admissions overview
DESCRIPTION
Admissions OverviewTRANSCRIPT
2
As educators, we prepare our graduates to be responsible
members and leaders of the legal profession, commonwealth,
and nation who are dedicated to the highest standards of
ethics, excellence, and professionalism.
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF LAW
1320
4
6
8
10
11
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
17
18
19
20
22
24
28
30
31
32
34
35
36
38
UK Law: A Tradition of Excellence
Lexington: The Heart of the Bluegrass
The University of Kentucky: The Ultimate Student Experience
The First Year: A Cooperative Learning Environment
Orientation
1L Curriculum
Program Requirements
Law Library
Second and Third Years: Flexibility and Opportunity
2L & 3L Curriculum
Dual Degrees
Other Outside Study
Student Input
Student Organizations
Study Abroad
Co-Curricular Programs
Real World Experience: UK Law’s Clinical Offerings
Career Services: Expert Help from Former Practicing Attorneys
The Faculty: Dedicated to Teaching, Accessible to Students
Admissions: Seeking a Talented Diverse Student Body
The Process
The Requirements
Affording UK Law: Financial Aid and Scholarships
Tuition & Financial Aid
Scholarships
UK Law: Experience it Firsthand
Table of Contents 3
“ Thank you for your interest in the
University of Kentucky College of Law.
We have a nationally recognized, yet
accessible, faculty and a superb curriculum.
Our graduates are leaders at every level of
government and in the nonprofit and private
sectors. I invite you to visit us soon.”
— David A. Brennen, Dean, University of Kentucky College of Law
A T
RA
DIT
ION
O
F E
XC
ELL
EN
CE
UK
LA
W:
5
www.law.uky.edu
UK FACTS
Colleges
Professional schools
Master’s degree programs
Doctoral degree programs
States and over 100 countries represented in student body
166
1206150
Located on the University of Kentucky’s main
Lexington campus, the College of Law is large
enough for a diverse and interesting curriculum,
and small enough to foster relationships among
students, faculty and administrators. UK is a
small law school including approximately 410
full-time students and 30 full-time faculty
members. We are the commonwealth’s first law
school and one of the nation’s first state law
schools. UK Law has been approved by the
American Bar Association since 1925 and was
elected to the Order of the Coif in 1931.
UK’s main campus is located within walking
distance of downtown Lexington. The University’s
16 academic and professional colleges along with
the graduate school support more than 26,000
students. The College of Law and our students
benefit from the instructional and recreational
facilities of this major university.
TH
E H
EA
RT
OF
THE
BLU
EG
RA
SS
LEX
ING
TON
:
7
PopulationOver 295,000 people live in Lexington-Fayette County. The estimated population of the metropolitan statistical area is almost 425,000.
Located in the center of the commonwealth, Lexington is surrounded by rolling hills of bluegrass and is home to some of the world’s most famous horse farms.
Lexington hosted an international audience for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
15 colleges and universities are located in the Bluegrass Region.
LocationWithin a day’s drive of 75 percent of the U.S. population, Lexington is strategically located at the intersection of Interstates 64 and 75. Lexington is accessible by air with approximately 100 direct and nonstop flights.
To learn more about the Lexington area, visit www.visitlex.com.
LEXINGTON FACTS
A beautiful and vibrant city, Lexington is the
heart of the Bluegrass Region and home to many
of the world’s most famous horse farms. Major
companies located in the Lexington area include
Toyota USA, The Valvoline Company, Long John
Silver’s Inc. and Lexmark International. Over
295,000 people live in Lexington-Fayette County,
and the estimated population of the metropolitan
area is approximately 425,000.
The nearby Kentucky Horse Park was the location
for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Keeneland Race Track is a must-see destination
for Thoroughbred racing during its spring and
fall meets. UK’s campus is close to downtown
Lexington, which is popular with students for its
clubs, restaurants, coffee shops, sports bars,
galleries and Thursday Night Live music fests.
The Lexington legal community is headquartered
downtown near the local and federal courthouses,
where the U.S. District Court for the Eastern
District of Kentucky, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court,
and state and local courts convene. The Kentucky
Supreme Court and the rest of state government
are located nearby in Frankfort, the state capital.
Within a day’s drive of 75 percent of the U.S.
population, Lexington is strategically located at
the intersection of Interstates 64 and 75. Lexington
is accessible by air with approximately 100 direct
and nonstop flights daily.
