UAS Partners with Willamette University to Provide Law Career Pathway
The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at UAS and UAS alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on certain academic credentials.
Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Alaska
Date of Press Release: October 7, 2020
The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) has forged a partnership with Willamette College of Law to provide an exciting opportunity for UAS students to pursue a career in law. Dr. Maren Haavig remarked, “This partnership creates an incredible opportunity for our UAS students and alumni to articulate into the Willamette School of Law. By working with both schools' advisors, our students interested in a career in law will have a clear pathway to achieving their goal.” Haavig is the interim vice provost at UAS.
The 4+3 Direct Admission Program allows undergraduate students studying at UAS and UAS alumni to gain admission to Willamette Law based on certain academic credentials. When a student meets these credentials, they will be admitted to the Willamette School of Law and be guaranteed a Direct Admission scholarship of $10,000, renewable each year the student is enrolled at Willamette Law and remains in good standing.
The partnership idea came from Bruce Botelho, former Juneau mayor and community advisor to UAS. Botelho notes, “Willamette University College of Law has trained generations of Alaskan attorneys who have served their state with distinction. Cementing this long-term relationship between WUCL and Alaska through the direct admission program at UAS will ensure the continuing development of legal professionals with deep ties to our region.”
Students with a serious interest in law are encouraged to complete a four year degree at UAS and pursue the direct admissions program with Willamette Law. A one-hour informational event on the admissions process is being offered for interested students and alumni, led by Leah Straley, pre-law advisor and assistant dean of recruitment at Willamette Law. Based in Salem, Oregon Leah Straley offers guidance to any student interested in pursuing a legal education, assisting with exploration of legal careers and law schools, developing skills for law school, and helping students understand the standardized entrance exams, the LSAT and the GRE.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our Social Science students. Many of them develop a strong interest in policy and law while attending UAS. This unique partnership with Willamette University of Law provides a valuable pathway for expanding their career options,” according to Dr. Lora Vess, faculty and chair of the UAS social sciences department.
To learn more about the admissions process, interested students and alumni should RSVP for the one-hour information session to be held October 14, 2020 from 9-10 am Alaska time.