At the heart of the Pre-Legal continuum are two signature experiences: the Summer Residential Program and the Mini-Institute. Together, they provide students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to transition successfully from undergraduate study into the legal academy.
The Residential Program, held each June, is the cornerstone of Pre-Legal. Over the course of five intensive weeks, students live on campus and commit themselves to a full-time schedule designed to mirror the demands of the first year of law school. The curriculum includes legal writing, analysis, and oral advocacy, as well as substantive courses in contracts, criminal law, property, constitutional law, and health law. Students also receive instruction in essential study strategies such as outlining, case briefing, and time management. The program requires complete dedication, with classes and workshops scheduled daily and additional sessions often held on weekends. Those who complete the Residential Program not only develop the academic resilience required for law school, but also join a vibrant alumni network that provides continued access to LSAT preparation, admissions guidance, and mentoring opportunities.
The Mini-Institute offers a condensed but meaningful introduction to legal study for freshmen, sophomores, and community college transfers. Conducted in a hybrid format during the final week of June, it introduces participants to core areas of law while sharpening reading and case briefing skills. Students engage in seminars led by law faculty, participate in a Career Night that connects them with alumni across professions, and observe or serve as jurors in a mock trial exercise. The Mini-Institute concludes with a law school seminar featuring candid conversations with current law students. More than simply an introduction, it serves as the capstone of the first phase of the Academic Excellence and Success Workshops and as an entry point for the Residential Program.
