Admissions

The admissions process for Oak Brook College of Law (OBCL) is for the purpose of determining whether a prospective student is aligned with the mission, philosophy, and worldview of OBCL and has a calling to study law from a Biblical and historical perspective. The admissions process is also to evaluate a student’s capacity to perform to the academic level required and ascertain his or her ability to succeed in a program which requires self-discipline, motivation, and persistence.

Who Can Apply:

Admissions is open to highschool graduates and beyond. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree may demonstrate the ability to perform the required level of work through CLEP testing as outlined below.

Juris Doctor Admission

The admissions season is currently open and will close April 15, 2024.
Contact the OBCL admissions office today to discuss your customized application timeline!

Applications are reviewed with respect to two factors: 

Admission decisions will be sent out 3 weeks after the close of admissions. Once accepted, an applicant will be notified via e-mail. Enrollment paperwork will be sent approximately 3 months before the start of the fall semester.

General Requirements

Convictions & Character

Oak Brook College of Law (OBCL) seeks to enroll students who agree to receive a legal education consistent with the College’s Statement of Faith and who share a commitment to the Statement of Mission of OBCL. Evidence of an applicant’s convictions and character is found in personal reference recommendations, application responses, and by the applicant’s motivation for studying law.

Writing Samples

Renewed Mind: The study of law from a historical and Biblical perspective involves more than learning “black letter” law and legal reasoning. It requires looking at the law with a “renewed mind.” Applicants must submit a 3-5 page type-written paper discussing their understanding of and response to the concepts and principles discussed in the book Renewing Your Mind as You Study Law. This book may be ordered from our online store.

Testimony: Applicants must submit a one-page written testimony of how they apply their Christian faith in their life and the level of importance faith plays in daily living.

Personal References

Three personal evaluations are required for an application. An applicant may not use an evaluator who is related to the applicant and must submit an evaluation from the applicant’s pastor. If the applicant happens to be related to the pastor, please contact us directly. The remaining two required evaluations may be completed by a friend, coworker, supervisor, etc.

Academic Qualifications

Oak Brook College of Law (OBCL) assesses the academic qualifications of each applicant by examining their academic record, test scores, and work history. Under California Law, students are permitted to begin their education in a juris doctor program if they have completed at least two years of college work or demonstrate equivalent intellectual achievement. These provisions can be met in a variety of ways, including through traditional college courses and CLEP examinations, allowing our students to significantly streamline and focus their education.

In accordance with Rule 4.25(A) of the Admissions Rules and Section 6060(c)(1) of the California Business and Professions Code, before beginning the study of law, a law school applicant must have completed at least two years of college work or demonstrated equivalent intellectual achievement.

College Work

“Two years of college work” means a minimum of sixty semester or ninety quarter units of college credit: 

  • Equivalent to at least half that required for a bachelor’s degree from a college or university that has degree-granting authority from the state in which it is located; and
  • Completed with a grade average adequate for graduation.

An official transcript showing a bachelor’s degree from a qualified institution or, if no bachelor’s degree has been earned, official transcripts of all prelaw studies, and transcripts of any graduate studies must be submitted for all applicants, whether the applicant intends to meet the academic qualifications through college work or through demonstrated equivalent intellectual achievement (CLEP). Transcripts should be sent directly from the issuing institution.

If an applicant does not have at least an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree (the State Bar of California does not accept Associates in Applied Science degrees) from a California institution, the admissions committee may require the applicant to have an Evaluation of Pre-legal Education done by the State Bar of California.

This evaluation should be completed prior to application submission and a copy of the State Bar reply letter included with your application. Information about the Evaluation of Pre-legal Education can be found by clicking here. Please allow the State Bar of California 4-8 weeks for the evaluation to be reviewed.

Applicants desiring to meet the pre-legal education requirement using credits from a foreign institution must have a Credential Evaluation completed by an organization approved by the State Bar of California. Information can be found by clicking here.

Applicants should be aware that there are non-traditional options for completing a degree that could meet the pre-legal education requirements set by the State Bar of California. Programs such as Unbound can decrease the time and expense related to earning a degree.

