California Law Pathways Program

Explore your pathway to law school!

The California Law Pathways will connect Merced College students with California Law Pathway orientations, counseling, transfer support, conference visits, and mentorship from instructional faculty and legal professionals in the field.

Getting Started

Take the first step in your Cal Law Pathway journey!

Cal Law Interest Form

Benefits and Support Services

  • Dedicated Counseling

    Receive guidance for education plans and transfer goals.

  • Faculty Champion

    Access to mentorship and connection with faculty.

  • Application Fee Waivers

    Eligible for participating law schools.

  • Cal Law Pathway Certification

    Self-identify as Cal Law Pathway scholars on transfer applications.

  • Free LSAT Prep Course

    Offered through Khan Academy and the Law School Admission Council.

  • Law-Related Activities & Events

    Engage in extracurricular opportunities at Merced College.

About the Pathway to Law School

  • Students will maintain in Good Standing for each semester they attend at Merced College or any other colleges or universities or institutions of higher education.
  • Students must at no time fall below the standards of ethics or behavior that would bar admission to the State Bar of California. 
    • Academic misconduct
    • Unlawful misconduct
    • Employment misconduct
    • Financial misconduct
  • Cal Law Pathway students must complete an orientation on the program at Merced College.
  • Student must sign up with Cal Law Pathways by completing a survey.
  • Take advantage of the support services:
    • Mentoring
    • Workshops
    • Counseling
    • Field Trips to Conferences or Events

  • Student must meet with the Career and Transfer Counselor their last semester before transferring to apply for the COAF Cal Law Scholars Certification
    • Petition for COAF Law Scholar during your final semester by the deadline:
      – Fall Completers: First Friday of fall semester
      – Spring Completers: First Friday of spring semester
      – Submit Pathway to Law School Student Waiver

Pathway to Law School Information Meetings

Orientations are being planned to be offered in Spring 2026. Always check Merced College events website for event information.

Merced College Event Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Law schools require a bachelor’s degree, so you must transfer to a 4-year university first. The Merced College Law Pathway prepares you for that transfer, but does not replace it.

The “Pathway” refers to a long-term pipeline:
Community College to a 4-Year University to receive a bachelor’s degree. Then apply to Law School.

Merced College provides the foundation and support for the first stage; however, law schools typically only admit students who have completed a bachelor’s degree.

 

At your four-year transfer institution, you will:

  • Complete your bachelor’s degree (any major is allowed)

  • Continue developing academic, writing, and reasoning skills

  • Receive advising or pre-law advising that builds on what you started at Merced College

  • Prepare for and take the LSAT or other exams required for law school.

No. Completion of the program at Merced College gives you:

  • A Cal LAW Scholars certification

  • Access to mentoring, workshops, and application support at Merced College

  • Possible application fee waivers at participating law schools for earning the Cal Law certification

  • You must still meet each law school’s admission requirements after earning your bachelor’s degree

No. Law schools generally accept all majors.

Popular choices, however, include Political Science, Sociology, English, Philosophy, and Criminal Justice, but you can major in anything as long as you complete your bachelor’s degree.

Yes. The program guides you toward transfer-appropriate general education and major-aligned courses, such as:

  • English Composition

  • Critical Thinking

  • Public Speaking/Oral Communication

  • American Government

  • Statistics
    These help you meet university transfer requirements for CSU and UC programs.

  • Dedicated counseling and a tailored Student Education Plan (SEP)

  • A Faculty Champion for mentoring students

  • Exposure to law-related events, speakers, and workshops

  • Support with transfer applications
  • Career Panels in Legal Fields

  • Fee waivers for some partner law schools (after your bachelor’s degree)

All support is designed to help you succeed at both the transfer to the 4-year university and later law school applications.

No. There is no additional fee to join the Pathway to Law School / Cal LAW Scholars program at Merced College.

You must be an enrolled student to take advantage of the program.

All program benefits—such as mentoring, workshops, and counseling—are provided at no extra charge.

There may be associated costs for associations we encourage, such as the Pacific Coast Association of Pre-Law Advisors . 

Contact

Contact

  • Career and Transfer Center Program

    209-384-6243
    Student Union (Between NextUp and the Gymnasium)