ASCEND Pre-Law Summer Institute Application

| Resume a previously saved form
Resume Later

In order to be able to resume this form later, please enter your email and choose a password.

Password must contain the following:
  • 12 Characters
  • 1 Uppercase letter
  • 1 Lowercase letter
  • 1 Number
  • 1 Special character
Thank you for your interest in USC Gould School of Law’s inaugural ASCEND Pre-Law Summer Institute. Applications for the summer program open on February 1, 2025. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2025. To be considered, please submit all the required items listed below in the Summary of the Application Requirements. Incomplete applications will not be considered, so please plan on submitting your information as soon as possible.
 

Who may apply?

  • Candidates who are rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors for the 2025-2026 academic year, and who are in the process of completing their first bachelor's degree are welcome to apply.
  • Candidates must be 18 years old by the start of the program on July 21, 2025.
  • Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30.
We anticipate the first decisions will be made in mid-May, and will continue to go out on a rolling basis. Candidates must be available to participate in the three-week residential program which runs from July 21, 2025, through August 9, 2025.
 

Summary of Application Requirements:

  • Electronic Application
  • Essay I: What in your background or experience has sparked your interest in becoming an attorney? (500 words max)
  • Essay II: How will this program be beneficial to you? (250 words max)
  • Résumé: Please upload a standard one or two-page résumé in the space provided.
  • Statement of Authority: Certify your completion of the application.
  • Official Transcripts: Please have your institution send official electronic transcripts to us via email to ascend@law.usc.edu. The deadline to submit the transcripts is March 31, 2025.
The essays may be typed below in the box provided and saved, or you may consider drafting them in another document and then copying and pasting them when you are ready to submit your application. Please ensure your two essays and résumé are edited and finalized, modifications or updates will not be allowed after the application is submitted.

Thank you and we look forward to receiving your application! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Brenda Cortez-Martin, Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Pipeline Initiatives, at 213.740.2523, or at ascend@law.usc.edu.
Important
Your progress is not automatically saved; if you start to complete your application and wish to save your progress to resume later use the save my progress and resume later feature above.
Biographical






MM/DD/YYYY format; you must be 18 years old by the start of the program on July 21, 2025.



LXXXXXXXX format; please include the leading L.
Contact Information


Numbers only; please do not include dashes, spaces, or other punctuation.





Emergency Contact




Numbers only; please do not include dashes, spaces, or other punctuation.

Education







Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 required.








Family Information


Economic Information










Character and Fitness
If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you are required to submit an explanatory statement below. 






Mandatory Essays
The essays may be typed below in the box provided and saved, or you may consider drafting them in another document and then copying and pasting them when you are ready to submit your application. Please ensure your two essays are edited and finalized, modifications or updates will not be allowed after the application is submitted.


Résumé
Please ensure your résumé is edited and finalized before upload, modifications or updates will not be allowed after the application is submitted.

Microsoft Word or PDF files accepted.
College Transcripts

College Transcripts: To complete your application, please have your school send official transcripts via email by March 31, 2025. Please have your school send the transcripts directly to us at: ascend@law.usc.edu. Hardcopies are discouraged.


Statement of Authority: Permissions

Through the submission of my application information, I hereby attest that all information is true.

I hereby apply for admission to the USC Gould ASCEND Pre-Law Summer Institute. I certify that all information provided is true and correct. I agree to provide, if requested, any official documentation necessary to verify the information provided. I understand that any false statement or misrepresentation on this form may result in cancellation of acceptance to the ASCEND Pre-Law Summer Institute, or if discovered after admission to the institute, may be grounds for dismissal.


I authorize the University to contact the colleges, universities, and employers indicated in my application and accompanying material to verify the accuracy of anything contained in the application and accompanying material. I understand that missing information may jeopardize the timely processing of my application.


If accepted to the ASCEND Pre-Law Summer Institute, I will participate fully in the program and abide by all the requirements of the program, including attending all sessions, workshops, special presentations and group events during the three-week program.


If accepted to the ASCEND Pre-Law Summer Institute, I grant permission to access and review my transcripts, Degree Progress Report and other academic documentation for counseling and statistical reporting purposes; and use my name, photograph, and image in various promotional materials (newsletters, website, brochures, etc.).



Save my progress and resume later | Resume a previously saved form