Applicants need to have all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions where they've been enrolled send official transcripts. They do not need to take the LSAT. If they have taken the LSAT that can be assessed as well, but it is not required. They need three letters of recommendations. The application also consists of two short essays. One is called the “statement of purpose” in which applicants communicate their goals for graduate study and beyond, in addition to why they want to be at JSP and what they hope to get out of the Ph.D. program. The second essay is the “personal history statement", which is a short biographical essay about how the applicant's background and life experiences have influenced their decision to pursue a graduate degree at this time. This may include formative experiences, values, or motivations that have influenced the applicant's academic and/or professional path. Finally, applicants may also submit samples of their written work from coursework or publications that they have. A sample of written academic work is necessary, but these don’t necessarily need to be publications.