Notre Dame Law School launches Dean’s Initiative for Leadership and Scholarly Excellence to support incoming J.D. students | News | The Law School

Eck Hall, a light-colored stone building with a gray slate roof stands on a sunny day. Flanking the arched, dark wood double doors are two young trees. Green grass and shrubs lead to the building's entrance. A concrete walkway leads to the main entrance. The three-story building features multiple windows in a gothic style.

Notre Dame Law School is excited to announce the new Dean’s Initiative for Leadership and Scholarly Excellence (LSE), designed to provide foundational support for incoming J.D. students who may have had less exposure to the legal profession or who come from backgrounds that traditionally have had fewer pathways to law school. LSE offers a combination of academic, professional, and personal growth opportunities throughout a student’s first year of law school.

The program was established by G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law. The goal of the LSE program is to support students who feel they would benefit from additional guidance as they begin their legal education. It aims to help these students develop the skills to lead with integrity and make a positive impact in the legal field by integrating mentorship, foundational coursework, and professional development. Participants will form a cohort of up to 20 students, building a strong community with peers who share similar goals and life experiences.

Students selected to participate will come to campus in early August for an intensive immersion into both the academic expectations of the first-year curriculum and core competencies essential to success in law school. For the 2025-26 academic year, the dates will be August 4-13, 2025.

LSE Program Components include:

An overview of the law school process, first-year curriculum, preparing for classes, reading the law, and legal writing
Experiencing a law school classroom, including class preparation, sample lectures, and exam skills
Learning about financial support, wellness services, and other Notre Dame resources
Opportunities to connect with ND Law faculty, staff, students, and alumni during a number of exclusive events
An introduction to legal careers, the summer hiring process, mentoring and networking, and career development support
Activities within the Notre Dame and South Bend communities
Exclusive monthly activities and programming on academic success, professional development, and leadership skills throughout the 1L year.

The LSE program also seeks to ease the financial burden of attending law school for its participants. Members of the LSE cohort will receive a one-time $2,000 housing stipend at the start of the program and an additional $10,000 scholarship annually (not to exceed the cost of tuition).

To apply for the LSE program, applicants must submit their application form and essay after applying to Notre Dame Law School. Applicants will need to include a brief essay in response to two prompts:

Why would you like to participate in the LSE program?
Is there anything else that was not included in your application for admission that you would like the LSE Committee to consider?

The essay must be original, not exceeding two double-spaced pages, and include the applicant's name and LSAC number in the header. Applicants can submit their materials and find out more information here.

The deadline for priority registration for LSE is March 1, 2025, with initial offers being sent by April 1, 2025. Applicants who apply after this date will still be considered for the program until all spots are filled.