3+3 Admission Program

Qualifying students from our partner undergraduate institutions have the option to earn their bachelor's and law degrees in six years rather than the traditional seven.

Undergraduate students who gain admission into the law school through the 3+3 program will follow the usual required course of study for first-year law students. After successfully completing the first year of law school, 3+3 participants will receive their bachelor’s degree, assuming all other graduation requirements are met. The juris doctor degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the required minimum 90 total course credits for law school and all other J.D. requirements.

The application deadline for 3+3 applicants is February 1, and late applications will not be accepted.

All accepted applicants will be considered for available scholarships. We offer incoming merit based scholarships to students with scholarship amounts beginning at $500. Since our scholarships are merit based, we pay particular attention to your standardized test scores and undergraduate GPA. Blewett Law does not provide fee waivers to any applicant. Additional scholarship information can be found on our ABA Report.

Requirements

Candidates must meet all program requirements of their undergraduate institution. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they meet all 3+3 requirements set by their undergraduate degree-granting institution. Students admitted and matriculated through the 3+3 program must provide their final transcripts showing their undergraduate degree was awarded before they will be allowed to begin their second year of law study.

The Blewett School of Law has 3+3 program agreements with the following institutions:

  • Carroll College (Montana)
  • Rocky Mountain College

Applicants must be of good moral character and must maintain good moral character as a condition of continuing enrollment.

Candidates must register for and take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Scores are valid for 5 years. Register at www.lsac.org.

Register for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and follow the instructions to ensure a complete application. Register at www.lsac.org.

Checklist

Fill out the online application through LSAC and pay the $75 application fee.

Arrange for official transcripts from all institutions of higher education to be sent to the LSAC.

Applicants must attach to their electronic application one personal statement. The personal statement should provide information about yourself that you consider significant to our evaluation of your file. We are interested in learning about the qualities that you would bring to the legal profession, the law school classroom, and the community. You may wish to describe a significant experience in your life or to discuss your interest in or motivation for attending law school. A typical personal statement is 2-3 pages. It will be evaluated for writing ability as well as content. Do not treat your personal statement as a narrative of your resume.

It is recommended, but not required, that you submit a brief statement of interest explaining why you wish to attend the University of Montana School of Law.

Attach a current resume.

Ideally, these should include one general reference letter and one academic reference letter. You may submit a maximum of four letters. Applicants who graduated from an undergraduate program several years ago may substitute letters from employers or supervisors who can address the applicant’s abilities and intellectual promise for the study of law. Letters of reference must be sent to the LSAC and processed by the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Letters sent directly to the law school will not be accepted A reference letter that is particularly helpful is one that discusses the applicant’s:

  • Native intelligence (analytical powers, rigor of thought, critical faculty, reasoning ability);
  • Independence of thought (originality, imagination, creative intelligence);
  • Effectiveness of oral communication;
  • Effectiveness of written communication;
  • Industry and motivation (persistence, self-discipline, study techniques);
  • Judgment and maturity (conscientiousness, common sense); and
  • Leadership ability.

Student must submit a written approval from the appropriate Carroll official indicating that the applicant will meet all Carroll graduation requirements for early entry to UM Law prior to enrolling in law school (due at the time the application is submitted). Approval letters should be sent directly to the Law Admissions Office.

Once a 3+3 applicant has decided to matriculate at UM Law, the applicant must arrange for Carroll to provide final documentation to UM Law acknowledging that the student has completed all Carroll requirements necessary for participation in the 3+3 program. Approval letters should be sent directly to the Law Admissions Office.

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