To learn more about the Lexington area, visit
www.visitlex.com.
www.law.uky.edu
9
TH
E U
LTIM
AT
E
STU
DEN
T E
XP
ER
IEN
CE
THE
UN
IVE
RS
ITY
OF
KE
NTU
CK
Y:
Johnson Athletic Center Amenities
• Basketball gymnasium
• Four-lane elevated jogging track
• Weight training and conditioning center
• Free group fitness classes
• Four racquetball courts
• Climbing wall
• Locker and shower facilities
As part of a major university campus, UK Law
offers our students a wide range of experiences
outside the classroom. UK provides great
opportunities for fans of the arts and athletics.
As a law student, you may obtain student
tickets to NCAA games and discounted tickets
to events at the Singletary Center for the Arts.
Whether or not they buy tickets, UK Law students
enjoy SBA tailgate parties prior to all home
football games.
UK is also a great place to stay in shape. In
addition to the Seaton Intramural Fields, Outdoor
Basketball Courts, Alumni Drive Club Sports
Fields, Arboretum walking/jogging paths and the
Complex Drive Tennis Courts, students also
have access to the state-of-the-art Johnson Student
Recreation Center and the Lancaster Aquatic
Center.
Among the University’s many services for
students is the Disability Resource Center,
which provides services for students with
physical and learning disabilities. The College
of Law works with the Center to provide
reasonable accommodations for any law
student with a documented disability.
For more information visit:
www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/DisabilityResourceCenter
www.law.uky.edu
10 11Orientation 1L Curriculum
Orientation August
Fall Semester August – DecemberContracts/Sales I 3 hoursLegal Research and Writing 4 hours Spans both fall and spring semestersTorts 4 hoursCriminal Law 3 hoursCivil Procedure I 3 hours
Spring Semester January – May Contracts/Sales II 3 hoursLegal Research and Writing 4 hours Spans both fall and spring semestersProperty 4 hoursCivil Procedure II 3 hoursConstitutional Law I 3 hours
For course descriptions, please visitwww.law.uky.edu
1L
A C
OO
PE
RA
TIV
ELE
AR
NIN
G E
NV
IRO
NM
EN
T
THE
FIR
ST
YE
AR
:
The atmosphere at UK Law is epitomized by
student participation in the orientation of
entering students. Each year, 70-90 upper-level
students volunteer their last summer weekend
to help orient the new entering class. Entering
students are divided into orientation groups of
approximately 10-14 students. Each orientation
group includes a number of upper-class students
who help new students through the orientation
process and their first year of law school.
Your orientation group will be in all of your larger
classes, giving you the opportunity to build
supportive relationships and perhaps a study
group with your peers. Orientation groups will be
mixed among the larger required class sections,
giving you the opportunity to get to know
everyone in your 1L class.
Legal Research and WritingSome members of your orientation group will also
be in your Legal Research and Writing (LRW)
class, a smaller class that meets for the entire first
year. The small size increases class interaction
with your professors and peers and ensures
individualized instruction and feedback from
your professors. As a result, you will receive
extensive feedback on all major writing assign-
ments, helping support your professional growth.
In addition to the full-time legal writing, clinical
and library faculty who are involved in UK Law’s
LRW program, a team of upper-level students
serves as Moot Court Advisors. The advisors who
are assigned to your LRW class will assist you in
preparing for an oral argument in connection
with your final writing assignment.
First-year (1L) law students have a set curriculum
of required classes. The only required courses
after the first year are Professional Responsibility,
one professional skills development course, and
one seminar involving a substantial writing
project.
www.law.uky.edu
12 13
To attain the degree of Juris Doctor, you
must satisfactorily complete six semesters of
full-time law study (90 semester hours of
credit) in professional law subjects with a GPA
of 2.0 or better, subject to the College’s rules
on readmission. Also, you must complete all
required courses (the first-year courses,
Professional Responsibility, at least one
professional skills development course, and
an upper level course meeting the substantial
writing requirement). Normally you will
take 14 to 16 credit hours per semester.
The course of study at the College of Law
is designed to be completed in six successive
semesters or, under an accelerated program,
in five semesters and two eight-week summer
sessions, allowing you to graduate in December
of your third year.
Recognizing the relationship between law
and other disciplines, the College’s academic
guidelines permit you to take up to six hours of
graduate-level course work approved by the
College of Law faculty in other colleges and
departments within the University of Kentucky
as part of the 90-hour requirement.
Program Requirements
ADVICE FROMCURRENT STUDENTS
“Get involved with law student organizations and groups.”
“Get to know your peers – they make the three years here even more worthwhile.”
“Relax and keep perspective.”
“Work hard, but remember to have fun!”
“Start outlining for finals within the first 3-4 weeks of class to make finals easier.”
“Always read for class and be prepared for questions.”
The Alvin E. Evans Law Library contains over
a third of a million volumes. The Law Library is
arranged to provide you with easy access to all
necessary research materials. In addition to state,
federal and administrative court reports, the
Law Library is a depository for U.S. Government
publications. The Library’s greatest resource is the
faculty and staff who are dedicated to providing
the best possible service.
