The Legal Pathways Program (LPP) is a three-week, intensive, pre-law enrichment program that prepares talented students for law school. Designed for underrepresented students considering law school, the LPP exposes students to the benefits and possibilities of attending the William S. Richardson School of Law and the benefits of joining the Hawai‘i legal community. The program, a collaboration between the William S. Richardson School of Law and the College of Social Sciences, is funded by the Provost’s Strategic Investment Initiative.
Program Benefits & Opportunities
The LPP provides students with a taste of the law school experience through intensive classroom, courtroom and community experiences led and taught by accomplished Richardson Law faculty, mentoring and coaching to decrease anxiety and increase self-confidence and preparedness for law school. Through the LPP, students meet and network with local leaders in the Hawaiian Bar and those on the Bench, and in turn receive guidance, insight and experiences rarely accessible those outside of the legal profession. The program features the following:
- Three weeks in residence at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Honolulu, HI.
- Intensive law classes taught by faculty at the Richardson School of Law and the College of Social Sciences.
- Field trips to law firms, courtrooms, selected non-profit agencies, correctional facilities, and cultural sites on the island of Oʻahu.
- Skills development classes, mentoring, coaching, and support from Richardson Law and Social Sciences faculty members and current law students.
- LSAT preparation and practice with test simulations and feedback.
- A one-year subscription to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for continued skill development and LSAT preparation.
- Access to a network of current and aspiring law students, law faculty, and legal professionals.
Program Dates & Tentative Schedule
The inaugural cohort of the LPP will begin their journey in Honolulu on Sunday, June 4. The program runs through June 24, 2023. Download an accessible version of the Tentative Schedule.
Program Costs
The following program costs are covered for those selected for the program, including the following:
- Roundtrip airfare to Honolulu.
- Accommodations and meals at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
- Transportation and admission to field trips and planned excursions, including a circle island tour.
- A city bus pass to explore the island on your own for the duration of the program.
Eligibility
The following are eligible to apply to the program.
- “Rising” college sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
- Recent college graduates (within the last 2 years).
- Those with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5/4.0 or higher.
- Preference will be given to individuals underrepresented in the legal community, including socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, first-generation college students, and those from underrepresented populations.
Application Process
Those interested in participating in the program should submit a complete application by the deadline. A complete application will include the following:
- A completed application form
- Resume. Please include your major, work experience (including internships and service), honors or awards, and meaningful activities that have shaped you.
- Official college transcript
- Personal statement (1 to 3 pages, double spaced) on your motivation for applying to the LPP program.
- Signed Liability and Release forms
Application Deadline: [INSERT DEADLINE]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply to the program?
How much does the program cost?
Do I need to purchase any books or supplies?
Are there additional expenses not covered by the program?
Can I apply if am still an undergraduate student?
Can I apply if I have already graduated?
Is there an age limit?
Where do I apply to the program?
What happens if my application is incomplete?
What happens if my application is submitted late?
Can I submit my application by mail?
Can international students and non-U.S. citizens apply to this program?
My grades for the semester have not yet posted. Can I submit an unofficial transcript and an official transcript after the deadline?
Do I need a letter of recommendation?
What should I write about in my personal statement?
Do I need to have legal experience on my resume?
Do I need to take the LSAT to apply to the program?
Do I have to provide my previous LSAT scores?
Do I have to submit my SAT or ACT scores?
How are applications evaluated?
When and how will I be notified?
If I am accepted to the program, will I be accepted to the William S. Richardson School of Law?
What happens after acceptance?
When will I fly to Honolulu?
Will someone meet me at the airport?
What should I pack? Do I need to dress professionally for the program?
What is the weather like in Honolulu in June?
How far is the beach?
Do you still have questions? Please feel free to contact us at uhmlpp@hawaii.edu. Mahalo for your interest in the Legal Pathways Program!
Contact Us!
If you have questions, please send an email to uhmlpp@hawaii.edu.
Legal Pathways Program
William S. Richardson School of Law
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2515 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: (808) 956-XXXX