FAQ

Admissions
What is the deadline to apply?
How can I check the status of my application?
Can I apply for fall 2007 if I’m taking the February LSAT?
Does Gonzaga interview applicants in the admissions process?
What is the Early Start Program?

Financial Aid
What institutional scholarships does Gonzaga offer law students?
What is Thomas More Scholarship and how do I apply?
What are some steps I should be taking to get my financial aid in order?

Programs
What classes do I take as a first-year student?
May I attend law school part-time?
Do I have to declare a concentration as a law student?
Are dual degree programs offered and when can I apply?
What study abroad programs are available to me as a Gonzaga student?

Computer Requirements
Does it matter whether I have a PC or a Mac?
Which word-processing programs do you support?
What are the minimum requirements for my laptop?

Spokane
What is the weather like in Spokane?
Where do most law students live in Spokane?
Can law students get tickets to Gonzaga basketball games?

Admissions

What is the deadline to apply to Gonzaga School of Law? 

We have a rolling admissions process and review applications as they are completed. So that yours may receive priority consideration, please submit your application as soon as possible. The deadline is April 15. We can accept applications after that date only with special permission.

How can I check the status of my application?

You may contact the Admissions Office (1-800-793-1710 / (509) 323-5532 / email) to check on the status of your application.

 

Can I apply for Fall 2008 if I’m taking the February LSAT?

We advise applicants to take the LSAT no later than December. However, you take it in February you will be considered for admission if your application is complete before the April 15 deadline. Because of the late date of the application, the overall strength of the application pool will largely determine if there are still spaces to be awarded in the incoming class.

Does Gonzaga interview applicants in the admissions process?

An interview is currently not a component of the admissions process. Applicants are welcome to visit the School of Law and meet with an admissions professional, but the visit is for purely informational purposes, and has no bearing on the admissions process. If you are interested in visiting the law school, whether you are applying for fall 2007 or a future year, please contact the Admissions Office.

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What is the Early Start Program?

Students who choose to participate in Early Start will take a 3-credit, first-year course (Criminal Law) beginning in mid-June. This gives you an opportunity to get settled into Spokane a little early and to merge into law school a little more slowly. Early Start students receive the added benefit of having one less first-year course in the fall semester.

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Financial Aid

What institutional scholarships does Gonzaga offer to law students?

We understand that attending law school requires a significant investment of resources. Gonzaga provides merit-based scholarships to help ease the burden. These scholarships range from $5,000 to about half tuition and are renewable for three years. Every admitted student is automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship in the admissions process. The Thomas More Scholarship is an 80% tuition award that is given to a select group of students who have demonstrated a substantial commitment to public service.

What is Thomas More Scholarship and how do I apply?

The Thomas More Scholarship Program provides significant merit scholarship aid (approx. 80% tuition) to highly motivated students committed to public service through the practice of law. Interested applicants for fall 2007 must submit a separate application for the TM Scholarship by March 1, and must already be accepted to Gonzaga School of Law.

What are some steps I should be taking to get my financial aid in order?

If you are admitted for fall 2007, and will be starting classes in June 2007 through Early Start or SARP, please complete a 2005 FAFSA to be considered for Federal Aid. If you are admitted for fall 2007, and will be starting classes in August, please complete a 2006 FAFSA to be considered for Federal Aid.

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Programs

What classes do I take as a first-year student?

All first-year students take the same ABA approved curriculum which includes Torts I & II, Property I & II, Contracts I & II, Civil Procedure I & II, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law I, and Legal Research and Writing I & II.

Can I attend law school part-time?

Yes! All admitted students have the option of attending part-time upon the approval of the Academic Dean after acceptance into the School of Law. It is not necessary to declare yourself as a part-time student in the admissions process. All classes for first-year students are offered between 8am-5pm, regardless of whether they are full-time or part-time.

Do I have to declare a concentration as a law student?

