Albany Law School

Complete your undergraduate degree and your law degree in six years instead of seven; your senior year serves as your first year in law school.  

How does a student apply to participate in the program?

A student applies to one of our undergraduate partners and indicates an interest in the program or in law school.

• The undergraduate college makes an admissions decision through its normal process.
• The undergraduate college selects candidates with credentials that indicate future success in the program.
• The undergraduate college sends application materials to Albany Law School for consideration.
• Albany Law School makes admissions decision through normal program process.

What is the course of study for the participants?

• The undergraduate college determines the first-, second- and third-year course of study at the undergraduate college so that the participants will have completed at least 90 graduation credits.
• The student does not return to the undergraduate college for a senior year, rather, the student enters Albany Law School as a first-year law student.
• The undergraduate college waives the residence requirement and awards the baccalaureate degree to the participant after successful completion of the first year at Albany Law School.

What criteria must be met for students to continue in the program once they matriculate at the undergraduate college?

• Participants must select a major at the undergraduate college that can be completed within three years.
• After the freshman year at the undergraduate college, the student must have earned a 3.2 cumulative GPA, a minimum of 27 graduation credits.
• At the end of the junior year, students must have completed the 90 graduation credits, earned a 3.3 cumulative GPA and achieve a one-time or average score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) that is no lower than the median LSAT score for the prior year's entering class at Albany Law School.

What undergraduate program is the best fit?

• Albany Law School does not require any specific course of study or background in particular subjects.
• The pre-law student should be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• A broad, general education—including study in such subjects as history, literature, government, economics, philosophy and mathematics—provides an ideal foundation for the study of law.

How many students can participate each year?

• Currently, the agreement between the undergraduate college and Albany Law School indicates a maximum of 10 students per year. However, if there are more than 10 qualified candidates recommended by the undergraduate college, the Albany Law School Admissions Committee has indicated that the maximum can be waived.
• Undergraduate college students can also apply to the program after completing their first year at the undergraduate college.

Participating Partner Schools:

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 
The College of Saint Rose 
Hartwick College 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 
The Sage Colleges 
State University of New York at Cobleskill 
Union College 
University at Albany - State University of New York

Siena College 4 & 3 Program with Albany Law School

From each Siena College freshman class, a designated number of students will be selected to enroll in this very competitive program. Selections will occur at two time periods:

1. Prior to the start of the freshman year; or
2. After the freshman year. 

Siena students admitted to this program will be guaranteed admission to Albany Law School upon attainment of their bachelors degree provided they have satisfied the criteria specified for remaining in the program. 

For further information, contact Siena College's Office of Admissions at 1-888-AT-SIENA, or visit www.siena.edu.