Programs and Opportunities

SUMMER Programs:

The Cornell university prelaw program

The Cornell University PreLaw Summer Program is an intensive prelaw program taught in New York City. This program is grounded in a 4-credit course taught by renowned attorney C. Evan Stewart, “The American Legal System,”, using the Socratic method used at most U.S. law schools. The program also includes an internship placement at a law firm or in the legal department of a corporation, government agency, or nonprofit organization, and is designed for undergraduates who have completed their sophomore year or higher by the summer of entry as well as for college graduates who wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of America’s legal system. More information on 2023 application dates and program details will be provided once information is made available. 

The duke dc summer institute

The Duke DC Summer Institute offers short (2-week) courses taught by Duke Law faculty on topics of broad interest to college and graduate students, as well as professionals working in DC. The Institute is particularly designed for individuals considering law school or careers in the public sector and others interested in how the law shapes policy and regulation in the United States. More information on 2023 application dates and program details will be provided once information is made available.

Duke Prelaw fellowship program

The Duke PreLaw Fellowship Program is intended to introduce college sophomores and juniors to the legal profession. Twenty to thirty students interested in preparing for a legal education will be selected for this program, and will expected to work hard and complete coursework. This four-week residential program will take place from June 4-30, 2023; the application deadline is March 3, 2023. Visit the program website for further information regarding costs and eligibility. 

THE Donald j. weidner summer program

Florida State University College of Law’s 2024 Summer for Undergraduates Program is a summer residential program that provides students with an inside look at law school and the legal profession. The program is hosted in-person on the FSU campus from May 21-June 14, 2024. Room, board, books, and other program materials are provided, as is  a $500 stipend to participants. Sixty outstanding undergraduate students will be selected to participate in the 2024 program. They will join a network of more than 1,700 alumni, many of whom are practicing law in firms, agencies, organizations, and corporations across the country.  The application deadline is March 29, 2024, however, students are encouraged to apply early as applications are reviewed beginning in November 2023. Interested students may find more information, including the online application, on our website at www.law.fsu.edu/slp.

the law school preparation academy at the university of texas at san antonio institute for law and public affairs

The Summer Law School Preparation Academy at the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Law and Public Affairs (SLSPA) offers an enhanced PreLaw curriculum, supplemented by guest speakers and practical experiences, in support of the Institute for Law and Public Affairs’ goal of increasing the number of Texas students who gain admission to and excel in law school. This program is geared toward sophomore or senior undergraduate students, but students with more than 30 credit hours are permitted to attend. The SLSPA includes four 3-credit courses and 2 non-credit courses. The 2023 curriculum and schedule is available on the program website, and priority and regular admission application deadlines are March 14th and April 14th, respectively. 

SUMMER Programs FOR UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS:

the king hall outreach program (khop) at the uc davis school of law

The King Hall Outreach Program (KHOP) at the UC Davis School of Law helps college students from underrepresented communities prepare for the law school admissions process. The program hosts eligible college juniors and seniors for a series of weekend summer sessions in which students gain valuable knowledge about the law school admission process, learn writing, analytical, and logical reasoning skills, develop study techniques for taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and explore career paths available to law school graduates. The application for the 2023 program will open in the spring of 2023; please check back closer to time for more details!

Stanford Law Scholars institute (slsi)

Stanford Law School's SLSI is a leadership and pipeline program aimed to help college students from diverse backgrounds address obstacles that underrepresented minority, first-generation, and low-income undergraduate students in particular might face to accessing legal education. Twenty applicants will be selected to participate in this fully-subsidized residential program, which will take place for one week during summer 2024. Applications are now open and close January 19, 2024; please check the program website to learn more about the program details and curriculum highlights.

the charles hamilton houston law school preparatory institute at the university oof baltimore school of law

The Charles Hamilton Houston Law School Preparatory Institute at the University of Baltimore School of Law is now accepting applications; it is a 7-week summer program held at Georgetown University Law Center and aims to prepare students of color with the skills necessary to succeed in law school. More information can be requested from the program's website. More information on dates and program subject matter can be provided by request, which is available through the link above.

cleo (the council on legal education opportunity) Pre-Law Summer institute (plsi)

CLEO (the Council on Legal Education Opportunity) is committed to diversifying the legal profession by expanding legal education opportunities to minority, low-income and disadvantaged groups. Registration is currently open for the PLSI course, a hybrid multi-week program from May 29-July 7, 2023 designed to prepare participants to be more competitive law school students. CLEO provides training and workshops to graduating seniors or graduates who are interested in attending law school and pursuing a career in the legal profession. The following retreat will take place from July 8-July 9, 2023. More information regarding costs and available scholarships is available on the program website.

Boston UNIVERSITY summer Pre-Law Academy

Boston University School of Law is proud to be a part of this exciting and innovative program. The BU Summer Pre-Law Academy (BU-SPLA) is a four-week residential program taking place in June of 2023. The program is focused on countering structural and environmental forces that unevenly tax students of color and first-generation college students. The program is ideal for underrepresented students who are considering applying to law school in the next cycle. Throughout the BU-SPLA program, BU Law faculty and staff will come together to welcome, teach, and support BU-SPLA students and to provide a real glimpse into what it is like to be a law student at BU Law. There is no cost to attend and many costs including travel and meals will be covered. Applications open January 17, and you can apply through your LSAC account.

