Lewis & Clark Law School

Required of all JD applicants. No cap is imposed, so no page_limit or word_limit is recorded: 'There is no page limit, though a typical essay is 2-3 pages. Essays are read for writing ability as well as content. Specific topics may vary, however, the essay provides an opportunity for the Admissions Committee to learn more about you and should include information that is not otherwise apparent in your application.' The FAQ (law.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/faq/) adds guidance, not a limit: 'Generally, personal statements and essays should roughly be between 500 and 1000 words. Some schools will be very specific about word or page limits and font sizes; others, like Lewis & Clark Law School, will not give any restrictions.' The FAQ also lists the kinds of topics that have worked: 'Successful personal statements discuss topics ranging from a memory of an influential person, an important discussion with a parent, a significant life experience, a special accomplishment, a unique talent—whatever it is that makes you interested in pursuing a law degree.' The parallel international/foreign-educated requirements page carries the same prompt and adds 'Explaining why you are applying to Lewis & Clark is also helpful.' No page mentions generative AI.

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Listed as the 'Why Lewis & Clark Essay' and required: the apply page introduces the list with 'The following items are required for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who are applying for the JD program' and includes it, as does the international/foreign-educated list. That one sentence is the entire published prompt; the FAQ (law.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/faq/) expands it: 'At Lewis & Clark, our prompts are very general. First, we ask you to explain why you are particularly interested in Lewis and Clark. There are many reasons for choosing a law school and it is helpful to our Admissions Committee to know why you think Lewis and Clark is a good match for you. Of course, there are no wrong answers to this prompt, but explaining your specific reasons for considering Lewis and Clark helps our Admissions Committee better see how you will add to our community.' No length limit is published for this essay; the FAQ's 500-1000 word guidance covers 'personal statements and essays' generally.

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Lewis & Clark calls this 'Supplemental Statements (Optional)' and describes it with the word 'addendum,' but its published scope — family, social, ethnic or economic background, or challenges faced — is the perspective-statement genre, so it is typed that way here; the school's separate, narrower explanatory addendum is recorded under `addendum` below, sourced to the FAQ. No length limit is published. The page bounds the format rather than the length: 'We do not accept: Videos, CDs, DVDs, Or lengthy writing samples.' The admissions FAQ lists supplemental statements among the places an applicant demonstrates the attributes the committee looks for, alongside the personal statement, resume, and letters of recommendation, and notes 'many applicants do not need to submit addenda.'

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Optional in general, required when triggered. The FAQ defines it: 'An addendum is a separate essay that you may submit with your application. It provides additional information that that does not easily fit within your essay, personal statement, or resume. For example, an addendum may explain a poor academic performance in a particular semester, large differences in multiple LSAT scores, or gaps in your resume. It can also discuss a learning disability, a unique grading system at a particular school, or other matters that will help the Admissions Committee have a more complete picture of you.' Mandatory cases: 'You should also submit an addendum to also explain any academic or disciplinary issues, or to explain any criminal or misconduct charges in your past. These addenda are required.' Length is stated as a norm, not a cap — 'Addenda are typically no longer than one page and sometimes are only a paragraph' — and the page_limit of 1 recorded here reflects that norm; 'Particularly with addenda addressing academic or criminal matters, be sure to include enough details to assure the Admissions Committee that these prior experiences will not recur in law school.' 'Note that many applicants do not need to submit addenda. When in question, contact the admissions office and someone can discuss with you if one is necessary.' Character and fitness is a separate required section of the application form itself (law.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/jd_requirements_us/): 'You will need to answer some questions on the application about character and fitness. Answers to these questions are required, as are explanations for circumstances and outcomes regarding such things as criminal charges, academic sanctions, and military discharges.' A score-disparity addendum is separately recommended: 'If an applicant has a significant difference in LSAT scores, or has more than three scores on record, we recommend that they submit an addendum with their application to explain the difference in scores or the reasons for taking it multiple times.'

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'Two letters of recommendation are required, but three will be accepted. Letters should be written by people who are well acquainted with you (family and friends excluded) and who can evaluate your academic competence, your professional promise as a lawyer, your ability to relate to people and society, and your ethical character. Professors and employers often are the best sources. Letters from prominent individuals and attorneys who have little knowledge of you are not impressive to the admissions committee.' Submitted through LSAC as part of the CAS report. The school adds: 'We highly encourage sending a copy of your resume to your recommenders as well, so they can reflect on the strengths and skills you are actively highlighting in your file.' LSAC evaluations are a separate, optional extra and are not counted in count_accepted: 'The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) provides an Evaluation Service where your recommenders can rate you on your skills and abilities. Lewis & Clark will accept up to two of these evaluations, but we do not require them.' Per the FAQ (law.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/faq/), current students and recent graduates should expect at least one academic letter: 'the Admissions Committee expects at least one letter will be from someone who can speak to you academic skills,' with graduate teaching assistants, academic advisors, and coaches named as acceptable academic sources, and employers, internship supervisors, and volunteer coordinators appropriate for applicants out of school a while.