You can bring your laptop computer to the
College of Law and be fully connected to all of
the Law Library’s computer research facilities.
The Library also has laptops available for you to
check out and use in the library. Our students
have access to Lexis® and Westlaw®, e-mail,
spreadsheet and statistical programs, graphics
and desktop publishing as well as other software
packages. The Law Library also houses UK Law’s
IT staff, who are certified Dell technicians and
famous among our students for being friendly
and helpful.
Law Library
14 152L & 3L Curriculum
FLE
XIB
ILIT
Y
AN
D O
PPO
RTU
NIT
Y
SEC
ON
D A
ND
TH
IRD
YE
AR
S:
UK Law offers a challenging education
about law, legal methods, legal institutions and
jurisprudence which draws upon all jurisdictions.
UK Law’s faculty encourages you in your second
and third year not only to take courses in
the area where you expect to practice, but also
to gain basic legal literacy and an understanding
of the depth and complexity of the law as a
whole. The courses currently offered in UK
Law’s upper-level curriculum are described
in the College of Law Catalog at
www.law.uky.edu/admissions/coursecatalog.
Many different courses are available and the
offerings are constantly evaluated and revised by
the faculty to meet changing times and needs
of a dynamic profession. In order to meet such
needs responsibly, the College reserves the right
to enhance the curriculum through revision in
the future. “A law professor is first and foremost a teacher. Don’t be afraid to knock on our office doors.”
“ I encourage you to participate actively in class discussions, which will enhance your com-prehension of the material, your analytical skills and your oral communication skills.”
“Learn to focus. When you are preparing for class, be dedicated to that and nothing else. When you are in class, be a good listener and concentrate on the discussion.”
“Preparation is what distinguishes first-rate lawyers from their less successful colleagues. Being well prepared is a learned skill, and the time to develop that is in law school.”
ADVICE FROMUK LAW FACULTY
www.law.uky.edu
16 17
As an upper-class law student, you may receive up
to six hours of pass-fail credit toward your JD for
successful completion of graduate courses
approved by the law faculty. You also may enroll
in any other graduate and undergraduate courses
(not counting toward the JD) without special
approval or the payment of additional fees.
If you wish to do research and writing in a
specialized area or on a topic of particular interest
as a second- or third-year student, you may earn
up to four hours of academic credit for indepen-
dent research and study. You must obtain the
sponsorship of a faculty member who agrees to
recommend your project and oversee your work.
Our students are an integral part of our law school
community and are active participants in many
law school policies and decisions. Every UK Law
faculty committee includes at least one student
member. The Dean and Associate Deans meet
regularly with students and student leaders to
solicit their ideas and comments on issues affecting
the College of Law.
UK Law offers three dynamic dual degree
programs. To be a dual degree student, you
must apply and be admitted by both the
College of Law and the Graduate School.
For more information, visit
www.law.uky.edu/admissions/dualdegrees.
JD/Master’s in Diplomacy and International CommerceUK’s JD/MA joint program in diplomacy and
international commerce enables you to gain both
degrees in three and a half to four years. UK’s
Patterson School of Diplomacy has been ranked
among the nation’s top four graduate programs in
this area by the International Studies Association.
For more information on the Patterson School,
visit www.uky.edu/PattersonSchool.
JD/MBAThe dual degree of Juris Doctor and Master of
Business Administration is offered in cooperation
with the Gatton College of Business and
Economics. Depending upon your undergraduate
background, you can obtain both degrees in four
years. You can find out more about UK’s MBA
program at www.gatton.uky.edu/MBA/Index.asp.
JD/MPAThe dual degree of Juris Doctor and Master’s
in Public Administration is a four-year program
offered in cooperation with the Martin School
of Public Administration. The Martin School’s
Public Finance/Budget Program has been ranked
among the nation’s top five graduate programs
in this area by U.S. News & World Report. For
more information about the Martin School, visit
www.martin.uky.edu.
Dual Degrees Student InputOther Outside Study
18 19Student Organizations
The majority of our students are active in one or
more student organizations, all of which provide
the opportunity for social activities, community
service and contact with members of the local bar.
Student Bar AssociationThe Student Bar Association (SBA), affiliated
with the Law Student Division of the American
Bar Association, serves as a student governance
organization and represents law students in
the formation of law school policy.
SBA also serves as a law student activities
board, scheduling annual events such as football
tailgate parties, the Barristers Bowl flag football
game against law students from the University
of Louisville, a Halloween costume party, the
formal Barristers Ball, the Libel Show, weekend
afternoons at Keeneland Race Track, the ‘Cardozo
Open’ golf tournament and the ‘Malpractice
Mixer’ with UK medical and dental students.
