Financial aid Scholarships Frequently asked questions Information sessions Application checklist
Financial Aid and Scholarships William Mitchell’s Financial Aid Office staff helps you understand your financial aid options and resources. Scholarships, federal work-study eligibility, federal and private loans and federal and state veterans’ benefits are administered through the Financial Aid Office.
Scholarships William Mitchell has a robust scholarship program that provides a collection of scholarship opportunities to a variety of students. Your application for admission will be thoughtfully evaluated for both admission and scholarship awards. Scholarships are awarded based on a range of factors including previous academic excellence, professional experience, military service, other service and leadership experience, personal background and ex-
periences, and interest in particular areas of the law. Notification of a scholarship award is included in your admission letter. Last year, we were able to award 100 percent of our incoming students a renewable scholarship. To learn more about what scholarship assistance you may be eligible for, contact the Admissions Office at 651290-6476.
Financial Aid Cost of Attendance and Amount of Aid Available Aid is available to pay all of your law school costs including tuition charges plus estimated amounts for books and living expenses. Schools are required to set a maximum amount of financial aid students can use each academic year. This amount is referred to as the school’s Cost of Attendance. For the most current Cost of Attendance information for both full-time and part-time enrollment please see William Mitchell’s website at www. wmitchell.edu/admissions. Documented costs for dependent day-care, health insurance premiums, and a computer purchase can be added to the basic cost total with additional loans offered.
Veterans Benefits Federal and State of Minnesota veterans’ benefits are processed through the Financial Aid Office. William Mitchell is a designated Military Friendly school and voluntarily participates in the Veterans Yellow Ribbon program benefit which provides $2,000 each year to eligible veterans. Federal Work-Study Program Federal Work-Study is subject to funds availability. Most students use work-study in their second year. Federal work-study employment eligibility replaces federal loan eligibility in the financial aid package. Incoming students may contact the financial aid office for award and employment information. Job listings are found online in the Career and Professional Development Office Symplicity database.
Loans Loans are available and processed throughout the year for amounts up to your Cost of Attendance (see Cost of Attendance and Amount of Aid Available above). Federal Loans William Mitchell participates in the federal Direct Lending program which includes Stafford unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS loans. Federal Perkins Loans are subject to funds availability. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine both federal loan and workstudy eligibility. Complete loan term details are available on our website.
Checklist Secure a federal Personal Identification Number (PIN) www.pin.ed.gov Private Loans Commercial, non-federal lenders offer student loans. Loan terms vary from lender to lender, and are typically credit dependent. Please note that private loans cannot participate in federal income-based and loan forgiveness programs. We will process any loan you choose. Please keep us informed if you plan to use a private loan lender.
Aid Notification After you are admitted, and we’ve received your FAFSA, you will be e-mailed a financial aid information letter. Once we receive your deposit, you will receive an e-mail that includes your Mitchell ID number. The ID number provides access to William Mitchell’s interactive financial aid website. We offer aid to pay both tuition costs remaining after scholarships are applied and the estimated living expense budget. Through the website, you may accept as much—or as little—of the aid as you wish. We are here to answer your questions and provide information about loans, work-study, benefits, scholarships and budgeting.
Complete and submit the 2014–15 FAFSA online by May 1, 2014 www.fafsa.ed.gov Mitchell’s FAFSA Code: G02391 Provide requested documentation to William Mitchell’s Financial Aid Office finaid@wmitchell.edu
Important Dates The earliest the federal FAFSA can be filed January 1 Financial aid priority deadline May 1 Latest date to submit loan applications to avoid processing delays July 15
Frequently Asked Questions What is the application deadline? August 1, but early applications are encouraged. We begin accepting applications October 1. How should I prepare for the LSAT? Can you recommend a preparation course? The method of preparation (commonly self-study or commercial preparation course) often varies depending upon the applicant’s learning style, finances, and schedule. Regardless of the method, it’s important to devote significant time to practicing under timed conditions. Applicants should review the test instructions and become familiar with the types of questions asked. A commercial preparation course may be most appealing to some applicants, but we don’t recommend any course in particular.
When should I take the LSAT? We strongly recommend that applicants take the LSAT no later than February of the year in which they hope to enroll, but we will accept a score from the June administration of that same year. Also, applicants must have taken the LSAT within five years of entering William Mitchell. For students hoping to enroll in fall 2014, the oldest valid LSAT score would be from October 2009. Is a minimum LSAT score required for admission? No. Though predictors of academic success are an important part of the application review process, we do not use LSAT or GPA cut-offs in our application review process. We read and consider every application we receive. Our current student profile will have information about the median LSAT score and GPA of the most recent incoming class.
