The program offers an innovative and transparent path to obtaining a legal education.
Willamette University College of Law is excited to announce the creation of Law School Bound, a new initiative for qualified Willamette University undergraduate students providing transparent and direct access to a legal education. At its core, the Law School Bound program offers exclusive and enhanced pre-law advising to select students, placing them on a pathway to either a 3+3 or 4+3 direct admission program. Willamette University undergraduate students are eligible to apply for — and be admitted to — Law School Bound at the time of their undergraduate admission.
The 3+3 BA/JD direct admit program requires that students meet the admissions requirements for Willamette University, and, by the end of their third undergraduate year, meet admissions criteria for the College of Law. Eligible students formally apply to the 3+3 program in their junior year, take the LSAT or the GRE and achieve a score no lower than the current median of Willamette Law’s most recent entering class. Willamette Law’s 3+3 program enables students to complete their education more quickly, reducing costs and student loan debt while providing students with an extra year of earning power after they graduate.
The 4+3 BA/JD direct admit program enables Willamette undergraduate students to receive direct admission into the College of Law based on certain academic credentials. The 4+3 program includes four years of study at the College of Arts & Sciences and three years at Willamette Law. Students admitted to the program are guaranteed a $25,000 scholarship, renewable each year they are enrolled at Willamette Law and remain in good standing. The scholarship provides a cumulative $75,000 financial benefit to eligible Willamette University students.
Collectively, the direct admit programs are designed to provide Willamette undergraduate students enhanced transparency in the law school admissions process alongside a transparent and durable scholarship. Students are supported in their academic journey through Willamette Law’s mentorship-based approach to admissions. That approach offers undergraduates exclusive high-touch and personalized pre-law programming from Willamette Law’s Assistant Dean of Admissions Leah Straley.
"Historically, Willamette undergraduates who attend Willamette Law become phenomenal law students and attorneys, successfully pass the bar exam and find full-time employment upon graduation,” Straley said. “Willamette Law is extremely excited to provide two transparent pathways toward law school for Willamette undergraduate students.”
Mary Randers, Willamette University dean of admission, is equally excited for the expanded access the Law School Bound program provides for undergraduate students.
“Willamette draws students from all over the country with an interest in pursuing law,” Randers said. “Willamette University is distinct because we have partnered with Willamette Law to offer degree pathways through law school, helping distinguish us among many great undergraduate college options.”
Law School Bound is available immediately to applicants seeking admission to the undergraduate class of 2025. Both the 4+3 and 3+3 programs will likewise be made available to currently eligible Willamette University undergraduate students.
