Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to the FAQ's below, you can also read the transcripts from our most recent chat sessions.
Statistics
Describe Regent's average applicant pool.
What percentage of students find jobs after graduating?
What percentage of your students pass the bar?
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 Law School?
Does Regent Law 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?
Financial Aid at Regent Law
Does Regent's financial aid package include merit-based and need-based aid?
What scholarship opportunities are available to students after their first year?
What is Regent's first-year academic attrition rate?
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Statistics
Q: Describe Regent's average applicant pool.
A: Out of approximately 5,000+ inquiries, just under 900 applications were received for the Fall 2009 entering class.
Of this number, approximately 350 applicants were offered admission. 160 students are expected to begin their studies in August with an average LSAT of 153/154 and average UGPA of 3.3. Underrepresented student enrolmment is 15%. ^ back to top
Q. What percentage of students find jobs after graduating?
A: According to NALP (National Association for Law Placement), Regent’s employment rate for the Class of 2008 was 90.9%, exceeding the national average of 89.9%.
Regent’s judicial clerkship rate for the Class of 2008 was 11.4%, exceeding the national average for judicial clerkships of 9.6%.
19.3% of Regent Law's Class of 2008 grads were employed by federal and state government agencies in comparison with the national average from all other law schools of 11%. ^ back to top
Q. What percentage of your students pass the bar?
A. For the class of 2008:
LSAT at or greater than 150: 91% of Regent Law students passed the bar on the first try
LSAT at or greater than 155: 92% of Regent Law students passed the bar on the first try
LSAT at or greater than 160: 100% of Regent Law students passed the bar on the first try
The national bar passage rate for all first-time takers from ABA-approved law schools is 85%. ^ back to top
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 the 1st of February, providing all other required documentation has been received.
Applicants who take the September, 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, but because the number of seats available in the entering class are limited, late applicants may be less likely to receive an offer of admission and/or scholarship assistance. ^ back to top
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.
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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. The admissions office begins reviewing applications for fall admission in late December. The committee admits on a "rolling" basis. Typically, applicants will receive a letter of decision within two to three weeks from the time the file is complete. ^ back to top
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 applicant's responses to the Regent-specific topics in the Personal Statement section of the application. Applicants are expected to respond to the specific topics to help the admissions committee understand the skills, abilities and experiences of the applicant. The essay topics also attempt to elicit from each applicant 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 committee. The Admissions Committee views failure to address each of the Regent-specific topics as a negative factor.
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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. ^ back to top
Q: What is the application timeframe at Regent Law?
A: Applications for admission are accepted between October 1 and June 1, with a Priority Consideration date of February 1. Applicants may apply via the school web site or via the LSAC e-app process. ^ back to top
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 applicants has overcome significant cultural, economic, familial or other challenges. ^ back to top
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 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. ^ back to top
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 generally due to a medical, financial or unique family circumstance.
Students wishing to apply for 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" (2.0 or better) 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. ^ back to top
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." ^ back to top
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. ^ back to top
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.
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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. ^ back to top
Financial Aid at Regent Law
Q: Does Regent's financial aid package include merit-based and need-based aid?
A: The law school typically awards about $2.7 million. Our financial aid packages include merit, leadership, denominational, military and need/merit-based scholarships. ^ back to top
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. ^ back to top
Q: What is Regent's first-year academic attrition rate?
A: Out of the 144 students who began in the fall 2008 incoming class, thirteen first year students were academically dismissed. ^ back to top
