Pre-Law Advising Program

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Because the skills necessary for a law or law-related career can be accomplished in almost any academic discipline – such as English, history, political science, philosophy, or business – the Pre-Law Advising Program is neither a major nor a prescribed set of courses or co-curricular activities for students who are interested in law and law-related fields.

The Pre-Law Advising Program is designed to provide each student with the information necessary to enable him or her to make an informed choice about the pursuit of a law or law-related career. This information is provided through both academic and practical experiences. The Pre-Law Director works with the pre-law student and the student’s major advisor to ensure that a reasonable and sound course of study is followed that will enable the student to develop the skills necessary for a law or law-related career. The Pre-Law Director advises the student on how to best prepare for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and works with the student in the preparation and submission of his or her law school applications. In addition, the Pre-Law Director aids each student in selecting a suitable law school while taking into account considerations such as financial aid and career goals.

In order to take best advantage of the opportunities provided by the Pre-Law Advising Program, students interested in pursuing a law or law-related career should register for the Pre-Law Advising Program through either the Center for Student Success or the Pre-Law Director as soon as possible (preferably early in their first year) in order to discuss future course planning, study-abroad and internship opportunities, and long-term plans.

The Pre-Law Director also advises the Pre-Law Club and works with the College’s mock trial team. The Pre-Law Club sponsors on-campus speakers and off-campus field trips designed to provide useful information to pre-law students. The College’s mock trial team participates in regional and national mock trial tournaments and provides students with an excellent opportunity to experience firsthand the litigation process.

Law Early Admission Program (LEAP) with Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law and Widener University School of Law:

Elizabethtown College maintains an articulation agreement with Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law and Widener University School of Law. Depending on a student’s major and academic goals, this program may function as either a 3+3 or 4+3 B.A./B.S./J.D. program. Only high school students applying to Elizabethtown College will be admitted to the program with Drexel University and Widener University. To be admitted to LEAP, students must:

Apply to Elizabethtown College and satisfactorily complete a mandatory LEAP admission essay by December 15 of the student’s senior year in high school.
Achieve a minimum SAT score of 1200 (math + critical reading, with no individual section lower than 550), or a minimum ACT score of 27. Students may not waive their SAT or ACT scores when applying to LEAP.
Achieve a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher (or its equivalent)
Graduate in the top 10% of their high school class
Successfully complete a mandatory on-campus interview with members of the LEAP admission committee

Once admitted to LEAP, students must maintain good standing in the program by complying with all academic and character and fitness requirements established by Elizabethtown College.

LEAP students pursuing the 3+3 course of study may only apply to one law school at a time. Applications to participating law schools as part of the 3+3 program should be considered binding, early-decision applications.

To be admitted to Earle Mack School of Law, LEAP students must:

Complete 96 or more undergraduate credits, including all major and core courses, before enrolling in law school courses.
Maintain Elizabethtown College residency for a minimum of three years (six semesters) before entering law school, and students must earn 30 of their last 60 undergraduate credits from Elizabethtown College.
Attain a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.5 from Elizabethtown College, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 as calculated by the Law School Admission Council.
Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than December of the student’s junior year (for the 3+3 track), or December of the student’s senior year (for the 4+3 track).
Score at least the median LSAT score for students who matriculate into Earle Mack School of Law in the class immediately preceding the student’s acceptance to LEAP.
Meet the character and fitness requirements of Earle Mack School of Law.
Comply with all application, seat deposit, and other deadlines established by Earle Mack School of Law. Students pursuing the 3+3 track must apply by December 1 of their third year at Elizabethtown College, and students pursuing the 4+3 track must apply by December 1 of their fourth year at Elizabethtown College.

Students pursing the 3+3 track will receive their B.A. or B.S. upon the successful completion of all first year courses at Earle Mack School of Law.

To be admitted to Widener University School of Law, LEAP students must:

Complete 96 or more undergraduate credits, including all major and core courses, before enrolling in law school courses.
Maintain Elizabethtown College residency for a minimum of three years (six semesters) before entering law school, and students must earn 30 of their last 60 undergraduate credits from Elizabethtown College.
Earn a cumulative undergraduate GPA that ranks in the top 50th percentile of the class, as calculated by the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service.
Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than December of the student’s junior year (for the 3+3 track), or December of the student’s senior year (for the 4+3 track).
Score at or above the 50th percentile on the LSAT.
Meet the character and fitness requirements of Widener University School of Law.
Comply with all application, seat deposit, and other deadlines established by Widener University School of Law. Students must apply no later than April 1 of the year in which they plan to attend Widener University School of Law.

Students pursuing the 3+3 track will receive their B.A. or B.S. upon the successful completion of all first year courses at Widener University School of Law.

For further information:

Contact the Pre-Law Program Director, Dr. Kyle Kopko, Department of Political Science.