Application Review Process

All of the information submitted with the application will be carefully considered by the Admissions Committee, and as such, it may be several weeks before an admissions decision is rendered. Beyond an applicant's LSAT score and undergraduate academic record, Drake Law School carefully considers an applicant's writing skills, letters of recommendation (academic letters preferred), leadership experience, community and extracurricular involvement, and work and life experiences. Applicants are welcome to attach a resume and/or addendum to include any such relevant information.

Apply online at www.lsac.org. The following items must be received by the Drake Law School Office of Admission before your application is considered complete:

When to Apply

• Application
  The online application form is available through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) at www.lsac.org. There is no online application fee. Any affirmative answers to the Character and Fitness question require a detailed explanation to be uploaded with the application.
• Personal Statement
  Drake Law seeks to enroll students who show the ability to succeed in the practice of law; we want students who will be leaders in their communities, who will be ethical and professional, and who represent a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Your academic record, including the rigor of your curriculum, along with your LSAT score, will provide us with important information.  We recognize, however, that the potential for success and your contribution to our class cannot be measured solely by a standardized test or by past academic records. Therefore, we use a holistic admissions model that evaluates non-academic skills and experiences in addition to academic credentials. Non-academic factors Drake Law may consider include:  
  
  
  • Extracurricular and co-curricular activities, in particular those that helped you develop your leadership, academic, or interpersonal skills. 
  • Professional or work experiences, or community engagement. 
  • Your resilience in overcoming obstacles or barriers.   
  • Experiences or opportunities interacting with individuals from different cultures or backgrounds, including your fluency in other languages. 
  • Your career goals and motivations for going to law school, including how Drake Law in particular would further those goals. 
  • Your potential contribution to the law school environment and legal profession (for example, relating to your background, perspectives, or experiences).  

  Please include a separate statement with your application, not exceeding two pages. We encourage you to discuss any information that might help the Admissions Committee evaluate how you meet the above criteria. 

• Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report
  All JD applicants are required to have a valid CAS report. Please visit www.lsac.org to establish your account. The following items will be sent from LSAC and included in your report:

  • Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
    We will use your highest score in the last 5 years in consideration for admittance. We will not accept LSAT scores obtained after June of the year in which classes commence. Applicants who wish to submit a GRE test score must contact the Office of Admissions at Law-Admit@drake.edu. Please note that LSAT scores will be considered for applicants who have taken, or will take, the LSAT before their enrollment.
  • LSAT Writing
    Applicants applying with an LSAT score are required to complete the LSAT Writing portion of the LSAT exam. This must be completed before LSAC releases your CAS report.
  • Transcripts
    Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be sent to LSAC.
  • Letters of Recommendation
    At least one letter of recommendation is required, and up to three letters will be accepted. Letters of recommendation from academic sources are strongly encouraged.

• Scholarship Form(s)
  The above application materials will be used in determining eligibility for merit scholarships. Applicants will be notified of such awards at the time of admission. There is one scholarship that requires an application: the Justice Chester Cole Public Service Scholarship. For application materials, please visit our Cost and Financial Aid page.

Once you have applied, you will be able to keep track of your application status by checking the Application Status Online (ASO) system.

Applicants to Drake Law School's LLM program must submit the following items: (International and Foreign Trained lawyers, please refer to this page for application requirements)

• Completed Application
• Official Law School Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• At least one letter of recommendation (up to three letters will be accepted)

LLM Application Instructions

The LLM program will start each Fall semester. The application priority deadline is April 1. Drake offers rolling admission; therefore, applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadline.

Download the application below or request an application by contacting the Drake Law School Office of Admission (515-271-2782).

Fall 2026 LLM Application

Application materials can be submitted via email to Law-Admit@drake.edu or mailed to:

Drake Law School
Office of Admission and Financial Aid
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311

This is an online program with rolling admission.

Complete the Online MJ in Compliance and Risk Management Application. Select "Master of Jurisprudence in Compliance and Risk Management" from the dropdown menu.

Applicants to Drake Law School's MJ in Compliance and Risk Management program must submit the following items through the application site listed above:

• Completed Application
• Official Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• At least two letters of recommendation
• Copy of Graduate Examination Scores (if applicable)

Questions? Call 844-254-4221.

Note: Credits earned as an MJ student are not transferable should a student later decide to pursue the JD program.

MJ in Individualized Legal Studies 

This is an in-person program.

The application priority deadline is June 1 for the fall semester. Drake offers rolling admission; therefore, applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadline.

Download the Fall 2026 MJ Application or request an application by contacting the Drake Law School Office of Admission (515-271-2782).

Applicants to Drake Law School's MJ in Individualized Legal Studies program must submit the following items:

• Completed Application
• Official Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• At least one letter of recommendation (up to three letters will be accepted)
• Copy of Graduate Examination Scores (if applicable)

Application materials can be submitted via email to Law-Admit@drake.edu or mailed to:

Drake Law School
Office of Admission and Financial Aid
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311

Note: Credits earned as an MJ student are not transferable should a student later decide to pursue the JD program.

International applicants are required to submit the following:

• Completed JD Application
  The application may be found at www.lsac.org.
  
  
• Application fee of $45 (U.S. dollars) payable to Drake University Law School.
  (The application fee will be waived for applications submitted electronically before April 1.)
  
  
• Personal Statement
  
  
• Completion of the LSAT or GRE
  If you have taken the LSAT, we will use your highest score in the last 5 years in consideration for admission. We will not accept LSAT scores obtained after June of the year in which classes commence.
  
