Law

Next Steps

JD Requirements to Enroll

Enrollment Deposit

Admitted students must pay a non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit, which is split into two $250 installments. The enrollment deposit reserves your place in the entering class and will later be applied as partial payment of your fall semester tuition. Deposit deadlines can be found in your acceptance packet. You can pay your seat deposits online through the links provided in your application portal. 

First Choice Deposit
If you apply before our February 1 priority deadline, we offer a reduced $350 enrollment deposit in lieu of the $500 deposit. If applicable, this deposit choice will be listed in your appliction portal. 

Enrollment Confirmation Form 
The online confirmation form must be completed in order to confirm your enrollment. This form is also used by the university to determine your initial status for state residency and student financial aid. You will receive instructions via email for accessing the confirmation form prior to your deposit deadline.

Final Transcript [Deadline - July 15]
One official, final transcript from the institution that awarded your bachelor’s degree must be sent directly to the College of Law. This transcript must show your final grades and the date your bachelor’s degree was conferred. The transcript submitted to the LSAC CAS Report does not satisfy this obligation. 

Electronic Submission - you may submit your transcript electronically through your undergraduate institution's registrar office to lawadmissions@uc.edu or through the National Student Clearinghouse

By Mail - Original transcripts must be mailed directly by the institution’s registrar to the address below in a sealed envelope with seal intact to:

University of Cincinnati
College of Law Room 201B
P.O. Box 210040
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0040

We must receive confirmation that your bachelor’s degree was conferred before you begin classes. If your bachelor’s degree will not be completed until the summer term immediately preceding the start of law school, you must contact the Office of Admissions to discuss documentation of your anticipated graduation.

Prior to enrolling in August, you will receive information regarding books and materials you must purchase over the summer. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you do not receive this notification by July 25.

As indicated on your application for admission, you are required to notify the College of Law of any disciplinary proceedings or criminal convictions occurring subsequent to those listed at the time you applied.

  • Student Photo Release Form
  • Student Services Information Form
  • Keep your current mailing address updated in our system
  • Catalyst: Watch these short videos to help you navigate your bill, sign-up for direct deposit, and complete your service Indicators & required to-do's.
  • Bursar Tutorials: Watch these short videos to better understand how to manage your tuition payments, refunds, and more.
  • Set-up your direct deposit by August 1.

FINAL TRANSCRIPT SENT TO COLLEGE OF LAW  

Previous transcripts sent through LSAC upon applying do not satisfy this requirement.

One official, final transcript from the institution that awarded your bachelor’s degree must be sent directly to the College of Law. This transcript must show your final grades and the date your bachelor’s degree was conferred. Original transcripts can be sent one of two ways:

  1. Directly from your institution via email from the online transcript student clearinghouse OR
  2. Mailed directly by the institution’s registrar to the address below in a sealed envelope with seal intact. 

University of Cincinnati

College of Law Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 210040
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0040

RESIDENCY APPLICATION  

If you are a non-Ohio resident, now is the time to begin thinking about where you will want to live. Students who plan to enroll under the university's Kentucky Metropolitan Rate, Indiana Reciprocity, Forever Buckeye, or other special provision must submit an application and supporting documentation to the University of Cincinnati by August 1, 2023. More information and residency applications can be found here.

The dining option closest to the new building includes a Starbucks in the Lindner College of Business. The next closest dining option is the On the Green dining chall on the grond level of Marian Spencer Hall. 

For more dining options, please visit the Campus Dish website. 

Outside of Campus, there are a few options on location Jefferson avenue and Short Vine.

Recommended Operating Systems:

Windows 10

MacOS – The last three releases.

Recommended Hardware:

Windows

  • Processor: 8th generation Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 3 with 2.0Ghz clock speed and quad-core (recommended)
  • Memory (RAM): 8GB (minimum), 16GB (recommended)
  • Hard Drive: 256GB (minimum), 512GB (recommended)
  • Built-in or External Webcam with Microphone and Speakers (These will be needed to participate in synchronous online classes.) 

Mac

  • Processor: 8th generation Intel i5 with 2.0Ghz clock speed and quad-core (recommended)**
  • Memory (RAM): 8GB (minimum), 16GB (recommended)
  • Hard Drive: 256GB (minimum), 512GB (recommended)
  • We recommend MacBook Pro over MacBook Air
  • Built-in or External Webcam with Microphone and Speakers (These will be needed to participate in synchronous online classes.) 

Recommended Internet Connectivity:

We recommend that everyone test their internet speed using speedtest.net.  Anything less than 25 Mbps is not a high-speed connection and may affect your ability to participate with video in your online classes. Many of your online classes will be interactive and having high speed internet access will enhance your ability to participate.

