Visiting Student Application & Application Instructions
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University of Miami School of Law - Visiting Student Application Instructions and other Important Information for Visiting Students

1. Character and Fitness and the Need for Full Disclosure

Visiting student applicants should take care to respond fully, fairly, and carefully to every question on the application. The School of Law is primarily an academic institution. In evaluating applications, the admissions committee is thus principally concerned with a candidate's potential for succeeding in and contributing to the academic program and School of Law community. The care, candor, and integrity evidenced by the application can be significant factors in that evaluation.

Applicants also should be aware that, in conducting character and fitness investigations (see section 13 below), bar authorities frequently request copies of candidates' applications for admission to law school to determine whether they have supplied erroneous or incomplete information in the admissions process. If discrepancies are found, bar authorities may conclude that they so far undermine a candidate's credibility as to call into question his or her fitness for admission to the bar.

In this regard, the School of Law places upon each applicant the continuing responsibility to notify the School of Law of any changes after submitting the application. This notification is required either prior to admission or at any time while enrolled as a transient student, and includes the information required by questions 1 and 2 under Additional Information on the application.

2. Visiting Student File Review

While one standard indicator of potential for admission for visiting students is prior performance in law school, undergraduate records and LSAT scores are also seriously considered in the admissions process. It is possible that applicants whose credentials would not be considered competitive with currently enrolled students, or who do not demonstrate serious academic purpose, may not be offered admission regardless of satisfactory performance in law school. Also considered in the admission process are letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, the resume, and the letter of standing from the applicant’s home law school.

At minimum, visiting students must have completed the equivalent of the entire first-year of law school at an A.B.A accredited law school prior to admission consideration. The maximum number of credits that can be earned at U.M. as a visiting student is 32. The School of Law is committed to a policy of further enhancing the diversity of its student body and encourages applications for visiting status from members of all minority groups.

Visiting students are expected to adhere to the requirements and standards of their home intuitions and to the academic and other standards specified in the Student Handbook and Honor Code of the University of Miami School of Law. Visiting students are expected to return to their home schools to complete their degrees and are ineligible to apply for transfer status.

3. Time of Submission of Application

The application filing deadline for visiting students is July 2 for the Fall semester, December 20th for the Spring, and May 9 for the Summer semester.

4. Application Fee - Method of Payment

When you have completed this application, you must print it, sign it and mail it, along with a nonrefundable $60 application fee, to the address below. The check should be made payable to the University of Miami. There are no fee waivers available for transient students.

5. Credential Assembly Service

The School of Law requires a copy of your LSAC Credential Assembly Service Report sent directly to the School of Law from LSAC or by the Registrar at your home institution. The document should be sent to the address below.

6. Law School Transcripts

In order to process your visiting student application, it is necessary that we receive an official law school transcript directly from the Registrar at your home institution. This transcript should be up to date and at minimum reflect the entire first-year. The transcripts should be sent to the address below.

7. Class Rank and Letter of Good Standing

We require a letter from the Registrar or Office of the Dean at your present law school indicating that you are in good standing and unconditionally eligible to return. In addition, the letter should indicate that the credits earned at the University of Miami School of Law will be accepted and applied toward a degree from your home law school. If available, this letter should also state your class rank.

8. Recommendations

You should submit your application to the School of Law prior to having your recommendations forwarded. The University of Miami School of Law requires two letters of recommendation for transient consideration. Please be sure to include your Social Security number or LSAC account number and full name (identical to that on your application) on all recommendations. Both of these evaluation documents should be from a faculty member who is familiar with your academic performance and has had an opportunity to evaluate some significant aspect of your academic work. Recommendations should be sent to the address below.

9. Address/Name Change

It is important that we have a current postal and e-mail address for you at all times. If either of the addresses you provided on your application changes at any time, notify us promptly in writing. If you should legally change your name, it is necessary for you to submit documentation to that effect to the Office of Admissions.

10. Financial Aid Information

Students requiring financial assistance should contact the financial aid office at their home institutions and/or the Office of Financial Aid at the University of Miami School of Law for assistance and application materials. The Office of Financial Aid can be reached at (305) 284-3115.

11. Acknowledgments

You will receive a postcard or e-mail acknowledging our receipt of your application and application fee.

12. Communications

All correspondence relating to your application should be addressed to the address below. The telephone number of the Office of Admissions is (305) 284-2523 (9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday). The school's website address is www.law.miami.edu. You may also e-mail admissions@law.miami.edu. Admission decision notification will be made either by mail or e-mail.

13. Conviction of a Crime and State Bar Requirements

States subject applicants to the bar to a comprehensive and rigorous character and fitness investigation before admission to practice. Applicants are strongly encouraged to check with the state bar in the states in which they desire to practice to determine the rules that will apply to their bar admission in those states. Applicants with criminal convictions may find it difficult to gain admission to the bar of some states. Because the rules and procedures of the states differ, you should consult the bar authorities in each state in which you intend to practice if you have been convicted of a crime. Furthermore, you should keep in mind that state bar authorities are concerned about the veracity of prospective lawyers and thus with an applicant's truthfulness in supplying and updating information requested on law school application forms. Should you fail to disclose on this application form a crime for which you have been convicted, you may experience, on that ground alone, unusual delays or other problems in being admitted to the bar. (See section 1.)

14. Career Development Office

Visiting students do not receive priority at the Career Development Office and may not be eligible for services otherwise available for full-time enrolled University of Miami School of Law students and/or alumni.

15. Disability Services

Students who have received special accommodations from their home schools relating to a documented disability should contact Iris Morera, the coordinator of disability services, at (305) 284-9907 or at imorera@law.miami.edu.

16. Health Insurance

All students must have health insurance and will be automatically billed for insurance each semester unless they complete a cancellation request that is available online.

17. Student Activity Fee

All students are charged a student activity fee.

18. Class Registration

Visiting students do not get priority registration which can limit the courses available for them. This includes clinical opportunities.

19. University of Miami School of Law Joint-Degree Program Instructions

The University of Miami School of Law offers three joint-degree LL.M. programs which are available for transient students: the Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Tax; the Master of Laws in International Law; and the Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Inter-American Law. Transient applicants interested in being considered for one of these programs must complete the individual program application (in lieu of the transient student application) and supply all documentation required of a transient student applicant and as an applicant to the LL.M. program.

20. Mailing and Street Address

Mailing Address University of Miami School of Law Office of Admissions P.O. Box 248087 Coral Gables, FL 33124-8087

Street/Express Mailing Address University of Miami School of Law Office of Admissions 1311 Miller Drive, Room F203 Coral Gables, FL 33146

Click here to access the Visiting Student Application.