The Early Decision Program (EDP) is designed for law school applicants who have determined the S.J. Quinney College of Law is their first-choice law school.  This decision—establishing the S.J. Quinney College of Law as one’s first-choice law school—should be the result of fully researching law school options.  If after investigating law schools and determining that S.J. Quinney College of Law is your first-choice law school, you may then wish to apply through the EDP. Candidates with academic credentials at or above the medians of the latest first-year class are most competitive for admission.

 

Early Decision Program Scholarship

Applicants admitted through EDP are automatically awarded a renewable merit-on-entrance scholarship package. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the three-year value of the scholarship package for Utah residents is just over $55,500 and for non-resident students the value is just over $72,000. The scholarship package will be disbursed in equal portions for each of the three years of a student’s enrollment at the S.J. Quinney College of Law.  The only requirements to renew this scholarship are to maintain good academic and behavior code standing.  Admitted EDP applicants may also be eligible for need-based scholarship support.  That eligibility will be determined as part of financial aid need analysis that requires the submission of a need-based scholarship application.  The need analysis will occur as part of need-based financial aid packaging in spring. NOTE: Because of the timeline associated with the EDP process, admitted EDP applicants cannot expect to be in a position to compare financial aid awards from other law schools.

 

Early Decision Program Applicant Evaluation

S.J. Quinney College of Law EDP candidates are evaluated using the same admissions criteria employed in our regular decision process. Applicants will be reviewed using a holistic evaluation process which carefully considers the following: 1) demonstrated academic skills; and 2) what more applicants are bringing to the law school by virtue of their life experience, backgrounds and interests that will enhance, and bring vibrancy and vigor to the law school the community.

 

Early Decision Program Application Process

The S.J. Quinney College of Law EDP is a binding application program.  Applicants applying through the EDP, if admitted, commit to enroll at the S.J Quinney College of Law for the 2025 Fall Semester.  While pursuing admission and waiting for a decision notification under S.J. Quinney College of Law EDP, applicants may apply to other non-binding law school programs. Applicants may only, however, have one binding early decision application—the EDP application submitted to the S.J. Quinney College of Law.

 

Instructions

EDP applicants are to use the entering Fall 2025 Early Decision Program Application available beginning September 1 on the LSAC website. EDP applicants must also complete and submit the Early Decision Agreement form with the Fall 2024 Early Decision Program Application.

The Early Decision Agreement acknowledges an applicant’s intent to be considered for early decision and confirms they understand the rules that govern the program. EDP applicants must sign and submit the form with their applications and supporting materials through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), by October 25. An EDP application will not be considered complete and ready for review until the S.J. Quinney College of Law receives the Early Decision Agreement form. In all other respects, EDP applicants follow the regular JD application instructions.

EDP applicants may not be binding early decision applicants at other law schools.  Applicants choosing to apply to the S.J. Quinney College of Law’s EDP, are limited to applying to the S.J. Quinney College of Law as their only binding early decision application.

EDP applicants not admitted through the EDP process will automatically have their applications transmitted into the applicant pool for the regular decision process. EDP applicants will be notified of their file transmission into the regular decision process on or by November 15.

Within ten (10) business days of their notification, admitted EDP applicants will be required to: (1) submit an Intent to Enroll Certification; (2) pay both a $500 seat deposit and a $600 orientation fee (both non-refundable); (3) withdraw all other outstanding law school applications; and, (4) abstain from initiating any new applications by the time they submit the Intent to Enroll Certification. NOTE: Early decision admission offers may not be deferred.

 

Application Timeline

EDP applicants must submit and complete their applications by October 25, 2024 to be considered for the program.  The October 2024 LSAT is the last LSAT the S.J. Quinney College of Law will consider for early decision. EDP applicants will receive an EDP admissions decision on or by November 15, 2024.

 

IMPORTANT DATES

September 1, 2024 – Application filing period begins

October 2024 – LSAT is the last exam considered for early decision.

October 25, 2024 – Early Decision Program application deadline

November 15, 2024 – Early decision notifications sent to applicants