Portland State University students can now benefit from a new admissions program at Willamette University College of Law. The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate PSU students and alumni to be admitted to Willamette Law and receive a guaranteed scholarship based on certain academic credentials. It takes the place of the previous 3+3 Program agreement, in place since 2016.
The 4+3 Program includes four years of study at PSU and three at Willamette Law. Students admitted to the program are guaranteed a $10,000 scholarship, renewable each year they are enrolled at Willamette Law and remain in good standing.
Although the two schools have had an existing admissions pathway in place for the past four-plus years, no PSU students have elected to participate. Dr. Susan Jeffords, provost and vice president for academic affairs at PSU, says this new program will help reinvigorate the schools’ partnership by offering students stable access to law school and a stronger understanding of the admission process.
PSU does not have its own law school, so with the 4+3 Program, Willamette Law will expand mentorship to PSU undergraduates, particularly by helping them to explore legal careers and develop skills for further legal education. The scholarships are an additional benefit in helping to demystify the cost of graduate education while making the enrollment journey for PSU applicants more transparent.
This is the third 4+3 Direct Admission Program announced since Willamette Law Dean Brian Gallini joined the school last year. He is thrilled to be offering students more transparency and options as they explore law school.
“At the surface, the 4+3 Program model sounds like every law student’s path to law school — with four years spent as an undergraduate and three years in law school,” Gallini explains. “But with the combined assistance of extra mentorship while earning a bachelor’s degree, as well as assured scholarships to help cover tuition, students who participate in this partnership with PSU will find their path to law school more straightforward, less expensive and, we hope, more rewarding.”
Through the agreement, Willamette Law Assistant Dean of Admissions Leah Straley anticipates strengthening the already strong relationship Willamette has with PSU students. "I look forward to enhancing our relationship with PSU and supporting their students throughout their law school enrollment journey," she said.
Willamette Law offers 4+3 direct admission programs with the University of Alaska-Southeast, and Willamette University. It also offers 3+3 direct admission programs with other institutions.
