1L Trial Run Program — Apply
Before You Begin
You can save your progress and return later using the LSAC portal.
Here is what you will need:
Required
-
Your basic contact information and educational history.
-
A current résumé that details your work history.
PDF, up to 2 pages, unless the applicant’s educational or work experience is quite extensive.
-
A 500-word personal statement.
-
A brief online-learning readiness self-assessment.
Optional
-
LSAT, if you have taken one.
-
Undergraduate or graduate transcripts.
Unofficial is fine.
-
Up to three letters of recommendation.
What to Expect After You Submit
- You will receive an automatic confirmation email from admissions@swlaw.edu within 24 hours of submission. If you don't see it, check your spam folder. You will also have access to an online status check.
- Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning in mid-November via email.
- If admitted, you will receive information regarding the $500 seat deposit to secure your seat in the 1L Trial Run Program.
Limited Scholarships
Those who would like to submit a brief statement regarding why they would like to receive a scholarship may submit it to TrialRun@swlaw.edu.
Important Program Dates
-
Wednesday, January 13
Asynchronous Orientation Canvas course materials become available
-
Monday, February 1 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PT
Online synchronous* Orientation and meet your professors
-
Wednesday, February 3 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PT
Online synchronous legal methods class
-
Wednesday, February 10 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PT
Online synchronous legal methods class
-
Wednesday, February 17
Asynchronous Criminal Law Module 1 begins
-
Tuesday, March 30 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. PT
1.5-hour remote proctored** midterm exam
-
Tuesday, May 4 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT
3-hour remote proctored final exam
* Participants are expected to attend all online synchronous sessions. Attending these sessions means the timely completing all asynchronous work and either attending the Zoom classes live or watching the recordings for those Zoom classes. Recordings will be posted within 24 hours of the live synchronous session, and students have 72 hours from the time the recording becomes available to watch the recording.
** For proctored exams, students must schedule their exam to start during the published window. For example, participants may schedule their midterm exam to start at 3:00 p.m. PT but no later than 6:30 p.m. PT. Regardless of when the participant begins the exam during the published window, they will have the full exam time to complete the exam (e.g., an hour and a half for the midterm).
Location Check
The 1L Trial Run Program is available only in states where Southwestern is authorized to offer the program. Before starting the application, please confirm the U.S. state in which you will be physically located during the course. If your state is not on our authorized list, we cannot accept your application at this time.
Program Disclosures
The 1L Trial Run Program is a non-degree program. Completion does not confer academic credit and generally will not qualify for transfer credit toward an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, or other non-J.D. degree. The program is not eligible for federal financial aid.
Please see the Program Disclosures page for more information.
Southwestern Law School is accredited by the ABA and by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. The 1L Trial Run Program is not separately accredited.
Questions before you start? Email TrialRun@swlaw.edu