  Applicants who wish to apply with a GRE test score must contact the Office of Admissions at Law-Admit@drake.edu. Please note that LSAT scores will be considered for applicants who have taken, or will take, the LSAT before their enrollment.
  
• Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report
  Applicants who have completed work at any foreign institution outside the U.S., its territories, and Canada must have their credentials sent to LSAC to be evaluated by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. All services are offered at www.lsac.org.
  
  
• TOEFL scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English.
  An official copy of the test report must be sent directly to LSAC for inclusion in the Credential Assembly Service Report as explained above. Drake Law School strongly recommends a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100. Information concerning testing dates, location, and cost may be found at www.lsac.org.
  
  
• At least one letter of recommendation is required, and up to three letters will be accepted.
  Letters should address an applicant’s academic performance and potential. Letters of recommendation may be sent to LSAC or the Drake Law School Office of Admission.

The priority deadline is April 1 for the fall semester. Drake offers rolling admission; therefore, applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadlines.

Students at Drake Law School have full access to Drake University's International Center, which is dedicated to serving the needs of international students. The office coordinates visa paperwork and runs an international student orientation, providing students with an opportunity to connect with other international students outside of the Law School.

International applicants are required to submit the following through the LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service:

• Completed LLM Application
  Download the Fall 2026 LLM Application or request an application by contacting the Drake Law School Office of Admission at 1-800-44-DRAKE x278 or email Law-Admit@drake.edu
• Statement of Purpose
  
  
• LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service Report
  Applicants who have completed work at any foreign institution outside the U.S., its territories, and Canada must have their credentials sent to LSAC to be evaluated by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. All services are offered at www.lsac.org.
  Transcripts and TOEFL scores must be sent to the LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service to be evaluated by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. Learn more about the LLM Credential Assembly Service.
  
  
• TOEFL or IELTS Scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English.
  An official copy of the test report must be sent directly to LSAC for inclusion in the LLM Credential Assembly Service Report. Learn more about the LLM English proficiency process. Drake Law School requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. Information about testing dates, location, and cost may be found at www.ets.org/toefl.

• At least one letter of recommendation is required, and up to three letters will be accepted.
  Letters should address an applicant's academic performance and potential.

The priority deadline is April 1 for the fall semester. Drake offers rolling admission; therefore, applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadlines.

Drake Law School has a limited number of partial scholarships available to LLM students. Decisions regarding scholarship eligibility will be determined at the time of admission based on information contained in the application materials.

Students at Drake Law School have full access to Drake University's International Center, which is dedicated to serving the needs of international students. The office coordinates visa paperwork and runs an international student orientation, providing students with an opportunity to connect with other international students outside of the Law School.

International applicants are required to submit the following directly to Drake Law School:

• Completed MJ application
  Download the  Fall 2026 MJ Application or request an application by contacting the Drake Law School Office of Admission at 1-800-44-DRAKE x2782 or email Law-Admit@drake.edu
• Statement of Purpose
  
  
• Official Academic Transcripts
  
  
• TOEFL or IELTS Scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English.
  A copy of the test scores must be included with the application. Drake Law School requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. Information about testing dates, location, and cost may be found at www.ets.org/toefl.
  
  
• At least one letter of recommendation is required, and up to three letters will be accepted.
  Letters should address an applicant's academic performance and potential.

Application materials can be submitted via email to Law-Admit@drake.edu or mailed to:

Drake Law School
Office of Admission and Financial Aid
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311

The priority deadline is June 1 for the fall semester. Drake offers rolling admission; therefore, applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadlines.

Students at Drake Law School have full access to Drake University's International Center, which is dedicated to serving the needs of international students. The office coordinates visa paperwork and runs an international student orientation, providing students with an opportunity to connect with other international students outside of the Law School.

*Note: Credits earned as an MJ student are not transferable should a student later decide to pursue the JD program.

Any student wishing to attend Drake Law School as a visiting student must complete an online application and submit the following:

• A Current Law School Transcript
  
  
• A letter from the dean's or registrar's office of the law school at which the student is a degree candidate (home law school) certifying that the student is in good academic standing and eligible to re-enroll
  
  
• Written permission from his or her dean's or registrar's office to enroll in any classes offered at Drake Law School.

To access the online application, visit www.lsac.org.

Required documents may be sent via e-mail or postal mail to:

Drake Law School
Office of Admission and Financial Aid
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50311

Law-Admit@drake.edu

Any student wishing to transfer from another accredited law school should follow the procedure listed for regular applicants.

In addition, transfer applicants must also provide:

• Transcripts showing the grades of all law work attempted
  
  
• Class rank
  
  
• A letter from the dean of the most recent law school attended certifying that the student is in good academic standing and eligible to re-enroll
  
  
• An official copy of the CAS Report to the admission office from the Law School Data Assembly Service. Photocopies will not be accepted. Electronic requests for reports may be made at www.lsac.org.

Credit for courses in which the student earned a grade of C or better usually will transfer, but those grades will not be calculated into the student’s cumulative grade point average at Drake Law School. Determination of transfer credit acceptance is made by the associate dean. 

To qualify for a Drake Law degree, a student must complete at least 30 semester hours of work in residence at Drake. The faculty has the right to require completion of more than 30 hours in appropriate cases. Only in exceptional circumstances may a student qualify for a degree with only two semesters in residence at Drake.