Law Admissions

School of Law

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Apply to UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law

At UNH Franklin Pierce, we take a holistic approach to the application review process. Whether you're applying to our Juris Doctor program or one of our graduate law programs, we've outlined everything you need to know below.

Application deadline

Key Dates to Know

J.D. Program

  • Applications open: September 1
  • Priority deadline: March 15
  • Final deadline: July 15

 

Graduate Programs (LL.M. & Master's)

FormatEntryPriority DeadlineInternational DeadlineU.S. Deadline
ResidentialFall onlyMay 1June 1July 1
OnlineFallJuly 1August 1August 1
OnlineSpringNovember 15December 15December 15

Juris Doctor (J.D.) students

Our three-year Juris Doctor program prepares you for practice through rigorous coursework, hands-on clinics, and a close-knit learning community. Apply through LSAC and follow the steps below to get started.

Graduate students

Our LL.M., Master's, and Graduate Certificate programs are designed for domestic and foreign-trained attorneys, engineers, scientists, and professionals seeking specialized legal training. No law degree or standardized test is required for our Master's programs.

How to Apply

J.D. programs application process

Use this guide to learn everything you need to know about applying to UNH Law.

At UNH Franklin Pierce, we take a holistic approach to the application review process. The Admissions Committee will thoroughly evaluate your application and all supporting documents to arrive at a decision.

Apply now J.D. programs

Complete these steps

01
Step 1: Complete Application
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Submit your application online at LSAC.org. There is no fee to apply for the J.D. program.

We begin accepting applications for fall entry on September 1. The priority deadline is March 15; the final application deadline is July 15. Scholarships are available for eligible candidates, so applying by the priority deadline gives you the best shot at consideration.

Your application should include:

  • Responses to all required questions
  • Personal statement
  • Resume
  • Supplemental statements, as needed
  • The LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report
  • A minimum of two, maximum of three, letters of recommendation
02
Step 2: Required Documents
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Personal statement: Two pages, double-spaced. Tell us who you are, why you're applying to law school, and specifically why UNH Franklin Pierce. This is your opportunity to share what makes you, you — we consider this statement seriously and expect it to be concise and well-written. Must be submitted electronically.

Resume: A detailed resume covering work history, internships, academic honors, extracurriculars, community service, hobbies, and any special interests or accomplishments.

Supplemental statement: Include any statement of extraordinary circumstance that couldn't be appropriately addressed in the personal statement or elsewhere in your application. This statement should not exceed one page (double-spaced).

Letters of recommendation: Two letters are required; we won't accept more than three per applicant. Recommendations should be submitted through LSAC's CAS. Letters are strongest coming from someone who can speak to your academic ability or work ethic — if you're applying within five years of graduating, at least one letter should come from a professor. We discourage using personal friends and relatives as references.

Recommenders who want to write specifically about your fit for UNH Franklin Pierce can send a letter to:

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, Admissions Office, 2 White Street, Concord, NH 03301, or email admissions@law.unh.edu directly.

03
Step 3: Submit your Standardized Test Score
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All first-year J.D. applicants must submit either a valid LSAT or GRE score, unless you qualify for the UNH Law Wildcat Scholars admission program. A valid score is one taken within five years of your planned enrollment date — and you must have a test date scheduled before your application will be considered complete.

  • LSAC school code: 3396
  • GRE school code: 3396

Additional requirements that may apply

01
Applying as a Transfer Student
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At UNH Franklin Pierce, we are happy to welcome incoming transfer students to join our intimate learning community.

Students seeking to transfer from their law school must apply online at LSAC.org. The Fall semester priority application deadline is July 15. All transfer applicants will be reviewed for merit scholarship.

The Admissions Committee will review your transfer application after receiving a good standing letter from your current law school. Transfer applicants must provide an updated CAS report indicating law school matriculation. We strongly encourage one to two letters of recommendation from a law school professor. An official transcript from your prior law school is required prior to matriculation.

To obtain credit for elective or required courses, a grade of C or better must be earned. Up to 28 credits will transfer in to UNH Franklin Pierce. Transfer students must complete full-time semesters in residence at UNH Franklin Pierce. For more guidance, we encourage prospective students to review the Academic Rules.

02
Applying as a Visiting or Exchange Student
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Students interested in seeking visiting student status at UNH Franklin Pierce may fill out our visiting student application. Visiting students must be in good academic standing and have permission to transfer credits back to their home institution.

03
International Applicants
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UNH Franklin Pierce requires international applicants with foreign transcripts to submit all transcripts through the LSAC CAS. All undergraduate work outside the United States (including its territories) or Canada must be evaluated by CAS.

Foreign lawyers who have earned an undergraduate or graduate law degree from a law school outside of the United States are eligible for advanced standing. Please select applicant type "transfer" on your LSAC application.

English proficiency: 

If your native language is not English, you must provide a TOEFL or IELTS score, taken within three years from the time of application submission. If you earned an undergraduate degree where the language of instruction was English, no TOEFL or IELTS exam is required — but you must provide signed documentation from a university administrator confirming English as the medium of instruction. UNH Franklin Pierce's Institution Code is 3396 for TOEFL; no code is required for IELTS.

  • Accepted TOEFL scores: Paper 550, iBT 80 (for tests taken after January 21, 2026, the minimum changes to 4 on the 1–6 scale, equivalent to 80 on the 0–120 scale)
  • Accepted IELTS score: 6.5
  • The Admission Committee may waive the proof of language ability requirement under compelling circumstances.

