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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowApplications are available for the third annual Summer Law and Leadership Academy at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
The Summer Law and Leadership Academy is a one-week law school immersion experience for undergraduate students who are considering law school, offering an inside look at life in law school and opportunities for law school graduates.
Throughout the week, undergraduate college students attend typical law school classes taught by IU McKinney faculty and participate in mock pre-trial and trial exercises. In addition, participants are guided through activities and assessments to identify their skills and leadership qualities. They also have opportunities to network with IU McKinney students, faculty and alumni.
Admission is competitive. The strongest applicants possess an undergraduate GPA above 2.5 and have completed at least 32 undergraduate credits. Recommendations and an application statement also are required.
The program offers seminars on criminal law, health law, judicial behavior, intellectual property law and other trending topics. Through experiential learning, students build skills in negotiations, legal writing and trial tactics. Participants also visit a law firm or judicial chambers, and lunch with current law students and alumni.
The Summer Law and Leadership Academy is designed to introduce undergraduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to law school and the career opportunities available with a law degree, said Chasity Thompson, assistant dean of the law school’s Office of Professional Development and one of the program’s organizers.
“While the program is open to all students, we strongly encourage students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to participate,” she said. “This includes first generation, students of color, female students, LGBTQ students and students from families of low economic means. We want to expose students to ‘life in law school’ early and equip them with tools that will help them be successful applicants, and ultimately successful law students and lawyers.”
There is no cost to attend, and daily lunch is included. This year’s program is scheduled for June 3 to 9. Applications are due April 20. More information can be found here.
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