We are thrilled that you are interested in Colorado Law and hope the below information helps guide your search. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly at law.admissions@colorado.edu.
Preparing for Law School
While we don’t require any specific undergraduate major (this is expanded upon in the next question), Colorado Law requires, if you are admitted, that you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to enrolling. You can search your institution and its accreditation here.
Colorado Law accepts applications from students who have earned their bachelor’s degree from an online institution, if it is appropriately accredited. While earning a degree from an online institution does not put students at a disadvantage, the Admissions Committee takes into consideration the rigor of the institution attended and courses taken.
Colorado Law does not require any particular pre-law curriculum or major. The Admissions Committee does take into consideration the rigor of the courses taken, and institution attended, so we encourage you to take course work that challenges you. Experience in writing, analysis, and logic are always beneficial. But pursuing a particular major simply because you think it will give you an advantage in the law school admissions process is an exercise in futility, since you are less likely to perform well in a major that doesn't engage you. Students can acquire the skills necessary to be successful in law school in numerous areas of study, and successful law students have college majors in almost every field of study available. Our class reflects a broad range of backgrounds and we believe this adds to the Colorado community. Our incoming class has students from approximately 49 different majors, including business administration, communications, criminal justice, economics, english, environmental sciences, history, as well as fine arts, engineering, and biochemistry. The American Bar Association and LSAC provide additional resources for students preparing for law school.
We have no preconceived list of best extracurricular or mandatory activities. You should pursue the activities that interest you. Evidence of involvement and engagement can strengthen your application, but is not mandatory and applications are reviewed holistically.
The ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools is a resource published by the American Bar Association and Law School Admission Council (LSAC). If you are a CU Boulder student we encourage you to reach out to the CU Pre-Law Advising Center, or your respective school’s advising center.
Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
We do not offer a LSAT preparation course at the law school nor do we recommend one preparation course over another. You can find information on test preparation on the Internet or on the LSAC website.
Colorado Law's Admissions Committee will see each of your LSAT scores on the report provided by LSAC (the CAS). The Law School uses the higher score for reporting purposes. If you have a large disparity between scores it can be helpful to include an addendum to your application.
Colorado Law does not use a formula when evaluating LSAT scores nor is there a minimum score that an applicant must receive to be considered for admission. However the LSAT is an important, though not dispositive, factor when considering an application.
You should keep in mind that we cannot begin to review your application until it is complete, which requires a valid score report. Applicants who take the LSAT in March of the year in which they are applying (and do not already have other score reports) may be at a disadvantage because their score reports will not be available until April. We will review applications that are complete by the deadline before reviewing those that are not complete or are waiting for the March LSAT flex score.
LSAT scores are only valid for the past five testing years. If you are applying to Colorado Law to begin in the fall of 2021, we will accept any test scores taken after June 2016. Any test taken before June 2015 will not be considered.
If you can identify something in particular that might have negatively affected your score (you didn't prepare; you were sick; there was construction at the exam site), you may consider retaking the test. In the absence of such factors, though, odds are that a second score will not show a substantial improvement. It may be beneficial to focus on strengthening your overall application.
Yes, we accept the LSAT-Flex.
One canceled LSAT score will not raise a red flag. However, a pattern of canceled scores may raise some concern. It can be helpful to provide an addendum on your canceled scores, but is not required.
If you are comfortable with all your other application materials, you may submit your application after the application opens on October 1 rather than waiting for your LSAT score to be released. Please keep in mind that if you have never taken the LSAT before your application will not be processed until your score comes through LSAC. If you have previously taken the LSAT and have a score on file, your application will be processed for completion. We will not hold applications incomplete if you decide to take a future test. Applicants may request a reevaluation should they receive a higher LSAT score after receiving an admissions decision.
Deciding when to apply is personal, so we encourage you to consider all your options. Some applicants may feel that applying after they have taken the LSAT is a better choice for them, as it will allow time to focus solely on the application.
In order for an application to be considered complete, at least one LSAT writing sample must be included in the CAS report. First time LSAT test takers must complete and submit their electronic writing sample by the April 1 deadline for the year they plan to enroll.
