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Direct Admission Programs

The Direct Admission Program is a series of 4+3 and 3+3 partnerships between Willamette University College of Law and select universities.

Partner Schools

  • Willamette University — Law School Bound Program

    Law School Bound encompasses two Direct Admission programs for Willamette University students, the 3+3 Direct Admission program for undergraduate students, and the 4+3 Direct Admission programs for undergraduates and alumni.

    View Law School Bound Program/ events


    3+3 Direct Admission Program

    3+3 Direct Admission Program is a partnership between the Willamette University College of Law and the College of Arts & Sciences that allows students to complete a bachelor's degree and law degree in six years rather than the usual seven. WU students who are admitted under the direct admission program are guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $25,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.

    What is the benefit?

    Students complete their education more quickly, effectively reducing costs and student loan debt and providing students an extra year of earning power after they graduate.

    How does it work?

    Students complete three years of study at the Willamette University College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and three years of law school at Willamette University College of Law.

    An admitted CAS student can enter law school before completing their undergraduate degree. After finishing their first year of law school, they can apply their law school credits toward completion of a baccalaureate degree, enabling them to graduate with a bachelor’s degree after the first year of law school.

    Requirements

    To qualify for the 3+3 Direct Admission Program, students must meet admissions requirements for the undergraduate school and the College of Law, in addition to the following:

    • Complete all general education requirements, major/minor requirements, and accrue a minimum of 96 credits within three years.
    • Meet in person with the CAS program advisor and Law Admissions advisor.
    • Apply to the College of Law by the end of your junior year. JD Application Process
    • Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.4 by the end of your junior year.
    • Take the LSAT or the GRE and achieve a score that is no lower than the current median of the College of Law's most recent entering class. Students should plan on taking the LSAT or the GRE in the summer between their sophomore and junior year, but no later than March of their junior year.

    Note: Acceptance as a candidate for the Law School Bound Program does not guarantee admission to the College of Law. Participants will need to take the LSAT and follow the JD application instructions. Careful scheduling is required during your undergraduate years to meet your course requirements for this program, so early enrollment is beneficial. Your bachelor’s degree will be awarded after you have successfully completed your first year of legal studies.

    Students interested in applying for the 3+3 Law School Bound Program will be required to meet with the CAS advisor, Jessica Cardinal-Lanier at jcardinallanier@willamette.edu or call 503-370-6252 and Willamette Law's Assistant Director of Admissions, Athena Scruton Lathos, at amscrutonlathos@willamette.edu or 503-370-6837.


    4+3 Direct Admission Program

    The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at WU and WU alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on certain academic credentials. If a student meets these credentials, admission to Willamette Law will be automatic. WU students and alumni who are admitted under the direct admission program are guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $25,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.

    Interested students must meet the program’s eligibility requirements, as outlined below:

    1. Be an alumnus or student in any major at WU who has completed at least 90 credits; 45 of these credits must have been completed at WU;
    2. Complete all requirements for the WU Bachelor’s degree before matriculating at Willamette Law;
    3. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in courses taken at WU and no lower than a 3.0 GPA on all transferred courses;
    4. Earn a minimum score on the LSAT of 154; or earn a minimum GRE score (155 (verbal); 145 (quantitative); 4.5 (writing));
    5. Apply to Willamette Law for admission into the full-time or part-time J.D. program between September 1st and June 15th in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study; and
    6. Meet Willamette Law’s character and fitness requirements and comply with Willamette Law's general admissions policies.

    Alternative Eligibility for the Direct Admissions Program: An exemplary student who (A) wishes to participate in the Direct Admissions Program, (B) did not qualify to apply for the Direct Admissions Program because of his or her LSAT or GRE score, but (C) who meets all other eligibility requirements, may contact Willamette Law's Assistant Director of Admissions, Athena Scruton Lathos, at amscrutonlathos@willamette.edu to discuss alternative eligibility..

