Law School Procedures for Admissions Application Supplements
When a student at Cornell Law School informs the Dean of Students, or any other administrator, or faculty member that they failed to disclose a criminal, civil, or academic issue (the “Disclosed Issue”) that they believe they should have disclosed in his or her admissions application, the student will be required to complete an Admissions Application Character and Fitness Amendment Request found on the Registrar’s website, under Forms and Requests. The Admissions Committee (the “Committee”) will review the Request and may also conduct an interview at its discretion. The Committee will then do the following:
First, the Committee will determine whether the Disclosed Issue was required to be disclosed per the student’s admissions application. If the Committee determines that the Disclosed Issue was not required, then the student will be so informed, and no further action will be taken.
Second, if the Committee determines that the Disclosed Issue was required to be disclosed pursuant to the student’s admissions application, the Committee must determine whether or not it would have admitted the student in light of the Disclosed Issue. If the Committee determines that knowledge of the Disclosed Issue would not have been material to its admissions decision, had it been made aware of the Disclosed Issue when it made its admission decision, the Committee may decide to allow the student to amend his or her admissions application and include a letter in the student’s file that indicates the circumstances.
Third, if the Committee (1) determines that it would not have admitted the student if it had knowledge of the Disclosed Issue at the time it made its decision, (2) is not able to reach a consensus on whether or not it would have admitted the student if it had knowledge of the Disclosed Issue at the time it made its decision, or (3) determines that knowledge of the Disclosed Issue would have been material to its admission decision, then the matter may be referred to the Administrative Committee for further action.
All completed character and fitness amendment requests with supporting documentation regarding post-matriculation conduct will be referred to the Administrative Committee. The Administrative Committee can exercise all of the options at its disposal, including suspension, expulsion, and determining whether the Disclosed Issue and its failure to be initially disclosed should be included in the
“character and fitness” certifications that Cornell Law School must complete for the student for his or her bar admissions.
After October 1 of the student’s first year of study, neither the Administrative Committee nor the Admissions Committee will accept character and fitness amendment requests regarding conduct that occurred prior to matriculation at Cornell Law School.