Penn Law Pre-College Summer Program | Ages 16-18

Pre-College Law Program for High School Students

Penn Law Pre-College Summer Program gives rising high school juniors and seniors a chance to try law school at a world-class university.  Over four weeks students experience the Socratic Method, visit law firms and court rooms, craft persuasive arguments and develop leadership skills through collaborative teamwork.

The Penn Law pre-college program is a summer academic program for high school students. Students will gain insight into U.S. law and the legal profession while experiencing academic and residential life at the University of Pennsylvania. High School students will discover what law school is like, learn what it means to be a lawyer and gain a better understanding of laws and their role in modern society.  

Class work will be supplemented with trips to area law firms, courts, and corporate legal departments to help students gain insight into how law is practiced in the real world. Guest lecturers will give students an opportunity to interact with legal practitioners from a wide array of practice areas. Plus, Law school administrators will provide instruction on how to navigate your way to a career in law.

Sponsored by The University of Pennsylvania Law School, Penn Law Pre-College Summer Program (PLS) is for a talented and select group.  Understanding the legal system is important.  Whether you plan a career in law, business, government or another field, the Penn Law summer program is a strong foundation for success.   

Law permeates all levels of modern society.  PLS provides a necessary legal grounding for future success.

Specialized Law Program

During the four-week summer academy, students will take courses at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. PLS features classes which mirror those taken by first year law student. Students develop legal reasoning, and review case briefings as they unravel constitutional law, criminal law and contract law. 

Penn Law Summer Academy students will:

• Attend lectures and presentations from outstanding Penn Law instructors, legal professionals and guest speakers.

• Engage in Socratic dialogue designed to illuminate the American legal system.

• Navigate the law through hands-on workshops and group projects.

• Receive instruction on how to craft a persuasive argument.

• Develop and enhance leadership, critical thinking and analytical skills through collaborative teamwork.

• Visit court rooms and law firms.

• Speak with leading legal experts across an array of legal practice areas and disciplines.

• Gain critical insight into the basic principles that hold American society together.

This is your first step toward success in college, law school and a career in any of the broad professions intertwined with law!

Summer at Penn Law

As a member of the Ivy League, the University of Pennsylvania Law School is amongst the most prestigious law schools in the nation. Among the school's alumni are a US Supreme Court Justice, several state Supreme Court Justices as well as founders of law firms, university presidents and deans, business entrepreneurs and politicians.

You'll be a part of this stimulating learning environment living on campus in the state-of-the-art Penn Law facilities. From 110 year old Silverman Hall to the Biddle Library to the brand new Golkin Hall you'll experience the Penn Law atmosphere. 

Live in Penn’s famous Quad with students from across the country and around the world.  Experience the University City District and its dozens of restaurants, shops, recreational facilities and entertainment venues. After class, enjoy your choice of on and off-campus activities organized by our staff. 

Penn Law Pre-College Summer Program Faculty

Matthew Parker, Program Director

Matt Parker is the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.  In that capacity he is the director for the Law School's LLM, LLCM and SJD Programs. Matt is a graduate of Penn Law's JD Program, 2000.  After graduating from law school, he clerked in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the Hon. Thomas N. O'Neill, after which he worked as an associate attorney at law firms in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.  Matt returned to the Law School as Associate Director of Graduate and International Programs in 2005, and became Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs in 2008.  He is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education.

Matt is originally from upstate New York and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in International Relations in 1995 and has lived abroad for extended periods in Australia and the People's Republic of China.

Maryam Ahranjani, Academic Director & Senior Lecturer

Maryam Ahranjani is an adjunct professor of law and associate director of the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project. She oversees the national and international expansion of the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project and directs the program’s efforts in DC public high schools. Professor Ahranjani teaches an advanced constitutional law seminar entitled, “Education and the Constitution” to upper-level law students; and designed and teaches an externship seminar entitled, "Reflections on Meaningful Lawyering." Most recently, Professor Ahranjani worked for Kaplan, Inc., serving as a regional director and product manager. She formerly served as associate director of WCL's Program on Law and Government, where she ran the SJD and LLM programs. Co-author of the textbook Youth Justice in America (CQ Press, 2005), Professor Ahranjani has appeared on C-SPAN and has authored numerous articles and lesson plans about students’ rights and civic literacy. A founder of the National Youth Justice Alliance, she is also recipient of the 2008 Alumni of the Year Award from the Latino/a Law Students Association and a 2006 American University Performance Award. A magna cum laude graduate of Northwestern University, Professor Ahranjani obtained her JD degree from American University Washington College of Law, and is fluent in Spanish and Persian.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dates & Tuition

Before April 15th

Application Fee: $100

April 15th or later

Application Fee: $100

How to Apply

Apply Now