Admission Criteria
Competitive Admission Process
Admission to the University of Tennessee College of Law is competitive. The College uses a “holistic” file review approach, considering each candidate’s potential contribution to the learning environment and the College of Law community.
Substantial emphasis is given to these factors:
- Undergraduate grade point average (UGPA)
- the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score
Undergraduate academic performance is a significant indicator of potential success, both as a measure of general ability and as an indication of factors that will hold one in good stead in law school – motivation, persistence, organizational skills, and work ethic. The LSAT is designed to measure some of the qualities that are needed for successful law study, such as logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and comprehension of complex textual material. Although no single factor standing alone can predict with absolute certainty the ability to succeed in law school, members of the Admissions Committee have found that the LSAT score, when combined with other assessments, is very helpful as a starting point in making comparisons among applicants for admission.
Other factors considered are:
- LSAT (unusual disparities in scores, evidence suggesting unreliability of a particular score)
- Undergraduate academic performance (grade improvement, pattern of grades, grade inflation with older grades, strength of institution attended, difficulty of curriculum, honors programs, work or family circumstances, combination of high undergraduate grades and low SAT or ACT scores)
- Community service, leadership, exceptional talents or other accomplishments
- Graduate or professional school performance including strength of school and difficulty of curriculum
- Work or military experience
- Career goals
- History of overcoming disadvantage or performing well despite heavy work or family responsibilities, child or parental care responsibilities;
- Likely contribution to the diversity-related educational goals of the College of Law with respect to race and ethnicity, economic status and social or cultural background
- Evidence of maturity, responsibility and motivation
- Evidence of critical skills for law students (writing ability, analytic skills, and oral communication skills)
- Successful completion of programs such as the Council on Legal Educational Opportunity (CLEO) Summer Institute or similar programs.
As a state-supported institution, the College of Law has a primary responsibility to offer opportunities for the study of law to qualified Tennessee residents. Traditionally, Tennessee residents account for the majority of the student body.
Diversity Goals
The College actively seeks a diverse student body to fulfill the educational mission of the College and the University. The College of Law actively recruits out-of-state students while giving priority consideration to Tennessee residents.
Policy of Non- Discrimination
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Policy of Equal Opportunity
The College of Law provides equal opportunity in legal education for all persons, including faculty and employees, with respect to hiring, continuation, promotion and tenure, applicants for admission, enrolled students, and graduates, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap or disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.