Top Law Schools

September 2012

Applications for the 2013 entering class may be submitted via LSAC

November 12, 2012 (Round I)
January 7, 2013 (Round II)
Early Decision application deadlines

February 15, 2013
Regular Decision application deadline

May
Orientation for summer-entering students

Summer classes begin

August
Orientation for fall-entering students

Classes begin

JD Application for Admission, submitted electronically through LSAC. The application must be signed electronically.
$70 non-refundable application processing fee. The fee must be submitted electronically through LSAC.
Resume (use the electronic attachment)
Personal statement and optional essays (use the electronic attachment)
Statement of purpose for master's degree (JD/MA and JD/MS dual-degree applicants only)
Two letters of recommendation submitted electronically through LSAC
LSAC CAS Report
TOEFL (for international applicants only, if applicable)

Optional Essays: You are welcome to supplement your personal statement with either or both of the following optional essays. (If your personal statement addresses either of these subjects, it is not necessary to provide a separate additional essay.) Optional Essay I: You may submit an essay providing additional information about why you have chosen to apply to law school in general and Duke in particular. We are interested in the factors that have prompted your interest in a legal career and the ways in which you think Duke can further that interest. Optional Essay II: You may submit an essay that describes how you will enhance the educational environment of the Law School and contribute to the diversity of the student body. Because we believe that diversity enriches the educational experience of all our students, Duke Law School seeks to admit students from a variety of academic, cultural, social, ethnic, economic, and other backgrounds. In this essay, you may tell us more about your particular life experiences with an emphasis on how the perspectives that you have acquired would contribute to the intellectual community of the Law School.

Early Decision: The Early Decision program is most appropriate for candidates who have concluded that Duke is their first-choice for law school and who do not anticipate the need to compare offers of financial aid in making a decision about where to matriculate. Candidates who apply through the Early Decision program may apply to other law schools, but may not have more than one binding Early Decision application pending simultaneously. If an Early Decision application has already been submitted to another law school, candidates may apply through Duke's Early Decision program only if and when they are released from their binding commitment at the other school. If admitted to Duke Law School, Early Decision candidates will be required to immediately withdraw their applications at other law schools, refrain from submitting new applications, and submit a $500 tuition deposit no later than ten days after the admission notification.

Round I Early Decision candidates must submit the application no later than November 12, 2012. Applications must be complete no later than December 3, 2012. Duke Law School will notify Round I Early Decision candidates about their status no later than December 31, 2012. Round II Early Decision candidates must submit the application no later than January 7, 2013 and be complete no later than January 18, 2013. Duke Law School will notify Round II Early Decision candidates about their status no later than January 31, 2013.

Some Early Decision candidates may be held for review in the regular cycle; candidates who are held for consideration in the regular cycle will no longer be bound by the terms of the Early Decision agreement. Duke Law School reserves the right to provide other law schools with the names of candidates admitted through the binding Early Decision program.

Early Decision candidates must also check the Early Decision Certification checkbox on the application.

ChampagnePapi wrote:I am hoping to get selected for priority track!

ChampagnePapi wrote:I am hoping to get selected for priority track!

Psib337 wrote:checking in! Retaking in October so I'll probably just be lurking in this thread until around Halloween.

moonman157 wrote:Checking in! Can someone please explain the priority track to me?

Lavitz wrote:

moonman157 wrote:Checking in! Can someone please explain the priority track to me?

Going by memory, Duke should be sending out e-mails soon (I believe the first batch is usually August) inviting some candidates to apply priority track. They find people with good numbers to invite through CRS.

You can then check off a box in the app to be considered priority track and then they just guarantee you a response within a certain timeframe. I think it's 10 days, although I'm not sure if it's 10 days from submit date or complete date.

Anyway, I think that's all. Not binding, just a chance to get an early decision.

moonman157 wrote:Wow that does sound really nice lol I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for the info

slack_academic wrote:Applying. Half my family is leaning on me to go to Duke. We'll see how things play out.

Eichörnchen wrote:Still no word about priority track? I'm getting anxious.

Lavitz wrote:

Eichörnchen wrote:Still no word about priority track? I'm getting anxious.

Guess not. Every day after work I check my e-mail, then check this thread. Still nothing.