Additionally, the SBA sponsors community
service projects such as ‘work-a-day’ with local
charities, Habitat for Humanity projects, the IRS
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program
to help lower-income persons and undergraduate
students with their tax returns, and the annual
‘Ambulance Chase,’ a 5K race held a the UK
Arboretum to benefit the UK Legal Clinic.
UK’s SBA has received several awards from the
American Bar Association, including being
named the best Student Bar Association in the
nation in 2002.
Student Public Interest Law FoundationThe Student Public Interest Law Foundation
(SPILF) promotes student awareness of and
interest in public interest job opportunities. In
addition to sponsoring speakers on public interest
topics, SPILF awards summer fellowships that
pay your expenses to work for a public interest or
public service organization. SPILF has supported
student fellows across Kentucky, as well as
nationally and internationally. Each year, 10-20
students receive SPILF summer grants.
• American Civil Liberties Union
• American Constitutional Society
• Asian and Pacific American Law Students Association
• Black Law Students Association
• Christian Legal Society
• Criminal Law Society
• Defense Research Institute, Student Division
• Environmental Law Society
• Equine Law Society
• Federalist Society
• Health Law Society
• Honor Council
OTHER STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
• Intellectual Property Law Society
• International Law Society
•Legal Running Club
• Libertarian Law Caucus
• National Latino/a Law Students Association
• Order of the Coif
• OUTLaw
• Phi Alpha Delta National Legal Fraternity
• Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
• Students for External Engagement and Development
• Tax Law Society
• Women’s Law Caucus
For more information on student organizations, please visit www.law.uky.edu/admissions/studentorgs
Study Abroad
UK Law students have the opportunity to study
abroad in the Spring semester London Law
program. The London Consortium includes six
other law schools and is taught by UK Law
faculty as well as faculty from those schools. If
you participate in the London Law program
and successfully complete your course work, you
will receive automatic credit on your UK Law
transcript. If you wish to study abroad in other
locations you have the flexibility to do so through
programs sponsored by other law schools.
For more information, see
www.law.uky.edu/admissions/studyabroad.
20 21Co-Curricular Programs
Four very popular student organizations are
part of the law school’s curriculum. If you qualify
for membership on the Kentucky Law Journal,
the Kentucky Journal for Equine, Agricultural, and
Natural Resources Law, the Moot Court Board or
the Trial Advocacy Board, you will gain course
credit for your work with these organizations.
Kentucky Law JournalThe Kentucky Law Journal (KLJ) is the tenth-oldest
law review published by the nation’s law schools,
with continuous publication since 1912. The KLJ
is edited entirely by a student editorial board,
with guidance from a faculty advisor. Each issue
contains articles written by KLJ members
encompassing a broad range of legal topics. KLJ
members acquire skills in legal research, analysis
and writing which supplement the training of
the law school curriculum.
Kentucky Journal for Equine, Agricultural, and Natural Resources LawThe Kentucky Journal for Equine, Agricultural,
and Natural Resources Law (KJEANRL) is also a
student-run journal which publishes the scholarly
work of law professors, practitioners and UK Law
students. Its articles address a wide range of
issues relating to environmental law, equine law,
agricultural law and natural resources law.
KLJ and KJEANRL student members are selected
through a competitive candidacy program.
Moot Court BoardThe Moot Court Board helps run the first-year
oral advocacy program and conducts an extensive
upper-class program, which you can elect in
your second year. The Moot Court Board and
National Moot Court Team are selected through
intra-school competition. UK’s National Moot
Court Team has a long history of success, winning
both regional and national titles.
Trial Advocacy BoardThe Trial Advocacy Board is a student
organization that focuses on the skills and
training necessary for effective trial advocacy.
Membership on the board is determined by an
intra-school competition, open to you in your
second year. Members of the Trial Advocacy
Board participate in inter-scholastic competitions
and coordinate and conduct intra-school
competitions for both 1Ls and 2Ls. UK’s Trial
Advocacy program is of growing reputation, with
UK Law teams advancing to national competitions
in 9 of the past 14 years, placing second in the
nation in 2009 and among the nation’s Elite Eight
in 2010 and 2011.
CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM
Trial Advocacy Board• 2009 National Runner-up, NITA Tournament
of Champions
• Kentucky intrastate winners: 6 of 11 years
• Winner, regional trial tournament for Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana Law schools, 5 years running
• First Place and Best Advocate, Kentucky Mock Trial Tournament
• Regional Finalist, National Trial Competition Seventh Circuit Regional
Moot Court Board• 1st place, George Washington Religious Freedom
Moot Court Competition
• Best Oral Advocates, Sual Lefkowitz Moot Court Regional Competition
• 2nd Place, 2005 National First Amendment Moot Court Competition, Vanderbilt University
Kentucky Law Journal• 10th oldest student-run law review in the nation
UK
LA
W’S
C
LIN
ICA
L O
FFER
ING
S
RE
AL-
WO
RLD
EX
PE
RIE
NC
E:
23
Innocence Project ExternshipThis program places you with the Kentucky
Department of Public Advocacy’s Innocence Project,
where you can work on appeals for serious criminal
cases involving claims of factual innocence.
Judicial Clerkship ExternshipThis program assigns you to a local state or
federal judge to work in the judge’s chambers for
the semester.
Prison ExternshipIn this program at the Federal Correctional
Institute-Lexington, you will counsel inmates in
civil and criminal matters.
Prosecutorial ExternshipUnder the Kentucky Supreme Court’s
limited practice rule, you are able to participate
in criminal prosecutions in court under the
close supervision of an attorney with the
Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in Lexington.
UK HealthCare Risk Management Office ExternshipYou will learn about hospital risk management
while doing research, attending legal proceedings
and hospital committee meetings and reviewing
clinical investigations under the supervision of
the UK Hospital Risk Management Director.
UK Office of Legal Counsel ExternshipYou will participate in the application of law and
legal analysis at a public university and academic
medical institution, working with attorneys in
UK’s Office of Legal Counsel.
Externships and other clinical opportunities
outside the College allow you to obtain experience
in the general practice of law including applied
research, fact gathering, interviewing, counseling,
investigation, negotiation, working with outside
experts and trial advocacy.
The Legal ClinicThe College of Law’s Legal Clinic is directed
by Professor Allison Connelly, UK Law ‘83 and
former Kentucky Public Advocate. As a third-year
student, you will have a unique opportunity to
advise, counsel and represent needy clients in court
on a variety of legal matters. UK’s Legal Clinic
offers you an exceptional introduction to the
realities of legal practice and client representation.
Children’s Law Center ExternshipThis externship gives you the opportunity to
work directly with a supervising attorney in
representing children involved in high-conflict
custody cases, who are victims of sexual assault, or
who have educational disabilities or are homeless.
Child Advocacy Today Externship Working in partnership with Access to Justice
Foundation and UK’s Children’s Hospital, you will
provide free legal advice and representation to
low-income pediatrics patients and their families
as part of their healthcare team.
Department of Public Advocacy ExternshipYou will learn the criminal litigation process and trial
strategies by assisting attorneys representing indigent
criminal defendants in Family Court, Juvenile Court
and in District Court misdemeanor cases.
Energy and Environment Cabinet ExternshipThis externship enables you to work with attorneys
in the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet,
giving you insight into the legal and policy issues
arising from energy development and environmental
protection and the legal implications of emerging
energy strategies.www.law.uky.edu
25
The employment percentages for UK Law
graduates consistently have exceeded national
averages. These results are a reflection of the
dedicated staff of the College’s Career Services
office, which includes two UK Law graduates and
former practicing attorneys. The Career Services
Office staff provides countless hours of workshops,
job fairs, and one-on-one career counseling to
help students find positions that are personally
fulfilling as well as financially lucrative.
The majority of our graduates go directly into
private practice following graduation. Many
graduates also take judicial clerkships or pursue
legal careers in government service or business.
In fact, UK Law is one of the nation’s leading law
schools in placing students in prestigious federal
judicial clerkships. Located in Kentucky’s Golden
Triangle (formed by Lexington, Louisville and
the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area), the
College is ideally situated to place our graduates
in all of those cities. Many graduates who seek
employment outside of Kentucky go to other
states in our region and nearby cities such as
Atlanta, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Others
return to their home states, or take advantage of
opportunities nationwide. For the placement
locations of UK Law’s graduating class of 2011,
please see the next page.
EMPLOYMENT FAIRS
The College participates in many employment fairs including:
• Equal Justice Works Public Interest Law Job Fair, Washington, D.C.
• Mid-Atlantic Legal Recruitment Conference, Washington, D.C.
