The Association of Participating in a Summer Prelaw Training Program and First-Year Law School Students’ Grades
__ The J. Educ. Res. & Prac. __ (forthcoming 2023)
22 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2023 Last revised: 11 Jun 2023
Date Written: January 4, 2023
Abstract
This study estimates the relationship between participating in a nine-week online educational program to prepare students for post-graduate (juris doctorate) education and law school grades. We collected registrar data from 17 U.S. law schools for participants and non-participants from the same year and a prior year. We compared first-semester law school grades between participating and non-participating students weighted by propensity scores. Course participation was associated with improved first semester grades in a keyed course (Contracts law) and overall grade point average. According to pre-post survey responses, a substantial portion of those who completed the program reported feeling more prepared for law school.
Keywords: post-graduate education, bridge programs, readiness, law school preparation
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