St. Lawrence University and Cornell Law School Collaborate on Early Admissions Program

“We are thrilled to offer Saint-Laurent residents the opportunity to put their liberal arts education to use in one of the best law programs in the country,” said St. Lawrence President Kathryn A. Morris. “I am confident that our interdisciplinary program and the support of our faculty advisors will prepare students well for the rewarding pursuit of a law degree. »

“I am confident that our interdisciplinary program and the support of our faculty advisors will prepare students well for the rewarding pursuit of a law degree. »
–President Kathryn A. Morris

To qualify for LEAP, students must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and be in the 80th percentile of their class. After completing an accelerated undergraduate program, including all requirements for their intended major, admitted students will enroll for their first of three years of law school at Cornell.

This understanding is based on an existing partnership between the two universities. In 2016, the St. Lawrence University-Cornell Law School Scholarship was established to support eligible St. Lawrence graduates as they gain admission into the JD program at Cornell.

“I was already leaning towards Cornell, but the scholarship really put it above other schools for me,” says Phil Duggan ’15, a 2021 graduate of Cornell Law School. “It helped me afford to live in Ithaca, but more importantly, it gave me the freedom to pursue other passions without having to worry so much about loan repayments.”

Like the scholarship, Cornell will be responsible for selecting qualified applicants for admission to law school. Guidance for students interested in pursuing LEAP can begin in their first year on campus, ensuring that they understand the expectations of the accelerated portion of the undergraduate program, feel confident in their journey to law school, and know how to take advantage of every opportunity St Lawrence provides before enrolling at Cornell.

“Successful lawyers are good critical thinkers, adaptable and able to see arguments from multiple angles,” says University Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs Karl Schonberg. “Drawing on experiences in the classroom and beyond – whether it’s participating in clubs or taking internships related to the St. Lawrence – students hone each of these skills and more while gaining a practical experience throughout their four years here.

Students will also have the opportunity to connect with members of the University’s top-ranked alumni network to explore careers in all facets of the legal field. In addition to one-on-one alumni mentoring, the St. Lawrence Center for Career Excellence also facilitates SLU Connect programs during school vacations, allowing students to embark on week-long networking trips to cities across the country.