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The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

The information on this page was provided by the law school.

Official Guide to LLM, Master’s, and Certificate Programs

Introduction.

The Moritz College of Law is located in Columbus, the capital city of Ohio and 14th-largest city in the United States. Students love Columbus because it too offers the best of both worlds: Fortune 500 companies, national hockey and soccer leagues, research institutes, and a thriving arts and culinary scene mean Columbus offers all the advantages of a large metropolitan area, but it maintains the friendliness and charm for which the Midwest is known. Two words describe Columbus: “open” and “smart.” It’s a technology and business center where innovation and entrepreneurship are born, and it is also a multicultural community. National Geographic recently explained “why all the cool kids love Columbus, Ohio,” and in a LinkedIn.com article, Daniel White calls it the “best city in the world” because of its many awards and honors, like boasting the best library system, zoo, and science center in the country. It was also rated as one of the seven smartest cities in the world in 2015. Did we mention that the Ohio State University Marching Band is among the best in the land? Despite all these accolades, Columbus is still far more affordable than most large cities.

Law School Fast Facts

• Founding: 1891, named in 2001 for Michael E. Moritz, an alumnus and donor
• Average JD enrollment: 550 students
• Average LLM enrollment: 40 students
• Law school alumni: over 10,000
• Faculty size: over 50
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
• Number of courses offered: over 150 each year

Physical Facilities

Moritz College of Law calls Drinko Hall home. All classes and most activities take place in Drinko, which is located on the southeast corner of campus and along High Street. Inside Drinko, the Moritz Law Library, one of the largest in the country, boasts 24-hour access to its nearly 700,000 volumes. Students receive subscriptions to the LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg online research databases and can print in the computer lab. Drinko Hall also houses Lou’s Café for students to gather or study, the Dinsmore & Shohl Student Commons for storing personal items and socializing, and provides access to the campus-wide wireless network. In addition to “smart” classrooms, students also have access to the Frank C. Woodside III Moot Courtroom for classes, clinics, and competitions; Saxbe Auditorium for events and presentations; and the Public Service Law Center.

Across the street from the college, the Ohio Union offers 318,000 square feet of restaurants, a market, study and meeting rooms, conference and auditorium spaces, and a dedicated prayer room. If you are interested in physical fitness, the university’s Recreation & Physical Activity Center (RPAC) is one of the largest, most state-of-the-art university recreation centers in the world.

To see more of The Ohio State University Columbus campus, where the Moritz College of Law is located, take a virtual tour .

Limited on-campus housing exists for graduate law students, but there are many opportunities to rent a house or apartment in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Visit University Housing or Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services for more information.

LLM Academic Concentrations

Six concentration areas are predesigned to meet the needs of many LLM students:

• Corporate Law: LLM students who wish to focus on business law can take advantage of dozens of courses and extracurricular activities, like the Law, Finance, and Governance program , in the area. Basic courses like Contracts will allow LLM students to learn what is involved on the American side of cross-border transactions. More advanced courses focus on corporate structure and governance, securities regulation and public offerings, corporate takeovers and mergers, foreign investment, corporate finance, and other challenges. In addition, the college welcomes some of the top American judges and practitioners to campus as part of its Distinguished Practitioners in Residence program in Business Law. Previous speakers have included partners from major international firms who are practicing in areas like mergers and acquisitions.
• Criminal Law and Procedure: Criminal law faculty members have argued before the US Supreme Court, clerked for Supreme Court justices, and have worked at some of the most prestigious firms and prosecutor’s offices in the nation. Professor Joshua Dressler has authored criminal law casebooks that are used in more than half of all American law schools, and Professor Douglas Berman is one of the nation’s leading experts in sentencing law. The college offers a number of seminar courses that focus on international criminal law, in addition to those that focus on the intricacies of the American criminal justice system.
• Intellectual Property and Information Law: Students interested in intellectual property may study basic courses, and then expand their studies with courses that delve more deeply into the subjects of copyright, patent, trademark, and international intellectual property, along with other specialized topics. Students are also encouraged to participate in the Program on Data and Governance as part of their extracurricular activities.
• International and Comparative Law: Pursuing a concentration in international and comparative law courses will provide students with a background in private and public international law concepts. Each faculty member brings a unique, in-depth perspective to the questions faced by practitioners and government officials alike. Focusing on the private sector, Professor Daniel C.K. Chow is an expert on China and counterfeiting, international trade, and international intellectual property. One of the foremost authorities on the Palestinian conflict from the Palestinian viewpoint, Professor John Quigley offers courses focusing on human rights, conflict in the Middle East, and a seminar on African law. There are also a number of internationally focused student organizations open to all students.
• Dispute Resolution: Our nationally regarded Program on Dispute Resolution provides students the opportunity to both learn and practice alternative dispute resolution techniques. The faculty’s passion for the subject and their significant experience in other countries inform their teaching. For example, Professor Amy Cohen, who teaches international alternative dispute resolution, has taught in Italy, and in Nepal and India as a Fulbright Scholar. She has also worked on development initiatives in Nepal, Thailand, and Ghana. Professor Ellen Deason, former clerk to US Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun and former legal assistant in the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal in The Hague, offers courses in comparative dispute resolution and international business arbitration.
• Labor and Employment Law: The Moritz College of Law has several faculty members focused on labor and employment law as well as equality in the workplace. Many are internationally recognized for their expertise. Professor Camille Hébert focuses her research primarily on employee privacy and employment discrimination. Additionally, Professor Marc Spindelman’s expertise on sexual orientation law and Professor Ruth Colker’s pioneering work on disability discrimination law provide students the opportunity to evaluate workplace issues from a human rights standpoint.
• Customized: At Moritz, we offer a wide range of courses designed to build a solid foundation in understanding the American legal system. While the above concentrations have historically been the most popular, LLM students may design a customized concentration in consultation with the assistant dean.

