The South Carolina Honors College and the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law offer an innovative “fast track” program for Honors students who seek a law degree. The program enables students to receive an undergraduate degree from the South Carolina Honors College, followed by a juris doctor from the USC Rice School of Law. Students admitted to this program typically complete their undergraduate degree and their law degree in six years.
Only first-year Honors College students are eligible to apply. The program includes completion of all pre-law and additional Honors requirements in three years and involves an internship and thesis component. Law school starts in the 4th year of the program and is completed in three years.
Benefits and Eligibility
- LSAT not required
- Early acceptance to the USC Rice School of Law
- Waiver of the application fee for the J.D. program
- Waiver of the $500 seat deposit for the first year at the USC Rice School of Law
- Waiver of the LSAT writing requirement
- Connection and engagement with USC Rice School of Law while an undergraduate
Application Requirements
Only South Carolina Honors College first-year students who have completed one semester at the Columbia campus are eligible to apply. Applicants will join the BARSC major and must have a minimum institutional GPA of 3.75 at the time of application.
Required Testing
Accelerated Undergraduate to J.D. applicants must provide evidence that they scored in the 85th percentile nationally on the ACT or SAT examination at the time the test was taken. This information can be located on a student’s ACT/SAT score report.
The LSAT is not required. Students with a valid LSAT score are ineligible for admission through this program. Students who are accepted to the Accelerated Undergraduate to J.D. program agree not to register for future administration of the LSAT.
Letters of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation is required with the application to the Accelerated Undergraduate to J.D. program.
Additional letters of recommendation may be required when students are completing an abbreviated law school application through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) by Dec. 1 during their third year of their undergraduate program, prior to matriculation to the USC Rice School of Law.
Matriculation to the USC Rice School of Law
Students must complete an abbreviated law school application through LSAC between September 1 and December 1 of their third year of their undergraduate program.
Candidates must have a minimum institutional GPA of 3.75 as reported by LSAC at the time of application to the J.D. program (fall semester of their third year of the undergraduate program) and must satisfactorily complete a character and fitness review as required for all J.D. students and as mandated by the South Carolina Supreme Court. These questions and the required review will be discussed during the initial interview process before acceptance to the undergraduate program.
Steps To Apply
- Application link and instructions will be available here no later than Dec. 1.
- Submit the application online no later than 5:00 p.m. EST, January 15.
- Submit unofficial transcript no later than 5:00 p.m. EST, January 15.
- Letter writers must submit the letter of recommendation directly to Elizabeth Leverette (levereec@mailbox.sc.edu).
Timeline
| Date | Deadline |
| December 1 | Online application opens |
| January 15 | Online application closes |
| January 30 | Interview invitations sent |
| February | Applicant interviews begin |
| March 1 | Decisions sent to selected applicants |
Applicants accepted to the program will have 2 weeks to accept or decline the program.
Have Questions?
Students who would like more information should email the Honors College manager of special programs, Elizabeth Leverette, M.Ed.