Program with IIT Chicago - Kent College of Law

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3 + 3 BA/JD Program

Chicago-Kent College of Law and Lake Forest College have established an accelerated admissions program that allows eligible students to complete a Lake Forest bachelor’s degree and a Chicago-Kent law degree in a total of six years, rather than the usual seven.

Under this arrangement, the Chicago-Kent College of Law permits a limited number of exceptionally well-qualified students to enter the Chicago-Kent College of Law after completing their junior year of undergraduate study at Lake Forest College.  Students participating in this accelerated degree program receive the bachelor’s degree from Lake Forest College following successful completion of the first year of law school and the law degree (J.D.) from Chicago-Kent College of Law after successful completion of the required law school curriculum.

Before entering the Chicago-Kent College of Law (in other words, by the end of the junior year), accelerated degree students must complete all requirements of their academic major and earn at least 24 courses toward the bachelor’s degree.  Upon successful completion of two full semesters of law school, 8 Lake Forest credits will be applied from Chicago-Kent as elective credit toward the undergraduate degree.

Students should contact their pre-law advisor early in the fall semester of junior year to discuss the admissions process. At the time of application, students should have completed at least 16 courses toward the bachelor’s degree.

Juniors at Lake Forest College applying for admission to this accelerated degree program must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).  The Chicago-Kent College of Law evaluates carefully the quality of the student’s academic record, faculty recommendations, and the applicant’s LSAT score.  Chicago-Kent College of Law welcomes applications to this accelerated degree program from qualified students belonging to groups under-represented in the legal profession.  Accelerated degree students are guaranteed admission to Chicago-Kent College of Law provided they meet the following criteria:

  • take the LSAT exam by February of their junior year;
  • maintain an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 and obtain an LSAT score that it equivalent to or higher than the median score for the Chicago-Kent entering class OR obtain an LSAT score of at least 154 and maintain an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.60;
  • complete a law school application by April 15 of the third undergraduate year;
  • fulfill the undergraduate requirements specified by Lake Forest College and complete the required undergraduate courses;
  • maintain a record that the law school director of admissions determines to be consistent with the character and fitness requirements of the bar examining authorities.

Students who participate in the program but who do not meet the academic standards for guaranteed admission are invited to apply through the regular competitive application process for admission to Chicago-Kent College of Law after three years of undergraduate study. In addition to GPA and LSAT profiles, other qualifications are considered, including extracurricular activities, involvement in cultural or civic affairs, and work experience.