May 30, 2023 – June 30, 2023
With generous support from The University of Alabama System’s McMahon-Pleiad Prize, the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation, and 2003 Alabama Law alumnus Derrick Mills and his wife Tamesha, Alabama Law Summer Scholars is a cost-free, four-week program for undergraduate students who want to learn more about the study and practice of law. While all undergraduate students are encouraged to apply, the program is focused on students from backgrounds that are historically or currently underrepresented in the legal profession.
Summer Scholars will participate in activities in and out of the classroom to learn about applying to law school, the component parts and larger purposes of a legal education, and the skills that will contribute to their professional advancement. With the benefit of these experiences, Summer Scholars will have a solid foundation as they apply for admission to law school, complete law school, pass the bar, and enter the legal profession.
About the Alabama Law Summer Scholars Program
- Community. From day one, Summer Scholars will become part of a community designed to foster incredible, professional relationships. Summer Scholars will live together in an on-campus residence hall, giving participants opportunities to collaborate as scholarly peers. Faculty and staff from The University of Alabama School of Law will provide instruction and serve as mentors for participants. Current law students will work with Summer Scholars as colleagues throughout the program. Summer Scholars will also learn from and network with practicing attorneys.
- Classes. Summer Scholars will participate in classes that offer an overview of legal education. While learning about a specific doctrinal area of the law, students will also build skills in critical thinking, legal writing, and legal analysis. (Please note that Summer Scholars classes are not offered for credit and cannot be applied toward undergraduate or law curricular requirements.)
- Professional Development. A key to success in the path to law school, in law school itself, and throughout law practice is a continuous commitment to professional development. Summer Scholars will learn and practice skills ranging from networking to resume-writing.
Program Details
- Free to attend. With generous support from The University of Alabama System’s McMahon-Pleiad Prize, the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation, and 2003 Alabama Law alumnus Derrick Mills and his wife Tamesha, Alabama Law Summer Scholars is free for participants.
- Stipend provided. We want all admitted students to be able to participate in Summer Scholars and understand that many students need to spend their summers working. To make it easier for students to forgo employment opportunities in order to participate, each Summer Scholar will be eligible for a $1,000 stipend during the course of the program to help account for these needs.
- Housing provided. Summer Scholars will live together in an on-campus residence hall for the duration of the program, which is provided free of charge to participants. While a residence hall room is equipped with all essential furniture, participants must bring their own bedding (sheets, pillow, etc.), towels and toiletries. In exceptional circumstances, we may grant individual participants an exemption from residing in on-campus housing.
- Meals provided. On several occasions, Summer Scholars will have opportunities to eat meals as a group during courses and activities. On occasions when meals are not provided, the program will give participants an allowance to cover meals or groceries.
- Attendance is required. Each element of the Summer Scholars experience has been planned with student learning outcomes in mind. To get the most out of the program, attendance at each class and activity is required. Of course, there may be times due to illness or emergency that participants may need to miss class, and excuses will be granted in these exceptional situations.
Student Eligibility and Application Process
Alabama Law Summer Scholars is open to current college/university students who have completed at least one semester in an undergraduate program by June 1, 2023, and who will be enrolled in an undergraduate program during the 2023-24 academic year.
The Alabama Law Summer Scholars Program is scheduled to take place in person on the campus of The University of Alabama May 30 through June 30, 2023. Individuals who, because of prior commitments, know they will be unable to participate during this time should not submit an application.
The program is currently accepting applications through 11:59pm CST, Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Check out our application page for more information about how to apply.
Questions about the Alabama Law Summer Scholars Program should be emailed to summerscholars@law.ua.edu.