Unsupported Devices:

While recent Windows Surface Pro tablets are supported, tablets running iOS (iPads), Android, or Windows RT are not supported for exams and are not appropriate laptop computers. Additionally, computers running Windows 10 S, Chrome OS, and Linux are not supported and will not work with the exam software. If you have any further questions regarding recommendations and support, please contact the UC Law IT department.

KEEP YOUR ADDRESS UPDATED  As we anticipate possible mailings this summer, it is important that we have your most up-to-date address on file. If you have recently moved or will be moving soon, please let us know via email at admissions@law.uc.edu or call 513-556-0078.

UC EMAIL  The University has issued all new students an official UC email account. If you have any issues logging in, please contact UC OneStop at 513.556.1000.

HEALTH INSURANCE QUESTIONS OR ISSUES, please contact their office directly: UC Student Health Insurance

FAQs

Is Orientation Required?

Yes, orientation is required for all new JD students and will be held in person from Monday, August 14 - Friday, August 18th. A final schedule will be sent to you in mid-to-late July.

How do I register for Fall classes?

Incoming students are automatically registered for fall classes. Every student will be assigned to one of six student cohorts which will determine your class schedule. You will be assigned a cohort and registered for classes by July 1st.

How can I find textbook information?

Once you are registered for classes, you will be able to view textbook information for a particular class via the textbook icons on your schedule in Catalyst or via OneStop’s course catalog by clicking on the textbook icon. 

When can I purchase on campus parking pass?

Students can purchase their campus parking passes online once they have been registered for courses. You can find more details about the various garages here. The new College of Law building is attached to the Green Campus Garage.

How can I get my UC Student ID? Deadline August 1, 2023

Once registered for classes, new Law students can request their UCIDs / Bearcat Cards online at https://idphoto.uc.edu. Students will log into this site with the same username and password as they use for Catalyst. Choose "Law College" as your affiliate group in step 2. If you complete this task by August 1, we can provide your ID cards to you at check-in on day 1 of orientation. Otherwise, you can arrange to pick up your ID at the UC ID's and Badges office at a later date and time.

UC Campus Map - West Campus

UC Resources for Admitted Students

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Why Cincinnati?

Cincinnati - A Brief History

Initially founded in December 1788, the “City of Seven Hills” has continued to prosper in its booming economy and opportunity for residents. In the 19th century, the city rivaled other coastal towns in its size and wealth, given its geographical location along the Ohio River, and its surge of immigrants. Now, the same is true. Forbes named the Queen City “an emerging hotbed for entrepreneurial growth,” while the Huffington Post added Cincinnati to its “top 10 up-and-coming U.S. Cities.”

  • Cincinnati ranks No. 1 for best places for recent college graduates in 2022 by SmartAsset
  • Forbes Advisor ranks Cincinnati at the #1 best place for young professionals to live (2024)
  •  #11 hotest housing market (Zillow)
  • Top 10 in the nation for parks
  • Top four metropolitan city in the US (Site Selection)

Top For Young Professionals

Cincinnati is home to many bustling neighborhoods, along with an impressive metropolitan area full of thriving businesses. The city metro system and the brand new downtown streetcar makes getting around the city easier than ever, and gives the feel of a small city. The region ranks higher than New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles for the number of Fortune 500 companies per capita. Eight Fortune 500 companies and fifteen Fortune 1000 companies call Cincinnati home.

One of the 25 Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2021-2022 -  U.S. News

Neighborhoods

Cinci Map

The University of Cincinnati Uptown and Medical Campuses are located across multiple neighborhoods of the City of Cincinnati.  In all, there are 52 neighborhoods in the city.  These neighborhoods are located in the Cincinnati Public Schools district.  In addition, there are several nearby cities, towns and villages in Ohio as well as Kentucky and Indiana. 

OhioKentucky and Indiana publish report cards on school and district performance.

2026 HOUSING GUIDE

In addition to the information below, the College of Law has partnered with a company to develop a housing guide based entirely on feedback from current law students. Click here to view the detailed housing guide.

Graduate students interested in using graduate campus housing, visit here.

The College of Law and the University of Cincinnati’s Uptown Campus, is in Clifton, just up the hill (uptown) from downtown Cincinnati. U Square@ the Loop is a new development near the College of Law with its own retail establishments, restaurants, apartments, and parking garages. North of campus on Clifton Avenue, the Clifton Gaslight District has long been reputed for its beautiful, historic homes. The Gaslight’s Ludlow Avenue business district is home to a breadth of independent shops, restaurants, and a movie theater specializing in independent and foreign films.

