The Academic Excellence and Success Workshops form the foundation of the Pre-Legal continuum, offering structured academic support during the undergraduate years. Designed to strengthen essential skills and prepare students for progressively advanced programming, the workshops operate in two phases that correspond to students’ academic progression.
Phase 1 is offered to freshmen and sophomores. It focuses on writing, communication, and the habits of mind necessary for success in both undergraduate coursework and legal study. Instruction is led by faculty including Professor Ansari, who provides writing-intensive guidance tailored to the needs of early-stage students. Successful completion of Phase 1 leads directly to participation in the Mini-Institute, which serves as both a capstone experience and a requirement for progression into the Residential Program.
Phase 2 is open to juniors and seniors who have successfully completed Phase 1. This more rigorous phase integrates lawyering skills courses taught by Professor Melanie Perez-Vellios, advanced assignments requiring critical analysis, and listening exercises tied to Professor Thomas’s In the Dark podcast. Faculty including Professor Miles continue to enrich the experience with targeted instruction in academic resilience. This phase is designed to replicate many of the challenges of law school while offering the mentorship and structure that allow students to excel.
Together, these workshops ensure that students are not only prepared academically but are also supported throughout their undergraduate careers. By the time they enter the Residential Program, participants have already acquired the habits, skills, and confidence necessary to meet its demands.
