The Kinnick Law Program enables University of Iowa students to apply for admission to the UI College of Law without the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), provided they meet requirements set forth by the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Because this process is reserved only for elite UI students, we have named it after alumnus Nile Kinnick to honor his success as both an undergraduate and as a law student.

REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to apply through the Kinnick Law Program, the student must be:

  • a current undergraduate student at the University of Iowa, 
  • a current graduate student at the University of Iowa in another degree program, or
  • an applicant to a graduate degree program at the University of Iowa who wishes to combine the other degree with the JD.

Additionally, the student or applicant must also have:

  • at least a 3.5 GPA (through six semesters of undergraduate academic work) or be in the top ten percent of the undergraduate class, and
  • a score, not more than five years old, in the top 85th percentile of the ACT, SAT, GMAT, or GRE, and have never taken the LSAT.

Note to international applicants regarding current U.S. work eligibility requirement:

  • All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. OR be a current member of a U.S. state bar association.
  • Student visas such as F-1 and J-1 do not meet the work eligibility requirement.
  • Exceptions to the work eligibility requirement are rarely made. Those wishing to have an application reviewed who do not meet this requirement must include an addendum to their application providing relevant details.

This program is governed by ABA Standards and Interpretations, specifically, pursuant to Interpretation 503-3 (See http://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/standards.html).

APPLICATION

  1. Apply online through Law School Admissions Council. The application deadline is May 1.
  2. Submit Letters of Recommendation. You must submit at least two letters of recommendation. Recommendations from professors or others who can comment on your critical thinking, writing skills, and potential for success in law school are particularly welcome. 
  3. Submit Personal Statement
  4. Submit Official Transcripts.
  5. Submit Résumé.
  6. Submit Alternative Standardized Test Score.
  7. Submit Certificate of Interest Form. This form is available through LSAC.