Admissions

Criteria for Admission

The School of Library and Information Management is a professional school with a selective admission policy. We are looking for individuals who are likely to become leaders in the legal information profession. An admission committee of SLIM and KU law faculty members carefully reviews each application. The committee members consider strengths identified from transcripts, graduate record examination (GRE) scores, letters of reference, applicant's statement of objectives, applicant's resume, and a personal interview conducted when all other application materials have been received.

Applicants who demonstrate strong evidence of intellectual promise and leadership potential will be admitted. The following characteristics are necessary for admission:

Applicants may be admitted on academic probation. For example, applicants whose GRE scores are in the range of 800-900 points may be admitted on probation if their grade point average (GPA) is over 3.0.

Applicants whose GPA is under 3.0 may be admitted on academic probation if their GRE scores are in the range of 900-990 or above.

Other weaknesses evidenced by application materials may also lead to admission on academic probation. Academic probation can allow students to demonstrate their ability to be successful with graduate-level course work and participation in professional school.

For assistance in completing application materials, please contact the SLIM admissions assistant in the Emporia office: phone 800-552-4770 or e-mail sliminfo@emporia.edu.

Online application is available for graduate admissions.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the certificate program only is May 15 of each year. Applicants for the MLS degree and LIM certificate program may apply at any time.

How to Apply

• Download a copy of the application form at www.emporia.edu/grad/appinstr.htm. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Obtain an application form by calling the Office of Graduate Studies, 800-950-GRAD (4723).

When completing your application for admission form:

• Indicate "MLS" for degree, whether you plan to complete the master's degree or obtain a graduate certificate.
• Indicate your major as "LIS."

Information to Submit to the ESU Office of Graduate Studies

Transcripts

The grade point average used for admission purposes is always based on your bachelor's degree (even if you also have a post-graduate degree). Therefore, we must have an official transcript from the college or university from which you received your undergraduate degree.

If your bachelor's degree is from Emporia State University, we can request the transcript for you.

If work from another college or university counted toward your bachelor's degree, each of those transcripts must also be submitted.

If you have a post-graduate degree or have done post-graduate work that did not lead to a degree, you must submit those transcripts as well.

Graduate Record Examination

• All students must take the Graduate Record Examination before admission to SLIM. We are looking for a combined verbal and quantitative score of 1,000. If your GPA is below 3.0, your GRE score must be at least 1,000.
• If you already have taken the exam, ask the Educational Testing Service to send us your results. The mailing address for ETS: Graduate Record Examinations, Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000; phone 609-771-7670. The code for ESU is R6335 and the code for Library Science is 4701.
• The GRE requirement may be waived for students who already have earned another graduate degree. Request a waiver from Daniel Roland at droland@emporia.edu.

Application Information to Submit to SLIM

Three Letters of Reference

Anyone who can describe you in terms of the admission criteria would be an appropriate reference. Most people request references from supervisors or mentors, people with whom they have worked on a project or program, or instructors. Reference letters may be open or closed; you and the person giving the reference may decide.

Include a list of the names, addresses, positions, and phone numbers of the three references.

Statement of Objectives

We would like a 200- to 300-word, double-spaced, typed essay describing where you have been in terms of your professional career, where you are going, and how the Legal Information Management program fits into your aspirations.

Make sure your name, the date, and the words "Statement of Objectives" appear on your statement.

Resume

Please send a current resume to help us know you better.

Interview

All applicants must be interviewed. Interviews are held each semester shortly after the application deadline. You will receive a letter asking you to schedule an interview. Allot about an hour for the interview.

If an interview in Lawrence is a hardship, you may request an alternative such as a telephone interview.

International Students

We welcome the opportunity for non-U.S. citizens to study at SLIM. Past students have come from such diverse countries as China, Benin, the Ukraine, Japan, India, the Philippines, and Russia.

All non-U.S. citizens (including permanent residents) must apply to SLIM through the International Student Office. The application procedure described earlier is the same, except for the following additions:

• Use the ISO application form instead of the Graduate Application.
• Submit a nonrefundable $50 application fee.
• All non-native speakers must demonstrate adequate proficiency in English by taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam (550 score required); having previously attended a U.S. college or university; or having completed intensive English classes at ESU before starting classes in the Legal Information Management program.
• Submit a financial affidavit showing that you or your sponsor have the ability to pay for your education and expenses while at ESU. $10,550 is the current recommended amount of money needed per year. Call 316-341-5374 or write the International Student Office, Box 4041 (need complete address) for further information.

Mail application form, official transcripts, and GRE scores to:

Office of Graduate Studies
Campus Box 3
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas 66801

Send all other admission materials to:

Admissions
School of Library and Information Management
Campus Box 25
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas 66801