International applicants to residential programs should complete their application by June 1 to allow time for the visa process.

04
Wildcat Scholars / Daniel Webster Scholar Program
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Undergraduate students at the University of New Hampshire who will matriculate at UNH Franklin Pierce within 12 months of graduation may be considered for admission without an LSAT score if they obtained an ACT or SAT score within the 85th percentile of the test administration and have a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher.

To be considered for admission as a UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law Wildcat Scholar, applicants must participate in an on-campus interview with the Law Admissions Committee and submit the following:

  • LSAC Application
  • Responses to all required questions
  • Personal statement
  • Resume
  • Supplement statements as needed
  • The LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS report)
  • A minimum of two academic letters of recommendation
  • An official ACT, or SAT score report
    • ACT Code: 7843
    • SAT Code: 7532

Email to admissions@law.unh.edu requesting consideration.

05
Character and Fitness Disclosures
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Applicants are expected to read the questions on this portion of the application carefully and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.

Applicants who check "yes" on any of these questions are required to attach an addendum to their application providing full disclosure of the offense or charge, the date it occurred, and the disposition reached for each event.

Applicants have a continuing duty to disclose character and fitness issues that may arise between the time of application submission and matriculation.

In addition to a bar examination, there are other character and fitness qualifications for admission to the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants must confirm the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the Board of Bar Examiners. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

How to apply

Graduate programs application process

Use this guide to learn everything you need to know about applying to UNH Law's graduate programs.

At UNH Franklin Pierce, we take a holistic approach to the application review process. The Admissions Committee will thoroughly evaluate your application and all supporting documents to arrive at a decision.

Apply now graduate programs

Complete these steps

01
Step 1: Complete Application
Open icon icon to open the summary

Apply through LSAC or UNH's online application. If you're applying to one of our on-campus/residential programs, we strongly encourage you to apply through LSAC. We process applications on a rolling basis, so it's best to apply early.

Applications will not be considered complete, or reviewed, until all required documents are received. To make sure everything is accurately attached to your application, please submit your application before sending any supporting documentation.

02
Step 2: Submit Your Required Documents
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Transcripts: All applicants must submit transcripts of a baccalaureate degree. If you're applying to the LL.M. degree program, you must also submit transcripts of a completed J.D., LL.B, or recognized equivalent first professional degree in law. You do not need a law degree to be admitted into the Master's program.

An official transcript means:

  • A paper or electronic transcript certified by the issuing institution and delivered directly to the law school; or
  • A paper or electronic transcript verified by a third-party credential assembly service and delivered directly to the law school; or
  • A paper transcript certified by the issuing institution and delivered by the applicant in a sealed envelope.

Letters of recommendation: Two letters are required. If you graduated from university within the past five years, one recommendation should come from a professor.

Recommenders who want to write specifically about your qualifications for UNH Franklin Pierce can send a letter to:

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, Admissions Office, 2 White Street, Concord, NH, USA 03301, or email admissions@law.unh.edu directly.

Resume/CV: Please include information about your education, extracurricular engagements, professional experience, and publications. You may send this electronically to admissions@law.unh.edu.

Essay: Please address your goals, how your work and professional experience qualifies you to further your legal studies, and how you intend to apply your advanced degree. You may submit additional information to explain any unusual circumstances (may be sent electronically to admissions@law.unh.edu).

Additional requirements that may apply

01
International Applicants
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Official English translations should accompany all transcripts not issued in English. We encourage you to have transcripts evaluated by a credential authentication service, such as LSAC's LL.M. Credential Assembly Service or World Education Services, Inc.

If you submit copies of your transcripts, you'll be required to submit official documents prior to matriculation. An official transcript means one that is certified by the issuing institution and delivered directly to the law school, verified by a third-party credential assembly service and delivered directly to the law school, or certified and delivered by you in a sealed envelope.

You are not required to register for the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service, though applicants applying to multiple schools may find it saves time by submitting one set of official credentials and translations to LSAC.

English proficiency: If your native language is not English, you must provide a TOEFL or IELTS score, taken within three years from the time of application submission. If you earned an undergraduate degree where the language of instruction was English, no TOEFL or IELTS exam is required — but you must provide signed documentation from a university administrator confirming English as the medium of instruction. UNH Franklin Pierce's Institution Code is 3396 for TOEFL; no code is required for IELTS.

  • Accepted TOEFL scores: Paper 550, iBT 80 (for tests taken after January 21, 2026, the minimum changes to 4 on the 1–6 scale, equivalent to 80 on the 0–120 scale)
  • Accepted IELTS score: 6.5

The Admission Committee may waive the proof of language ability requirement under compelling circumstances.

International applicants to residential programs should complete their application by June 1 to allow time for the visa process.

Application requirements

A few more things to know as you finalize your application — from checking your status to reaching our office directly.

Check application status

Once you've submitted your application, you can track its status online. Applications are typically reviewed within 4–6 weeks of receipt. We'll notify you via email throughout the process, so keep your contact information current with LSAC or in your application portal

Rolling Admissions

UNH Law's graduate programs admit on a rolling basis, so it's best to apply early. Your application won't be considered complete or reviewed until all required documents are received — so submit your application first, then send any supporting documentation. Late applicants are evaluated if time and space permit.

Contact Us

Have questions about applying? We're here to help.

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law
Admissions Office
2 White Street
Concord, NH 03301

Phone: (603) 228-1541
Email: admissions@law.unh.edu