Equivalent Intellectual Achievement (CLEP)

Applicants who have not completed at least two years of college work in accordance with Rule 4.25(A) of the Admissions Rules and Section 6060(c)(1) of the California Business and Professions Code may satisfy the general education requirements that must be completed prior to beginning law study by attaining a score of 50 or higher on the following College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations, which are administered by the College Board:

1. Under Composition and Literature category:

  •  College Composition

(Note: For OBCL requirements, do not complete the similarly named “College Composition Modular” exam, this is a separate exam that will not satisfy the school’s application requirements.)

2. Two other examinations, each designed to correspond to full-year courses (6 semester hours each*) or four other examinations, each designed to correspond to semester courses (3 semester hours each*) that can be selected from any of the following subjects:

  • Composition and Literature (College Composition & Humanities examination only)
  • Foreign Languages
  • History and Social Sciences
  • Science and Mathematics
  • Business

*For a list of CLEP examinations and the recommended semester hours for each examination, click here.

Applicants must register to take the CLEP examinations directly with the College Board and request that score reports be submitted by the College Board to Oak Brook College. The score recipient code for Oak Brook College is 7675. Copies of informational brochures and registration forms are available at local colleges and universities, or by contacting:

The College Board
P. O. Box 6600
Princeton, NJ 08541-6600
1-800-257-9558
https://clep.collegeboard.org/

LSAT

The LSAT test is valuable to the applicant and the school in determining aptitude for the study of law. As part of the application process, applicants are to take the LSAT test and submit the results to the College. 

To determine times and locations for the LSAT contact Law Services, call (215) 968-1001or visit http://www.lsac.org/

 
Links:

I wanted to seek the truth and pursue justice.  My criminal law professor, Professor Rucker, told me how prosecutors have a lot of power to do good.   He said if we do not believe there is sufficient evidence, we cannot file cases and prevent their good name from being slandered. 

Keane A.

Paralegal Admission

The admissions season is currently open and will close April 15, 2024
Contact the OBCL admissions office to discuss your customized application timeline!

The admissions process for Oak Brook College of Law (OBCL) is for the purpose of determining whether a prospective student is aligned with the mission, philosophy, and worldview perspective of OBCL and has a calling to study law from a Biblical and historical perspective. The admissions process is also to evaluate a student’s capacity to perform college-level coursework and ascertain his or her ability to succeed in a program which requires self-discipline, motivation, and persistence.

To be admitted into the OBCL Paralegal Program, interested parties must complete the application for admission before the application deadline. Applications are reviewed with respect to two factors:

1. Convictions and Character related to the College’s Statement of Faith and its Statement of Mission

2. Academic qualifications.

Review of an application generally takes 2-4 weeks from the time the file is complete. Once accepted, an applicant will be notified via email. Enrollment paperwork will be sent approximately one week after the application deadline for the class the applicant is applying for.

General Requirements

Convictions & Character

Oak Brook College seeks to enroll students who agree to receive a legal education consistent with the College’s Statement of Faith and who share a commitment to the Statement of Mission of Oak Brook College of Law (OBCL). Evidence of an applicant’s convictions and character is found in personal reference recommendations, application responses, and by the applicant’s motivation for studying law.

Personal References

Three personal evaluations are required for an application. An applicant may not use an evaluator who is related to the applicant and must submit an evaluation from the applicant’s pastor. If the applicant happens to be related to the pastor, please contact us directly. The remaining two required evaluations may be completed by a friend, coworker, supervisor, etc.

Academic Qualifications

Oak Brook College of Law (OBCL) assesses the academic qualifications of each applicant by examining the applicant’s academic record, test scores, work history, and three personal reference evaluations.

In order to be considered for admission into the program, an applicant must achieve a score of at least 50 on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) College Composition exam or the applicant must have completed an equivalent college-level composition course.

Applicants must register to take the CLEP examinations directly with the College Board and request that score reports be submitted by the College Board to Oak Brook College. The score recipient code for Oak Brook College is 7675. Copies of informational brochures and registration forms are available at local colleges and universities, or by contacting:

The College Board
P. O. Box 6600
Princeton, NJ 08541-6600
1-800-257-9558
https://clep.collegeboard.org/

My legal experience during law school taught me that there is more to being a good lawyer than the knowledge you learn from law school.  The experience I had in law school gave me a jump start in learning those skills. 

– Gabe W.