Special Admissions

MU Law Scholars

3+3 (or 90-Hour) Early Admission Program at the University of Missouri School of Law

Acceptance into this program allows the highly-motivated, high-achieving student from MU or one of several other schools (listed below) the privilege of applying to the University of Missouri School of Law while still 30 credit hours shy of completing their undergraduate degree.

Qualified MU Law Scholars are admitted as full-time students to the MU Law School and follow the course of study for full-time, first-year law students. Upon successful completion of the first year of law school, the credits earned will be transferred to the student’s undergraduate institution in satisfaction of remaining graduation requirements.

Interested students should submit their MU Law Scholars application after being admitted to MU or within the first semester of undergraduate studies. The MU Law Scholars application must be on file with the MU Law Admissions Office before a student applies for admission to MU Law.

Benefits of the Program

  • Provides a fast track to a law degree and legal career.
  • Students will complete their undergraduate degree while in law school, finishing both degrees in less time.
  • Saves one full year of tuition and living expenses.
  • Missouri students may be able to transfer one year of a Bright Flight Scholarship.
  • Guaranteed scholarship — applicants meeting the requirements listed below will be granted a merit scholarship, however the actual amount will depend upon the overall strength of the application.
  • Eliminates the process and cost of applying to multiple law schools.

We currently have established programs with the following schools:

Students should check with their academic advisor, as each school may have specific requirements in addition to those at MU Law.

To be admitted to the University of Missouri School of Law as an MU Law Scholar a student must:

  • Apply for MU Law Scholars program prior to applying to the MU Law School.
  • Complete all general education and major requirements at MU or one of the other schools with which MU Law has an agreement, leaving only elective hours. 30 hours are necessary to complete the first year of law school.
  • Speak with their advisor as early as possible to be sure they are on track to complete all requirements.
  • Take the LSAT and score at or above MU Law’s current median. (Contact us or see MU Law’s website) and
  • maintain a GPA at or above MU Law’s current median. (Contact us or see MU Law’s website)
  • Complete the MU Law School application by January 15. A complete application file requires receipt of ALL items on the application checklist by MU Law Office of Admissions.

Acceptance as an MU Law Scholar does not guarantee admission to MU Law

The criteria above establish academic admissibility only. The MU Law School Admissions Committee reserves the right to refuse admission based on a poor academic record, LSAT score, academic dishonesty, criminal history, or other matters that would justify denial of an applicant.

Download Law Scholars Application

Academic Suggestions

Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline. Whatever major you select, you are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop your research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for legal education. (ABA)

Students at the University of Missouri may select any undergraduate major in the College of Arts & Science, or any other college or school with permission from that specific program. Please note that not all MU undergraduate majors are eligible. Due to the hours required to graduate, students in the MU Trulaske College of Business are currently not eligible.

MU Students are encouraged to apply to the MU Honors College, which provides students access to small, selective classes with other high-ability students.


Judge Ross T. Roberts Scholar Program (Honors Admission)

The University of Missouri School of Law, in cooperation with undergraduate programs at the University of Missouri, Drury University, Truman State University, Westminster College and Lincoln University, has established an Honors Admission Program. This program was established by Judge Ross T. Roberts and outstanding graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law and jurist who served with distinction on the United States Federal Court for the Western District of Missouri.

As a Roberts Scholar, a student who meets the following criteria will be guaranteed admission to the MU School of Law in the fall semester immediately following graduating from college:

Note: Because of changes to the Roberts Scholar Program, there are two separate eligibility/criteria differentiated by the year the student began their freshman year of undergraduate college.

Criteria for students who have graduated from high school and have started their first year of undergraduate college:

  • Graduates from high school with an ACT composite score of 32 or higher or an SAT composite or 1420 on the New SAT; AND
  • Graduates from one of the above named schools with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher (as calculated by CAS); AND
  • Scores at the 75th percentile or higher on the LSAT (the actual score may vary from year to year; currently the 75th percentile is approximately 161); AND
  • Applies and is accepted to the Roberts Scholar Program BEFORE taking the LSAT; AND
  • Enters law school in the fall semester immediately upon graduation from college; AND
  • Has a complete law school application by the Roberts Scholar application deadline. (The actual deadline date will vary depending on the year applying to law school, but is typically in January. Please see the law school application for the exact deadline. A complete application file requires a receipt of ALL items on the application checklist by the MU School of Law Admissions Office. This includes all supporting documents and your CAS report)

Every student admitted as a Roberts Scholar will receive a merit scholarship. The amount of that scholarship will vary depending upon the strength of the student’s overall application.

The GPA and LSAT score will establish academic admissibility only. The committee will still reserve the right to refuse admission based on criminal matters, academic dishonesty, or other matters that would justify denial of an applicant.

If you did not attend MU as an undergraduate, you must provide us with an official copy of your ACT/SAT score for verification. This can be obtained from the high school you attended or from your undergraduate institution.

Roberts Scholars will be required to complete all admission requirements such as timely application, processing through CAS, submitting the necessary deposit, etc. See Application Instructions for further details.

Students who do not meet the required levels of performance for the Roberts Scholar Program may still apply for regular admission to the MU School of Law.

For additional information and/or an application on this program, please contact:

The MU School of Law Admissions Office
103 Hulston Hall Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-6042
umclawadmissions@missouri.edu

Roberts Scholar Application (.pdf)