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'Two letters of recommendation are required, but three will be accepted. Letters should be written by people who are well acquainted with you (family and friends excluded) and who can evaluate your academic competence, your professional promise as a lawyer, your ability to relate to people and society, and your ethical character. Professors and employers often are the best sources. Letters from prominent individuals and attorneys who have little knowledge of you are not impressive to the admissions committee.' Submitted through LSAC as part of the CAS report. The school adds: 'We highly encourage sending a copy of your resume to your recommenders as well, so they can reflect on the strengths and skills you are actively highlighting in your file.' LSAC evaluations are a separate, optional extra and are not counted in count_accepted: 'The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) provides an Evaluation Service where your recommenders can rate you on your skills and abilities. Lewis & Clark will accept up to two of these evaluations, but we do not require them.' Per the FAQ (law.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/faq/), current students and recent graduates should expect at least one academic letter: 'the Admissions Committee expects at least one letter will be from someone who can speak to you academic skills,' with graduate teaching assistants, academic advisors, and coaches named as acceptable academic sources, and employers, internship supervisors, and volunteer coordinators appropriate for applicants out of school a while.

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Required: 'Include a resume describing all work experience, student activities, community service, and honors and awards. Please include dates and titles where appropriate.' No page_limit is recorded because the school explicitly disclaims one — per the FAQ (law.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/faq/), 'What is different with a law school resume is that it can be longer and more descriptive than job resumes. You aren't limited to one page with a law school resume. You can also include things that might be a bit more personal such as personal hobbies & interests.'

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'Transcripts from all university-level schooling, including community college and graduate programs, are required and must be submitted through the Law School Admissions Council's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Applicants who received evaluations rather than grades need to submit their evaluations to the CAS for review.' Degree timing: 'Candidates must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university at the time of enrollment (i.e. Fall). In other words, you may apply while you are still in school, as long as you will have obtained your baccalaureate degree by the time you start law school.' Foreign transcripts (Canada excepted) follow the international page (law.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/jd_requirements_international/): they 'must also be officially evaluated and translated into English through either the Law School Admissions Council's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) or through World Education Services (WES),' and international applicants whose native language is not English must show English proficiency — met by English being the primary language of their university education in a country where it is the official language, or at a U.S. regionally accredited university, or 'a minimum IELTS score of 8; or a minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 100.' Reapplicants within one year need only a new application form and a fresh CAS report.

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LSAT only. 'The LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) is required of all applicants. There is no minimum score requirement for the LSAT, but reviewing our incoming class profile will indicate to you how competitive your score might be at Lewis & Clark... LSAT scores older than five years will not be accepted.' The GRE is not mentioned on any Lewis & Clark admissions page — not the apply page, the domestic or international JD requirements pages, or the FAQ — and JD-Next is not mentioned either; that is recorded here as the pages' silence, not as an explicit rejection of either test. The school's 2025 ABA Standard 509 report reports LSAT as the only admission test, with all 176 first-year enrollees counted as 'LSAT Admissions Enrollees.' LSAT Writing is separately required: 'Every candidate must have at least one LSAT Writing completed and reported by LSAC in order to for an application to be complete. This requirement may also be met if you have a LSAT writing sample from a test administration prior to June 2019.' Score policy, per the FAQ (law.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/faq/): 'Yes, Lewis & Clark will give primary consideration to the higher LSAT score when reviewing applications. That said, the Admissions Committee will still see the other exam scores,' and there is 'no minimum LSAT/GPA nor is there a statistical cut-off to our admissions process.' Timing advice: take the LSAT by December of the year before enrollment and no later than January; a June LSAT for that same fall is 'very rare' to work.

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There is no application fee. 'There is no application fee for students applying to Lewis & Clark Law School.' The FAQ (law.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/faq/) extends it to joint degrees: 'There is no application fee for students applying to the JD or any joint degree programs at Lewis & Clark Law School.' The apply page frames it as a feature of applying through LSAC: 'we also don't charge an application fee.' The school's 2025 ABA Standard 509 report confirms an application fee of $0. Fee waivers are therefore not discussed anywhere, and `required` is false because there is nothing to pay.

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Recorded as a silence, not as a policy: no Lewis & Clark admissions page mentions an admissions interview in any form — evaluative, invite-only, or recorded video. The word 'interview' appears nowhere on the apply page, the domestic or international JD requirements pages, the JD application timeline, the FAQ, the part-time/full-time programs page, or the entering class profile. The only appointments the admissions office offers are advisory rather than evaluative: the part-time page invites prospective students to 'make an appointment with the admissions office so we can answer questions specific to your circumstances,' and the school runs visits, tours, class visits, and virtual information sessions as recruiting events. The FAQ's account of what the committee weighs — personal statement, resume, letters of recommendation, supplemental statements — never includes an interview.

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