Scholarships

The Moritz College of Law offers a variety of generous scholarships to incoming students, including the Moritz LLM Scholarship, China Excellence Scholarship, and regional scholarships . All applicants will be automatically considered for all applicable scholarships.

The American Law and Language Program

Experiential Learning

LLM students are encouraged to participate in various experiential learning opportunities, including the Mediation and Legislation Clinics , where students get a chance to practice classroom skills working in actual cases with real clients. In addition, LLM students are able to participate in almost all of the moot court and negotiation competitions at Moritz.

Student Services and Organizations

At Moritz, you will earn your degree in a learning environment that is second to none. LLM and JD students take classes together and enjoy close contact with professors in a collegial environment. The college offers nearly 50 student organizations , with many structured around career fields, public/volunteer service, ethnic identity, and hobbies. The staff of the LLM office provides lunchtime sessions on studying and exam preparation, career services topics, and US life and culture; we also schedule fun activities outside of class. Our office provides a “home away from home” where LLM students can feel free to seek advice on any topic.

Career Services and Postgraduation Plans

The LLM program has a dedicated staff member fully devoted to career and professional development for our students. The services start before our students even reach Columbus, as we communicate with incoming students to learn about their interests and goals. Each LLM student benefits from personalized attention and career guidance. Group and individual coaching is provided on US expectations for résumé and cover-letter writing, interviewing, networking, professional etiquette, researching job opportunities, registering for bar examinations, and optional practical/curricular training. The program also organizes several networking events for current students and local lawyers to mingle and connect, and encourages students to participate in programs like Mentoring and More @Moritz .

Special Programs

• Washington, DC Summer Program : LLM students have the opportunity to take part in the Washington, DC Summer Program, where up to 20 Moritz students engage in substantive externships in DC accompanied by a high-quality academic program. Students work in DC for at least seven weeks in the summer (following the completion of their LLM degrees), take classes, and are supervised by the codirectors of the program, who are also Moritz law professors.
• Oxford Summer Program : LLM students are able to enroll in our five-week summer law program at the University of Oxford in England following the completion of their LLM degrees. Students can earn up to six credits (and a certificate of participation) and study with faculty from both the University of Oxford and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Several field trips and guest speakers are scheduled throughout the program, and students typically travel to close European destinations during their stay in Oxford.
• Public-Interest Externship Program : LLM students interested in externship opportunities with nonprofit organizations may benefit from enrolling in this program, thereby taking advantage of the relationships established by Moritz with a host of nonprofit organizations. Students are able to gain practical legal experience in an academic setting that monitors the quality of the placements. This program can be completed either during the academic semesters or during the summer following the completion of LLM requirements.

Application Information

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis between September 15 and April 15. All applications received by February 1 will receive priority consideration for scholarships. Please see the Application Process section of our webpage for detailed instructions.

Contact Information

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Program: Pre-Professional

The study of law is a three-year post-baccalaureate program designed primarily for those who wish to become practicing attorneys. Because attorneys play many roles in our society, legal education is broad-based. It is as much a lifelong approach to learning as it is the study of specific laws and court decisions. Lawyers are trained to seek solutions to problems and to anticipate ways in which problems may be averted. Legal education is designed to prepare graduates to meet the changing demands of individuals and of society as a whole, in local, national and international contexts.

