Verification Services for Law School Applicants Compared to Law Graduates(Bar Certification & Character & Fitness)
A little background information on the difference between Law Applicants and Law Graduates.
Undergraduate Law School Applicants (JD Admissions Process)
Application Disclosure:
Applicants must answer “character & fitness” style questions on their law school applications (through LSAC or individual school forms).
These questions usually ask about academic discipline, criminal history, military discharge, or professional sanctions.
Review by Law Schools:
Schools do not conduct a formal state bar investigation.
Instead, admissions committees evaluate disclosures to decide whether the issue reflects on the applicant’s honesty, maturity, or fitness for legal study.
Minor infractions (like a speeding ticket, underage drinking citation, or dorm violation) rarely disqualify someone if disclosed honestly.
The biggest red flag is nondisclosure — if an applicant hides something and it comes up later during the bar’s character & fitness review, it’s far worse than the original conduct.
Outcome:
The law school may admit, deny, or request additional information.
Schools don’t “clear” applicants for the bar; they just ensure records are transparent and consistent.
Law Graduated (Bar Certification & Character & Fitness)
Formal Character & Fitness Review:
Conducted by the state’s Board of Law Examiners or bar admissions authority.
Much deeper investigation than law school admissions — includes:
Criminal and civil background checks
Credit history and financial responsibility
Employment and academic records
Interviews and references
Focus:
Whether the candidate demonstrates honesty, trustworthiness, financial responsibility, and respect for the law.
Past misconduct doesn’t automatically disqualify someone — the board weighs seriousness, recency, rehabilitation, and candor.
Process Differences from Law School Apps:
Applicants must match disclosures on their bar application with what they disclosed to law schools. Inconsistencies can trigger scrutiny.
Law graduates may need hearings, additional documentation, or character witnesses if issues are substantial.
The bar has the final authority — not the law school — on whether someone is admitted to practice.
KEY DIFFERENCES
Law school applicants → disclosures go to admissions committees; main concern is honesty and whether the issue suggests unfitness for legal study.
Bar applicants → undergo a formal investigation; focus is on whether the candidate is morally and ethically fit to serve the public as a licensed attorney.
How to Process any requests?
Law School Applicants - https://valpoedu.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BP/pages/29155182 (complete form attached with release of information form)
If the information needed did not originate from the Registrar, please forward onto the appropriate department such as Student Life, Financial Aid, Health Center, Student Accounts or the Honor Council to complete the request.
Bar Applicants - https://valpoedu.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BP/pages/29133445 (pull and review law file)
Reference
Under the Character and Fitness area on an application from Valparaiso University Law School(when it was open).
Character and Fitness
Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose an act or event such as the ones described below is often more significant, and lads to more serious consequences, than the act or event itself. Failure to provide truthful answers, or failure to inform Valparaiso University Law School of any changes to your answers, may result in revocation of admission from, dismissal from, or disciplinary action by the Law School, or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek admission.
You are advised to check your transcripts, or consul with registrars, deans, or other school officials before answering Question A. Errors, omissions, incorrect or incomplete responses may result in referral of the matter to the LSAC Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admission Process Subcommitee or to legal counsel. Please be advised that a condition for admission to the bar is proof of good moral character. You are advised to check with the Board of Law Examiners or Supreme Court in the State(s) in which you intend to practice law to determine whether any incident you may have had will preclude your admission to the bar.
If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, you must go to the “Additional Documents” section of this application and attach a document that provides a full explanation, including dates, for each “Yes” response. Please combine all your explanations into one document and make sure every page in the document in CLEARLY marked with your full name, your LSAC account number, and subject matter.
A. Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, expelled, or placed on academic or disciplinary probation, disciplined, or requested or advised to resign from any post-secondary school, college, university, professional school, or law school? If “Yes,” please provide a full explanation and attach it to your application.
B. Have you ever been or are you currently a plaintiff, defendant, or other party in any civil or criminal proceeding; any administrative or alternative dispute resolution forum; any mediation or arbitration proceedings; or any traffic-related proceeding (except for parking tickets)?
If “Yes,” please provide a full explanation an attach it to your application. Include information regarding final disposition or current status of the matter (including probation, deferred adjudication, or any other type of pretrial diversion).
You must report ALL incidents; if the record(s) have or will be expunged or sealed, you are not required to disclose at this time but will be required to do so when applying to at state bar. If you feel any matter may prevent you from being admitted to a state’s bar, we encourage you to contact that state’s Board of Bar Examiners.
C. In addition to B above, have you ever been accused of, or arrested (included receipt of a citation or traffic ticket) for any violations of law (please list ALL except parking tickets)?
If “Yes,” please provide a full explanation and attach it to your application. Give specific details of the arrest or accusation; a full description of the incident; the date, city, state, and law enforcement agency involved; and current status and disposition of the matter. Attach additional documentation in necessary.