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J.D. Admissions

Are you ready to start your legal career with Chicago-Kent?

​Apply to Chicago-Kent

We appreciate your interest in admission to Chicago-Kent College of Law. First-year applicants may apply for entry in the fall semester using the "Apply Now" link below. Students who have enrolled for at least one year at another ABA-approved law school may apply for transfer admission for either the fall or spring semester. Applicants who hold a first degree in law from a school outside the United States may apply for admission for the fall semester and may be eligible for advanced standing based on their prior legal study.

No application fee for 2024 J.D. applicants

Illinois Tech’s Chicago-Kent College of Law is committed to maintaining a community with a diversity of perspectives and experiences, and this has been one of its strengths since its founding more than a century ago. Each admissions file is individually reviewed and the Admissions Committee takes a holistic view of each applicant's qualifications. To learn more about the application process and to access the online application forms, review the application process page in the "Apply Now" link directly below.

APPLY NOW

If you have questions, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with an admission counselor to discuss academics, the Chicago-Kent law school experience, the admission process, scholarships and financial aid, and any other questions you may have. Counseling appointments last 30 minutes and may take place by phone or through Zoom.

Study Your Way

Chicago-Kent has options for working students and those who wish to start taking classes during the summer, as well as full-tuition scholarships for extraordinarily talented students.

Chicago-Kent offers full-time day, part-time day, and part-time evening divisions. Entrance requirements are the same for all divisions, and the full-time faculty teaches in all three. You must indicate on your application the division for which you wish to be considered. Students may apply to transfer from one division to another after the end of their first academic year. In accordance with Law School policy, students who take more than 13 credits in a semester are not permitted to work more than 20 hours a week. Full-time students are discouraged from working in their first year. 

Full-time students take a total of 30 credits in the first year. After the first year, full-time students normally take 12 to 16 credit hours per semester and complete their degree requirements in three years.

Part-time students take a total of 22 to 23 credits in the first year. After the first year, part-time students normally take 8 to 11 credit hours per semester and can finish their degree requirements in four years, particularly if they take classes during one summer session. The majority of part-time students are enrolled in the evening division. Part-time evening division classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9:25 p.m; however, evening students do not attend all of those hours every night. The law school also reserves a limited number of seats in the day division for part-time students. Part-time day division students attend courses with students enrolled in the full-time day division.

Students who are admitted to the fall entering class have the option to begin their law school studies early by taking Criminal Law during the summer term. The class contains a mixed enrollment of both day and evening division students and typically meets two nights per week from 6–8 p.m. beginning in late May. First-year students who opt for the early summer start will take one less class during the fall semester. Further information about the early summer start option is sent to all admitted students in March.

Learn more about the early summer start option.

The Honors Scholars Program at Chicago-Kent provides full-tuition law school scholarships for extraordinarily talented and motivated students with the potential to influence the profession's direction. Chicago-Kent Honors Scholars graduate from law school with incomparable experience and influential contacts in the legal world—crucial capital for students seeking to influence the shape and substance of the law.

Admissions Policy

Admission to the law school is highly competitive, with many more applicants than seats in the entering class. Students are admitted to the law school based on the information contained in their applications, their admissions test scores (LSAT or GRE), and their undergraduate records. Although the GPA and test scores are important criteria, other qualitative factors are considered. Particular emphasis is given to the nature and rigor of the undergraduate curriculum, writing ability, the personal statement, and letters of recommendation, particularly those from academic sources.

Where appropriate, the Admissions Committee will take into account a change in undergraduate majors; a significant improvement in undergraduate grades; the ability to overcome significant personal, economic, or societal obstacles; and demonstrated leadership ability. For applicants who have been out of school for five or more years, significant success in a rigorous graduate program and/or demonstrated excellence in another field may be viewed favorably in the admissions process. Each file is reviewed individually.

Applicants for admission to Chicago-Kent must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to beginning classes in mid-August. Any applicant who will not have completed his/her degree before the date that he/she expects to start law school should notify the Office of Admissions, in writing, as soon as this fact is known.

Contact Us:

Office of Admissions
Chicago-Kent College of Law
565 West Adams Street, Suite 230 (second floor)
Chicago, IL 60661

Phone: 312.906.5020
Email: admissions@kentlaw.iit.edu
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from 1-2 p.m.)

Admissions Staff

Nicole Vilches, Assistant Dean for Admissions
Gabriela Amador, Director of Admissions
Maricela A. Sanchez, Associate Director of Admissions
Katherine Williams, Law Admissions Assistant