Broadly speaking, legal education involves the careful analysis of the principles underlying past and current statutes and court decisions, how those principles may be applied to current problems, and how new ideas can solve current and future problems.

Pre-professional programs

Pre-professional  is a category for any student who intends to enter professional school after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. Pre-law is the pre-professional program for students who want to become lawyers. Identifying your pre-professional interest will enable your college advisor, your major advisor and your pre-professional advisor to provide you with a wide range of support to realize your goals.

Pre-law preparation at Ohio State

There are a number of advantages in pursuing undergraduate education at Ohio State in preparation for law school. At the time of freshman application to the university, students will be asked to choose a major as well as to indicate an interest in the pre-law option. By indicating an interest in pre-law, admitted undergraduate students will receive information periodically from the university’s pre-law advisors about pre-law resources and events on campus. Students are encouraged to meet early in their academic careers with the designated pre-law advisor in their academic area who will work with them to integrate the course work required for their intended major with course work that should foster the development of the critical skills necessary to be a successful law student.

For more information about pre-law at Ohio State and to find a list of pre-law advisors, students should visit  preprofessional.osu.edu/prelaw/advising .

Get started

Contrary to popular belief, there is no one “right” major for preparation for law school. Students are encouraged to pursue a course of study that will enable them to think critically, to analyze written materials with care, and to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form.

Traditional majors followed by potential law students include English, history, political science and business. However, students with degrees in areas as diverse as agriculture, engineering, philosophy and music have done well in law school. The options are numerous, and students are encouraged to choose a major that personally interests them. It is not so much a matter of the major chosen but rather selecting courses that really challenge students to develop critical reading, writing and analytical skills. Consider pursuing honors courses and independent studies that go a step beyond the “normal” course requirements of a degree program.

Every autumn semester, Ohio State hosts a law school forum, where representatives from many law schools visit campus and provide students with information about their schools. This forum provides an excellent opportunity for students to meet law school representatives and to get a good idea of their chances for admission at different schools and how each law school’s offerings fit with their career goals.  

Like at most quality law schools, admission to the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State is highly competitive because many more people seek admission than the college can accommodate. In recent years, the college has had as many as 1,800 people apply for approximately 180 spaces. 

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their undergraduate performance (including any trend in cumulative point-hour ratio and the caliber of the undergraduate college or university), their score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), any unusually time-consuming extracurricular activities or work experience, and, when applicable, postgraduate studies or employment. Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation from faculty members. The college also considers other factors; however, past academic performance is a good predictor of law school performance. As a result, students are best advised to commit themselves to their academic program right from the start when entering Ohio State.

There is no set curriculum for the nation’s 202 American Bar Association-approved law schools. However, most law schools offer very similar courses to help prepare their graduates to pass a state bar examination. Most states test on areas of the law common to all jurisdictions, such as contracts, torts, civil procedure, criminal law and procedure, evidence, taxation, domestic relations, legal research and writing, constitutional law, ethics, administrative law, corporate law, property, and commercial law.

In The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, students are required to take contracts, torts, property, legislation, criminal law, constitutional law, civil procedure, and legal research and writing in the first year. The following upper-level courses are also highly encouraged and/or required for graduation: Appellate Practice, one course with substantial writing, one course with a skills perspective on the law and course work in legal ethics.

The remainder of the curriculum is elective. Popular courses include trial law and practice, legal clinics, criminal law, alternative dispute resolution, international law, and intellectual property. 

Study abroad

Students may spend a summer studying in England through the college’s program with the University of Oxford.

Students considering law might explore the profession of law on their own—be it through work or volunteer experience in a law firm or in a government or judicial setting or by conducting informational interviews with people in the profession. Not only does this exploration provide prospective students an opportunity to learn how diverse the law field is in relation to the law degree, but it also helps them to confirm that law is the right career choice for them.

Once admitted to the law program, students can participate in eight clinics where students represent clients under close faculty supervision.

Student organizations

The undergraduate law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta (PAD), is a professional service organization for pre-law students at Ohio State that assists students in making informed decisions about selecting law as a career, deciding which law school to attend, preparing for law school and understanding the practice of law. PAD coordinates a variety of education events, such as panel discussions, tours, seminars and debate. Traditionally, participants at these events include lawyers, current Ohio State law students and law graduates who may be using their degrees in different career paths.

