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Law Scholars Program

ΘνΓΓΙη’s Law Scholars Program provides direct entry into ΘνΓΓΙη Law after earning your degree. 

This program offered through the Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies helps students explore the legal field early in their college careers through the integration of law-focused activities within general coursework. Examples of Law Scholar activities include courses taught by law school professors, courtroom experiences, and opportunities to work with local attorneys. Law Scholars who successfully complete the program are guaranteed admission to ΘνΓΓΙη Law following graduation.

Applications open in your on Sept. 1. 

Apply to the Law Scholars Program

Application Process

Students applying to enter the program in fall 2025 or later should have a minimum GPA of 3.70, weighted or unweighted, or be placed in the top third percentile of their high school class.

An online application is available in conjunction with the main ΘνΓΓΙη application. Once accepted into the Law Scholars Program, students must sign and return the invitation to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions via email or mail to ΘνΓΓΙη, DuBourg Hall, Room 119, 1 N. Grand Blvd. For more information, contact the Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies by email or phone at 314-977-2840.

Requirements

Law Scholars have freedom to declare any major they choose. In addition to major and general graduation requirements, Law Scholars will complete a series of four integrated courses (12 total credit hours) taught by adjunct lawyers and ΘνΓΓΙη Law faculty. A detailed description of these requirements can be found in the Law Scholar requirements.

Course Requirements

Program course requirements must be completed by the end of each student's junior year:

  • PLS 1000: Introduction to Law
  • PLS 2000:  Intro to Legal Research & Writing
  • PLS 4910: Legal Internship
  • PLS 4965: Foundations of Law

Freshmen Requirements

  • Join the ΘνΓΓΙη Law dean of admission in attending a reception and case study discussion during the fall semester.
  • Attend at least one pre-law event during the academic year. Compose and submit a summary and written reflection of this event.
  • Attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.65 by the end of the academic year. 

Sophomore Requirements

  • Attend at least two pre-law events during the academic year. Compose and submit a summary and written reflection of each event. 
  • Attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.70 by the end of the academic year. 

Junior and Senior Requirements

  • Attend at least two pre-law events per academic year. Compose and submit a summary and written reflection of each event.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.70 at the end of both the junior and senior academic years.

All students who have met the requirements of the Law Scholars Program will earn a guaranteed seat in the fall class of ΘνΓΓΙη School of Law immediately following graduation, contingent upon:

  • Taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and submitting an application to Saint Louis University School of Law through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
  • Graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or above

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the program offer guaranteed admission into law school?

Yes. Law Scholars who successfully complete the program’s requirements and maintain the required GPA for the duration of their undergraduate studies are guaranteed admittance to ΘνΓΓΙη LAW. Although Law Scholars must formally apply to the law school and submit letters of recommendation to complete their application for admission, their application fee is waived.

Do I still have to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)?

Yes. All Law Scholars must take the LSAT at the appropriate time.

Can I apply to other law schools and still remain in the program?

Yes. Law Scholars are welcome to submit applications to other law schools without jeopardizing their guaranteed admission to ΘνΓΓΙη LAW. There is no penalty for applying to other institutions, and Law Scholars are allowed to make their law school decision according to the same timeline as traditional applicants.

Does the Law Scholars Program shorten the amount of time I will spend in school?

No. When a Law Scholar obtains guaranteed admission to ΘνΓΓΙη LAW, that guarantee is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from ΘνΓΓΙη.

How will my Advanced Placement and advanced credit courses transfer?

In keeping with their high level of academic achievement, students who wish to become Law Scholars are encouraged to take Advanced Placement and/or advanced credit courses in high school whenever possible. Students are encouraged to investigate the grades or scores required for specific subject areas in order to receive advanced placement credit at ΘνΓΓΙη.

Can I wait and become a Law Scholar once I am a current ΘνΓΓΙη student?

Yes. During your freshman year, you can apply to the Law Scholars Program to become a scholar in your sophomore year. You will share the same benefits as first-year Law Scholars. 

Which majors/programs of study can I pursue as a Law Scholar?

Students pursuing any undergraduate program of study at ΘνΓΓΙη are eligible for consideration. 

What if I change my major or decide that I do not want to attend law school?

Many students continue on as Law Scholars even though they have chosen a new major. Some withdraw from the program to explore completely new interests, while others remain on their original path but pursue a graduate opportunity other than law school. Remember that there is no penalty for withdrawing from the program, but applying to become a Law Scholar is an opportunity that you only have as an incoming freshman.

What are the requirements to remain in the program?

Once accepted as Law Scholars, students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment at ΘνΓΓΙη and to meet the following requirements:

Freshman Year 

  • Attend a Law Scholar orientation at the start of the fall semester, including a case discussion with the ΘνΓΓΙη Law dean of admission
  • Present a cumulative GPA of at least 3.65 at the end of the freshman year
  • Attend and submit a summary and reflection of at least one pre-law program during the academic year
  • Follow appropriate curriculum requirements

Sophomore Year through Senior Year 

  • Present a cumulative GPA of at least 3.7 at the end of the fall semester of junior year and at the end of the senior year.  
  • Follow appropriate curriculum requirements
  • Attend at submit summaries and reflections of at least two pre-law programs during the academic year
  • Formally apply to ΘνΓΓΙη LAW during senior year
  • Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)

Required Coursework 

  • Regardless of their major, students must take and complete the following courses: 
    • PLS 1000: Introduction to Law
    • PLS 2000: Introduction to Legal Research and Writing
    • PLS 4965: Foundations of Law (Junior year)
    • PLS 4910: Legal Internship
Can I study abroad as a Law Scholar?

Yes. Law Scholars are welcome to study abroad at any time, with the exception of spring semester of their junior year. This is the only semester that the required β€œFoundations of Law” course is offered to Law Scholars.

What other benefits do Law Scholars enjoy?

Law Scholars enjoy numerous other benefits, including:

  • One-on-one advising through the Pre-Law Department, which includes academic counseling and assistance with the law school application process.
  • Mentorship and interactions with Law School faculty and practicing lawyers.
  • Strong sense of community and experiential learning outside of the classroom.
  • Receipt of important pre-law announcements, including LSAT registration deadlines, notice of practice LSATs being administered on-campus and invitations to other pre-law events.
  • Student-sponsored programming and organizations, including ΘνΓΓΙη’s own chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, the national pre-law fraternity, and the mock trial team.
  • Pre-Law sponsored events, including guest lectures, moot court competitions and workshops.
  • One dedicated ΘνΓΓΙη LAW 1843 full tuition scholarship will be offered to a Law Scholar who successfully completes the program during the application process to ΘνΓΓΙη LAW.
What if I am not sure of where I want to attend law school? 

If you have not yet chosen which law school you would like to attend, do not worry – neither have most of our Law Scholars. It’s more important that you find a program that prepares you for that next step – and a university where you can stay and continue your law school education after completing your undergraduate career. 

As a pre-law student at ΘνΓΓΙη, you will receive the instruction and experience necessary to pursue any number of options for law school. But you will also spend four years making connections with faculty and staff at ΘνΓΓΙη LAW, as well as networking with the many legal professionals to whom you will be introduced along the way. 

Becoming a Law Scholar is not about choosing a law school before you’ve even graduated from high school. It’s about providing yourself with the best possible opportunities for your future as a law student. We are confident that you will be interested in continuing your studies at ΘνΓΓΙη when you see what the University has to offer.