Monterey College of Law - FAQ

100 Col. Durham St. Seaside CA 93955
Tel. 831-582-4000 Fax 831-582-4095

www.montereylaw.edu
info@montereylaw.edu

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Monterey College of Law accredited?

Yes. Monterey College of Law has been continuously accredited for more than 25 years by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. At this time Monterey College of Law is not seeking American Bar Association approval.

What degree will I receive?

Depending on the degree program in which you are enrolled, you will either be awarded a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (JD) upon completion of 85 units or a Master's of Legal Studies degee (M.L.S) upon completion of 36 units. In order to practice law in California, you must complete the J.D. degree program and pass the California Bar Examination.

What does the program cost?

Monterey College of Law's affordability makes law school truly within your grasp. At the 2009 rate of $585 per unit, the tuition total is under $50, 000 for the J.D. degree and $21,060 for the M.L.S degree. Tuition for each year will vary based upon the number of units actually taken. Books and materials are approximately $1000 per year and registration fees are approximately $600 per year.

In addition, your tuition rate stays the same from your first day to your last, as long as you are a continuous student at MCL. This means that MCL students are not faced with tuition rate increases during their program--increases that have been as high as 30 % at other law schools!

Can I keep my job while attending MCL?

Yes. Most of our students work or have family responsibilities and attend law school at night.

Upon receiving the J.D. degree, can I take the bar exam or practice law in other states?

Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination in other states or satisfy the requirements to practice law in other states. If a student intends to seek admission to practice law in a state other than California, the student should contact the admitting authority in that state for information regarding the legal education requirements for admission to practice law.

The M.L.S. degree is not a replacement for a law degree, does not entitle an individual to practice law or hold him/herself out as a lawyer, and does not qualify the holder to sit for a bar exam.

What are the prerequisites for attending MCL?

The prerequisites for admission are:

1) Bachelor's or higher degree; or

2) Associate of Arts or Associate of Sciences degree; or

3) 60 semester or 90 quarter units of undergraduate studies acceptable toward a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; and

4) A satisfactory score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). (Not required for M.L.S degree)

Is financial aid available?

Yes, private educational loans and scholarships are available. Contact Assistant Dean Wendy LaRiviere at 831-582-4000 for additional information.

How do I apply to MCL?

There are four easy steps to complete your admissions file for review by the MCL Admissions Committee:

1) Complete the Application for Admission (found on our web site). Use the appropriate application for either the J.D degree or the M.L.S degree programs.

2) Send the completed application, personal statement and application fee to MCL.

3) Register for, and take, the Law School Admissions Test, if you have not taken it within the last five years. MCL will obtain the results of your test directly from L.S.A.C. (Not required for M.L.S degree aplication.)

4) Arrange to have official transcripts for all academic college work sent directly to the MCL Admissions Office.

Note: J.D. degree applicants are not required to provide letters of recommendation but they can be helpful to your admission to MCL. M.L.S degree applicants must provide two letters of recommendation. Please have such letters sent directly to the Admissions Office, Monterey College of Law, 100 Col Durham Street, Seaside, CA 93955.

Do I have to wait until I take the LSAT before I apply to law school?

No. For either the J.D. or M.L.S degree, the process starts with the receipt of your application, personal statement and the application fee. Send it first!

How long is the program?

Monterey College of Law is a part-time, evening program for working adults. Students attend classes during Fall,Spring, and Summer semesters, with breaks between each semester. Classes are held Monday through Thursday, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. For the J.D program, students attend classes on an average of three nights per week for four years. M.L.S students can complete their degree in two years. For details, see the Academic Calendar. In certain cases, an extended-duration program may be allowed.

Who are my Professors?

MCL's faculty consists of experienced attorneys and judicial officers who are able to bring their practical experience to the classroom. Many have taught at MCL for over 20 years; each is an integral part of the legal community our graduates will be joining. Our professors emphasize legal theory, training in legal skills, and professional responsibility.

How large are the classes?

Small classes of 45 students or less encourage lively discussion of a wide range of viewpoints, personal attention and accessibility to faculty.

Who attends MCL?

Men and women of all ages, backgrounds, careers and life experiences attend MCL. Our current student body ranges in age from 22 to 60 years. Most of our students have work or family responsibilities during the day and attend law school at night. We encourage students from a large variety of backgrounds to attend MCL.

Must I pay the entire year in advance?

No. Students pay each semester as they advance through the program. Tuition for the semester may be paid at registration or in four monthly payments through the Tuition Interest Plan (TIP).

What should I include in my personal statement?

Think of your personal statement as a written interview before the Admissions Committee. Since we limit the number of students invited to join each first year class, you'll want to inform the Committee of the unique attributes that will make you a good law student. While grade point average and LSAT score (for J.D applicants) are important, each application is considered on its own merits. Factors such as your life experience, maturity, volunteer history, how you've prepared for the rigors of studying law, and how you've overcome life's obstacles will all demonstrate to the Committee your level of commitment and interest in law.

If I have less than 60 semester units of college, can I still get into the J.D degree program?

Yes, you can enter as a "Special Student" with less than two years or 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of undergraduate studies, if you meet the following prerequisites:

1) Pass the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests with a minimum score of 50 on the English Composition or English Composition with Essay, and a minimum score of 50 on two of the following CLEP examinations: Humanities, Mathematics, Social Sciences and History, or Natural Sciences.

2) Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and receive a score of 50% or better.

3) Submit three letters of recommendation.

NOTE: Special Students must pass the First Year Law Student's Examination (FYLSX) taken at the end of your first year of law school.

What LSAT score and GPA must I have to be considered for admission to MCL?

The MCL Admissions Committee considers the "whole person" so there are no minimums. However, preference for admission is given to applicants who have a "B" average or higher and an LSAT score in the 50th percentile. The range for our current student body is a 2.85 or higher GPA and 25% or higher for the LSAT.

What type of career can I have if I receive my J.D. but choose not to practice law?

While most of our students take the California Bar Exam in order to enter the practice of law, many of our graduates have chosen to use their legal education in their current careers, such as real estate, financial planning, insurance, human resources, business, government, and politics.

What's my next step?

The next step for potential applicants is to submit an application, or call MCL's Dean of Admissions and Placement, Wendy LaRiviere at (831)582-4000. Many applicants choose to meet with her in person or by phone to discuss specific situations and answer questions about the application process.