NYU x NYU / CAS-NYU Law Pathway

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Questions? Visit our FAQ page!

The NYU College of Arts and Science (CAS) and NYU School of Law have partnered to offer an exciting opportunity for outstanding current CAS juniors. The CAS-NYU Law Pathway Scholarship (CLPS) offers highly qualified and motivated CAS undergraduate students completing their third year of study the opportunity to apply for binding early admission to NYU Law. Students admitted to the Law School through the process receive a full tuition scholarship to NYU Law. Interested students must demonstrate their ability to excel in law school as well as a specific interest in NYU Law. Admitted students will enter their senior year in CAS with an admission offer from NYU Law - having assurance of their plans for the following fall, after graduation from CAS.

CLPS is suitable for students who plan to complete their full CAS undergraduate degrees in eight semesters (4 years). Students from all majors in CAS with a score in the 85th percentile or higher on their college standardized test (ACT or SAT) are encouraged to apply.

Students that are nominated for the program are to understand that NYU Law makes the final determination on their acceptance into NYU Law, and that admission to NYU Law is provisional, contingent upon full disclosure of all forms of institutional action, submission of final grades in keeping with prior academic performance, successful completion of the bachelor’s degree, and final evaluation by the Committee on Admissions at the Law School. Once a student is admitted to NYU Law and accepts the CLPS, the student will be required to sign a contract with NYU Law and agree not to initiate any new law school applications.

ELIGIBILITY

General Requirements

Applicants to CLPS must demonstrate the following:

  • Applicants must be in at least their 6th semester of graded coursework completed while enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
  • Applicants must plan on at least 1 but no more than 2 semesters of full-time undergraduate coursework after submitting their CLPS application.
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 or higher through six semesters of academic work (Students completing their undergraduate coursework in a total of six semesters or graduating seniors completing their eighth semester are not eligible to apply.)
  • A score in the 85th percentile or higher on their college standardized test (ACT or SAT). An LSAT/GRE score is not required.
  • Proven willingness to take on a challenge and succeed academically via increasingly rigorous coursework over time and strong overall performance.
  • Involvement and demonstrated leadership outside the classroom
  • Focused, strong interest in attending NYU Law
  • Adherence to all stated application deadlines

This scholarship is designed for candidates who have a strong interest in NYU Law, and if offered admission, would attend NYU Law. For applicants considering several law schools, we advise you to apply during the regular application process which typically starts in the fall before you plan to begin law school.

The scholarship selection process will be highly competitive. An unsuccessful application to CLPS is not indicative of a candidate’s chances of admission through the NYU Law regular application process. Those who are not awarded this scholarship are highly encouraged to apply to NYU School of Law.

APPLYING TO THE CLPS: THREE STEPS

STEP ONE

Submit Statement of Interest and Supporting Materials to CAS

Applicants should submit their CAS-NYU Law Application no later than March 31 of their junior year (defined as being in their sixth semester of study in the College):

  • Unofficial transcript that includes Spring 2021 coursework in progress and cumulative GPA
  • Personal Statement (up to 500 words, double-spaced, legible font and font size 12)
  • Supplemental statement about your interest in NYU Law (up to 500 words, double-spaced, legible font and font size 12)
  • Résumé
  • One letter of recommendation from a faculty member. You will be able to register your recommender via the CAS-Law Pathway application, and your recommender will then be able to submit your recommendation directly to your application. Recommendations emailed to prelaw@nyu.edu will not be accepted.
  • ACT/SAT scores from high school, placing at or above the 85th percentile overall
    • ACT of 27 or higher, for most administrations
    • SAT scores vary by year, but generally above 1270

STEP TWO

Interview (by Invitation)

CAS will invite a select number of candidates to interview for CLPS in April or May. Interviews will be conducted remotely. After all interviews are conducted, CAS will nominate candidates for admission to the Law School. An interview does not guarantee nomination or admission. Students will be notified regarding the outcome of their interview for the scholarship.

STEP THREE

Application to NYU Law

Applicants nominated by CAS must submit an application to NYU Law via Law School Admission Council (LSAC) by June 15. All applicants will be offered an application fee waiver. All elements of the CAS Step One application should be submitted to the Law School through LSAC.

In addition, nominees will be required to submit:

  • All undergraduate transcripts, including the application semester's final grades.
  • Official college-level standardized scores (ACT/SAT) directly to NYU Law JD Admissions
  • An additional letter of recommendation from a faculty member

In order to qualify for CLPS, candidates must have demonstrated academic credentials, motivation, and personal qualities which give evidence of their suitability for a career in law and success in law school. The Committee on Admissions at the Law School will notify candidates of its decision by August 1.

In order to accept an offer of admission, students must sign a binding contract with NYU Law and agree not to initiate any new law school applications. Admitted students have a continuing obligation to maintain excellent academic performance through their senior year, and are required to submit their transcript with final grades for review once these are available. Should applicants for the scholarship take a law school standardized test (LSAT/GRE) after having applied, their admission portfolio to NYU Law will be subject to re-evaluation and their offer of admission or scholarship award may be rescinded.

Timeline

  • CAS-NYU Law Pathway Application Launch - February 22.
  • Deadline to submit application - March 31.
  • CAS screens, interviews, and selects nominees by May 7*
  • NYU Law Step Three Application Launch - May 18.
  • Deadline for applicants to submit spring 2021 semester grades - June 1.
  • Deadline to apply to NYU Law JD Admissions - June 15.
  • Decisions communicated - August 1**
  • Deadline to accept offer - September 15

* The number of applicants selected to move on to Step Three will depend on the size and strength of the applicant pool.
**Admissions decisions will be communicated on or before August 1.

CLPS Info Sessions

NYU Law and CAS Preprofessional Advising offered a joint webinar on February 22. Please click here to view the recording.
For other questions, please visit our FAQ page or email prelaw@nyu.edu for more specific inquiries.