Currently, Gonzaga offers three areas of concentration within the J.D. degree: Public Interest Law, Business Law, and Environmental/Natural Resources Law. It is not necessary to declare an area of concentration. Students should select courses that will both aid them in their interest areas and serve as prerequisites to take the bar exam in the state they wish to practice.

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Are dual degree programs offered and when can I apply?

Gonzaga School of Law offers two dual degree programs with the Gonzaga School of Business: the J.D./MBA, and the J.D./Master of Accountancy. In conjunction with Eastern Washington University’s School of Social Work, the J.D./MSW is also available. Ideally, all dual degree students will complete the first year of law school before participating in a dual degree program. The student should be aware of any application deadlines, entrance exams, and course prerequisites that the School of Business, or EWU, will require for their program.

What study abroad programs are available to me as a Gonzaga student?

Gonzaga School of Law offers a study abroad program on its campus in Florence, Italy, which focuses on international law, including international human rights and civil rights. Students may also participate in study abroad opportunities offered by other ABA approved law schools if it offers a substantially different educational experience from the Florence program, and is approved by the Academic Dean. Similarly, students from other ABA approved law schools are welcome to participate in Gonzaga’s program based upon space limitations and the approval from both their school and Gonzaga.

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Computer Requirements

Does it matter whether I have a PC or a Mac?

Apple computers are not compatible with our exam software (ExamSoft). Although newer MacBooks will run Windows natively, they can't be used for exams. Additionally, we do not provide technical support for Macs. If you are willing to handwrite your exams and maintain your own computer, please feel free to bring your Mac.

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Which word processing programs do you support?

We support Microsoft Word 2002, or newer.

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What are the minimum requirements for my laptop?

• Mobile Intel Pentium 4 (M, Intel Duo, or Core 2 Duo) 1.6 GHz or faster, or similar AMD
• 512MB RAM (1GB recommended)
• 32MB or more shared video RAM (or dedicated video card)
• CD player; CD-RW/DVD combo player a plus
• 2 or more USB ports
• 56Kbps or faster modem
• Network connectivity: 10 or 100Base/t Ethernet or 802.11b or 802.11g wireless

Note: If you intend to take exams on your laptop, it needs to be equipped for wireless connectivity.

• Windows XP Home or Professional Edition
• Microsoft Word 2002 or newer (Microsoft Word is the only supported word processing program.)

Note: If your computer did not come bundled with Word, you might consider the Student/Teacher Edition version of Microsoft Office. It includes Word 2003, Outlook 2003, PowerPoint 2003, Excel 2003. For more information click here.

• Symantec, TrendMicro, or McAfee antivirus software.
• Some ability to backup files (e.g.: a CD-RW, as mentioned above or a USB drive. The memory keys are becoming popular and come in various sizes.)
• USB drives are the only external means available to back up and transport files in the computer labs.

Note: Some USB drives are not compatible with our lab terminals, which run Windows CE; make sure yours can returned or exchanged if it doesn't work in the labs. Compatible 128MB USB drives are available for sale from the Help Desk.

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Spokane

What is the weather like in Spokane?

If you like four seasons, without a major dose of any one of them, then Spokane is the place for you! At approximately 1,900 feet above sea level, the rugged beauty of the area is connected to the variety of the changing, but mostly predictable, weather patterns. If you like variety, and you love the outdoors, then this is the place for you!

Where do most law students live in Spokane?

Because Gonzaga University has very little in the way of on-campus, graduate student housing, most law students secure housing off-campus. Most law students elect to live within a 20 minute driving radius of the law school in such neighborhoods as the South Hill, Logan, and Browne’s Addition. The Admissions Office provides resources and assistance to all admitted students on available housing options in the Spokane and surrounding areas.

Can law students get tickets to Gonzaga basketball games?

Law students who are willing to participate in the Athletic Department's ticket distribution program have equal opportunities to attend home basketball games. There are currently approximately 1,200 student seats available for each men’s home game. Women's home games are free to students with valid student ID cards.

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