For Prospective Students

Thinking about law school? We encourage you to consider the University of South Carolina School of Law. Carolina Law enjoys a rich and venerable tradition as one of the nation's oldest law schools. Since 1867, we have remained true to our mission of teaching law through in-depth study and professional mentoring, contributing to the common good through research and service, and fostering development and reform in the law in cooperation with government, the community, and the organized Bar. The School of Law seeks to enroll qualified students who will continue that tradition by embracing and enhancing our rigorous educational environment and who, as graduates, will make positive contributions to South Carolina, and the nation, and our global society.

In making admissions decisions, the Committee on Admissions employs a holistic approach, taking into consideration all information available about each candidate. No single factor is conclusive. While undergraduate grades and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score are important, the Committee's decision is also influenced by other factors including the strength of the applicant's undergraduate curriculum, trends in grades, information gained through the applicant's personal statement, work or life experience, military service, graduate study, residency, contributions to campus or community through service or leadership, the assessment of recommenders, and the applicant's potential for contribution to a diverse educational environment.

We enroll students from a variety of educational backgrounds and with a wide range of talents and interests. The curriculum addresses every major field of law, with particular strengths in business, international law, environmental law, litigation and trial advocacy, criminal law, and family law. In addition, educational opportunities provided through our clinical programs, externships, the Children's Law Center, and the London Maymester supplement classroom work. In cooperation with other graduate divisions of the state's leading research university, we offer eleven dual degree programs. The School of Law is proud home to an award-winning Pro Bono Program, the first of its kind in the nation, which serves as an excellent resource for law students and the community at large.

We invite you to explore our website, schedule a tour, sit in on a class or meet an admissions representative on campus or at one of our recruiting events scheduled throughout the year. We hope you will feel free to give us a call or send us an email via our contact information to the right.

Welcome to the University of South Carolina School of Law!