Doran Attending Michigan Law
PLS Alum Charlotte Doran is attending law school at the University of Michigan.
Sep 15, 2024
The Legal Education Admission Program (LEAP) provides an opportunity for Grand Valley State University's political science undergraduate students to earn both a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in about six years of full-time study (three years of political science studies plus three years of law school). The program was developed by Grand Valley State University’s Political Science department and Michigan State University College of Law (MSU Law). LEAP students who have met all requirements will apply to MSU Law a year early (during the junior year) and, if admitted to the law school, attend MSU Law and work to complete their remaining undergraduate electives with law school courses.
LEAP is open only to students who matriculate as first-year students at Grand Valley. Students interested in LEAP should consult with the LEAP advisor for the major during freshman year to discuss and plan for the LEAP program. Students seeking admission to MSU Law complete a minimum of 91 credits comprised of the required undergraduate courses in their first three years of study at Grand Valley. This includes all university-level requirements as well as the requirements for the specific major and baccalaureate degree. During the fall semester of the academic year that a student plans to apply to MSU Law under LEAP (the student’s junior year), the student should consult with the LEAP advisor for the major to ensure that all university and major requirements will be met by the end of the student's junior year. GVSU will accept as transfer credits applicable to the baccalaureate degree up to 29 semester credits of course work taken at MSU Law in which the student received a grade of 2.0 or better.
To be eligible for consideration for admission to MSU Law under LEAP, a student must be enrolled and on track to complete three-fourths of the credits (91) required for their degree, take the LSAT, and apply to MSU Law before February 1 of the law school matriculation year. Students applying to law school must meet current MSU Law admission standards and requirements, including LSAT and GPA; students should meet with the LEAP advisor for the major to discuss MSU Law admission standards. Students applying to MSU Law must obtain two letters of recommendation from members of the GVSU political science faculty, with one of these letters written by the GVSU political science Pre-law or LEAP advisor; and a character and fitness record that suggests that the applicant has the requisite maturity and character needed for success in law school.
MSU Law will consider a student’s application from the LEAP program, but admission is not guaranteed.
Contact
For additional information on the program, please contact:
Professor Mark Richards
616/331-3457
[email protected]
Suggested Order of Coursework
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
PLS Alum Charlotte Doran is attending law school at the University of Michigan.
Sep 15, 2024
PLS Alum Haleigh Knowles is attending Michigan Law.
Sep 15, 2024
PLS alum Hadley Christensen is starting law school at the University of Kentucky.
Sep 14, 2024
July 26, 2025 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Join Laker alumni and their furry friends for a tail-wagging good time! Enjoy a casual summer morning with fellow alumni and their pups. Register your dog to receive a sample of alumna-made dog...
August 20, 2025 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Help welcome our newest Lakers home on August 20 Move-In is one of the most exciting moments for incoming students, and you can be part of it! Help us create a warm Laker welcome by volunteering...
September 3, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Historian, journalist, and author Garrett Graff joins the Hauenstein Center to discuss two major oral histories about the major turning points of World War II: the D-Day invasion of Europe...
September 12, 2025 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The Accounting Career Fair provides Grand Valley State University accounting and finance students and alumni with an opportunity to connect with recruiters from local, regional, national,...
October 14, 2025 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Fall Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni of...
Director of Leadership Giving at Farm Sanctuary
Clerk's Assistant with Oakland Township
Brand Manager, Meijer
Parks Planner for Metro Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee
Mayor of Tirana, Albania