Express Admissions Partnership Programs

For students at partner institutions, Widener Law Commonwealth offers special admissions programs.

Higher Education Partnership Programs

Widener Law Commonwealth has partnered with the following institutions to offer applicants various admissions options.

Widener University Partnership   

Jump to: Widener Legal Scholars Program | 3+3 Early Admissions Program with Widener University | Express Admissions Program | Legal Studies & Analysis Minor

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Partnership   

Jump to: Express Admissions Program | 3+3 Early Admissions/Joint Program 

Central Penn College

Jump to: 2+3 Admissions Program

EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY

Jump to: 3+3 Admissions Program

Elizabethtown College Partnership

Jump to: Law Early Admission Program (LEAP)

Lycoming College

Jump to: 3+3 Admissions Program

Stockton University Partnership   

Jump to: Express Admit Program

Westminster College

Jump to: 3+3 Admissions Program

Wilkes University

Jump to: 3+3 Admissions Program

Wilson College

Jump to: 3+3 Admissions Program

Jump to: Other Financial Aid

WIDENER UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP   

Widener Law offers three options to students who attend Widener University’s undergraduate college.

Widener Legal Scholars Program

Under the Widener Legal Scholars program, Widener undergraduate students in any major qualify for admission to Widener Law Commonwealth without having to take the LSAT provided they:

• Submit a completed law school application.
• Score at or above the 85th percentile on the SAT and have not taken the LSAT. Applicants who have taken an LSAT are not eligible for consideration under this program.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, or have a GPA in the top 10 percent of the class, through six semesters of study.
• Satisfy all law school admissions requirements relating to character and fitness.

In addition, students admitted to the law school under this program will qualify for an annual scholarship, which is renewable each succeeding year of full-time law school study.

3 + 3 Early Admissions Program with Widener University

Widener undergraduate students may earn both a bachelor's degree and a juris doctor degree in six years, instead of the usual seven, provided they:

• Major in a discipline that allows for them to complete all of the required courses in three years (Some examples include political science, history, English, psychology, and criminal justice, however other majors may be eligible with sufficient advising and early planning.)
• Apply to the pre-law advising committee after their first year of undergraduate study (to ensure appropriate advising), and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Complete 75 percent of their bachelor's degree requirements in three years.
• Submit a completed law school application by April 1 of the calendar year in which they plan to enter law school.
• Rank in the top 50th percentile of their class and/or attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their undergraduate studies.
• Achieve an LSAT score that meets or exceeds the median LSAT score of the most recent entering class at Widener Law Commonwealth.
• Satisfy all law school admissions requirements relating to character and fitness.

Scholarships awarded by the Widener Law Commonwealth are based on the applicant’s LSAT scores and undergraduate GPA and may range up to a full-tuition scholarship.

Students attend Widener Law Commonwealth in their fourth (senior) undergraduate year, and these courses fulfill the students' remaining free electives to earn the bachelor’s degree. Students must attend Widener Law Commonwealth on a full-time basis until they have completed their undergraduate degree. At that time, they may elect to continue their legal studies on either a full-time or part-time basis.  Undergraduate GPA will be determined solely by the grades earned while enrolled as an undergraduate student. Students are eligible to participate in team sports while enrolled in their first three undergraduate years, but not as graduate law students.

Express Admission Program

With Express Admission, Widener undergraduate students are guaranteed admission to Widener Law Commonwealth provided they:

• Submit a completed law school application by April 1 of the calendar year in which the student plans to begin law school.
• Rank in the top 50th percentile of their class and/or maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their undergraduate studies.
• Achieve an LSAT score that meets or exceeds the median LSAT score of the most recent entering class at Widener Law Commonwealth.
• Satisfy all law school admissions requirements relating to character and fitness.

Legal Studies and Analysis Minor

This minor, designed by faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences in conjunction with Widener Law Commonwealth, consists of courses that emphasize skills necessary for success on the LSAT. Social Science majors will have plenty of room in their curricula to complete the minor in time to take the LSAT, usually at the end of the junior year. More information about Widener’s pre-law program. 

PASSHE PARTNERSHIP   

Widener Law Commonwealth offers special programs and scholarships to students and graduates from the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities:  Bloomsburg University, California University, Cheyney University, Clarion University, East Stroudsburg University, Edinboro University, Indiana University, Kutztown University, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, Millersville University, Shippensburg University, Slippery Rock University, and West Chester University.

This innovative agreement streamlines the admissions process, provides insight into the legal profession for college students, and provides new scholarships for PASSHE students interested in obtaining a legal education in Pennsylvania.   

Express Admission Program

PASSHE graduates are eligible to apply under the Express Admissions Program. Students are guaranteed admission to Widener Law Commonwealth if they:   

• Submit a completed application no later than April 1 of the calendar year in which the student plans to begin legal study,
• Satisfy Widener Law Commonwealth’s admission requirements relating to character and fitness,
• Rank in the top 50 percent of the graduating class, and
• Score at or above the 50th percentile on the LSAT.   

To receive the JD degree, students must complete 90 credits at Widener Law Commonwealth. Two attendance options are available, regular division (full-time/day: three years) or extended division (part-time/day or evening: four years).

