Applying to Law School: Resources for LGBTQIA+ Applicants
UW Law's commitment to diversity is grounded in an inclusive approach to all students of all gender and sexual orientations, identities and expressions. We believe the strength of our community is in the diversity of backgrounds, identities and perspectives that enhance the law school experience while preparing our graduates for a career in law and beyond.
We acknowledge and recognize that gender is fluid and that the traditional notions of gender identity and expression can be limiting when applying to law school. These resources are intended to offer prospective applicants information and suggestions to help navigate the admissions process. For specific information on applying to UW Law, please visit J.D. Admissions.
Applying to Law School
Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
LSAC is a nonprofit organization devoted to furthering quality, access, and fairness in law school admission by providing core products and services including:
- The Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
- Candidate Referral Service (CRS)
- Law School Forums
- Diversity Initiatives
- Test Preparation Publications and Law School Guides
All applicants to law school will need to register with LSAC to sign up for the LSAT, CAS and other services listed above.
Under LSAC's Diversity Initiative, LGBT applicants will find relevant information to the application process including: researching law schools, coming out on the application, and LGBT resources at specific law schools.
Each year starting in June, LSAC hosts law school forums in major cities across the country and Canada where prospective applicants can meet admissions representatives from UW Law and other ABA-accredited law schools. For events in your local area, check out our recruiting schedule for a list of law school fairs, presentations and open houses.
DiscoverLaw.org
No matter where you are at in the process of applying to law school, DiscoverLaw.org is a fantastic resource that encourages diverse students to discover career opportunities in law and choose a path in undergraduate school to help them succeed.
If you are unsure whether the legal profession is for you, take the quiz "The Field for You" and see how your interests align with different areas of law. If you've already decided that law school is for you, Discoverlaw.org's Preparing for Law School section helps guide you through each part of the process.
Council for Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)
CLEO is a national organization founded to expand opportunities for minority and low-income students to attend law school. CLEO's Pre-Law Programs include: seminars, sessions, a pre-law summer institute among many other kinds of programs to help prepare students for the application process.
Financing a Legal Education
University of Washington Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA)
The University's OSFA handles the processing of FAFSAs and provides students with financial aid awards. For a comprehensive look at tuition and fees, different financial aid types, and the process to apply for financial aid at UW Law, visit our Paying for Law School section.
Department of Education
Under the Department of Education, eligible students seeking federal financial aid can submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), complete their Federal Student Aid Counseling Requirement to learn about the student loan repayment options.
When completing the FAFSA, transgender students should be aware that the gender on the FAFSA is based on the gender that was listed on the applicant's birth certificate. This question is used to determine Selective Service registration requirements. If a student was assigned male at birth, they must register with Selective Service between ages 18 and 25 (inclusive) to be eligible for federal and/or state student financial aid.
Transgender students who were assigned female at birth and who now identify as male are not required to register with Selective Service. We encourage students to contact the University of Washington Office of Student Financial Aid at osfa@uw.edu or Selective Service at 1-888-655-1825 regarding their registration requirements if they are unclear about how they should answer the FAFSA or need a status information letter from Selective Service that clarifies whether or not they are exempt from the registration requirement.
AccessLex
The AccessLex is a nonprofit organization that is committed to informing students of the economic realities of law school without limiting their aspirations.
The organization's Center for Education and Financial Capability offers a number of financial education resources for students applying to law school including the financial aid process, financial literacy guides, and student loan repayment options.
Equal Justice Works (EJW)
For students interested in public interest work, EJW is a great resource that offers a continuum of opportunities for law students and lawyers that provide the training and skills that enable to provide effective legal representation to underserved communities and causes.
With the high cost of legal education, EJW provides free interactive webinars and in-person counseling for students who are committed to a long-term public interest career.
The Legal Profession & Community
Outlaws (LGBTQIA+ Student Group)
As a student-led organization, Outlaws provides a social and support network for LGBTQIA+ students and allies at the University of Washington School of Law. Our students are deeply committed to raising awareness of LGBT legal issues within the student body, faculty, and staff while providing mentorship to law students, and community engagement through sponsorship of speakers, discussions, and advocacy activities.
QLaw - The LGBT Bar Association of Washington
Serving as the voice of LGBT lawyers and other legal professionals in the state of Washington on issues relating to diversity and equality in the legal profession, the courts, and under the law, the organization offers a number of resources including mentorship, summer public interest grants, and a program giving law students experience working on LGBT-issues with Washington legal organizations.
American Bar Association (ABA)
With over 400,000 members and more than 3,500 entities, the American Bar Association is one of the world's largest voluntary professional organizations that is committed to improving the legal profession, eliminating bias and enhancing diversity, and advancing the rule of law throughout the United States and the world.
As an applicant to law school, it is helpful to note the breadth of resources and support the ABA offers to law students and lawyers in the profession including diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The LGBT Bar Association
An affiliate of the ABA, the LGBT Bar is a national association of lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals that works to promote justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community.
Each year, the LGBT Bar hosts its Lavender Law Career Fair that draws over 500 law student from around the country. The event allows students to interview and connect with top law firms and corporate legal departments as well as government and non-profit agencies.
National Association of Law Placement (NALP)
NALP is the leading association of over 2,500 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law firms, and law schools on matters involving career services, recruitment, and professional development. NALP offers a number of resources and data involving demographic information and employment statistics for law schools.