Admissions

Catalogue

Catalogue 2019-21

General Information

General Information

Criteria that will govern the admission process for new students:

The Admissions Committee may adopt the criteria that will govern the admission process every six months.

• The selection of new students will be based on all the information offered in the application for admission.
• Candidates must satisfy admission requirements based on the following quantitative standards:

MEDIAN

For the academic year 2018-2019 the median scores of admitted students were:

LSAT 140

GPA 3.10

Additional information goes to ABA Standard 509.

Application Deadline: June 30 for admission for fall session

Admission Notification: Once the application is completed and evaluated, our Law School will send the notification of admission to all those candidates who meet the admission criteria established by the committee, during the month of March.

Seat Reservation and Preparatory Course

All admitted applicants will have to pay the seat reservation and the preparatory course within the time you are instructed in the admission letter. The cost for seat reservation is $125.00 and $485.00 for the payment of the preparatory course (non-refundable) plus $20.00 for the simulation of the BAR exam.

Bar exam preparation and education accompaniment: For our school it is fundamental our students receive the best education and resources to ensure they are fully prepared to complete the degree and pass the bar exam. For this reason we are partnering with BARBRI, the only organization fully devoted to seeing students succeed in law school and on every bar exam in the US. BARBRI will support our students from day one, with three particular offerings: BARBRI AMP (an interactive online multi-choice testing and learning tool for first and second year classes); Substance and Skills third year course and materials (a semester of classes and materials that eases students into bar preparation focusing on substantive review of the most heavily tested topics); and, BARBRI Bar Review Course for the Multi-State Bar Examination and state bar examinations. Students will pay a standard fee of $595 per semester (might be covered by financial aid) for six semesters (three years of educational support, materials and bar review for less than what the review course only usually cost). For more information about BARBRI go to http://www.barbri.com/bar-review-course/.

Academic Support Program

The School of Law developed and is implementing an Academic Support Program (ASP). The ASP provides strategies to help students develop necessary writing, reading and critical thinking skills needed to continue legal studies, obtain the best possible academic index or grade point average (GPA), successfully complete the requirements for graduation and increase their probability of passing the Bar examination. ASP objectives include monitoring student’s academic progress and achievements since the beginning of their law program and periodically throughout their career. Also, the program looks forward to providing the academic support necessary to assure that each student pursuing the JD program has the opportunity to participate in the ASP and increase his/her opportunity of successfully completing his or her degree. Patricia Otón is in charge of the ASP program and she is a professor at our law school.

Specials Programs Admission:  The Special Programs, especially the programs to obtain combined degrees with the Juris Doctor, have additional requirements from Metropolitan Campus of the Inter American University.

Reasonable Accommodation: The School of Law asks our students, if there is any condition that would warrant a reasonable accommodation, to contact Dr. Luis A. Borri through his email: lborri@juris.inter.edu, or by telephone at (787) 751-1912 ext. 2032.

However, we make the following clarification. The «Law School Admission Council» and the «Educational Testing Service» offer their tests to people who have any condition that merits reasonable accommodation. Everyone who needs this service must complete the requirements with these agencies. Our School of Law will not be responsible or intervene with these agencies for their requirements.

International Applicants: People from Foreign Countries must have authorization for studies or the visa for F1 students approved.

Divulgation of Institutional Policies Against Discrimination: The student has all the rights established by the institutional policies. The university will maintain an environment free of prejudice that respects the student’s own value and human dignity. It is the policy of the university that we will not discriminate against any person for reasons of race, color, age, gender, sexual preference, religion, nationality, marital status, physical appearance, political affiliation, physical disability, origin or social status. Art. 1, CAP. II, Regulations of Students, Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, May 2015.

Bar Admission Information:    In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

“Qualifications for Admission to the Bar”

The Standard 504 (a) of the Standards of Accreditation of the American Bar Association provides that applicants to Law Schools and Law students should know the following requirements for admission to the practice of the legal profession:

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico there are several requirements, including good moral character, to be admitted to practice Law. Specifically Rule 4.1.1. Rule 4.1 – Requirements for the Practice of Law provides that:

Rule 4.1.1 any person seeking admission to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) Be over 21 years of age;

(b) Have studied Law and obtained the corresponding law degree from a Law School accredited by the American Bar Association or by the Court;

(c) Be of good moral character;

(d) Pass a General Bar Examination prepared, administered, and evaluated by the Board; and

(e) Have obtained, before being admitted to a Law School, a baccalaureate degree, if the applicant has graduated from an institution in the United States or Puerto Rico.

In all other cases, the applicant must have completed an equivalent university
curriculum that meets the standards set by the Council on Higher Education or that
has been approved by the Court regarding the minimum academic background
required for admission to a Law School in Puerto Rico.