3+3 Early Admissions/Joint Program

PASSHE students are eligible to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctor degree in six years, instead of the usual seven. PASSHE students must

1. Complete 75 percent of their bachelor’s degree requirements and obtain prior approval from their home institution to use course credits earned at Widener Law Commonwealth for their remaining degree requirements;
2. Attain a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher the semester prior to applying to Widener Law Commonwealth;
3. Submit a completed application no later than April 1 of the calendar year in which the student plans to begin legal studies. (Students who apply after April 1 will be considered on a space available basis.);
4. Submit required letters of recommendation and a personal statement; and
5. Score at or above the 50th percentile on the LSAT.

Attendance at Widener Law Commonwealth will fulfill the student’s remaining requirements to earn the appropriate bachelor’s degree. Students must attend on a full-time basis for the first year or until they receive their bachelor’s degree. At that time, they may elect to continue on either a full-time basis or part-time basis. The bachelor’s degree will be awarded from the PASSHE university and the JD from Widener Law Commonwealth.   

Central Penn College

2+3 Admissions Program

Legal Studies students at Central Penn College can earn the final 30 credits of their bachelor’s degree at Widener Law Commonwealth, while simultaneously pursuing their juris doctor.

To qualify for the 2+3 program, Central Penn College students in a bachelor’s program must:

• Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
• Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year and are encouraged to take it earlier if possible.
• Earn an LSAT score at or above the median for Widener Law Commonwealth’s prior year entering class.
• Have no disqualifying character issues.

EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY

3+3 ADMISSIONS PROGRAM

Students at ESU can earn the final 30 credits of their bachelor’s degree at Widener Law Commonwealth, while simultaneously pursuing their juris doctor.

To qualify for the 3+3 program, ESU College students in a bachelor’s program must:

• Submit written notification to ESU no later than the end of their freshman year of their intent to participate in the 3+3 program.
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
• Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year and are encouraged to take it earlier if possible.
• Earn an LSAT score at or above the median for Widener Law Commonwealth’s prior year entering class.
• Have no disqualifying character and fitness issues.

ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP

Beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year, students from Elizabethtown College became eligible to apply to Widener Law Commonwealth through the Law Early Admission Program (LEAP). LEAP students will be admitted to Widener Law Commonwealth if they

• Complete all major and core course requirements at Elizabethtown College and attain senior status (96 or more credits) before enrolling in courses at Widener Law Commonwealth;
• 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);
• Meet the character and fitness requirements of Widener Law Commonwealth;
• Comply with all application, seat deposit, and other deadlines established by Widener Law Commonwealth;
• Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than December of the third year of the program (for 3+3 students), or December of the fourth year of the program (for 4+3 students); and
• Earn a LSAT score at or above the 50th percentile for that test administration.

LEAP students must apply no later than April 1 of the calendar year in which they plan to begin studies and must matriculate into the regular division for their first year of law school. Information regarding LEAP eligibility at Elizabethtown College can be found here.

Lycoming College

3+3 Admissions Program

Students at Lycoming College can earn the final 30 credits of their bachelor’s degree at Widener Law Commonwealth, while simultaneously pursuing their juris doctor.

To qualify for the 3+3 program, Lycoming College students in a bachelor’s program must:

• Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year and are encouraged to take it earlier if possible.
• Earn an LSAT score and UGPA at or above the median for Widener Law Commonwealth’s prior year entering class.
• Have no disqualifying character and fitness issues.
• Apply to Widener Law Commonwealth no later than March 31 of their junior year.

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP

Widener Law Commonwealth offers an Express Admit Program to students and graduates of Stockton University. In order to be eligible for the program, Stockton students and graduates must:   

• Submit their application no later than April 1 for the academic year they are applying to,
• Satisfy Widener’s admission requirements relating to character and fitness,
• Rank in top 50 percent of the graduating class, and
• Score at or above the 50th percentile on the LSAT.

Students admitted through the Express Admit Program have the option of attending the Widener Law Commonwealth regular division (full-time/day: three years) or extended division (part-time/day or evening: four years).   

Westminster College

3+3 Admissions Program

Students at Westminster College can earn the final 30 credits of their bachelor’s degree at Widener Law Commonwealth, while simultaneously pursuing their juris doctor.

To qualify for the 3+3 program, Westminster College students in a bachelor’s program must:

• Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
• Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year and are encouraged to take it earlier if possible.
• Earn an LSAT score at or above the median for Widener Law Commonwealth’s prior year entering class.
• Have no disqualifying character and fitness issues.

Wilkes University 

3+3 Admissions Program

Students at Wilkes University can earn the final 30 credits of their bachelor’s degree at Widener Law Commonwealth, while simultaneously pursuing their juris doctor.

To qualify for the 3+3 program, Wilkes University students in a bachelor’s program must:

• Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year and are encouraged to take it earlier if possible.
• Earn an LSAT score and UGPA at or above the median for Widener Law Commonwealth’s prior year entering class.
• Have no disqualifying character and fitness issues.
• Apply to Widener Law Commonwealth no later than March 31 of their junior year.

Wilson College

3+3 Admissions Program

Students who are accepted to and enroll in Wilson College may be eligible to participate in the 3+3 program between Widener Law Commonwealth and Wilson. Candidates who are interested in the program should work closely with the advisor at Wilson to make sure that all requirements are completed in a timely manner. A student who fulfills the requirements as set forth by Wilson, who has a cumulative GPA and LSAT score at or above the median of the most recent entering class at Widener Law Commonwealth, should be eligible for admission to Widener Law Commonwealth. The first year of law school will then apply toward the degree from Wilson College.

Other Financial Aid

Students who enroll at Widener Law Commonwealth in the above programs are eligible to apply for other scholarships and financial aid packages. Students interested in any of these programs are also encouraged to contact their school’s pre-law advisor for assistance.

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