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.

Important information for international applicants regarding post-graduation employment in the United States

  • For international students coming to study in the United States on F-1 and J-1 visas, obtaining employment after graduating from law school can be very challenging. U.S. immigration laws do not provide F-1 or J-1 visa holders with long-term work authorization after graduation, and the College of Law cannot provide sponsorship for employment-based visas for our graduates.
     
  • Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders) are therefore advised to make careful and concrete plans for their post-graduation employment, taking into account the limitations imposed by U.S. immigration law.
     
  • The College of Law carefully reviews all applications from international students and will discuss those long-term, post-graduation employment plans with any applicants who are not U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents.  Your personal statement should  address questions including what you intend to do with your U.S. law degree.

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.