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This selective, by-invitation-only, program is designed for highly capable entering freshmen who have an interest in attending law school at the conclusion of their undergraduate studies. The Law Scholars Program, as outlined below, provides eligible students with a number of unique opportunities that go beyond those ordinarily available to pre-law students.
Students in the Law Scholars Program take a series of courses specifically designed to provide a strong foundation for graduate legal studies. The range of courses is broad and includes selections in political theory, the foundations of the law, history, civics and government, economics, logic, and ethics. In keeping with the mission of Seattle University, Law Scholars will be called upon to explore the values underlying the law and to critically examine the American legal system and issues of social justice. The course of study is rigorous and designed to challenge the best and the brightest of the University’s pre-law students.
The Director of the Law Scholars Program provides individualized advising to student participants. In addition, the Director is responsible for overseeing the student’s introduction to the School of Law (see below) and for devising appropriate programming for Law Scholars.
Participants in the Law Scholars Program have unique access to the School of Law, its faculty, and law-related activities. A law school faculty member is designated as mentor to each Law Scholar, and is available to provide advice and counsel with regard to law school and career opportunities. Student participants will receive invitations to a reception for Law Scholars, lectures, workshops, and other appropriate law-related activities. In addition, Law Scholars may volunteer through the Law School’s Access to Justice Institute, and may use the Law Library for research and other law-related studies.
The Law Scholars Program provides an opportunity for participating students to apply and be notified of acceptance into Seattle University School of Law prior to the beginning of their junior year.
Upon graduation from Seattle University, students successfully completing this program are guaranteed a place in the Seattle University School of Law.
Students who enter the School of Law through the Law Scholars Program will receive special consideration for scholarship funds specifically designated for Law Scholars.
Law Scholars also have access to the services provided by the pre-law program at Seattle University. This includes a variety of services and activities for students generally interested in law school, such as:
The Law Scholars Program is designed for students who anticipate that they will obtain their undergraduate degree within the College of Arts and Sciences or the Albers School of Business and Economics. Qualified candidates for this program must have a combined (verbal plus mathematics) SAT score of at least 1250, or a minimum composite ACT score of 28. At the discretion of the Director, consideration may also be given to students in the top 5% of their high school graduating class who do not meet the standardized testing requirements.
The Director of the Law Scholars Program identifies qualified freshmen in consultation with the Office of Admissions. Entering students who meet the eligibility requirements will receive a written invitation into the program, and will be invited to attend a special orientation session at the beginning of the freshmen year. At this meeting, the Director of the Law Scholars Program and representatives from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Albers School of Business and Economics, and the School of Law will explain the program and answer questions. Eligible students must then elect to enter the program in the Fall at the beginning of their freshman year.
In order to successfully complete the first two years of the Law Scholars Program, the student must:
In order to successfully complete the final two years of the Law Scholars Program, the student must in his or her junior and senior years:
The following courses would be taken by Law Scholars who are students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Some of these courses may fit within the core and major requirements; others are in addition to the core and major requirements.
Sophomore Year:
ECON 271 Principles of Economics: Macro* or
ECON 272 Principle of Economics: Micro*
PLSC 205 Introduction to American Politics**
HUMT 392 Law in American Society
PHIL 260 Logic
Junior/Senior Years:
PLSC 253 Introduction to Political Theory or
SOCL 402 Sociological Theory
CRJS 300 Society and Justice
PLSC 321 Constitutional Law: Structure and Process or
PLSC 356 American Political Thought
*Economics (Macro or Micro)would be used to meet the Social Science I (SSI)
requirement.
**Introduction to American Politics would be used to meet the SSII requirement.
Note: All A&S graduates are required to demonstrate
competency in a foreign language consistent with the completion of three quarters
(one year) of college work.
The following courses would be taken by Law Scholars who are students in the Albers School of Business and Economics:
To be determined.
Participants in the Law Scholars Program who have taken the requisite courses and maintained the requisite GPA are eligible to apply to the School of Law at the end of their sophomore year of undergraduate studies. Eligible students must complete the regular law school admissions form (including the submission of letters of recommendation), noting that they are applying through the Law Scholars Program. The ordinary admissions fee is waived for applicants from the Law Scholars Program.
The Director of the Law Scholars Program would then prepare a letter of certification that the student had satisfied all of the requirements of the program, including the maintenance of the requisite GPA, the satisfaction of course requirements, and any personal comments about the student’s ability and potential. The letter should also recite the information leading to the student’s admission to the Law Scholars Program, including standardized test scores, academic record reviews, and other pertinent information. A copy of the student’s transcript from Seattle University should accompany the Director’s letter. The Law Scholar is also encouraged, if appropriate, to seek a letter in support of his/her application from the law school faculty mentor.
Following completion of the application process, the School of Law Director of Admissions and/or the Associate Dean for Student Affairs will invite the Law Scholar for an interview/information session. This session provides an opportunity for the applicant and the law school admissions officer to review the application, ask any remaining questions, and provide appropriate information about the School of Law.
The Admissions Office will review the application and make a decision as to whether to offer early acceptance. The presumption is in favor of admission for those students who have successfully completed the first two years of the program and the application and interview process, but the Admissions Office does retain discretion to deny early admission under appropriate circumstances. Letters of acceptance will ordinarily be sent in the summer before the student’s third year of undergraduate studies. The letter of acceptance is conditioned upon the student’s taking the LSAT examination, completion of the course requirements for the Law Scholars Program and the bachelor’s degree, maintenance of the requisite GPA, and maintenance of conduct consistent with the standards of the legal profession. Law Scholars who are accepted into the School of Law through this early application process and who complete all of the program requirements are guaranteed a place in School of Law for the year following their graduation. Individuals admitted to law school through this program will also be eligible for consideration for scholarship funds specifically designated for Law Scholars.
Seattle University complies with federal, state, and local laws, and regulations pertaining to civil rights and equal opportunity employment. The university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, Vietnam era veteran status, or sexual or political orientation. The university does not discriminate against persons who are handicapped or disabled and the university will make reasonable accommodation for such handicaps or disabilities, unless to do so would cause an undue hardship.