Widener University Commonwealth Law School’s Trial Admissions Program, known as TAP, offers a unique pathway to law school for students who are determined to study the law but are challenged by traditional admission procedures that focus largely on LSAT scores or undergraduate grades.
Unlike traditional law school admissions, TAP allows candidates to demonstrate their readiness through rigorous coursework, including classes in contracts, torts and legal methods. Over six weeks in the summer, participants work toward achieving a minimum GPA in the courses, being held to the same grading standards as first-year law students.
TAP is one of only 10 such programs in the nation, for students who are determined to pursue legal careers by securing a seat in the incoming class, despite having a challenging academic history that may include a low LSAT score or UGPA. Applicants do not apply for TAP. It is only offered to select applicants, as determined by the law school’s admissions committee, and is not part of the general application process. Students pay to attend the program, but their payment is credited toward fall tuition if they successfully gain admittance to the law school.
“The TAP program is about giving individuals a fair shot, and in some instances a second chance,” said Dean andré douglas pond cummings. “We look beyond traditional metrics and focus on the resilience and potential that people may not see in themselves, but we know is there. It’s about creating opportunities for students to prove they can succeed.”
“TAP is designed to give promising individuals an opportunity to show that they are ready and capable of succeeding through the rigors of law school,” said Matthew Kerns, associate dean of admissions. “Higher education is based on the idea that individuals can develop talents through hard work, good strategies, mentorship, and overcoming challenges.”
Kerns said traditional law school admissions processes that rely heavily on LSAT scores and undergraduate grades don’t always reveal the whole story. “Personal statements, résumés, letters of recommendation, and additional explanations give the committee a more complete understanding of the candidate,” Kerns said. “The committee wants to understand what challenges a candidate has faced, how they handled obstacles, and how overcoming roadblocks has made them stronger. By showing growth, a candidate is telling the admissions committee that, if given a chance, they will continue to improve.”
TAP is not just about proving academic capability; it’s also a hands-on introduction to law school life. Participants gain valuable skills such as time management, legal writing, and stress management, all while receiving mentorship from faculty who are deeply invested in their success.
“TAP helps students build the skills they need to thrive in law school,” said Professor Randy Lee. “From learning how to brief cases to managing the demands of law school, it sets students up for success.”
Professor Mary Kate Kearney, who has taught the TAP program for nearly 30 years, emphasized its significance for students: “This is really a make-or-break opportunity for the students. It’s rigorous and tough, but it’s one of the best programs we offer here because it gives students a chance they wouldn’t have otherwise.”
The program has helped students like Nia Ramsammy, Keith Gregory, and Sierra Williams turn their law school aspirations into reality.
Ramsammy, a first-year student from Gaithersburg, Maryland, saw TAP as an opportunity to build a strong foundation. “TAP taught me invaluable skills like time management and legal writing that I carry with me today,” she said.
Gregory, from Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, spent years exploring law school options before finding his place through TAP. “TAP gave me the confidence I needed to succeed. It prepared me for law school in a way that made the transition smoother,” he shared. His experience not only strengthened his academic skills but also deepened his passion for a career in criminal defense and personal injury.
For Williams, a second-year law student, TAP reignited her dream of becoming a lawyer. With an economics degree from Hampton University and experience as a product manager, she initially pursued a business career before deciding to apply to law school.
Williams found a path to law school through TAP, a program that provided both opportunity and support. “TAP gave me the structure and community I needed to see that law school was an attainable goal,” Williams shared. Widener’s TAP program has a proven track record of success. TAP alumni like Susan Schwab, the campus’s first valedictorian and now a U.S. magistrate judge, exemplify its long-term impact.
“TAP has created incredible opportunities for students who might have otherwise taken a different path,” said Dean cummings. “Our TAP students graduate, pass the bar, and build successful careers.”
The program isn’t just about academic success—it’s about resilience, hard work, and unlocking potential.
“For those seeking a different path to law school, TAP provides the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities,” said cummings. “It’s a commitment, but if you have the drive, you can succeed—and we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.”
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