I recently became interested in GW’s six-year B.A./J.D. program and I have a few questions.
1) How competitive is it to get accepted into the program? What standardized test scores will I need, etc?
2) Is there any separation during the first three years from the normal undergraduate students?
3) What happens if a student does not maintain the 3.7 required GPA for automatic admission? Are they simply put into the normal application pile?
4) If you do maintain the 3.7 GPA, exactly what role do the LSAT’s have on your education?
5) What is the tuition rate for the program? Do you pay the standard undergraduate tuition for the first three years and standard law school tuition for the next three?
6) How generous is GW with financial aid in both their undergraduate and law schools (both merit and need based)? What scores would I need to receive merit aid?
The program is very competitive. Not exactly sure on the numbers, but they take a very limited number of students. My guess would be 1400s/2000-2100s with 700s in SAT II. Double-check by calling them.
There is no separation. You're just another undergrad.
Don't know what happens if you can't make the 3.7 minimum.
LSATs are for placement, so you'll still need to take them.
The tuition will be pro-rated, not exactly sure how much it will cost with guaranteed grants, etc. Again, call them.
GW never publishes minimum scores for merit aid as it changes year-to-year with each different applicant pool.
When I visited in March 2006 our tour guide (who was INCREDIBLY helpful and knowledgable) said that every year they accept "a handful" of students into the program. When asked to elaborate on how many a handful was, she said that years had been about 4.
And yes, the program is very competitive seeing as how you're asking them to admit you into a PROFESSIONAL school based on merely your high school career. I heard (from the same article as the one I mentioned above; I'll let you know if I can find it) they have about 100 applicants each year. So that's like a 10-15% acceptance rate.
I applied to the program this year, so I'll let you know how it turns out in a month. =)
3.9 GPA, 4.7 WGPA, 1520/2240 SAT, 2380 SAT IIs, 35 ACT, and activities dealing with political and social issues (debate, MUN, JSA, Amnesty International, etc).
If you get accepted that program, you are probably pretty smart...meaning that you probably don't need a guaranteed spot at the GW law school upon graduation. Making a 3.7 here is really really really tough...the average GPA is a low 3.0. If you are smart enough and hard working enough to pull a 3.7, you might as well not tie yourself down to one law school. That's my opinion of the BA/JD program. It would be nice, however, to take a year of tuition out of your education.
Greenface, I agree with your points. Also, if you're that smart, you'll probably be up for scholarships with other law schools. A huge thing given the cost of law school. My son was interested, but ultimately decided not to limit himself by applying to this program. He applied to honors.
I did the same- was really interested in this program at first and think its absolutely wonderful that they have it! But I didn't want to deal with worrying about getting in (since I know the odds are slight) and if I did get in, I didn't want to be committed if my interests change... but that's just the type of person I am. I'll be really interested to see who gets in this year! Good luck to everyone who applied!