FEATURES

  • Walking distance: Approx. 1 mile from the College of Law
  • Ludlow Ave. Business District houses coffee shops, an indie movie theatre, and a historic Skyline Chili Restaurant
  • Near Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Northside is a diverse, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood a few miles northwest of the University of Cincinnati’s campus. It has a reputation as an artist community and many of Cincinnati’s original bands can be heard at the Northside Tavern. Northside’s eclectic shops and restaurants also make it a popular afternoon or weekend destination.

FEATURES

  • Eclectic, artist community situated north of the Clifton Gastlight District
  • Known for its local music, restaurants, and unique alternative culture
  • Popular among young professionals, professional students, and members of the creative class

Each neighborhood in Cincinnati has its own unique personality, but the Hyde Park and Oakley areas are particularly attractive to young professionals. Hyde Park Square is a popular gathering place for many outdoor events and maintains an enviable variety of local shopping sites. Residents of the Oakley area enjoy a monthly street festival called “Oakley After Hours”, during which neighborhood retail and food establishments stay open late while patrons enjoy live entertainment by local artists.

FEATURES

  • Two adjacent “cityburbs” situated roughly 6 miles from UC’s campus (via I-71)
  • Active community (runners, cyclists, etc.)
  • Convenient to some of Cincinnati’s most beautiful parks
  • Charming town square offers a farmer’s market, specialty retail, and entertainment

Downtown Cincinnati houses one of the most robust entreprenuerial ecosystems in the country. Home to more than 100 law firms (800 in greater Cincinnati), downtown provides law students with access to unique opportunites to enhance their skills and build their résumés. From major corporations, to BigLaw, to mid and small sized law firms,Cincinnati has everything a young legal professional could want.

Over-the-Rhine (OTR) is one of Cincinnati’s most historic and architectually beautiful neighborhoods. Nestled between Downtown and Clifton (UC), OTR is home to Cincinnati’s premier food, bar, and arts districts. Featured nationally for it’s revitalization and cultural renaissance, OTR was recently ranked the No. 3 Coolest Neighborhood in the Nation. You’ll definitely want to stop by Over-the-Rhine and visit Findlay Market (pictured above), Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market and Cincinnati’s staple.

FEATURES

  • Both the Banks and Over-the-Rine offer urban living that is convenient to the heart of Downtown Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati
  • The Banks: Cincinnati’s riverfront hosting the entertainment district between Great American Ball Park (Red’s) and Paul Brown Stadium (Bengals)
  • OTR: Cincinnati’s trendiest

Mount Adams is one of Cincinnati’s seven hills and is known for its steep inclines and stunning views of the Ohio River and downtown. Young people are drawn to the popular bars and restaurants on its hilly streets. As this scenic neighborhood is just a short commute from the University of Cincinnati’s campus, Mount Adams is also a popular housing location for law students.

FEATURES

  • Known for its steep inclines and stunning views of the Ohio River and Downtown
  • Popular among young professionals – some high-end real estate
  • Very convenient to Downtown, Northern Kentucky, and to UC’s campus
  • Historic landmarks and establishments: Krohn Conservator, Eden Park, and more!

NEWPORT

Newport, a waterfront town situated on the Ohio-Kentucky border, is a 15 minute drive to the University of Cincinnati College of Law. The area’s main attraction is Newport on the Levee, which hosts dozens of restaurants, a major movie theater, shopping, and a nationally recognized aquarium. Newport is also the location of the famous Hofbräuhaus, voted one of America’s Most Popular Bars by Buzzfeed. This beer hall and garden uses original recipes to brew its house beer in addition to its large menu of traditional Bavarian dishes.

COVINGTON

Covington is located west of I-75 and boasts a large variety of unique restaurants, bars, and shopping. MainStrasse is Covington’s most notable neighborhood and plays host to a number of festivals throughout the year. Covington is located roughly 15-20 minutes from the College of Law, and is known for its spectacular views of the Cincinnati landscape. The city also connects to downtown Cincinnati through the Roebling Suspension Bridge, a famous Cincinnati landmark named after architect John A. Roebling, who also designed the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Devou Park, in the Park Hills district, is also a main feature of Covington as it offers comfortable apartment living with dramatic views of downtown Cincinnati.

BELLEVUE

Bellevue is located just minutes from Newport on the Levee, but maintains a unique identity. This residential part of Northern Kentucky claims its own main street of restaurants and shopping located on Fairfield Avenue while offering a short commute to campus.

FORT THOMAS

Fort Thomas is a quiet community bordering both Newport and Bellevue that is known for its charming, small town appeal. The area’s great parks and supportive community make it a popular location for families and young professionals alike. Despite its removed, suburban feel, the city is only a short drive to both downtown Cincinnati and the College of Law.

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