If your undergraduate degree is from an institution outside of the United States, it must be the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the United States.
Penn State Dickinson School of Law requires that transcripts from foreign institutions be submitted through the LSAC JD Credential Assembly Service (CAS). If you completed any post-secondary work outside of the US (including its territories) or Canada, you must use this service for evaluation of your foreign transcripts. The one exception to this requirement is if you completed the foreign work through a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a US or Canadian institution, and the work is clearly defined as such on the home campus transcript. This service is included in the LSDAS subscription fee. A foreign credential evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and will be incorporated into your LSDAS report.
To use the JD CAS, log on to your online account and follow the instructions for registering for the service. Be sure to print out a Transcripts Request Form for each institution and send it to the appropriate office. Consider that additional time is required to receive foreign transcripts.
Questions about the JD Credential Service can be directed to LSAC at 215-968-1001 or LSACINFO@LSAC.org.
It is highly recommended that international applicants begin the entire admissions process early, since additional time may be required for transcript evaluation, mailing and processing of immigration documents. Please understand that we have limited funding available specifically for foreign applicants and, while all admitted students are considered for our limited merit aid awards, these awards are very competitive and generally do not meet the total monetary needs for foreign students.
So that we can comply with U.S. immigration regulations, international students must provide documentation of financial status and show proof of sufficient medical coverage to meet mandated standards.