MemPhis Law 's 2023 PRELAW UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLAR'S PROGRAM (plus) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS COUNCIL (LSAC)

Memphis Law’s Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) program targets rising undergraduate sophomores and juniors from groups who have been underrepresented in the legal profession, with the goal of building a future of justice that mirrors the diversity of society.  The program provides selected students with a unique immersive learning experience designed to prepare them for law school success.  In addition to helping participants explore their interest in the law, students will build confidence and community through supportive networking and mentoring relationships with diverse legal professionals, faculty, and peers as they immerse in a program that specifically acknowledges and addresses the challenges faced by minoritized students on the path to law school and the legal profession. The program will take place from May 30-June 30 2023. The application deadline is March 31st, 2023, and participants are eligible to receive a $1,000 stipend and an LSAC waiver. Generously, the LSAC will also provide laptops and internet access, for the duration of the PLUS Online program at no charge, for admitted students in need of such assistance. Note that students must register with the LSAC to apply. 

the iit chicago-kent prelaw undergraduate scholars program

The IIT Chicago-Kent PreLaw Undergraduate Scholars Program is a 3-week summer institute which will: (1) introduce participants to law school and the legal profession; (2) provide participants with substantive skills to strengthen their preparation for law school; and (3) educate and prepare participants for the law school application and admission process. This free full-time program is primarily directed at undergraduate college students from disadvantaged groups that are underrepresented in the legal profession. This program will take place from June 4-June 23, 2023, and applications are due by March 10, 2023. 

lawbound

LAWbound is an initiative of the LatinoJustice and provides targeted services that address some of the most common barriers to admission to law school. The program aims to increase the number of Latinos who successfully stay on the path to law school, and helps students effectively navigate the law school admissions process. The program will take place from July 31-August 4 2023; there is no updated information regarding the application deadline for 2023, but updates will be made as soon as information becomes available.

prelaw summer institute for american indians and alaska natives

PreLaw Summer Institute for American Indians and Alaska Natives is an intensive 2-month program which prepares American Indian and Alaska Native individuals for the rigors of law school by essentially replicating the first semester of law school. Applications are due by March 17 and will take place from May 31st to July 28th; an in-depth detail schedule can be accessed here. 

seo (sponsors for educational opportunity) law

SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) Law is a summer internship and professional development program targeting talented Black, Hispanic, and Native American undergrads. This nonprofit organization offers accepted law school students a paid internship at a top law firm, immersive mentorship and networking, and law school prep and training. The regular application deadline for this program is March 3rd, and a more in-depth application timeline, qualifications, and program dates can be found here.

training and recruitment initiative for admission to leading law schools (trials)

Training and Recruitment Initiative for Admission to Leading Law Schools (TRIALS) is a rigorous, 5-week subsidized residential summer study program for students of modest means whose backgrounds are currently underrepresented at the nation’s top law schools. The program is a partnership of NYU School of Law, Harvard Law School, and the Advantage Testing Foundation. The location alternates between Boston and New York City.  The application process is currently open, and the deadline for the Summer 2023 TRIALS program is February 28th. More information regarding eligibility and the application process can be accessed here. 

explore law program

The Penn State Law in University Park, PA Explore Law Program helps to increase underrepresented college students’ access to legal education and law school by providing instruction surrounding the law school admissions process, LSAT preparation, law school classes, experience with financial aid, mock law school classes, and legal career opportunities for J.D.s. Applications for the Explore Law Program will be open in the Spring of 2023, so please check back closer to time.

THE LEXPRELAW program

The application cycle for LexScholars by AccessLex opens March of 2023, and offers both PreLaw and PostBacc programs. The LexPreLaw Program is an innovative diversity pipeline determined to learn about effective methods for increasing law school diversity and provide students with resources and guidance to pursue their goals of attending law school. Students who attend will have access to a free online Kaplan LSAT course, law school admissions counseling, and financial educational resources. 

Cumberland connection program

I wanted to let you know about a new program we are launching next May 19-23 here at Cumberland. You can learn more about the “Cumberland Connection Program” here: https://www.samford.edu/law/connection. It is basically a weeklong program where we bring first generation and underrepresented students, and students who have overcome significant obstacles, to campus for a week in May to experience law school. Students will work through a problem set, take 8 classes from law professors in subject areas related to the problem set, engage in a mock trial at the end of the week, receive training on applying to law school and excelling at it, and engage in social and networking opportunities. The cost of students who gain acceptance will be completely covered by Cumberland. Below is a tentative/mocked up agenda. I would be grateful if you would pass along the website (an application button appears at the top) to any and all students who may be interested – even those who may only be tangentially interested in law (as of yet – the goal is to motivate those who may not be considering law school to apply). More detail on the application process is available on the website.

For Entering Law Students