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069

For further information, contact the Office of Admissions at law@usd.edu or 605-658-3505.