New York Law School
3-3 B.A. or B.S./J.D. Joint Degree Program
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from Adelphi University/Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from New York Law School

A combined program, three years at Adelphi University and three years at New York Law School, enables students to take the required prerequisite courses at Adelphi and transfer to New York Law School after completing the junior year. With careful planning and strong credentials, a student can receive both a bachelor’s degree from Adelphi and a J.D. degree from New York Law School in one fewer year than usually required. The LSAT requirement is waived for most students.

Entrance to the Joint Degree Program may occur at one of several points, based upon the applicant’s background, achievement, and demonstrated academic potential, with appropriate criteria specified for each potential point of entry.

The entering Adelphi freshman student who has demonstrated academic superiority through high school grades and class rank, combined with strong performance on the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT), and through other achievements, and who has a declared interest in the study of law, can be considered for this program. For admission to the program, the applicant must be: eligible for admission to Adelphi; recommended by Adelphi for admission to the joint program; and found eligible for provisional admission by NYLS after completion of a modified law school admission application form that includes NYLS application questions relevant to character and fitness issues.

For the entering Adelphi freshman student, the quantitative admission criteria for this program are as follows:

• A combined SAT score of 1200 (Reading Comprehension and Mathematical Analysis sections, not the Writing section)
• Applicants whose combined SAT score includes either a Reading Comprehension or a Mathematical Analysis score below 550 will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• A weighted grade-point average of at least 3.40 achieved in a rigorous high school curriculum.

For the student who has completed the first year of study at Adelphi and who did not meet the Joint Degree Program entrance criteria prior to admission to Adelphi, admission to the Adelphi/NYLS Joint Degree Program after the first year of study at Adelphi is likely if the student has:

• a minimum SAT score of 1100 (derived from the Reading Comprehension and Mathematical Analysis sections only)
• maintained a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50 or better while at Adelphi
• successfully completed the appropriate preparation courses in rigorous academic majors
• been recommended by the liaison offices at Adelphi
• had a successful interview with a designated NYLS admission representative
• been found eligible for provisional admission by NYLS after completion of a modified law school admission application form that includes NYLS applications questions relevant to character and fitness issues.

For the student who has completed the junior year at Adelphi, admission to NYLS may be possible if the student has:

• achieved an exceptional grade-point average at Adelphi; successfully completed the appropriate preparation courses
• been recommended by the liaison offices at Adelphi; performed well on the LSAT and had the score reported to NYLS
• had a successful interview with a designated NYLS admission representative
• been found eligible for provisional admission by NYLS after completion of a modified law school admission application form that includes NYLS applications questions relevant to character and fitness issues.

For the entering Adelphi Transfer/Adult Student, admission to the Joint Degree Program is possible as follows:

• the student has achieved a combined SAT score of at least 1200 (Reading Comprehension and Mathematical Analysis only)
• the student has achieved a grade-point average of at least 3.50 from a regionally accredited college or university;
  
  or
  
  
• the student does not meet the criteria above, but demonstrates academic promise and is recommended by the liaison offices at Adelphi has the opportunity to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Students who enter as Adelphi Transfer/Adult Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Joint Degree program after enrolling at Adelphi may be considered as follows:

• the student has completed a minimum of 60 credits at Adelphi with an Adelphi GPA of at least 3.50
• the student has completed at least 45 credits at Adelphi with a superior GPA
• recommendation by the liaison offices at Adelphi
• a successful interview with a designated NYLS admission representative
• has the opportunity to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Students may major in any academic discipline in their pre-law studies, however, this program does not recommend that students pick a major in the School of Business (excluding economics) due to the high number of course credit requirements. (It is difficult to complete an accounting, management or finance major in only three years of study along with General Education Requirements.)


Program Requirements
A student admitted to the program begins an accelerated course of study at Adelphi, enabling completion of the in-residence undergraduate phase in three years, earning a minimum of 90 credits, where necessary through a combination of advanced placement credit, course overloads, and summer courses. All courses in the in-residence undergraduate program are to be taught by Adelphi faculty on any of the four Adelphi campuses (Garden City, Manhattan, Huntington, and Poughkeepsie). The student is required to follow the prescribed program at Adelphi and maintain an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or better.

While enrolled at Adelphi, the student must pursue and show academic success and demonstrate skills in writing through course work, graded writing samples, portfolios, or other such materials. To continue as a matriculated student at New York Law School, the student must receive recommendation letters from the program dean and pre-law advisor.

On completion of the third year of the undergraduate program, registration in the NYLS program is dependent upon satisfying the requirements above along with completion of a modified law school admission application form that includes updated information in response to NYLS application questions relevant to character and fitness issues.


Scholarship Awards
For the first year of study at NYLS, NYLS will guarantee the continuation of the merit scholarship the student received at Adelphi. Renewal after the first year will be based upon achieve¬ment of the GPA required for renewal of NYLS administered merit scholarships. Students may be considered for NYLS merit scholarships with enhanced award amounts by taking the LSAT. Appropriate counseling, based on consultation with NYLS admission representatives, should encourage only those whose likely score would yield an enhanced award.

For further information, please contact the Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships at 516.877.3140.