3+3 BS/JD Pre-Law Program

Court gavel, scales and books
 

Accelerated 3+3
Law Program (BS/JD)

Contact

Pre-Law Coordinator

Jennifer Gaylord, Pre-Professional Studies Coordinator and Academic Advisor

RIT partners with Syracuse University College of Law and University at Buffalo School of Law to offer accelerated 3+3 BS/JD options for highly capable and motivated students who wish to fast-track their pathway to law school, maximizing time and financial resources.

Typically, a BS degree takes four years to complete and a JD takes an additional three years. The 3+3 partnership programs allows you to finish both degrees in six years, counting your first year at Syracuse University or University at Buffalo as both your final year at RIT and your first year in the law program.

These accelerated programs offer a potential pathway for saving time and education costs, and get you out into the workplace faster. 

What RIT majors can participate?

We recommend that you select a major that interests you and provides a challenging curriculum that develops skills in problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis, and writing and communication. 

Successful applicants are given conditional acceptance into Syracuse University College of Law or University at Buffalo School of Law and offered admission to RIT into one of these programs.

3+3 BS/JD Timetable

  • When applying to RIT, indicate your interest in Pre-Law on your RIT or Common Application and select the BS/JD 3+3 program. This ensures your application will be reviewed by RIT Admissions for the 3+3 RIT/Syracuse University College of Law and the University at Buffalo School of Law program.
  • If eligible, you will receive an email inviting you to participate. Click the “Access Reply Form” link in this email by June 1 to declare your intent to participate and secure your spot in the 3+3 program.

  • Work with your academic advisor and the pre-law faculty advisor to select the required courses for your degree program, as well as general education and elective classes that will be beneficial preparation for law school.
  • Begin conversations with your faculty advisor about co-op or internship opportunities that are required or recommended for your program.
  • Begin studying for the LSAT. You may wish to take a LSAT preparation course, or review old copies of the test.
  • RIT students who are accepted into the 3+3 program are provided a robust LSAT preparation course for no additional charge (a potential savings of up to $1,150).

  • Visit Law School Data Assembly Service to learn more about registering for the LSAT. Read the site thoroughly to make sure you understand all phases of the application process.
  • Register for the LSAT and LSDAS.
  • Prepare for and take the LSAT.

  • Early Fall: Retake the LSAT. University at Buffalo School of Law and Syracuse University College of Law both require a minimum LSAT score at or above the law school's  most recent entering classes’ median score. 

  • Complete the required 90 undergraduate credit hours and achieve at least a cumulative 3.5 GPA if applying to University at Buffalo School of Law or 3.6 GPA if applying to Syracuse University College of Law. 

  • February 1: Deadline to submit the University at Buffalo School of Law (UBSL) application, which includes your personal statement, two letters of recommendation, your LSAT scores and RIT transcript. As a 3+3 RIT/UBSL student, your application fee is waived. 

  • March 1: Deadline to complete the Syracuse University College of Law (SUCL) application, which includes your personal statement, two letters of recommendation, your LSAT scores and RIT transcript. As a 3+3 RIT/SUCL student, your application fee is waived. 

  • Upon official acceptance, complete all University at Buffalo School of Law or Syracuse University College of Law admissions paperwork. 

  • Begin law school. Study hard and perform well in classes.
  • Upon successful completion of your first year at either SUCL or UBSL, have your official transcript sent to RIT’s Office of the Registrar. The credits earned at SUCL or UBSL will be utilized by RIT as part of your undergraduate degree requirements. RIT requires a letter grade of “B” or better for transfer credit at the graduate level.
  • At the conclusion of your first year at SUCL or UBSL (which serves as your final year at RIT), you will earn your bachelor of science degree from RIT. Congratulations!

  • Keep working hard and complete all program requirements at SUCL or UBSL.
  • Earn your JD degree!

Interested in law school but not an RIT 3+3 program?

Learn more about the RIT Pre-Law Advising Program and its pre-law advising, academic counseling services, and a year-by-year pre-law timetable.

Pre-Law Advising Program

Minors and Immersions to Complement Your Studies

In addition to your major, a minor or immersion can enhance your studies and help prepare you for the rigors of law school. Minors and immersions are concentrated areas of study in a particular subject area. Minors consist of five courses while immersions consist of three courses. RIT offers more than 170 minors and immersions to augment your academic studies.

While recommended minors and immersions will vary for each individual depending on interests and goals, popular options that aid in development of the skills and aptitudes needed for law school include:

  • Legal Studies: Legal studies explores the relationship of law to other aspects of society and culture, such as politics, social institutions, and the economy. Legal studies is offered as a minor and an immersion.
  • Communication: Develop a foundation in communication theories and research while you enhance your skills in public speaking, persuasion, and writing. Communication is offered as a minor and an immersion.
  • English: Build your awareness of the methods, theories, and technologies for both the creation and analysis of literary texts while you gain skills in critical or creative writing. English is offered as a minor and an immersion.
  • Chemistry: Knowledge of chemistry is fundamental to an understanding of biology, biochemistry, geology and medicine, and areas of astronomy, physics, and engineering. Chemistry is offered as a minor and an immersion.

