In 1977, Seton Hall University School of Law created the Legal Education Opportunities (LEO) program to provide educationally disadvantaged students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to succeed in the study of law. Seton Hall Law recognizes that the traditional criteria for admission to the law school (such as Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores and undergraduate grade point average (UGPA)) might not accurately measure the potential of students whose early education may have been compromised in some respect. In 2007, the faculty reaffirmed Seton Hall’s commitment to providing opportunity to these students by modifying the structure of the (LEO) Program to increase the number of applicants who participate in the program and the success of those who matriculate from it.

APPLYING TO ATTEND THE INSTITUTE

Candidates for admission to Seton Hall through the LEO Institute may identify themselves as educationally disadvantaged and request alternative consideration by the Disadvantaged Applicant Screening Committee (DASC) by completing and submitting the following:

• Supplemental Application for Disadvantaged Applicant Screening Committee Consideration, and

• Application for Admission to Seton Hall Law School

Deadline: March 6, 2008

LEO applicants should bear in mind that it is your responsibility to demonstrate clearly how specific educational disadvantages have affected your early educational development. Your goal is to illustrate how these early educational disadvantages later affected your UGPA and LSAT scores.

Once we receive your application materials, you can be admitted one of two ways: based on general admission standards, irrespective of your educational disadvantage; or through the DASC process (in which DASC reviews the file and makes a determination as to whether you qualify for disadvantaged status). If it is determined that you do not qualify for disadvantaged status, you may still be admitted through the general admissions process in accordance with Admissions Committee guidelines and standards. If you qualify for consideration as a disadvantaged applicant, DASC may recommend that you be admitted directly into the law school, be admitted to the law school with mandatory participation in the summer LEO Institute, or not be given further consideration for admission to the law school. This determination is made on the basis of a review of the claimed disadvantage, your academic record, LSAT scores, and any other information you have provided for DASC consideration. Appropriate supportive documentation such as tax returns, medical records, or school records may be submitted to support a claim. In some cases you might be requested by DASC to provide specific additional information.


STRUCTURE OF THE INSTITUTE

The Legal Education Opportunities (LEO) Institute consists of a full-time, two-week summer program during which participants attend both classes covering material from regular first-year core courses, and workshops on critical skill development and adjusting to law school. These classes and workshops are taught by law school faculty, administrators and other professionals. The Institute is designed to give you a running start on developing skills and techniques for approaching the study of law. The program runs from August 4 through August 15, after which regular classes begin. Consequently, if you are working next summer, you will want to arrange to take a leave from your job early, as the Institute will require your full-time commitment. Students who will be relocating to the New York – New Jersey area for attendance in the Institute are encouraged to contact our Student Services Department for assistance with your housing search. Upon fulfillment of LEO program requirements, students will begin law school as part-time students in either the day or evening division.

Seton Hall is also committed to supporting you after you begin law school. During your first year, you will participate in Seton Hall’s Academic Success Program. Through this program, you will continue your skills development, and your instructors will provide you with assistance in outline preparation and further guidance as you approach exams. The structure of the program is based upon many years of experience in helping students succeed in law school and pass the bar exam. Once regular classes begin on August 25, you (along with other students selected for this program) will be enrolled on a part-time basis for at least the first year of study. Part-time enrollment, in conjunction with mandatory participation in Skills & Methods I and II during the fall and spring semesters, will enhance further your educational experience and prospects for success.

There is no fee for the LEO Institute or the Academic Success Program. You will need to meet all JD program payment obligations in accordance with standard payment and financial aid requirements. LEO students with demonstrated financial need (as determined by the Seton Hall Law School Financial Aid Office) will be awarded an annually renewable $10,000 grant towards tuition and fees. In order for a determination of financial need to be made, LEO applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than April 1, 2008.

If you believe that you may qualify as disadvantaged under the standards discussed above, you must submit the completed Application for Admission and the Supplemental Application by March 6, 2008 to be considered by DASC. All supporting documents and required application materials must be received by this date, without exception. Applicants who have previously enrolled in the LEO Institute, or who have attended another law school, are ineligible for LEO and will not be considered by DASC.