PUBLIC INTEREST ADMISSIONS PROGRAMS

Villanova Law encourages students to pursue careers in public interest law. To facilitate such careers, Villanova Law created Access to Justice Fellows, newly revamped for the 2025 admissions cycle.

Each year, a select group of applicants are offered the opportunity to be a Fellow based on past academic achievement; leadership; demonstrated participation or interest in community service, social justice or public interest work; and commitment to pursue a career as a public interest practitioner.

For consideration, prospective students must complete an additional essay question included on the admissions application. Upon review, applicants will be offered admission as an Access to Justice Fellow.

Benefits for Fellows include:

• Priority registration for clinical programs
• Priority registration for public interest, access to justice, and poverty law-related courses
•  A faculty advisor with a public interest background and/or strong ties to the public interest community
• Will be connected to an alumni mentor in public interest, with an emphasis on finding a mentor within the practice area of interest to the individual Fellow
• Will receive specialized public interest career counseling from the Office of Career Strategy
• Will receive exclusive programming designed to build community within the cohort, such as monthly lunch gatherings and an annual retreat
• Will receive the full support of the Public Interest Faculty Committee regarding assistance with securing post-graduate employment and/or fellowships

All Fellows should expect to perform at least 60 hours of pro bono during law school, the minimum required to earn the Dorothy Day Award for Pro Bono Service.

How to Apply: 

• Consideration for these scholarship opportunities is embedded within the general application for admission.
• On your application, please indicate your interest by checking the corresponding boxes and completing additional essay questions regarding community service and public interest aspirations.
• If selected, applicants will be offered entry to the school as an Access to Justice Fellow.