Does William Mitchell average multiple LSAT scores? No. The highest LSAT score among multiple scores will be considered for admission and scholarshipawarding purposes. Who should write my letters of recommendation or complete my evaluations? Recommenders should know an applicant well and be able to assess personal qualities and potential for success in law school. They should describe at least some of these characteristics: academic ability, including analytical aptitude, critical reading abilities, and oral and written communication skills; leadership and interpersonal skills; motivation and self-discipline; and demonstrated ethics. If an applicant is currently in school, or graduated less than three years ago, he or she should ask professors. If an applicant graduated more than three years ago and a past professor isn’t an option, an
applicant should ask colleagues, preferably those in supervisory positions, or fellow volunteers who know that applicant in a professional capacity and can attest to the characteristics described above. Applicants should avoid asking family members and friends because they are understandably biased. In addition, applicants should avoid the “token” lawyer or judge (essentially, family friends who work in the legal profession who do not know the applicant in a professional capacity). How long will it take the Admissions Committee to make a decision on my application? The Admissions Committee will typically render a decision on an application four to six weeks from when it becomes complete. Applicants should note that the date on which an application becomes complete is not necessarily the date on which they mail or submit it electronically. The Office of Admissions will
inform every applicant via e-mail when his or her application has been received and whether it is complete. What things are most important to the Admissions Committee when it is reviewing an application? The threshold question the Admissions Committee is trying to answer when reviewing an application is always, “Will this applicant be successful in studying the law at William Mitchell?” Thus, the Admissions Committee will look carefully at an applicant’s LSAT score, his or her undergraduate GPA, the nature and rigor of his or her undergraduate course of study, trends in academic achievement at the undergraduate level, and the quality of the writing through an application. The Committee will also consider an applicant’s predicted first-year average (PFYA). The PFYA is calculated using both an applicant’s LSAT score and GPA and
represents what we believe the applicant will receive as a GPA in his or her first year of law school. The Admissions Committee is also interested in applicants who will contribute to the “Mitchell Mix.� To that end, it will look for evidence of factors in an application that include, but are not limited to, diversity of background and experience, work experience, leadership abilities, international experience, emotional maturity, commitment to public service, overcoming hardship or obstacles, and evidence of passion. Does William Mitchell interview applicants? No, but we are always happy to meet with prospective students and applicants to discuss their questions and concerns about anything related to the admissions process, law school, or William Mitchell.
Does William Mitchell offer scholarships? Yes. All applicants are considered for scholarships at the same time that they are considered for admission; no separate application is necessary. Scholarship recipients are notified of their awards at the time of their acceptance. Questions about scholarships should be directed to the Office of Admissions.
The percentage of our incoming students we were able to award a renewable scholarship last year
Does William Mitchell have a conditional admission program? No, but we do offer all students academic support. The Academic Achievement Program at William Mitchell helps students master the skills necessary to succeed in law school and on the bar exam. The program eases the transition to law school by introducing students to key skills in a systematic way. Its programs include individual academic advising, skills workshops and special courses.
When can I visit William Mitchell? Prospective students and applicants are welcome to make individual appointments to visit with an admissions counselor and tour the school. They are also welcome to attend any one of the Information Sessions we host throughout the fall and spring terms to meet us, current students, alumni, and faculty, and to learn more about the first-year curriculum, the admissions process, financial aid, and student life here at Mitchell. The easiest way to register for an Information Session is to do so online. Can I work and go to law school? Yes. The American Bar Association limits the number of hours full-time students can work to 20 hours a week. Part-time students’ work hours are not limited. Thus, if you plan to work more than 20 hours a week, you should consider attending William Mitchell part time.
Can a student switch from a part-time program to a full-time program and vice versa? Yes. After the first year, William Mitchell students may move freely between full-time and part-time enrollment as often as each semester. It is only in the first-year that students enroll as fulltime or part-time and must maintain that enrollment status for that entire first year. How much time should I expect to spend studying outside of class? Expect to spend an average of two to three hours per credit. Can I start in the spring semester? First-year students may only begin in the fall; transfer and visiting students may begin in the spring.