• Minority Opportunities Program, Nashville, Tennessee
• Patent Law Interview Program, Chicago, Illinois
• Southeastern Law Placement Consortium (SELPC), Atlanta, Georgia
• Southeastern Law Schools Minority Job Fair (SEMJF), Atlanta, Georgia
• Southeastern Intellectual Property Job Fair, Atlanta, Georgia
• Spring Southeast Legal Hiring Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
• Tri-State Diversity Job Fair, Covington, Kentucky
EX
PE
RT
HE
LP
FR
OM
FO
RM
ER P
RA
CTI
CIN
G A
TTO
RN
EY
S
CA
RE
ER
SE
RV
ICE
S:
www.law.uky.edu
26 27
49%
PrivatePractice
18%
State andFederalJudicialClerkships
8%
Government and Military
19%
Business
6%
PublicInterest andAcademic
ALUMNI STATS*
Employment AreasGraduating Class of 2011
*Data from the UK College of Law Career Services Office
76%
East SouthCentral
12%
SouthAtlantic
6%
East NorthCentral
1%
MiddleAtlantic
2%
New England
1%
Mountain
2%
West SouthCentral
Graduate LocationsGraduating Class of 2011
29
FACULTY FACTS
Ranking in the 2007 Princeton Review Professors that Rock (Legally Speaking) survey
Percentage of faculty graduating from top-25 law schools
Number of current faculty receiving the UK Great Teacher Award
5575
Two of UK Law’s major strengths are the
outstanding quality of the faculty and their
dedication to excellent teaching. UK Law
has strong traditions of open doors, faculty
knowing their students, and faculty concern
about their students’ progress and success.
The faculty teaching first-year courses are
particularly interested in meeting with you
outside class time to help you make a successful
transition to the law school curriculum.
UK’s teaching faculty represents a variety
of educational backgrounds. Their combined
experience includes many years of work in
major law firms and public interest programs
and clerking for state and federal judges before
selecting teaching careers. Because alumni
support has created a number of faculty
professorships, the College has hired and
retained scholars of outstanding caliber. For
more information on the UK Law faculty, please
visit their individual profiles at
www.law.uky.edu/admissions/facultyprofiles.
DE
DIC
AT
ED
TO
TE
AC
HIN
G,
AC
CES
SIB
LE T
O S
TUD
ENTS
THE
FA
CU
LTY:
www.law.uky.edu
31
Non-Academic Factors Other factors influence selection for admission
because they relate to potential professional
performance and the College’s goal of enriching its
academic environment with a diverse student
body. These factors include: geographic diversity;
cultural background; achievements and leadership
positions; perseverance and accomplishment
under adverse circumstances; diversity of reasons
for attending law school; and the potential for
providing legal services to under-served segments
of the population. However, your application must
show evidence of your ability to succeed academi-
cally at UK Law before non-academic factors can
play a role in the admissions decision.
The admissions decisions at the College of Law
involve a “full-file review” of each candidate’s
application. The goal is to admit a talented
and diverse student body that enhances the
educational process while serving the needs of
the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the legal
profession. Entering students are accepted for
the fall only, and UK Law does not offer a
part-time program. We encourage you to visit the
College of Law and to call with any questions;
however, we do not hold interviews as part of
the admissions process.
Numerical Factors In measuring your academic potential, the
Admissions Committee will begin with your
undergraduate record and grade point average
(GPA) and your performance on the Law School
Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT/GPA Grid
posted at www.law.uky.edu/admissions/grid is a good
starting point for determining your probability
of admission to UK Law “on the numbers.”
Additional Academic Factors Additional factors considered for their relevance
to your potential academic performance in
law school include: writing skills; the trend of
college grades; letters of recommendation;
the interval between college graduation and your
law school application; the performance of
students from your undergraduate school; college
grading and course selection patterns; and the
effect that outside work may have had on your
undergraduate performance.
The Process
SE
EK
ING
A T
ALE
NT
ED
D
IVER
SE
STU
DEN
T B
OD
Y
AD
MIS
SIO
NS
:
APPLICATION DEADLINES
September 1 The date the College of Law begins accepting appli-cations for the following fall. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning in November.
February LSAT In almost all cases, the last examination which will be accepted by the Admissions Committee.
February 1To receive priority consideration for admission and scholarships, you should apply by February 1 and complete your file by March 1.
March 15 Deadline for the College’s receipt of your application. If you apply after this date you may be considered, but only to the extent that space is still available.
March 15 The priority deadline for submission of your FAFSA financial aid form.
For a complete timetable for the law school application process, see www.law.uky.edu/admissions/timetable
www.law.uky.edu
32 33
All applicants for admission to the College of
Law must meet the following requirements.
Application and Fee Your application must be submitted electronically
through the Law School Admission Council
portal at www.LSAC.org.
There is a $50 application fee that must be paid
by credit card when you apply online at
www.LSAC.org.
Undergraduate DegreeYou must have obtained a bachelor’s degree
from an accredited institution prior to enrollment
at the UK College of Law. Initially, your
transcript(s) should be submitted to the LSAC
Credentials Assembly Service, even if your
transcript is from the University of Kentucky.
Be sure to provide transcripts from all institutions
from which you have received credits toward
your undergraduate degree.