We do not accept the GRE. All applicants must take the LSAT.
Apply to Colorado Law
Please visit our website for additional information and FAQs on applying to Colorado Law, including information on applying to our JD program, as a transfer, as an international student, and as a veteran.
How We Evaluate Applications
In evaluating applications, the Admissions Committee relies on (1) the completed application form, (2) the report of LSAT scores, (3) undergraduate GPA and transcripts, (4) personal essay(s), and (5) recommendations. The Committee also conducts a holistic analysis of special qualities and individual circumstances such as motivation, undergraduate program, diversity in economic, social, or cultural background, employment or other experience (e.g., military), leadership, and perseverance in overcoming personal handicaps or disadvantages. Graduate level work is also considered. The Admissions Committee is also seeking evidence of character, leadership, and diversity, which are the hallmarks of the Colorado Law student body.
These questions concern your character and fitness to practice law. The Admissions Committee views affirmative responses in the context of the entire application, and may or may not affect your chances of admission. When in doubt as to how to answer the question, err on the side of full disclosure, keeping in mind that you need not reveal incidents that have been sealed or expunged by law. Generally things must be expunged by court order; this does not happen automatically. Failure to answer the questions fully and accurately may result in expulsion from law school or other appropriate disciplinary action, and may be an obstacle to admission to the bar. In addition, a state bar may require additional information about your character and fitness, including details about expunged incidents. For additional information, and commonly asked questions please see our character and fitness website. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Colorado Residency
If you are currently a Colorado resident you must submit the In-State Tuition Classification Application. For additional information in-state residency classification please visit the Residency website for complete details.
Honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, active-duty military stationed in Colorado, certain dependents of the military, and Colorado National Guard members are eligible for in-state tuition. Visit the Residency website for more details.
In-state (resident) and out-of-state (non-resident) applicants are evaluated for admission using the same criteria.
Once you have applied for admission please check your applicant status page and review your residency classification. If you are a Colorado resident and classified as out-of-state, you may not have completed the In-State Classification Application that was included at the end of the JD application. Apply for residency as soon as possible to ensure you are appropriately classified. If you have already submitted a form and still see your classification as out-of-state, please allow our office five business days to process the form. If five days have passed by please reach out to us at law.admissions@colorado.edu.
We understand this can be frustrating for people who have no doubt that they qualify, but the In-State Tuition Guidelines are complex and comprehensive and in order to ensure that they are fairly implemented, a thorough review of each application is needed. In some cases, an additional review must be done by the experts in the Tuition and Classification office. The guidelines and application can be found at the CU-Boulder Office of the Registrar website, or you may contact the office directly at tuitclass@colorado.edu or 303-492-0907.
Be assured that your application for admission will not be held or delayed during the residency classification process. While you should apply as soon as you can, we do not wait for the official determination to review your application.
Scholarship Opportunities
Yes, all JD applicants who are admitted to Colorado Law are automatically considered for merit scholarship money. No other application is necessary. Colorado Law also offers scholarship money to our 2L and 3L students through a competitive application process each spring.
Colorado Law’s Academic Programs
We offer a traditional Juris Doctor (JD) program, an option for completing the JD in 2.5 years, 7 dual degrees and 6 certificate programs, a LLM program, and two Master of Studies in Law (MSL) programs.
No, we only offer a full-time, three-year day JD program.
We offer many dual degrees. To be eligible, a student must apply separately to and be admitted by both schools under their respective admissions procedures and standards.
We have decided jointly to suspend admissions to our Canadian JD/LLB dual degree program.
Colorado Law's 1L curriculum includes traditional core courses, including Legislation and Regulation and optional 1L courses that expose students to different topics. Our small class size allows for a 6.4:1 student to faculty ration which guarantees personal interaction with faculty starting in the first year.
Fall Courses
- Contracts
- Torts
- Legislation and Regulation
- Civil Procedure
- Legal Writing I
Spring Courses
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Property
- Legal Writing II
- Optional electives vary annually
Yes. More information on the LLM degree can be found here.