Summer Programs

Preparing for law school involves learning and gaining practical experience wherever possible. While courses help you gain book knowledge, summer programs and internships help you gain invaluable experience. They also help you prepare for the future and determine if the legal field is right for you. Explore the programs below.

Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) at Akron Law

The University of Akron School of Law offers their PLUS program for undergraduate freshmen and sophomore students who are interested in learning about law school. The program is free of cost to the 20 selected students, and will be in virtual format for 2021. Upon completion of the 4-week program, participants will receive a $1000 stipend from the Law School Admissions Council, as well as 2 free LSAT tests and additional financial assistance in the law school application process. The 2021 PLUS program is from June 1-25; application deadline is March 31, 2021. Applications and information are available on the Akron Law website.

Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) at University of Memphis Law School

Memphis Law will offer their 2021 PLUS program in virtual format from June 7-July 9, 2021. The Program targets undergraduate sophomores and juniors from minoritized groups who have been underrepresented in the legal profession. There is no cost to attend, and participants will receive a $1000 stipend through the Law School Admissions Council. Application deadline is March 17, 2021. The application and additional information is available on the Memphis Law website.  

Pace University Pre-Law Certificate Program

This program is canceled for 2021 due to COVID restrictions.

Pace University's Elisabeth Haub School of Law offers the three-week Pace Pre-Law Certificate Program (PPCP) at the downtown New York City campus from July 13 to July 31, 2020. This program will include approximately 60 hours of in-class lectures, visits to law firms and court rooms, LSAT prep, law school application guidance, audits of actual law school classes, and guest speakers from various legal and business fields. Participants will have an opportunity to live and network with other Pace University students, and law students from around the world. Application Deadline: April 6, 2020.

Program fees are $3,250 per student not including housing, and $4,600 per student including student housing.

For more information, visit Pace University's program page.

Maine Law Diversity Pipeline Program

This program is canceled for 2021 due to COVID restrictions.

The University of Maine School of Law sponsors an annual Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars Program (PLUS) designed for students in their first two years of undergraduate college work. The three-week summer immersion program helps students to strengthen critical skills, shares information about the law school admission process, and connects participants with legal career opportunities. For 2020, the program begins on May 27.  Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2020. Housing, meals, and a $750 stipend will be provided for the 14 participants. For more information and to apply, visit https://mainelaw.maine.edu/admissions/plus/

Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) at IIT Chicago-Kent 

Illinois Institute of Technology, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law is sponsoring a Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program from June 1-18, 2021 in a fully virtual format. PLUS offers a unique and unforgettable experience for college students who are interested in the legal profession. This three-week program targets undergraduate college students from groups that are underrepresented in the legal profession. The program is free for the selected participants and is a full time commitment for the duration of the program. For more information, visit this website or contact plus@kentlaw.iit.edu. Application deadline for receipt of all required documentation: March 5, 2021.

ADF Law School Prep Academy

This program is currently under consideration for 2021 due to COVID restrictions.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is offering a training opportunity for students entering law school in the fall of 2020. The Law School Prep Academy is a 2.5-day training session designed to engage and equip the next generation of Christian leaders in the legal profession, preparing them for success during their 1L year with a combination of worldview foundations, substantive instruction and strategies for professional development. Attendees gain insights on reading and briefing a case, legal research, legal writing, exam prep, and career strategy -- along with an introduction to the Blackstone Legal Fellowship.

The session will held July 16-18, 2020 in Washington DC; ADF will cover housing, meals and education materials. Applications are due April 17, 2020.  More information available here

Duke D.C. Summer Institute on Law and Policy

Course offerings in the 2021 Duke Law D.C. Summer Institute on Law and Policy focus on topics important to future law students and lawyers in fields that require mastery of constitutional, statutory, and regulatory law and policymaking. The two sessions this summer are July 5-15, 2021, and July 19-29, 2010.  Each course is designed to provide an accessible introduction to the pertinent legal and policy subject matter. Those who are potentially interested in attending law school, or who otherwise seek greater familiarity with the legal framework in a particular field, are especially encouraged to enroll. For more information and registration go to this website.

