Some law schools are willing to give a chance to pursue law school to students who are from disadvantaged backgrounds and who have overcome great adversity, who may not otherwise meet their standard Grade Point Average (GPA) and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) criteria. Through special admissions programs, you may be able to realize your dream of becoming a lawyer. Make certain to contact the schools offering these programs to find out more information and apply.

Remember that although the programs may be special, conditional, or alternative – they are still highly competitive and you must put your very best effort into presenting the most thoughtful, excellent and compelling application package possible. And don’t limit yourself to just applying to one of these programs. Apply to as many of them as you can in order to increase your chances of getting in somewhere.

Your careful attention to presenting the absolute best application package possible within your power coupled with applying to as many of the schools that offer these special admissions programs may be the difference between being admitted into law school and continuing to face rejection at a time when law school admission continues to be fiercely competitive. Be proactive, resourceful and develop relationships with lawyers and current law students who may be able to provide you with greater insight as to what you can do to have a competitive edge and prove that your strengths overcome your weaknesses and you have what it takes to succeed in law school.

You should especially make the effort to talk personally to those administrators over these programs and get names of students who have benefited from and participated in them for the details of what they are really looking for and what these programs really have to offer – that “insider” information which may not be advertised in their program brochures and on their websites. Good luck!!!

I. Albany Law School – The Alternative Admission Model Program for Legal Education (AAMPLE ®)

II. Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law - Summer Performance-Based Admission Program

III. Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law – The Legal Career Opportunities Program (LCOP)

IV. Franklin Pierce Law Center – Special Admissions Procedures

V. Hamline University School of Law – Special Admission Founders Enrollment Program

VI. Indiana University School of Law - Special Summer Program

VII. New York Law School - Wallace Stevens Program: An Alternative Admission Program for Non-Traditional Students

VIII. North Carolina Central University – Performance-Based Admission Program (PBAP)

IX. Nova Southeastern University Shephard Broad Law Center – The Alternative Admission Model Program for Legal Education (AAMPLE ®)

X. Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law - Summer Starter Program

XI. Santa Clara University School of Law – Special Admissions Program

XII. St. John's University School of Law - Diversity Program – Summer Institute

XIII. Syracuse University College of Law - Legal Education Opportunity (LEO) Program

XIV. Temple University Beasley School of Law – Sp.A.C.E. Program

XV. University of Baltimore School of Law – Conditional Admission Program – Summer Institute

XVI. University of Connecticut School of Law – Special Admission Consideration

XVII. University of Detroit Mercy School of Law - Special Summer Program (SSP)

XVIII. University of Hawai’i at Manoa The William S. Richardson School of Law - Pre-Admission Program

XIX. University of San Francisco School of Law - Special Admissions Program

XX. University of South Dakota School of Law Screening Program

XXI. University of South Dakota School of Law Admission upon Completion of Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) or American Indian Law Institute (AILI)

XXII. Widener University School of Law - Trial Admissions Program

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