Possible careers

Because legal education is broad-based, it is excellent preparation for many careers in addition to those that most people associate with the traditional practice of law. The popular perception of lawyers as courtroom litigators and judges is representative of only one branch of the profession. Lawyers are also found in planning and policy-making roles in both the private and public sectors, in large corporations, at all levels of government, and in international practice. 

Lawyers work as managers and administrators in many different fields. Many serve the community as prosecutors and public defenders. Because of their training, lawyers are often called upon to represent the broad interests of their communities.

Salary estimates

For all salaries reported for the Class of 2012, the range was from $55,000 in the 25th percentile to $91,250 in the 75th percentile. Of course, salaries earned may depend on the career goals, desires and interests of particular students, and even vary widely within sectors. In private law firms, the median salaries ranged from $52,500 for firms with 2 to 10 attorneys to $110,000 for firms with 251-500 attorneys. In the public sector, median salaries ranged from $55,000 for government positions to $57,000 to for judicial clerkships.

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At Ohio State, pre-law is not a major but is an officially recognized area of academic interest. Learn more about pre-professional programs at  preprofessional.osu.edu .

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Law and Society Scholars

The mission of the Law and Society Scholars Program (LSS) is to elevate the exceptional Scholars within the program by: (1) incorporating the  Mission, Vision, G.O.A.L.S., and Outcomes of Honors and Scholars as their foundation for success at The Ohio State University, (2) offering learning opportunities to improve awareness and understanding of advocacy through an independently developed foundational framework, (3) engaging in introspective experiences to identify advocacy interests regardless of major or career pathway, (4) offering interactive opportunities to explore capacity for serving self and others, and (5) developing affinity as a Buckeye and making connections that will support their evolution through time and change beyond the academic experience.

This mission is achieved through key engagement components offered to LSS Program Scholars throughout the first and second academic years at Ohio State.   

The laws of the United States are tools for analyzing how the myriad of issues in our country are perceived and addressed, but analyzing society informs the scale of effectiveness those laws have on creating an America we are proud of. To best prepare for these discussions and the groundbreaking work required to effectuate change no matter what career path in which one chooses to serve, a Law and Society Scholar must be willing to do foundational work.

This program is designed to serve students majoring in a range of disciplines, not just pre-law, so the focus is on advocacy . Advocacy is the necessary competency for any individual interested in pursuing personal, professional, &/or career pathways involving law & society. To effectively serve communities and their constituents, it is imperative to understand how diverse circumstances and experiences impact the societal issues that encourage individuals to advocate in particular ways.

LSS provides an independently developed foundational framework that strengthens one’s understanding of advocacy, explores how diverse experiences influence areas of advocacy that compel engagement, & encourages reflective growth & determination of interests.

Anticipated Journey as a Law & Society Scholar:

Seminar: Taught in the first semester by the LSS Program Manager, Scholars learn the foundational framework and explore six (6) milestones to bring awareness to the unlimited possibilities in existence for Scholars to serve themselves and others in whatever roles they take on throughout their lifetime. Seminar curriculum influences how Scholars develop their second-year project and presentation.

Mentorship: 1Y Scholars partner with a veteran Law & Society Scholar who serves as their Mentor to support an ease in transition to the collegiate experience, encourage relationship building, & develop a Scholar’s confidence in connecting with fellow Buckeyes.

Active Participation Requirement:  1Y Scholars are required to achieve engagement points to maintain a record of active participation as a Law & Society Scholar. 1Y Scholars are offered a calendar of weekly 1-hour community engagements to choose from for credit towards the accrual of their engagement points. These Community Engagements are curated by veteran Law & Society Scholars serving on Leadership Council Committees named for the five (5) pillars of the Program’s engagement priorities: Social through Community, Service & Advocacy, Buckeye Engagement & Affinity, Mentorship, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. 

Relationship Development with Program Manager:  1Y Scholars are encouraged to co-invest in the development of a supportive relationship with the Program Manager to advance possibilities for leadership, scholarship, &/or academic & professional opportunities.

Annual Time + Change Second-Year Scholars Conference:  1Y Scholars shall support veteran Scholars by attending the Annual Time + Change Conference co-hosted with the International Affairs Scholars Program. The conference includes presentations about service and advocacy from 2Y Scholars and professional development workshops.

