The Illinois Law Early Action Program (iLEAP) is designed to allow University of Illinois undergraduate students the opportunity to apply for admission to the College of Law prior to their senior year of college. This program is designed for University of Illinois students only, and for students who have determined that the University of Illinois College of Law is their first choice for their legal education. Applicants will be judged based on their academic record, ACT score, extracurricular activities, analytical writing ability, interview, and performance in Law 301 (if applicable). iLEAP applicants are exempted from taking the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and registering with the Credit Assembly Service (CAS) (formerly LSDAS).
The Inaugural iLEAP Class (to begin at the College in August 2010)
The inaugural iLEAP Class was admitted during the 2008-09 admissions cycle and will begin its studies at the College of Law in August 2010, with a scheduled graduation date of May 2013. The College received 71 applications through the iLEAP Program. The average undergraduate GPA of applicants 3.4 and the average ACT score was 27. Interviews were granted to 15 applicants and 13 offers of admission were made. All 13 offers of admission were accepted. The average undergraduate GPA of accepted students was 3.9 and the average ACT score was 28. Among the 13 accepted students were ten James Scholars, two Chancellor Scholars, five high school valedictorians, and ten members of Phi Eta Sigma.
iLEAP Eligibility:
The requirements for admission through the Illinois Law Early Action Program are separate and different from those applicable to other College of Law applications. In order to be eligible for this program, applicants must be a Junior at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Special consideration will be given to students enrolled in a Campus Honors Program and to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in Law 301.
iLEAP Application:
The iLEAP application process is also separate and different from the typical College of Law application process. A complete submission will consist of:
- iLEAP Application
- Personal Statement
- iLEAP Essay
- Résumé
- Two Letters of Recommendation
iLEAP Interviews:
Applicants to iLEAP will be selected for interviews on a competitive basis based upon an evaluation of their promise of success in their law school studies at Illinois. Interviews will be conducted by College of Law Admissions personnel. The interviews are designed to provide the College’s Admissions team with additional information on a candidate’s maturity, judgment, communication and analytical skills, and motivation for success in their legal studies.
iLEAP Offers of Admission:
Offers of admission to the College of Law through iLEAP will be made by March 15. Offers of admission are contingent upon:
- Submission of Seat Deposit and signed Enrollment Agreement by April 15
- Compliance with all terms of the Enrollment Agreement
- Successful completion of undergraduate degree
Experimental Character of the iLEAP Program:
The iLEAP Program is an experimental admissions program that has been granted a five-year variance by the American Bar Association (ABA). Each year, the College of Law will present a report to the ABA containing data concerning various aspects of the Program, including the number of UIUC students who have applied for admission under the Program, the number of those students admitted, and the number admitted who choose to matriculate. Upon completion of the five-year period, the ABA will review the results of the iLEAP application process to determine if it complies with applicable ABA standards.
Due to the experimental nature of this admissions process, applicants should be aware that it may be necessary for them to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) if they wish to apply to another law school as either a first-year or transfer student.
Applicants admitted to the College of Law through the iLEAP Program have the same rights and responsibilities of applicants admitted through the regular application process. Students admitted through the iLEAP Program who successfully complete the program of study will be issued the same degree as any other graduate of the College’s J.D. program.
iLEAP Financial Aid:
All students admitted through iLEAP will be given full consideration for financial aid on the same basis as traditional applicants. Preliminary financial aid offers will be made at the time of admission.
iLEAP Timeline:
October 1- Applications for iLEAP are available
February 1 – iLEAP applications are due
February – iLEAP interview selections are announced
March 15 – iLEAP Admission Offers are made
April 15 – iLEAP Seat Deposits and Enrollment Agreements are due