The Requirements
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) Score(s)Registration and information for the LSAT are
available from the Law School Admission Council
at www.LSAC.org. If you have multiple LSAT
scores, the Admissions Committee will view all
scores but will consider only your highest score in
most cases, unless that score does not appear to
be as good a predictor of your performance in law
school as your average score. UK College of Law
rules require you to retake the LSAT if you most
recently took the test more than three years before
your expected enrollment.
The Credentials Assembly Service (CAS)The Credentials Assembly Service simplifies
the admissions procedure for you and for the law
schools. CAS is a centralized service from LSAC
that receives and evaluates, according to a
standard scale, the undergraduate transcripts of
all applicants and furnishes a report to the law
schools to which you apply. You should
register for the LSAT and CAS at the same time
at www.LSAC.org and you should do this as
early as possible.
Personal StatementYou must submit a personal statement in
accordance with the instructions on the application
form. You must write the statement yourself
using your own words and ideas. Your statement
will be used both as a sample of your writing
ability and for its insights into your background,
goals and potential for enriching the College’s
academic environment. For advice on writing
an effective personal statement, see
www.law.uky.edu/admissions/FAQ
Letters of Recommendation (two required)
The Admissions Committee requires that you
provide at least two letters of recommendation
from those with personal knowledge of your
abilities and qualifications to study law. The
Admissions Committee places the most weight on
letters from professors who have taught you and
are familiar with your academic strengths, but
will consider all recommendation letters to the
extent that the writers actually know you and can
speak to your academic potential, relevant
personal qualities and circumstances.
Character and Fitness ExplanationsThe College of Law Admissions Application
includes certain questions concerning your character
and fitness to be a member of the practicing bar.
These questions relate to prior criminal or disciplinary
charges, claims of fraudulent or deceptive conduct,
and similar issues. Be sure to provide a complete
explanation for any “yes” answer to these questions.
Because of the standard of truthfulness to which
lawyers are held, failure to report any such charge
can have more serious consequences than the
charge itself. The Admissions Committee will
consider your answers in its review, but a “yes”
answer in most cases will not, in and of itself,
preclude your admission. If you do answer “yes”
to any of the character and fitness questions, you
may want to check with the Board of Bar Admissions
or Supreme Court in the state where you intend
to practice, to make sure that you will not be
precluded from admission to the bar.
Other Materials (optional)
You may submit in writing any other information
you believe may be relevant to the admissions
decision. The Admissions Committee welcomes
and carefully considers whatever you think is
important enough to present.
35
The UK College of Law provides a high quality
legal education at a comparatively low cost for
both resident and non-resident students. We
understand that cost plays a large role when
considering where to pursue your legal education.
Cost can be especially important for students
who strongly desire to go into public interest law.
The University controls tuition and has the
right to change tuition and fees at its discretion.
Such changes are considered by the Board of
Trustees late in the spring of each year. For the
most current tuition figures, see www.law.uky.edu.
Applying for Financial AidAt UK Law, financial aid is administered by
the University of Kentucky Student Financial Aid
Office, and is designed to ensure that all students
admitted to the College of Law are able to
meet the basic costs of their education. Students
and potential students are directed to the
counselors in this central office for any questions
or assistance: Student Financial Aid, 128
Funkhouser Bldg., Lexington, KY 40506-0054;
859-257-3172; www.uky.edu/FinancialAid.
If you are interested in receiving financial aid,
you must complete the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and file it with
the appropriate federal processing center. You
can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To be
considered for all types of aid available, you
need to file the FAFSA by March 15 for the
upcoming school year.
Tuition & Financial Aid
FIN
AN
CIA
L A
ID
AN
D S
CH
OLA
RS
HIP
S
AFF
OR
DIN
G U
K L
AW
:
Financial aid is available to UK Law students from the following programs:
• Federal Perkins Loans
• Federal Direct (Stafford) Loans
• Federal Graduate Plus Loans
• Work-Study Funds
• Private Lenders
For additional information and links to these programs, go to
www.law.uky.edu/admissions/financialaid
FINANCIAL AID
www.law.uky.edu
36 37
Because of the generous support of alumni and
friends, UK Law is able to offer scholarship
assistance each year to many students. However,
due to the high caliber of its student body, the
College of Law is unable to offer scholarships to
all entering students who may have received
scholarship assistance as undergraduates or who
may receive scholarship offers from other schools.
Merit ScholarshipsIf you are accepted for admission, you will be
considered automatically for merit scholarships.
In making merit awards, the Scholarships and
Honors Committee will consider your academic
honors, undergraduate record and LSAT score(s),
along with any additional information you choose
to submit. Merit scholarships are awarded for all
three years. In many cases, more funds will be
awarded for the first year of law school, when
students are not permitted to work.