Living-Learning Community: The majority of 1Y Scholars reside together in Smith-Steeb Hall to support the living-learning community environment intended to connect them as Buckeyes from the moment they arrive on campus. 1Y Scholars are encouraged to enhance their social and emotional development by networking organically with fellow Scholars and university peers. While placement in Smith-Steeb Hall is not guaranteed, priority is given to 1Y LS Scholars. Most weekly engagements are hosted in Smith-Steeb Hall. 

Annual Time + Change Second-Year Scholars Conference: 2Y Scholars must  develop and engage in a reflective service project exploring an advocacy interest which is then presented at the Annual Time + Change Second-Year Scholars Conference, co-hosted with the International Affairs Scholars Program during Spring semester. At the conclusion of presentation, 2Y Scholars successfully complete the LSS Program, receive a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of their dedication, earn their “Scholar” transcript designation, and receive an honorary graduation cord with a custom charm engraved with “Honors & Scholars, Law & Society Scholars.”

Leadership Council:  Some 2Y Scholars elect to apply for selection to the  Leadership Council to help curate the Scholar experience.

Active Participation Requirement:  2Y Scholars are required to achieve engagement points to maintain a record of active participation as a Law & Society Scholar. 2Y Scholars are offered a calendar of weekly 1-hour community engagements to choose from for credit towards the accrual of their engagement points but may also receive points by completing the Conference presentation.

Third- and Fourth-Year Law and Society Scholars often continue their LSS Program connections by serving on the  Leadership Council as a Committee Member and/or Mentor. There are always opportunities for them to share their experiences with 1Y LS Scholars and support them on their Buckeye journeys.

Discover the steps to apply for this program.

Application Info

For more information regarding the Law and Society Scholars program, please email program director, Devika Carr at  [email protected] .

Engagement Opportunities for all Law and Society Scholars:

While some of these engagements occur weekly, others may occur throughout the week or weekends and require advanced RSVP due to limited availability. If there are additional costs associated with the engagement, the LSS Program attempts to cover all or part of the costs to improve a Scholar’s ability to participate. Sometimes, these engagements are co-hosted with other scholar programs or co-attended by other scholars. Highlights include:

• Annual fall-break trip to Washington, D.C. connecting with OSU alumni and local leaders, visiting historical points of interest, & exploring curiosities.
• Weekly 1-hour community engagements curated by Leadership Council based on five (5) pillars of engagement: Social through Community, Service & Advocacy, Buckeye Engagement & Affinity, Mentorship, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.
• Visits to the Ohio Statehouse and Franklin County Common Pleas Court
• Explore OSU and Explore Columbus Days
• Professional Development Workshops
• Panel presentations with local professionals
• Ohio Stadium Tour

Law & Society Scholars Leadership Council

LS Scholars become eligible to volunteer on Leadership Council after completing first-semester seminar. Volunteering allows Scholars to offer their time, talents, and treasures in unique ways that: support and shape the mission of the LSS Program, encourage leadership development, curate the weekly Scholars experience, and invite them to exclusive appreciation events.

The Executive Committee opportunities include (1) President, (2) Vice President, and (3) Secretary. Additionally, there are five (5) standing committees: 

• Communications and Social Media Committee -  responsible for documenting, promoting, and celebrating engagements, initiatives, and Scholars. 
• Service and Advocacy Committee -  responsible for developing Buckeyes as volunteers, connecting with alumni for opportunities to serve and engage in communities, assisting Scholars in the development of their advocacy interests, creating a foundation for the alumni continuum of time, talent, treasure commitments, preparing Scholars for professional development through service, and creating service projects based on critical social issues.
• Buckeye Engagement and Affinity Committee / Mentorship Sub-Committee-  responsible for designing experiences significant to the Buckeye experience, strengthening Scholars’ affinity with Ohio State, encouraging love for being a Buckeye, and offering mentorship.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee-   responsible for building diversity awareness and understanding through experiences University-wide, college specific, and LS Scholars community specific; facilitate exposure to diverse experiences and improve Scholars’ abilities to be equitable and inclusive.
• Social through Community Committee- responsible for providing respite from stressors including academics and transitions by improving Scholars’ access to and engagement with wellness resources, networking opportunities, and social-emotional activities.

Is LSS Right For You? FAQs

No and you do not have to be a pre-law major or have an interest in going to law school to enjoy this program. LSS is focused on guiding Scholars to develop meaningful relationships, identify advocacy interests, and learn various ways to serve others regardless of the roles they take on in their lives, personal, professional, or career. The LSS Program Manager is a licensed attorney (Florida and Ohio) and serves as a Pre-Law Advisor for designated LS Scholars.

