Juris Doctor at Villanova University School of Law

Villanova University School of Law and Stonehill College have arranged for the direct-entry admission of qualified Stonehill students to pursue a doctorate in law at Villanova University School of Law. 

There are two pathways for qualified students:

  • A 3+3 pathway in which Stonehill students spend three years at Stonehill and then three years at Villanova Law, with credits earned at the successful completion of the first year of law school transferring back to Stonehill to satisfy final graduation requirements.
  • A 4+3 pathway in which Stonehill students apply to Villanova in their senior year and matriculate at the School of Law after having graduated from Stonehill.

Benefits

  • Application fee waived for those applicants who satisfy all the eligibility qualifications
  • Direct admission without the competition of the rest of the applicant pool
  • Qualified juniors will receive a guaranteed annual full-tuition scholarship during their three years of law school (automatic renewal provided the student continuously remains in good academic standing and observes the Code of Conduct and academic rules and policies)
  • Qualified seniors will receive a guaranteed annual half-tuition scholarship during their three years of law school (automatic renewal provided the student continuously remains in good academic standing and observes the Code of Conduct and academic rules and policies)

Qualifications

  • Completed at least three years of coursework and a minimum of 72 credits at Stonehill;
  • Earned a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA (as calculated by the Law School Admission Council, or “LSAC”) at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the School of Law;
  • Junior applicants: taken the LSAT no later than January of the junior year and earned a minimum score at or above the 75th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the School of Law;
  • Senior applicants: taken the LSAT no later than January of the senior year and scored at or above the median of the most recent class to matriculate at the School of Law;
  • Applied by February 1 of the year in which they seek to enter the School of Law;
  • Obtained a strong recommendation from Stonehill’s Pre-Law Advisor;
  • Interviewed successfully with the School of Law prior to receiving a final admission decision;
  • Remained in good academic and disciplinary standing through the time at Stonehill; and
  • Met all the fitness, character, and other criteria for admission required by the Office of Admission of the School of Law.
  • An exemplary third-year student (junior) who wishes to be considered for direct admission to the School of Law, but did not meet the eligibility requirements because of their LSAT score or cumulative undergraduate GPA, but who meets all other eligibility requirements may petition the School of Law for an exception. The School of Law’s Office of Admissions will determine whether the student is eligible to apply to the School of Law under the direct entry program; the School of Law will consider admission of these students on a case-by-case basis.

Application Process

  1. Apply online
  2. Personal statement (no more than 3 pages, double-spaced)
  3. Resume
  4. Official transcripts
  5. LSAT scores
  6. Letter of recommendation

Contacts

Villanova University
Melissa Lee, assistant dean for admissions
melissa.lee@law.villanova.edu
610-519-7263

Stonehill College 
Rob Rodgers, assistant professor, Political Science
rrodgers@stonehill.edu
508-565-1173

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