  • Portland State University (PSU)

    The Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at PSU and PSU alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on the specified academic credentials. If a student meets these credentials, admission to Willamette Law will be automatic. PSU students and alumni who are admitted under the direct admission program are guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $10,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.

    Requirements

    Interested students must meet the program's eligibility requirements, as outlined below:

    1. Be an alumnus or student in any major at PSU;
    2. Complete all requirements for the PSU Bachelor’s degree before matriculating at Willamette Law;
    3. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in courses taken at PSU and no lower than a 3.0 GPA on all transferred courses by the time of application to Willamette Law;
    4. Earn a minimum score on the LSAT at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the College of Law; or earn a minimum GRE score of 155 (verbal); 145 (quantitative); 4.5 (writing);
    5. Apply to Willamette Law for admission into the full-time or part-time J.D. program between September 1st and June 15th in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study; and
    6. Meet Willamette Law’s character and fitness requirements and comply with Willamette Law's general admissions policies.
    7. Current undergraduates must contact and schedule a meeting with a PSU pre-law advisor before applying. Alumni are encouraged, although not required, to do the same.

    Alternative Eligibility for the Direct Admission Program

    An exemplary student who (A) wishes to participate in the Direct Admissions Program, (B) did not qualify to apply for the Direct Admissions Program because of his or her LSAT or GRE score, or GPA, but (C) who meets all other eligibility requirements, may contact Willamette Law's Assistant Director of Admissions, Athena Scruton Lathos, at amscrutonlathos@willamette.edu to discuss alternative eligibility..

  • University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA)

    University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) encourage students with a serious interest in law to consider the Willamette University College of Law’s 4+3 program.

    The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at UAA and UAA alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on certain academic credentials. If a student meets these credentials, admission to Willamette Law will be assured. UAA students and alumni who are admitted under the direct admission program are guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $10,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.

    Requirements

    Interested students must meet the program's eligibility requirements, as outlined below:

    1. Complete all requirements for a UAA Bachelor’s degree before matriculating at Willamette Law
    2. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in courses taken at UAA and no lower than a 3.0 GPA on all transferred courses;
    3. Earn a minimum score on the LSAT at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the College of Law; or earn a minimum GRE score of 155 (verbal); 145 (quantitative); 4.5 (writing);
    4. Apply to Willamette Law for admission into the full-time or part-time J.D. program between September 1st and June 15th in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study; and
    5. Meet Willamette Law’s character and fitness requirements and comply with Willamette Law's general admissions policies.

    Alternative Eligibility for the Direct Admission Program

    An exemplary student who (A) wishes to participate in the Direct Admissions Program, (B) did not qualify to apply for the Direct Admissions Program because of his or her LSAT or GRE score, or GPA, but (C) who meets all other eligibility requirements, may contact Willamette Law's Assistant Director of Admissions, Athena Scruton Lathos, at amscrutonlathos@willamette.edu to discuss alternative eligibility.

  • University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF)

    University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) encourage students with a serious interest in law to consider the Willamette University College of Law’s 4+3 program.

    The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at UAF and UAF alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on certain academic credentials. If a student meets these credentials, admission to Willamette Law will be assured. UAF students and alumni who are admitted under the direct admission program are guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $10,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.

    Requirements

    Interested students must meet the program's eligibility requirements, as outlined below:

    1. Complete all requirements for a UAF Bachelor’s degree before matriculating at Willamette Law
    2. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in courses taken at UAF and no lower than a 3.0 GPA on all transferred courses;
    3. Earn a minimum score on the LSAT at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the College of Law; or earn a minimum GRE score of 155 (verbal); 145 (quantitative); 4.5 (writing);
    4. Apply to Willamette Law for admission into the full-time or part-time J.D. program between September 1st and June 15th in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study; and
    5. Meet Willamette Law’s character and fitness requirements and comply with Willamette Law's general admissions policies.