Rule 4.2.1 about applicants who have pursued studies in foreign countries establishes that they must comply with subsections (a), (c), (d), and (e) of Rule 4.1.1, validate his or her studies, and obtain a law degree from a Law School approved by the American Bar Association and by the Court (Puerto Rico Supreme Court).  After validating his or her studies and obtaining a law degree from a Law School that meets accreditation requirements, the applicant who has pursued studies in a foreign university must present evidence of such studies to the Board along with his or her application for admission to the examination.

Rule 12 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico establishes that all applicants seeking admission to the practice of Law who pass the bar examinations must appear before the Committee on Character of Applicants for Admission to the Bar.  Once the applicant meets the requirements established by the Committee and approved by the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, and after receiving a certificate of good character from said Committee, the applicant must take the pertinent oath before the Puerto Rico Supreme Court en banc, or before any of its divisions or of its Justices. The Committee on Character for Admission of Applicants to the Bar will also examine any matter submitted by the Puerto Rico Supreme Court concerning an attorney’s readmission to the legal profession.

Applicants are also advised that if they have any doubt as to whether they meet any of the mentioned requirements, they can seek information and guidance.  You can find more information on the requirements for the practice of Law in Puerto Rico, on the website of the Board of Bar Examiners and in the Rules for the Admission of Applicants to the Practice of Law and the Notarial Profession.

Other Jurisdiction 

Applicants interested in practicing the legal profession in a jurisdiction other than Puerto Rico, are encouraged to become informed on the requirements for admission to the legal profession in any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.  For more information you can consult the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, published by the American Bar Association (ABA) and Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Additional information can be found in our catalog.

Semester Class Schedule

Semester Class Schedule

First Year Applicant

Applicants for admission to the Juris Doctor program should complete the admission requirements.

1. Obtaining the Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or its equivalent, an accredited institution by higher education. Applicants, who are near to complete the bachelor’s degree, must provide an official partial transcript. All admissions will be conditioned to submitting an official university transcript once the degree conferred.
2. Having taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). And subscribe to the CREDENTIAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE (CAS). You can find information and create your account by accessing:

Law School Admission Council
Box 2000 Newton, PA 181940-0998
Tel. (215) 968-1001; 968-1015
www.lsac.org

5. Not being under disciplinary or academic suspension from the university where you are studying.
6. Good character and motivated to study law.
7. If you understand that there is some information about your academic history, personal, disability, social or economic condition that should be reported to the Admissions Committee for consideration, you may submit this application for admission with a personal statement, not exceeding two double spaced letter size pages.

SEAT RESERVATION AND PREPARATORY COURSE

All admitted applicants will have to pay the seat reservation and the preparatory course within the time you are instructed in the admission letter. The cost for seat reservation is $125.00 and$485.00 for the payment of the preparatory course (non-refundable).

Required Documents

1. Complete the admission application through www.lsac.org or our web site.
2. Pay an admission fee in the amount of $ 63.00, non-refundable. This payment must be sent to the Bursar’s Office; you can issue a money order or complete a credit card authorization form and send it to recaudaciones@juris.inter.edu.
3. Provide official university transcripts from all universities where you have studied. This includes courses in bachelors, master and or doctorate, even though the degree has not been completed. You must send an official copy of your transcript to each place indicated below:
4. School of Law, Admissions Office.
5. Law School Admission Council LSAC, for completing the Credential Assembly Services, CAS report.
6. Comply with the requirements of subscription to the “Credential Assembly Services, CAS, so that we can access the report.
7. Present an Immunization Certificate, if under 21 years.
8. Submit Certificate of negative criminal record issued by the Police Department of the place of residence.
9. Submit any other document regarding applicant’s good conduct and good standing for legal education.

Transfer Applicant

All applicants for admissions by transfer from another law school must meet the following requirements:

1. Comply substantially with the requirement for admission.
2. Proceed from a Law School affiliated to the American Association of Law Schools or accredited by the American Bar Association.
3. Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the law school where he studied.
4. Not being on academic probation, or have been suspended for disciplinary reasons in the School of Law where studying.
5. The decision for admission and the amount of credits to convalidate will be taken by the Dean of the School of Law.
6. Only those transferred courses with a “C” or better grade, and that there is the equivalent course in our curriculum, will be convalidated.
7. A transferred candidate must complete two thirds of the credits (62) in our school, to be eligible for the degree of Juris Doctor.

Required Documents

1. Comply with the documents required for First Year New Student admission.
2. Send official transcript of the School of Law of origin.
3. Provide a copy of the catalog of the University of Origin.
4. Issue a letter to the Dean of our school, making the transfer request.
5. Every transfer applicant that result admitted must complete the certification document for admission by transfer from another Law School.

Special or Student Exchange Applicants (Non Degree)

This type of admission will only be given to people interested in taking a course at our school, or interested participating in our Student exchange program.

1. To be authorized by the Dean of another School of Law to take courses in our institution.
2. Have the degree of Juris Doctor.

Required Documents

1. Complete the admission application.
2. Send the admission fee for $63.00.
3. Send a letter of authorization from the Dean of the School of Law (good standing) or official evidence of having completed the Juris Doctor degree.

International Applicants