Application Process

We will accept applications for the 2008-2009 academic year between September 1, 2007, and February 15, 2008. Filing of the application form alone is sufficient to meet the regular-decision deadline of February 15. (We also have a binding Early Decision option, for which the deadline is November 15.) However, because we use a rolling admissions process (that is, we review applications in the order in which they are completed), applicants are strongly encouraged to submit Michigan’s application form and all supporting documentation as early as possible in the admissions season. Thus, applicants who submit supporting materials after the February 15 deadline (such as letters of recommendation and LSDAS reports) may be at a disadvantage.

In addition to registering with LSDAS and registering for and taking the LSAT, all applicants to the University of Michigan Law School must complete and submit an application for admission and pay an application fee of $60. Michigan also requires a letter of recommendation and a personal statement. An applicant’s file is considered complete when the application for admission, the application fee, one letter of recommendation, a list of activities and work experiences, the personal statement, and an LSDAS report have been received by the Admissions Office. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that all application materials and supporting credentials have been received by the Law School. Once an application is complete, it will be submitted for review, and we are not able to delay review to await additional materials.

We encourage you to keep track of your application status via our online status check system.

For additional information, please see the FAQ.

Letters of Recommendation

Although Michigan requires only one letter of recommendation, applicants are encouraged to submit three. For most applicants, the most helpful recommendations are from undergraduate or graduate faculty. Applicants with significant work experience may also wish to submit letters from employers.

Letters of recommendation may be sent to the University of Michigan Law School Admissions Office in any one of three ways. Letters may be sent directly to the Law School by the recommender; they may be sent to the Law School by a college career or placement office; or they may be sent by LSDAS, if the applicant participates in the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. Please note: due to processing constraints, any targeted letters of recommendation sent through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service should be designated for the fall term, regardless of the term (fall, summer, or either) the applicant applies for.

Each letter of recommendation must be accompanied by a signed declaration of the applicant’s intent regarding access to the letter. While no special form is required, we provide with the application a declaration form which may be photocopied for distribution to multiple recommenders. Letters sent through LSDAS should be accompanied by the LSDAS form.

Applicants should not include letters of recommendation with their application, even if the letter has been sealed by the author.