Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to the FAQ's below, you can also read the transcripts from our most recent chat sessions.
Tuition and Financial aid
How much does it cost to attend?
Does Regent's financial aid package include merit-based and need-based aid?
What scholarship opportunities are available to students after their first year?
Statistics
Can you describe Regent's average class profile?
What percentage of students find jobs after graduating?
What percentage of your students pass the bar?
What is Regent's first-year academic attrition rate?
Taking the LSAT
When should I take the Law School Admission Test?
Does the Admissions Committee average multiple LSAT scores?
Applying to Regent Law
Who reviews my admission application and when will I receive a decision?
How important are my responses to the essay topics, and does Regent's committee favor a particular type of personal statement?
Is an interview required?
What is the application timeframe at Regent?
Does Regent accept optional and/or diversity statements?
Getting Accepted to Regent Law
How do I strengthen my chances of being admitted?
If I am admitted, may I defer admission?
How would you describe the atmosphere at Regent Law?
What opportunities does Regent offer for internships/extern ships?
What opportunities are available to prospective and/or admitted students to visit the Regent campus?
Does Regent provide academic support to students? Is it open to all students or only to students who are in academic jeopardy?
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Statistics
Q: Can you describe Regent's average class profile?
A: For the entering 2011 class:
Prospects: 8425
Applications: 1312
Class Size: 154
GPA
Average GPA: 3.27
25/75th: 2.96/3.60
LSAT
Average LSAT: 154
25/75th LSAT: 150/158
DEMOGRAPHICS
Minority Enrollment: 16%
Female Enrollment: 49%
Average Age: 25
Age Range: 18-59
Residency: 31% Virginian (previously reported as the number of students, 48, versus the percentage of students, 31).
No. of States Represented: 36
No. of Academic Institutions Represented: 116
Q: What percentage of students find jobs after graduating?
A: Our alumni placement rate within 9 months of
graduation is equal to the national average of 88% over the last three
years. (Includes data from the classes of '08, '09, and '10. The
national average for '11 has not yet been confirmed by the National
Association for Law Placement.)
One of our most distinguished graduates, Robert F. McDonnell, currently serves as the 71st Governor of Virginia. Other graduates serve in the nation's top 100 law firms, in public service and in local, state and national government positions.
Q: What percentage of your students pass the bar?
A: Regent Law's first-time Virginia Bar Exam takers acheived a 100% pass rate on the Feburary 2012 exam.
2011 Regent Law graduates who took the Virginia Bar Exam had a first-time taker pass rate of 79.6%, slightly above the Virginia state average for all first-timer takers of 79.1%.
Regent's pass rate for 2011 Virginia Bar Exam first-time takers with an LSAT score of 154 and above was 95.7%.
Regent's 2011 nationwide first-time Bar takers (all states) passed at a rate of 82.3%; those with an LSAT score of 155 and above passed at a rate of 94.9%.
Taking the LSAT
Q: When should I take the Law School Admission Test?
A: Members of the Admissions Committee believe that the best time to take the LSAT is in the fall or December. By sitting for either of these two early LSAT administrations, an applicant will be assured that his or her admission file will be in the first round of files reviewed by the admissions committee. In turn, these early test takers can expect to receive a decision from the Committee by early February, providing all other required documentation has been received.
Applicants who take the October, December, or February LSAT can be assured of receiving full consideration for both admission and scholarship assistance. Applicants who sit for the June LSAT may be admitted if there are remaining seats in the class when the June scores become available.
Q: Does the Admissions Committee average multiple LSAT scores?
A: The committee considers all scores when an applicant has taken the LSAT more than once, though the highest score is heavily weighted.
Applying to Regent Law
Q: Who reviews my admission application and when will I receive a decision?
A: The admissions committee includes several members of the faculty, two associate deans, and the director of admissions. Typically, the admissions office begins reviewing applications for fall admission in late December. The committee admits on a "rolling" basis. Once the committee convenes, applicants should receive a letter of decision within approximately three weeks from the time the file is complete.
Q: How important are my responses to the essay topic, and does Regent's committee favor a particular type of personal statement?
A: The admissions committee places significant importance on the Personal Statement section of the application. Applicants are expected to submit a well-reasoned personal statement or essay, evidencing the applicant's writing, grammar, and thinking skills in 500-1000 words. The essay may assist the Admissions Committee to understand additional skills, abilities, and life experiences, which the applicant would bring to the incoming class. The essay may also reveal a sense of the candidate's motivation for studying law at Regent University. This motivation (or calling) is a very important issue for members of the Admissions Committee.
Q: Is an interview required?
A: Interviews are not required, although the Admissions Committee may contact an applicant as part of the committee's decision-making process. If an interview is requested by the committee, it is likely that the interview can be accomplished by telephone.
Q: What is the application timeframe at Regent Law?
A: Our Priority application date is February 1, though applications are accepted between October 1 and June 1 or until the class is filled. For seating availability information, please contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4584 or lawschool@regent.edu. Applicants may apply at the following web site.
Q: Does Regent Law accept addenda and/or diversity statements?
