Application Instructions

JD Application Instructions

Application Review Process

All of the information submitted with the application will be carefully considered by the Admissions Committee as such it may be several weeks before an admissions decision is rendered. Beyond an applicant's LSAT score and undergraduate academic record, Drake Law School carefully considers an applicant's writing skills, letters of recommendation (academic letters preferred), leadership experience, community and extracurricular involvement and work and life experiences. Applicants are welcome to attach a resume and/or addendum to include any such relevant information.

Apply online at www.lsac.org. The following items must be received by the Drake Law School Office of Admission before your application is considered complete:

• When to Apply

  To begin in the Fall of 2023:
  Online application is available September 1, 2022
  Priority deadline is April 1, 2023
  
  We have a rolling admission process, therefore, we continue to accept applications past the priority deadline. For best consideration of admission and financial aid we encourage applicants to apply by the priority deadline.

• Application

  The online application form is available through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at www.lsac.org. There is no online application fee. Any affirmative answers to the Character and Fitness question require a detailed explanation to be uploaded with the application.

• Personal Statement

  Drake Law School respects the personal goals, life experiences and varied educational backgrounds that students bring to Drake. In order for us to make the best admissions decision, we need the most useful information about you. We are interested in any facts about yourself you think are significant, including work experience and community interest, but especially evidence of leadership ability, maturity, motivation, independent thinking, and the ability to relate to other persons and groups. We also encourage you to address any special interests you have that makes Drake Law School a good choice for you. The personal statement should not exceed 2 typewritten pages.

• Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report

  All JD applicants are required to have a valid CAS report. Please visit www.lsac.org to establish your account. The following items wil be sent from LSAC and included in your report:
  
  Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
  We will use your highest score in the last 5 years in consideration for admittance. We will not accept LSAT scores obtained after June of the year in which classes commence.
  
  Applicants who wish to apply with a GRE score must contact the Office of Admissions at lawadmit@drake.edu. Please note that LSAT scores will be considered for applicants who have taken, or will take, the LSAT prior to their enrollment.
  
  LSAT Writing
  Applicants applying with an LSAT score are required to complete the LSAT Writing portion of the LSAT exam. This must be completed before LSAC will release your CAS report.
  
  Transcripts
  Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be sent to LSAC.
  
  Letters of Recommendation

  At least one letter of recommendation is required, and up to three letters will be accepted. Letters of recommendation from academic sources are strongly encouraged.

• Scholarship Form(s)

  The above application materials will be used in determining eligibility for merit scholarships. Applicants will be notified of such awards at the time of admission. There are two scholarships that require an application: the Justice Chester Cole Public Service Scholarship and the Law Opportunity Diversity/Disadvantage Scholarship. For application materials, please visit the Cost and Financial Aid portion of the website.

Once you have applied, you will be able to keep track of your application status by checking the Application Status Online (ASO) system.

Applicants to Drake Law School's LLM program must submit the following items: (International and Foreign Trained lawyers please refer to this page for application requirements)

• Completed application
• Official law school transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• At least one letter of recommendation (up to three letters will be accepted)

LLM Application Instructions

The LLM program will start each Fall semester. The application priority deadline is April 1. Drake offers rolling admission; therefore, applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadline.

Download the application below or request an application by contacting the Drake Law School Office of Admission (515-271-2782).

LLM Application Fall 2023

Application materials can be submitted via email to Chris Miller at christine.miller@drake.edu or mailed to:

Drake Law School
Office of Admission and Financial Aid
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311

Application Instructions

MJ in Compliance and Risk Management

This is an online program with rolling admission.

Complete the Online MJ in Compliance and Risk Management Application. Select "Master of Jurisprudence in Compliance and Risk Management" on the dropdown menu.

Applicants to Drake Law School's MJ in Compliance and Risk Management program must submit the following items through application site listed above:

• Completed application
• Official transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• At least two letters of recommendation
• Copy of graduate examination scores (if applicable)

Questions? Call 844-254-4221.

MJ in Individualized Legal Studies 

This is an in-person program.

The application priority deadline is June 1 for the fall semester. Drake offers rolling admission; therefore, applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadline.

Download the MJ Application Fall 2023 or request an application by contacting the Drake Law School Office of Admission (515-271-2782).

Applicants to Drake Law School's MJ in Individualized Legal Studies program must submit the following items:

• Completed application
• Official transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• At least one letter of recommendation (up to three letters will be accepted)
• Copy of graduate examination scores (if applicable)

Application materials can be submitted via email to Chris Miller at christine.miller@drake.edu or mailed to:

Drake Law School
Office of Admission and Financial Aid
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311

Note: Credits earned as an MJ student are not transferrable should a student later decide to pursue the JD program.