    Alternative Eligibility for the Direct Admission Program

    An exemplary student who (A) wishes to participate in the Direct Admissions Program, (B) did not qualify to apply for the Direct Admissions Program because of his or her LSAT or GRE score, or GPA, but (C) who meets all other eligibility requirements, may contact Willamette Law's Assistant Director of Admissions, Athena Scruton Lathos, at amscrutonlathos@willamette.edu to discuss alternative eligibility.

  • University of Alaska, Southeast (UAS)

    University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) encourages students with a serious interest in law to take advantage of the undergraduate UAS program over four years and to pursue the 4+3 program, with direct admission to Willamette University College of Law (Willamette Law).

    The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at UAS and UAS alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on certain academic credentials. If a student meets these credentials, admission to Willamette Law will be automatic. UAS students and alumni who are admitted under the direct admission program are guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $10,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.

    Requirements

    Interested students must meet the program’s eligibility requirements, as outlined below:

    1. Be an alumnus or student in any major at UAS who has completed at least 90 credits; 45 of these credits must have been completed at UAS;
    2. Complete all requirements for the UAS Bachelor’s degree before matriculating at Willamette Law;
    3. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in courses taken at UAS and no lower than a 3.0 GPA on all transferred courses;
    4. Earn a minimum score on the LSAT at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the College of Law; or earn a minimum score of 155 (verbal); 145 (quantitative); 4.5 (writing);
    5. Apply to Willamette Law for admission into the full-time or part-time J.D. program between September 1st and June 15th in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study; and
    6. Meet Willamette Law’s character and fitness requirements and comply with Willamette Law's general admissions policies.

    Alternative Eligibility for the Direct Admission Program

    An exemplary student who (A) wishes to participate in the Direct Admissions Program, (B) did not qualify to apply for the Direct Admissions Program because of his or her LSAT or GRE score, or GPA, but (C) who meets all other eligibility requirements, may contact Willamette Law's Assistant Director of Admissions, Athena Scruton Lathos, at amscrutonlathos@willamette.edu to discuss alternative eligibility.

  • Western Oregon University (WOU)

    Western Oregon University (WOU) encourages students with a serious interest in law to take advantage of the undergraduate WOU program over four years and to pursue the 4+3 program, with direct admission to Willamette University College of Law (Willamette Law).

    The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at WOU and WOU alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on certain academic credentials. If a student meets these credentials, admission to Willamette Law will be automatic. WOU students and alumni who are admitted under the direct admission program are guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $10,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.

    Requirements

    Interested students must meet the program’s eligibility requirements, as outlined below:

    1. Be an alumnus or student in any major at WOU who has completed at least 90 credits; 45 of these credits must have been completed at WOU;
    2. Complete all requirements for the WOU Bachelor’s degree before matriculating at Willamette Law;
    3. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in courses taken at WOU and no lower than a cumulative 3.0 GPA on all transferred courses;
    4. Earn a minimum score on the LSAT at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the College of Law; or earn a minimum GRE score at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the College of Law
    5. Apply to Willamette Law for admission into the full-time or part-time J.D. program between September 1st and June 15th in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study; and
    6. Meet Willamette Law’s character and fitness requirements and comply with Willamette Law's general admissions policies.

    Alternative Eligibility for the Direct Admission Program

    An exemplary student who (A) wishes to participate in the Direct Admissions Program, (B) did not qualify to apply for the Direct Admissions Program because of his or her LSAT or GRE score, or GPA, but (C) who meets all other eligibility requirements, may contact Willamette Law's Assistant Director of Admissions, Athena Scruton Lathos, at amscrutonlathos@willamette.edu to discuss alternative eligibility.

How to Apply

Students attending partner schools should review their school specific program requirements for graduation and meet with the program advisor as early as possible.

Application to the College of Law

Early in their senior year, participating Direct Admission students should begin the standard JD application process required of all applicants to the College of Law.

Willamette University

College of Law

Address
Office of Admissions
Willamette University
245 Winter Street SE
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
(503) 370-6282