Section 1. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law (Law School) seeks to attract and admit applicants who have the ability to complete the Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) successfully, who have diverse backgrounds and experience, and who will make a positive contribution to the Master of Studies in Law program, the University, the State of Arkansas, and beyond.
The Law School will foster and maintain equality of opportunity in education without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including identity and expression), sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status, or disability.
The Law School is committed to providing full opportunities to members of underrepresented groups, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, and is committed to having a student body that is diverse with respect to gender, race, and ethnicity.
Section 2. The Law School will enroll each academic year an entering class of approximately 10 matriculants.
Section 3. Approximately 70% of the members of each class enrolled will be admitted from a pool of applicants
- determined either by a benchmark score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), and
- undergraduate grade point average (UGPA), and graduate grade point average (GGPA).
Offers will be made to applicants in the pool with the goal of enrolling a class that is both academically qualified and broadly diverse.
In its review, the Committee will evaluate the applicant’s test scores and all other factors relevant to predicting how successful the applicant will be in the M.S.L. program, thereafter, and:
- whether the applicant will make a positive contribution to the Master of Studies in Law, the University, the State of Arkansas, and beyond, and
- whether the applicant will contribute to a diverse student body that promotes cross-cultural understanding, helps break down racial and ethnic stereotypes, enables students to better understand persons of different races, ethnic groups and backgrounds, and prepares students for an increasingly diverse workforce and society.
In addition to attributes listed above, the committee will consider other factors including, but not limited to, experience living in other regions of the United States or in other countries or cultures, disability, personal, cultural, social, economic or educational disadvantage, the existence and nature of work experience, military service, and participation in volunteer service activities.
Section 4. The Admissions Committee will not be influenced by expressions of interest in any applicant not relevant under this Policy. The Law School shall not admit an applicant who does not appear capable of satisfactorily completing its M.S.L. program.
Adopted date: April 14, 2021