A: Applicants are welcome to submit addenda with their applications including grade or LSAT-explanation statements addressing situations in which the applicant has overcome significant cultural, economic, familial or other challenges.
Getting Accepted to Regent Law
Q: How do I strengthen my chances of being admitted?
A: The admissions committee evaluates the following:
- overall GPA and grade trends,
- the rigor of courses completed,
- the competitiveness of the institution attended,
- comments from faculty recommendors or evaluators as they relate to the applicant's performance,
- future potential and extenuating circumstances that may have affected the applicant's college performance at the graduate level in addition to the undergraduate record.
The Committee carefully weighs each applicant's LSAT score in light of the many other parts of the applicant's admissions file in conjunction with the overall profile for the incoming class. The committee relies heavily upon the highest score when an applicant has taken the LSAT more than once, but all scores will be reviewed. Applications from prospective students with LSAT scores above 150 and undergraduate GPA's above 3.0 are especially encouraged, as the law school has seen that such students are likely to succeed in law school and also likely to pass the bar exam on their first attempt.
Q: If I am admitted, may I defer admission?
A: Applicants accepted to the law program are expected to deposit and register for classes the year in which they are accepted to the law school. On a case by case basis, a student may be granted a one-year deferment, prior to Orientation, generally due to a medical, financial or unique family circumstance.
Accepted students who need to request deferment must submit a written request outlining the reasons for the deferment request before June 1.
A joint degree student who begins his/her studies at Regent in the other school is automatically granted a one-year deferment to the law school.
Students granted deferment must submit an abbreviated admissions application update, including the character and fitness statement as formal reapplication. This will be required of the student prior to matriculation the next year to ensure that no substantive changes have occurred. Joint degree students must meet “Satisfactory Academic Progress" at the end of the spring term in order to matriculate into the law school.
Individuals not granted deferment may reapply as a new applicant at a later time. Since the law school financial aid budget is established yearly, students who have been granted deferment must reapply for financial aid for the year in which they plan to matriculate. Scholarships and/or awards granted previously by the law school may not necessarily apply. Deferred applicants are encouraged to reapply for financial aid concurrent with the abbreviated admissions application update.
Q: How would you describe the atmosphere at Regent Law?
A: A spirit of cooperation and support is evident in the students and faculty. Because of the unique mission of Regent Law, students pray, encourage and support one another. Professors genuinely care for their students, both professionally and personally. This positive environment is consistently reflected in the Princeton Review top-ten recognition of Regent’s "Quality of Student Life."
Q: What opportunities does Regent offer for internships/externships?
A: The Career Services strategy is designed to meet the needs of law students in each year of study. The program includes individualized counseling, self-assessment, a general investigation of career opportunities and specific career search techniques along with assistance in professional development materials. A job bulletin board announces openings for internships, clerkships, associate positions, and other law-related opportunities. It also promotes numerous judicial clerkships available nationwide. Please see the "Statistics" section above for information on Bar passage and job placement.
Q: What opportunities are available for prospective and/or admitted students to visit the Regent campus?
A: We encourage all prospective students to schedule a visit to our campus. We believe that a visit to the Regent community will reveal significant information about the mission of the school and your potential place within our community. The invitation to visit Regent is a standing one and can be geared toward individual schedules. A list of our organized program dates and chat nights can be found at www.regent.edu/lawvisit.
Q: Does Regent provide academic support to students? Is it open to all students or only to students who are in academic jeopardy?
A: All students are invited to participate in the academic support services provided by the law school under the direction of Associate Dean for Student Affairs Natt Gantt and Assistant Professor of Law and Associate Director Gloria Whittico. As a part of the application process, the Admissions Committee identifies selected students to participate in the Academic Success Program if those students possess a strong likelihood of success in law school, but would especially benefit from an extended orientation due to their LSAT score, undergraduate GPA, or other factors, such as their undergraduate major or the length of time since they have been enrolled in an academic program. The Summer Program is not a performance-based or trial admissions program. All participants are expected to continue with their studies in the fall semester.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Q: How much does it cost to attend?
A: Tuition for 2012-2013 academic year is $1,095.00 per credit hour.
Click here to view the cost of attendance.
Q: Does Regent's financial aid package include merit-based and need-based aid?
A: The law school typically awards over $3.7 million. Our financial aid packages include merit, leadership, denominational, military, selected ministry, and need/merit-based scholarships.
Q: What scholarship opportunities are available to students after their first year?
A: Most first-year scholarships are renewable. Students who were not awarded aid their first year of study may qualify for aid their following years of study based upon their academic performance in the law school. The University also offers a number of endowed scholarships for continuing students.
Q: What is Regent's first-year academic attrition rate?
A:
| Fall 2010 Incoming Class Academic Attrition: | |||
| Fall 2010 | # Ranked | Dismissed | Rate |
| F/T | 158 | 6 | 3.8% |
| P/T | 5 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 163 | 6 | 3.7% | |
| Spring 2011 | |||
| F/T | 148 | 10 | 6.8% |
| P/T | 5 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 153 | 10 | 6.5% | |
| 1L Class | 163 | 16 | 9.8% |
