Accelerated Path to Law School
When applying to Ripon College, qualified applicants interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree and juris doctor degree can take advantage of Ripon’s Pre-Law Scholars Program with one of our partner schools: Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.
This unique 3-plus-3 program places qualified students on a fast-track program to earn their law degree one year sooner.
Ripon Pre-Law Scholars who have met all requirements will be able to apply to one of our partner schools during their junior year or after completing 96 credits at Ripon. Those who are admitted will move directly into one of the law programs. After scholars have successfully completed all requirements during their first year of law school, they will be able to transfer any outstanding undergraduate credits needed back to Ripon to achieve a baccalaureate degree at Ripon College.
Scholars then will have two additional years of law school at Marquette University Law School or Mitchell Hamline School of Law — all in six total years, saving students a full year of college tuition.
How to Apply?
Applications to the Ripon Pre-Law Scholars Program will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Questions?
For more information about the Ripon Pre-Law Scholars Program, contact [email protected].
Faculty
Jacqueline Clark
Professor of Sociology, Helen Swift Neilson Professor of Cultural Studies and Chair of Sociology and Anthropology (Fall 24Semester)
Henrik Schatzinger
Professor of Political Science, Chair of Political Science Department, Director for the Center for Politics and the People and Program Director for American Studies
Admission to the Pre-Law Scholars Program is limited to incoming first-year students if they have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.65 or higher and a minimum score of 26 on the ACT test. Enrolled students may, however, apply to the program at anytime if they have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher at the end of their first or second year at Ripon College. Students with a GPA lower than 3.50 will be considered if other aspects of their Ripon College academic record show a demonstrated level of success. Prospective students will still be required to take the LSAT.
Students in the Pre-law Scholars Program are eligible for admission to Ripon’s 3+3 law school partners during their junior year if all of the following conditions are met:
- The student will successfully complete at least 96 credits of coursework by the end of the junior year.
- The student will successfully complete Ripon’s Catalyst curriculum coursework by the end of the junior year.
- The student will successfully complete a major by the end of the junior year.
- The student has taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
- The student has completed an application for admission to the law school(s), following the regular admission process.
Students in the Pre-law Scholars Program are neither guaranteed admittance into a 3+3 law school partner, nor required to apply during the junior year. Students may withdraw from the program at any time. Students who are not admitted to a 3+3 law school partner will be permitted to return to Ripon for their senior year to fulfill the remaining requirements for graduation. Letter grades from law school will not transfer to Ripon. Students who withdraw from a 3+3 law school partner without completing the first-year law requirements will be permitted to return to Ripon, without the need to reapply, to complete the necessary credits to earn a baccalaureate degree. Other specific details may apply, based on the memoranda of understanding with the law schools; consult the Dean of Faculty’s Office for details.
Advising
Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.
As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers.
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