For more than forty-five years, the Institute for Pre-Legal Studies at Seton Hall Law School has stood as a pathway for students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue legal education. Commonly referred to as “Pre-Legal,” the program was founded with the mission of preparing EOF-eligible students for law school while equipping them with the confidence, discipline, and skills needed to succeed.
Today, Pre-Legal has evolved into a multi-year initiative that extends beyond a single summer experience. The program now begins during students’ undergraduate years and continues through law school admission and beyond, offering steady support and mentorship at every step. Students are first introduced through the Academic Excellence and Success Workshops during their freshman and sophomore years, where they develop strong foundations in writing, communication, and academic discipline. This preparation leads directly into the Mini-Institute, a one-week hybrid program that serves as both a capstone for early participants and an introduction to the study of law.
Building upon these foundations, juniors and seniors participate in the second phase of Academic Excellence and Success Workshops, where they engage in more rigorous lawyering skills, critical listening, and writing-intensive coursework guided by law faculty. From there, students may be selected into the hallmark of the Pre-Legal continuum, the Summer Residential Program. This five-week, fully immersive experience replicates the rigor of a first-year law curriculum. Graduates of the Residential Program join a robust alumni network and receive continued support through LSAT preparation, admissions advising, and professional mentorship.
Together, these programs form a continuum that ensures students are introduced to law gradually, supported throughout their undergraduate journey, and fully prepared to enter law school with skill and confidence.
