For example, a single arrest or conviction for possession of marijuana is unlikely to pose a barrier to being admitted to law school, but failing to disclose it, for any reason, could cause far more serious problems down the road — possibly resulting in revocation of an offer of admission, dismissal from law school, or barriers to admission to the bar.

Types of “Character and Fitness” Questions

“Character and fitness” questions include ones about:

Prior or pending disciplinary proceedings at educational institutions, for academic or other reasons.
Prior enrollment at a law school.
Prior or pending discharge from employment, or a request to resign for disciplinary reasons.
Prior or pending disciplinary proceedings with respect to a professional or occupational license.
Prior or pending violations of law, including traffic violations. (Some schools require disclosure of detentions, arrests, formal accusations, and prosecutions; others only require disclosure of convictions; and still others do not require either.)
Having been named in any lawsuit, litigation, or judicial proceeding.
Separation from the U.S. armed forces or any foreign military under something other than honorable discharge.
Delinquency with respect to financial obligations.

Answering “Character and Fitness” Questions

While the questions asked by different law schools may be similar, they are not identical. It is critical that you read each question carefully and respond accurately to what has been asked.

In all cases, if you answer “Yes” to any “character and fitness” questions, you are required to provide a full explanation. If you fail to do so, the law school may choose not to continue to consider your application, or it may follow up with you.

It is important, when responding to a “character and fitness” question, that you provide the facts and any relevant explanation. It is equally important to take responsibility and avoid suggesting that you were framed or that the fault lies with someone other than yourself.

If you fail to disclose a required event, and the law school subsequently learns of the omission, your offer of admission may be rescinded. If you are already enrolled in law school when the failure to disclose comes to light, the school may terminate your enrollment. Further, you are under a continuing obligation to update your responses with any new information (for example, if you are subjected to disciplinary action of some kind after you submit your application), and this obligation continues throughout your enrollment at the law school.