Full list of minors and immersions >

Extracurricular Activities

Getting involved in activities outside the classroom will allow you to connect with other students who share your interest in the law, as well as provides the opportunity to hone the skills necessary to succeed in law school in new and fun ways. While you're encouraged to join a variety of clubs and organizations, these may be of special interest to you:

  • Pre-Law Society–The Pre-Law Society is a community of pre-law oriented students who aim to increase their understanding of the legal profession and enhance their prospects for law school admission. Each academic year, the Pre-Law Society hosts a robust attorney speaker series, coordinates a mock law school class, holds LSAT strategy sessions, explores legal writing techniques and, of course, some purely social events usually involving coffee and donuts. This is a great way to meet other pre-law students at RIT, including those who are not part of the 3+3 program.
  • Mock Trial Association–RIT’s mock trial team competes in both invitational and regional tournaments sanctioned by the American Mock Trial Association. It offers excellent preparation for students interested in attending law school, providing networking opportunities as well as practice in developing persuasive, cohesive arguments and delivering them in a court-like setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

RIT applicants express interest in the accelerated 3+3 Program when completing the RIT or Common App. RIT Admissions will email successful applicants an invitation to join the program.

The program requires that you complete 90 credit hours and have a cumulative GPA at RIT of 3.6 (for Syracuse University College of Law) or 3.5 (for University at Buffalo School of Law). You are also required to take the LSAT and receive a score equivalent to or greater than the median score for Syracuse University College of Law’s or University at Buffalo's School of Law's previous year's incoming class.

You’ll submit an application (fee waived) to Syracuse College of Law (SUCL) and/or University at Buffalo School of Law (UBSL) in the fall semester or very early in the spring semester of your third year at RIT to secure your spot at Syracuse University College of Law or University at Buffalo School of Law.

As long as you have attained the GPA and LSAT score benchmarks outlined above, submitted the application materials by the application deadlines, and maintained good standing at RIT, without any major disciplinary issues on your record, you will be granted admission to Syracuse University College of Law or University at Buffalo School of Law.

These 3+3 programs are non-binding and allow you to change your mind should you decide you don’t wish to pursue law school. You would simply stay at RIT for your  fourth year to finish your undergraduate degree.

You will receive your undergraduate degree from RIT after successful completion of your first year at either Syracuse University College of Law or University at Buffalo School of Law. 

The credits you earn at Syracuse University College of Law or University at Buffalo School of Law will transfer back to RIT and count towards your undergraduate degree program, bringing your total credits earned to at least 120, at which point RIT can award your bachelor’s degree. You will remain at Syracuse or Buffalo for two more years to finish your law program.  

3+3 RIT/Syracuse University College of Law and 3+3 RIT/University at Buffalo School of Law students will save a full year of time and RIT tuition. 

Additionally, accelerated BS/JD, students applying to Syracuse University College of Law who have achieved the required GPA and LSAT benchmarks noted above will receive merit aid in the amount of 50 percent of the standard Syracuse University College of Law tuition rate and are also eligible for additional scholarships through Syracuse University. 

As a  3+3 RIT/University at Buffalo School of Law student, you will pay standard tuition rates at University at Buffalo School of Law and are eligible for additional scholarships through University at Buffalo. 

As a 3+3 student at RIT, you’ll have a faculty advisor at RIT who holds a JD and is a licensed attorney. The faculty advisor is available to mentor you during your time at RIT, assist in preparing to take the LSAT, and help prepare you for the rigor of law school.

The LSAT should be taken either in the spring  of your second year at RIT (April of June test dates) or during the fall of your third year at RIT (September/October test dates). For information on the LSAT, visit the Law School Admission Council. 

While the 3+3 programs are designed for students starting their undergraduate studies at RIT in their first year, late entry into the program may be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can contact the RIT pre-law coordinator for more information.

As an alternative, students may join the Pre-Law Advising Program at any time as an undergraduate student on a non-accelerated degree path. The pre-law coordinator will work with you personally to review the courses you have completed to date and will make course selection recommendations for any areas where you need to gain knowledge or skill development, as well as direct you to resources to help you through the law school application process. While this program allows for more flexibility and the ability to apply to any law programs of your choice, this option does not provide an accelerated course of study nor priority admission to Syracuse University College of Law or University at Buffalo School of Law.

Support for Law School Success

At RIT, you’ll receive personalized guidance and academic counseling to help prepare you for the rigors of law school. Students in a 3+3 program can expect:

  • Personalized Advising: Academic counseling on course selection and planning, including the selection of electives, minors, immersions, and other academic pursuits that will help you develop and strengthen the core skills you need for success in law school.
  • LSAT Preparation: Resources to help you prepare to take the LSAT are available, such as review classes and discounts on commercial LSAT prep courses.
  • Extracurricular Activities: Participation in clubs and student organizations are valuable in honing your skills in leadership and teamwork.
  • Events: A schedule of pre-law events broadens your understanding of the law field, helps you make valuable career connections, and gives you insight into life as a law student.

LSAT Preparation

Thanks to support from the College of Liberal Arts, RIT’s 3+3 students can take LSAT preparatory classes and practice exams for free—a potential savings of up to $1,150 on the costs typically associated with an LSAT preparatory course—including access to: 

  • 30 hours of tutorials (live or taped)
  • LSAT practice exams
  • Live virtual tutoring sessions
  • Recorded classes for up four months so you can to stay fresh and prepare if retaking the LSAT
  • Student online forum

To take advantage of this valuable resource, contact Pre-Professional Studies Coordinator and Academic Advisor Jennifer Gaylord, J.D., at 585-475-7820 or  jmggla@rit.edu.