Where do William Mitchell students live? All students live off-campus. A good place to start looking for rental housing is our housing bulletin, an informally maintained list of available area rental properties. Is parking available for first-year students? Yes. Free parking permits will be provided to all first-year students who request them. These parking permits will allow first-year students to park in any available space they find in the Grotto Lot, two blocks east of William Mitchell College of Law at Summit Avenue and Grotto Street. Free parking is also available for first-year students on the streets surrounding the school within posted parameters. On the weekends only, first-year students with a parking permit may also park in the lots adjacent to the school.
Does William Mitchell have an admitted student day? Yes. We host two Meet Mitchell days for admitted students—one in March and one in April (both are scheduled on a Friday). The Meet Mitchell day is specifically tailored to admitted students and thus a wonderful way to gather a lot of information and perspectives at once. The event provides the opportunity to meet with other admitted students, many of whom might be your future classmates. In addition, there is a mock class, panels with current students and alumni, and the chance to meet faculty and alumni. When will I find out my class schedule? During your first year, you will take all of your classes for the entire year with the same group of people—your “section.” Although all incoming students will take the same courses in the first year, the days and times at which these courses are taken will vary slightly from section
to section. Full-time students will be in a section that meets during the day and will be enrolled in 4 classes (14 credits) each semester. Part-time students will be in a section that meets in the day or the evening and will be enrolled in 3 classes (10 credits in the fall; 11 credits in the spring). Part-time students will be contacted in late spring about whether they would like to enroll in a day or evening section. All incoming students will be assigned to a section and receive a copy of their section assignment and course schedule in mid-June. Information about first reading assignments will be available in August. What should I do to prepare for the start of law school? It’s not necessary to do anything in particular to prepare for the start of law school. However, we do offer a program in mid-August in which many incoming students participate. The Academic Preparation Workshop (APW)
offers incoming first-year students the opportunity to gain knowledge about how to be a law student, including how to study, how to acquire basic skills that firstyear students need, and how to put the skills and information learned in the first year into context. When is orientation for new students? Orientation for new students consists of two parts: a small group session in midAugust and the opening week orientation in late August. Students will receive more information about orientation in July. Further questions about orientation should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs and Student Life at 651.290.8642 or studentservices@wmitchell.edu.
Information Sessions As you think about attending law school, you probably have a lot of questions. Find the answers at a William Mitchell College of Law Information Session. You’ll hear from current students, faculty, and alumni, as well as admissions and financial aid representatives. Reserve space for you and your guests at an Information Session today. If you cannot attend, please call or email us to schedule a campus visit.
Contact Information Saturday, October 22 10 am–1 pm
Admissions For scholarships and Information Sessions WEB
Saturday, February 22 10 am–1 pm Wednesday, June 18 6–8 pm
wmitchell.edu/admissions or 1-888-962-5529 admissions@wmitchell.edu
PHONE 651-290-6476 Email
Financial Aid For aid and work-study information WEB
wmitchell.edu/financial-aid or 1-888-962-5529 finaid@wmitchell.edu
PHONE 651-290-6403 WEB PHONE Email
wmitchell.edu/info 651-290-6476 or 1-888-962-5529 admissions@wmitchell.edu
Student Affairs For orientation information WEB
wmitchell.edu/admitted or 1-888-962-5529 studentservices@wmitchell.edu
PHONE 651-290-8642 Email
Application Checklist All Applicants
Non-U.S. Applicants
Transfer Applicants
Visiting Applicants
Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Send TOEFL score to CAS or directly to William Mitchell’s Office of Admissions
Official copy of your law school transcript sent to William Mitchell’s Office of Admissions
Official copy of your law school transcript sent to William Mitchell’s Office of Admissions
Letter of good standing from the dean of your current law school and any other law school you’ve attended sent directly to William Mitchell’s Office of Admissions
Letter of good standing from the dean of your current law school and any other law school you’ve attended sent directly to William Mitchell’s Office of Admissions
Register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Official copies of your college transcripts sent to CAS Letters of recommendation or evaluations (totaling two) sent to CAS Note: We Prefer letters or evaluations be less than two years old
Complete an application for admission Attach a personal statement Attach a résumé
Note: This requirement applies to all those who are non-native speakers of English or who have been educated in a country where English is not the primary language
Photocopy of your non-U.S. citizenship documentation sent directly to William Mitchell’s Office of Admissions
CAS account is current
Office of Admissions 875 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota 55105 888-962-5529 wmitchell.edu 01168 2013-06