Scholars students may receive college level priority scheduling based on their rank.

Each scholars program features a first-year residential community. First-year LS Scholars are prioritized to live together in Smith-Steeb Hall on South campus, but not guaranteed due to necessity for accommodations for other students.

Yes, commuter students are encouraged to be part of LSS.

Working with diverse individuals and groups is central to succeeding as an advocate, regardless of whether correlated advocacy interests are based in law or not. LSS teaches you how to reflect about the impact of circumstances and experiences on societal issues and learn about exploring curiosities to expand understanding to effectively advocate for what matters to you. If advocacy is meaningful to you, but you are unsure what a personal and occupational pathway looks like, this program is for you. 

All Scholars must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass Seminar, and achieve participation points based on program specific metrics. 

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• Master in the Study of Law

Law Master in the Study of Law

Our Master in the Study of Law degree (MSL) is designed for working professionals whose careers interface with the law on a regular basis, or who are interested in obtaining legal knowledge to advance in their fields or pivot to a new area of interest. The MSL program offers comprehensive legal perspective — along with critical and analytical thinking skills and a new level of professionalism — that builds a strong foundation for future career growth and advancement.

Our curriculum is thoughtful, practical and taught by expert faculty at the nationally ranked Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. The MSL curriculum covers a wide range of legal topics, and students have the opportunity to gain hands-on education in areas that meet their professional needs. Students may design their own curriculum by selecting any courses from among the available course offerings, or pursue a specialized curriculum in one of the five areas of concentration. 

Areas of Concentration:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Legal Environment of Business
• Intellectual Property and Technology Law

The MSL Program is flexible and allows you to tailor it to fit your needs. You can complete your degree in-person, online, or hybrid (a mix of in-person and online courses). You can study at a pace that matches your busy schedule. You can take anywhere from 1 to 7 credit hours (part-time) or 8+ credits (full-time) in our Fall, Spring or Summer semesters. Choose your own pace: complete the program in as little as one year (2-3 semesters), two years (6 semesters), or go at a slower pace (6+ semesters). The maximum duration within which the MSL degree has to be completed is four years.

View MSL Curriculum Here .

If you have a disability and experience difficulty accessing this content, please contact [email protected] .

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The Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) measures reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. The test is intended to predict performance in law school, and long experience with it has validated that assumption and tested its reliability. It is required by most ABA-accredited law schools in the country and accepted at all of them.*  To take the LSAT you will need to create an account with the Law School Admission Council  and then register in advance for one of the dates the test is administered; you cannot walk into a test center the day of the test if you were not already registered.

*As of Autumn 2023, approximately 50% of law schools will accept the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) in lieu of the LSAT.  If a student takes both tests, however, all law schools will use the student's LSAT score in the review process and not the GRE ("If you take the LSAT, you are an LSAT applicant").  If you are considering applying only to schools which accept the GRE, be sure to speak with a pre-law advisor about which test to take.

The LSAT is currently offered eight times each year , approximately every 6-8 weeks.  All test administrations are online with an in-person option (limited seating).  Depending on the test date there is a window from one to four days in which to take the test (you do not have multiple days to complete it - once you start the LSAT there is a time limit in which to finish).  Be aware of the various deadlines when deciding when to take the LSAT.

All LSAT test administrations are "undisclosed" - you will receive your test score, percentile rank, and a copy of your writing sample with no additional information about the test itself.

The optimum time of year for taking the test is what works best for your schedule and ability to prepare.  For many students this is an early to mid-summer test administration, thereby allowing students time to assess their chances for admission at a given school and an opportunity to re-take the test if they desire to do so.  Other students will take the LSAT in the autumn due to summer commitments or because they are more comfortable taking a test while they are in the "student mindset" during an academic term.  For similar reasons students who are planning to do something else between college and law school may decide to take the test in the spring while they are still in college.

Whenever you take the LSAT, you should begin to prepare at least a term in advance of the test date. Remember that law schools want students who can organize, analyze, draw conclusions, and communicate ideas.  You can take the test more than once (talk with a pre-law advisor about when it's appropriate to retake the LSAT) and your scores remain valid for up to five years.

