ND-Pre Law 3/3 Early Adm

Gannon University, in collaboration with Duquesne University School of Law, offers a competitive, early admissions program for Pre-Law students. This integrated partnership provides special academic opportunities for qualified students to earn both an undergraduate degree and a law degree in six years rather than seven. Under the early admissions program, students may receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Gannon University after three years of undergraduate work and the successful completion of the first year of full time study at Duquesne University School of Law.

The early admissions program is only open to those applicants who enter the program as freshmen and complete all three years of their undergraduate work at Gannon University. Admission is highly competitive and the program is limited to a maximum of twenty students per year.

Students in the early admissions program will choose an undergraduate major in Arts and Humanities, Business, Criminal Justice, English, General Science, History, Accounting, Legal Studies, Paralegal, Political Science, Interdisciplinary Studies and Philosophy, at the time of their acceptance into the program and will be required to take several courses from the Pre-Law curriculum. The Liberal Studies Core as well as all major and College requirements will be completed at Gannon University except in cases where Duquesne Law School classes may be applied to such requirements.

The Pre-Law Adviser and a Pre-Law Advisory Committee including a representative of Duquesne University Law School and other members of the legal community, will provide counseling, advisement, opportunities for internships, field trips to Duquesne and generally help prepare those enrolled in the program with assistance in preparing for law school, the law school admissions test and eventual entrance into the legal profession.

Students will take the Law School Admissions Test in their third year and will be interviewed by a selection committee which will include the Dean of Duquesne University Law School or a designate. Selection criteria will include a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 for the three years at Gannon University and a minimum LSAT score in the 60th percentile on the test. Evidence of leadership potential and interest and commitment to the legal profession and other qualitative factors will be considered in selection decisions.

Duquesne University will admit from five up to ten students who meet the above criteria and who are recommended by the Selection Committee. At Duquesne’s option, more than ten students may be admitted.

The early admissions program is specifically designed for Gannon University undergraduate students with outstanding academic credentials who will distinguish themselves at the undergraduate level. By participating in this program, students may not only save the expenses of the additional year of study normally required to complete both undergraduate and law school degrees but they may also qualify for special scholarship and grant-in-aid opportunities at both Gannon University and Duquesne Law School.