Scholarships
Bert Combs ScholarshipThe Bert Combs Scholar receives full tuition for three years together with a stipend. A limited number of exceptional resident and nonresident candidates who apply by February 1 will be invited to interview for this prestigious scholarship.
Ashland Inc. Legal ScholarshipThe Ashland Scholarship was endowed by gifts from UK Law alumni with matching funds from Ashland Inc. The scholarship currently is in the amount $20,000 per year for all three years of law school. To be a candidate for the Ashland Scholarship, you must have an exceptional academic record and demonstrate that you will need to borrow funds to attend law school. One Ashland Scholar is selected each year from among Kentucky residents applying for the entering class.
University FellowshipsThe University of Kentucky sponsors fellowships for UK undergraduates who go on to UK Law. An application and three letters of recommendation are required and the application process is managed by UK’s Graduate School. For more information, go to www.research.uky.edu/gs/fellowship/fellopps.html#wethington.
Other Merit ScholarshipsThe College of Law awards numerous other merit scholarships from over 60 scholarship endowments. You will have the best chance of receiving a merit scholarship award if you apply by February 1 and your file is complete by March 1. No separate application is required for any of these awards, but you may choose to provide additional information for the scholarship decision.
Diversity ScholarshipsThe UK College of Law awards part of its
scholarship funds on the basis of educational
disadvantage, low-income status, minority status
and other contributions to diversity. These
awards are available to both Kentucky residents
and non-resident students. In making diversity
awards, the Scholarships and Honors Committee
will consider the information you have included
in your admission application.
January –the month that UK Law starts mailing scholarship award letters.
February 1 – date by which you should apply to receive priority scholarship consideration.
March 1 – date by which your application file should be completed for priority scholarship consideration.
March 15 – final application deadline for admissions consideration
April 1 – merit and diversity scholarships are given out on a rolling basis and most available funds are awarded by this date.
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES
39
Would you like to learn more about UK Law?
• During the fall and spring semesters students
from the College of Law Recruitment Committee
are available to give you a tour of the law
school and escort you to visit a first-year class.
To schedule a tour and class visit go to
www.law.uky.edu/admissions/tours.
• Each fall, UK Law hosts information sessions
for anyone thinking about law school or
planning to apply for admission the following
year. To register for an information session, go
to www.law.uky.edu/admissions/events.
• Also in the fall, UK Law representatives are
available to answer your questions at numerous
state and national recruiting events. To
meet a UK Law representative, see
www.law.uky.edu/admissions/recruiting.
For additional information about the advantages
of receiving your J.D. from the University of
Kentucky College of Law, visit our Web site at
www.law.uky.edu. If you have further questions,
please feel free to contact:
Drusilla BakertAssociate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs620 S. LimestoneLexington, KY [email protected]
VISITING UK LAW
EX
PE
RIE
NC
E I
T
FIR
STH
AN
D
UK
LA
W:
www.law.uky.edu
41
The information contained in this overview is subject to change without notice. It is intended to serve as a general source of information about the College of Law for prospective students. It is in no way intended to state contractual terms. The College of Law reserves the right to modify at any time its policies, rules, and procedures with respect to admissions, academic regulations, continuance in school, graduation requirements, or fees. The courses and the teaching personnel described in this overview are subject to change at any time by the College of Law.
Produced by University of Kentucky College of LawDesign: The Williams McBride GroupPhotography: Lee P. Thomas Photography Tim Collins (p.3) Stuart Scales (left) Printing: Wendling Printing Company
AccreditationThe University of Kentucky is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.
The University of Kentucky College of Law is a member of the Association of American Law Schools, and is approved by the American Bar Association.
Statement of Non-discriminationThe University of Kentucky is committed to a policy of providing educational opportunities to all academically qualified students regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
Confidentiality of Student RecordsIn accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (the Buckley Amendment), University of Kentucky students have the right to review, inspect and challenge the accuracy of information kept in a cumulative file by the institution unless the student waives this right in writing. The Act provides that records cannot be released in other than emergency situations without the written consent of the student except in certain situations. Questions concerning this law and the University policy concerning release of academic information may be directed to the University Registrar’s Office at 859-257-8729.
© The University of KentuckyAll rights reserved.
10% PC W
Printed on paper from well managed forests with enviromentally friendly soy inks. These papers are made with 100% certified fiber, 66% renewable energy, 10% post-consumer recycled fiber and elemental chlorine-free pulps.
620 S. Limestone
Lexington, KY 40506-0048
www.law.uky.edu
Have a code reader on your Smartphone? Scan to like us on Facebook.
Scan to follow us on Twitter.
Scan to launch our website.