LSAT Preparation

There are numerous resources available to students who are preparing to take the LSAT, including:

• Sample tests and questions available from the Law School Admission Council
• Free online resources provided by Khan Academy in collaboration with LSAC
• *Online apps and resources provided by commercial test prep companies
• *In-person courses and related materials provided by commercial test prep companies

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Can you protest on your college campus? Here's what Ohio State's 'space rules' say

On the eve of exam week, Ohio State University Senior Vice President of Student Life Melissa Shivers sent an email to the campus community asking that they be thoughtful of their peers as they study for exams.

That thoughtfulness should extend, she said, to shared community spaces, which are meant to be "conducive to academic focus and success." It's for that reason that the university put noise restrictions into effect through April 30 — the last day of exams.

Campus protests: At least 12 arrested after police break up 6-hour Israel protest at Ohio State University

"To be clear, unless prior authorization has been granted, amplified sound is not permitted indoors or outdoors," Shivers said in her email. "This includes, but is not limited to, audio enhancement devices, vocally amplified sound, and other noise-making instruments. Building coordinators, student support staff and public safety partners will assist in upholding the space rules."

The reminder came as protests against the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza popped up on college campuses across the country and became a focal point of national attention. Columbus became the latest site of student protests against Israel as hundreds of Ohio State students, faculty and community members rallied and set up an encampment outside the Ohio Union on Thursday evening.

At least a few dozen individuals were arrested during protests at Ohio State this week , though the exact number is not yet known. Many of those arrested are affiliated with the university, including students and staff.

Violations of the sound restrictions or other university policies, rules and guidelines, Shivers said in her email, will be referred to Student Conduct.

Shivers laid out the rules per the university's "space rules."

Universities often rely on space rules when making judgement calls on when and where to limit free speech on campus. But what exactly are they?

How do space rules work?

Public universities are government entities bound by the Constitution, so students on public campuses have free speech rights protected by the First Amendment, according to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression , a free-speech advocacy nonprofit better known as FIRE.

"Depending on where, when, and how you protest, public universities can set some reasonable, narrowly-tailored limits on your protest, but they cannot limit the views you express," FIRE's campus protest guidelines read .

Though private colleges and universities are not legally required to honor constitutional rights, many promise their students the right to free speech, according to FIRE.

Space rules fall under "time, place and manner" guidelines, meaning that a university is "allowed to maintain reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on student speech in public areas of campus," according to FIRE.

"These regulations must be viewpoint- and content-neutral rules on where, when, and how you can demonstrate on campus, in order to prevent disrupting the educational environment," FIRE said. "Even in open, outdoor areas where campus protests are common, colleges might restrict some or all use of amplified sound, setting up tables or other structures, camping, and overnight protests. To be constitutional, those rules must apply to everyone, no matter their viewpoint and even when they’re not trying to convey a message at all."

What are Ohio State University's space rules?

Ohio State's space rules are in place "to ensure that the usage does not disrupt the University’s mission, administrative functions, or other campus-life activities," according to the university's Freedom of Expression website .

During the semester, Ohio State requires that noise be restricted Monday through Friday before 5:30 p.m. and after 10 p.m.; Saturday prior to noon and after midnight; and Sunday prior to noon and after 10 p.m. The university defines restricted noise as disruptive of "the function of the University" or that can be heard more than 50 feet from its source.

Ohio State also requires that registered student organizations submit requests to use space for events, including demonstrations, through the university's Office of Student Life.

Tents and other temporary structures that require staking can't be set up without prior approval, according to the guidelines.

Overnight events are also restricted under the space rules.

"Events consistent with the University’s teaching, research, and service missions spanning overnight hours must be confined to a single 24-hour period, with similarly structured events not occupying the same space on consecutive days," the guidelines read. "Outside habitation must not be the primary focus of the event. Overnight events are subject to prior review by the Ohio State Department of Public Safety, Facilities Operations and Development, and the Office of Student Life."

Sheridan Hendrix is a higher education reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. Sign up for Extra Credit, her education newsletter,  here .

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Applications for admission to the Moritz College of Law should be submitted anytime between September 15 and June 1 of the calendar year prior to the planned date of enrollment, with a preferred deadline of March 31. The Moritz College of Law Admissions Committee renders admissions decisions on a rolling basis after the application file is received and is complete (with supporting documents, such as the CAS report). Typically, decisions will be released in November, December, January, February, March, April and May on the final Friday of each month. Applicants will be notified of their decision via e-mail and decisions will be posted on the online status page. We will not provide decisions over the phone. We will only release information to applicants unless an applicant has indicated in writing a specific individual who may inquire information on their behalf.  (For the early decision option, submit your application and agreement by November 20, all application materials must be received by November 30).  All applicants will be considered for financial assistance if they are granted admission. 

