Post-Matriculation Application Disclosures
You have an ongoing duty to disclose changes to the information provided in your application to the Law School, including those related to your fitness to practice law.
Both law schools and State Bar Associations ask for information regarding past infractions in applications for admission. Any discrepancies between your law school application and your subsequent Bar application can cause significant delays or issues when you apply to the Bar in your intended jurisdiction.
Please find the process for making different types of disclosures below to ensure your file is accurate:
1. Prior to an Admissions Decision
Applicants must inform the Office of Admissions promptly of any changes to the facts provided in their application. Any omission or misrepresentation may serve as grounds for denial of admission or the rescission of an offer of admission. Omissions or misrepresentations may also be reported to LSAC's Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admissions Process.
As stated in the application language, this obligation to update your application details begins immediately upon submission. For admitted students who enroll, this requirement remains a continuing duty throughout their enrollment at New York University School of Law. Failure to update any aspect of the application may result in dismissal from the Law School or revocation of a law degree.
Please reach out to JD Admissions if you need to amend your application at this stage.
2. After Admission but Before Matriculation
Admitted students must inform the Office of Admissions promptly of any changes to the facts provided in their application. Any omission or misrepresentation may result in the rescission of an offer of admission or a report to LSAC's Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admissions Process.
As stated in the application language, this requirement is an ongoing obligation through your enrollment at New York University School of Law. Failure to promptly update any aspect of your application prior to matriculation may result in disciplinary action, up to and including revocation of admission, dismissal from the Law School, or revocation of a law degree.
Please reach out to JD Admissions if you need to amend your application at this stage.
3. After Matriculation (Incident Pre-dates Matriculation)
If you need to update your application to disclose an incident that occurred prior to your matriculation but was not initially shared on your law school application, please contact disclosures@mercury.law.nyu.edu as soon as possible.
In your email, please attach a single PDF document containing:
A written narrative: Describe the facts of the incident, the final resolution (if any), and a brief explanation of why you did not initially disclose it but are choosing to do so now.
Supporting documentation: Include any official records, court documents, or correspondence related to the incident as an appendix.
4. After Matriculation (Incident Post-dates Matriculation)
If you need to disclose an incident that occurred after your matriculation to NYU Law that would have been responsive to the Character and Fitness questions on your application (such as a new arrest, criminal charge, or incident of discipline), please contact disclosures@mercury.law.nyu.edu as soon as possible.
In your email, please attach a single PDF document containing:
- A written narrative: Describe the facts of the incident and the current status or final resolution.
- Supporting documentation: Include any police reports, court documents, or relevant correspondence as an appendix.
- What Happens After You Make a Disclosure?
- Upon receipt, your disclosure will be reviewed by a committee consisting of:
- The Vice Dean for Curriculum
- The Assistant Dean for JD Admissions or Graduate Admissions
- The Assistant Dean for Academic Services
- The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Following the Committee's review, you will receive an official response letter acknowledging receipt of your disclosure and outlining any next steps. Once a matter has been submitted to the Disclosure Committee for review, the disclosure, the Committee's response, and any supporting documentation become part of your student record, regardless of the outcome of the Committee's review.
As with other portions of your student record, this information may be shared with external entities, including State Bar Associations, at your request or whenever the Law School is legally required to do so.
Unsure If You Need to Disclose?
If you are unsure whether an incident may require disclosure, we encourage you to review the Character and Fitness requirements of the jurisdiction where you intend to seek bar admission, as those requirements vary by state. Reviewing those requirements can help ensure consistency between your law school disclosures and your future bar application. While the Law School cannot advise you on whether a particular matter must be disclosed for bar admission purposes, if you have questions about this process or are uncertain where to start, please feel free to reach out to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Katie Shirley at katie.shirley@nyu.edu.