University of Houston Law Center Pre-Law Pipeline Program

The University of Houston Law Center Pre-Law Pipeline Program is a preparatory program specifically designed to provide resources to undergraduate students who are first-generation, low income or members of groups underrepresented in the legal profession who are interested in pursuing a career in law. Two programs are available. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Apply online at their website. 

Scholar I Program: This program is for undergraduate freshmen and sophomores and will be held virtually from May 31-June 30, 2021. The cost is $500 (needs-based scholarships are available), and the course will focus on introducing students to the law school experience, developing personal and professional skills, and creating networking opportunities. Applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis until enrollment is filled. 

Scholar II Program: Designed for undergraduate rising seniors who have at least 85 college credits by June of the year of participation, the program focuses on building a strong law school application. The course will be virtual for 2021, from May 1-July 30. Program cost is $1500 (needs-based scholarships are available). Application deadline: March 1, 2021

Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) at University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law School will offer their 2021 PLUS program in virtual format from June 14-July 16, 2021, targeting (but not restricted to) undergraduate students from minority groups who have been underrepresented in the legal profession. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. There is no cost to attend, and participants will receive a $1000 stipend through the Law School Admissions Council. Application deadline is March 1, 2021. The application and additional information is available on the Houston Law Center website.  

Florida State University College of Law Summer for Undergraduates Program / Donald J. Weidner Summer Undergraduates Program

FSU offers an intensive, four-week virtual program that provides interested students (particularly those from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession) with an inside look at law school and the legal profession. The 2021 program will be held from June 1-25 and is open to college students enrolled at two-year and four-year institutions, in all majors and from all backgrounds. For more details, go to FSU's Summer for Undergraduates information. Application deadline: April 2, 2021. Enrollment will be limited to 60 participants. There is no cost to attend the program.

TRIALS

New York University School of Law, Harvard Law School and the Advantage Testing Foundation have partnered to create TRIALS, a scholarship program that helps talented and motivated undergraduates of modest means earn acceptance to the nation's leading law schools. The decision on whether to conduct the program virtually for 2021 is still being made; normally the five week summer program has participants reside at Harvard or NYU to receive intensive LSAT instruction and attend a series of lectures by prominent lawyers and scholars to introduce them to the legal profession. Students with strong academic credentials, well-articulated ambitions and documented financial need compete for 20 spots. Students have no expenses directly associated with the program and will receive a $3,000 stipend to supplement their summer income. The 2021 program will be from early July through early August, with exact dates to be announced soon. Apply online at their website. Application deadline: February 21, 2021.

University of Minnesota Pre-Law Scholar (MPLS) LSAT Prep Program

From June through August of 2020 (twice a week in the evening for 10 weeks), Minnesota Law School will offer the Minnesota Pre-Law Scholar Program (“MPLS”), a free, intensive LSAT/law school admissions preparation course (room & board not included). The opportunity is open to any college student or recent graduate considering law school, particularly those from groups historically underrepresented in law school and the legal profession, regardless of the undergraduate institution attended. Additional information is available on the Law School website. Application deadline: March 14, 2021.

Summer Prelaw Intensive (SPI) and SPI-Fall Program

Developed by Jay Cutts, lead author of Barron's LSAT Prep Book and the Director of Cutts Graduate Reviews, this 10-week summer program (beginning the second week of June) is available from SPI to help prepare students for the LSAT and admission to law school. All qualified students are accepted and receive 10 full weeks of admissions support with a live mentor and unlimited months of ongoing LSAT prep support (without a live mentor). Students work from home. The summer programs have a suggested application deadline of June 6, and fall program students begin after August 1. Additional information about the program is available, including weblinks and cost, on the website.

Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) at St. Johns Law

St. Johns University School of Law, in cooperation with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) is sponsoring the Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program using a virtual format from June 7-July 30. The program is designed for college students from diverse backgrounds who have a minimum of two years of credit toward their four year bachelor's degree. Participants will receive a $1,000 stipend and financial assistance in their law school application process from the LSAC. Application deadline: March 15, 2021.  For more information go to the Ronald H. Brown Law School website. 

The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Programs

Each year, a number of law schools participate with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) to sponsor summer PLUS programs. Some of these programs are listed above in more detail, but there may be additional options at the LSAC website.