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At least 12 arrested after police break up 6-hour Israel protest at Ohio State University

M ore than a dozen people were arrested Thursday as Columbus became the latest site of student protests against Israel as hundreds of Ohio State University students, faculty and members of the Ohio Arab community rallied and set up tents outside the student union.

Just before 11 p.m., protesters were starting to leave the South Oval, after nearly six hours of chants, prayers and construction of tents. Police lined College Road South and 12th Avenue, as protest organizers encouraged people to go home. An hour before, dozens of police, including Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers surrounded what at one point had been hundreds of protesters, trying to break up the peaceful demonstration.

More: Can you protest on your college campus? Here's what Ohio State's 'space rules' say

Columbus Dispatch reporters at the scene witnessed police arresting more than a dozen people. Arrest totals were not available Friday morning, but a university spokesperson said those arrested were charged with criminal trespassing. The spokesperson was not aware of any injuries.

Skyler Goody, 21, an OSU junior, said she and her roommate were nearly arrested as she helped form a circle around the encampments, but had moved out of the circle.

"People of Columbus, look at how your cops treat people," Goody said. "I don't know what the students were doing that warranted riot gear and pushing people over while they're praying."

A couple hours earlier, around 8 p.m., demonstrators stepped up chanting, but Ohio State police officers previously informed the crowd to disperse in 15 minutes, around 7:30 p.m., with another warning 10 minutes after that.

The protest began around 5 p.m., calling for Ohio State and others to divest investments from companies with links to Israel.

University spokesman Ben Johnson said state law prohibits state entities like Ohio State from divesting in Israel. 

" Ohio Revised Code Section 9.76 prohibits the university from divesting any interests in Israel and prohibits adopting or adhering to a policy that requires divestment from Israel or with persons or entities associated with it," Johnson said in a statement.

Tent encampments at university campuses have become a visible symbol of a student movement that has spread across the country at schools like Columbia University and the University of Texas Austin, USA TODAY reported .

Demonstrators across the nation are protesting the civilian toll in Gaza, where more than 34,000 people have died since the Israeli invasion that followed a Hamas-led attack that killed almost 1,200 people in Israel. Students oppose U.S. military aid to Israel and want their schools to stop investing endowment money in companies with Israeli links.

While not as large scale as other universities, police arrested three individuals Thursday morning on campus as part of a demonstration of around 25 people, The Dispatch previously reported . On Tuesday, two Ohio State students were arrested during another on-campus protest.

Protesters call on Ohio universities to divest from Israel

The event was organized by a collection of local Ohio university chapters of the Students for Justice in Palestine, organizers told The Dispatch. Omar Heif, 21, a University of Toledo student and event organizer, said the event was intended to send a message that university students across the state are in support of divestment.

"You can silence us, you can beat us, you can arrest us, but at the end of the day, we're all connected," Heif said.

Laila Shaikh, 19, event organizer and University of Cincinnati student, stressed that the event was meant to be a peaceful demonstration and they wanted to exercise their rights to free speech.

"We have members from the Jewish community members of the Christian community and members of the Muslim community coming together again to show our shared humanity — and I want to reiterate — we are not doing anything that's violent," Shaikh said.

Amy Shuster, an OSU philosophy professor and a member of Jewish Voice for Peace Central Ohio, said she and other members of the organization wanted to spread a message that "Jewish safety is absolutely bound up with the safety of the Palestinian people."

"These things are not mutually exclusive, and they're not in competition with each other," Shuster said. "There's nothing Jewish about genocide. There's nothing Jewish about ethnic cleansing."

Jewish OSU student calls demonstration 'disgusting'

Adam Kling, 21, a Jewish OSU student studying biology, was there alongside over a dozen other Jewish students, some wrapping themselves in Israeli flags, observing the demonstration.

He said what he's seen on college campuses across the country in recent days was "disgusting."

"It's terrifying," Kling said. "I don't feel unsafe — I do think that a large portion of the Jewish community feels unsafe, and I do think that's what they're trying to do."

Kling said he feels like OSU and other college campuses are divided.

"I don't want it to happen, but when you walk out of your house, you walk out of your class and there are people wishing for your friends to be dead," Kling said. "For you to be kicked out of campus and for your home country to be destroyed. It's really disheartening to hear from fellow students."

Dispatch reporter Sheridan Hendrix contributed to this report.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: At least 12 arrested after police break up 6-hour Israel protest at Ohio State University