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Law Institute
A hands-on residential law program where students explore litigation, negotiation, legal ethics and legal careers on Wake Forest University's campus.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Law Institute at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; good academic standing
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Cost
$3,500
Duration
1 week
Format
In-person
Application deadline
Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Save programLaw & justice
Accommodation: Residence hall required
Meals: All meals provided
Certificate / Outcome: Wake Forest completion certificate
Latest verified cycle: 2026
Academic leader: Deja Kemp
Application fee: $60 nonrefundable
Law Institute summary
This residential program gives students an applied introduction to legal practice through case discussions, negotiation, litigation scenarios and a first-year law class experience.
The curriculum spans civil and criminal litigation, family law, government law, lobbying, the judicial system, transactional law and professional ethics.
It best suits students who want to test their interest in law through an intensive campus experience rather than a credit-bearing academic course.
What is Law Institute?
The Law Institute is a Wake Forest Summer Immersion program that introduces students to legal practice and career pathways. Its academic coverage includes litigation, family law, government law and lobbying, the judicial system, transactional law and lawyers’ ethical duties.
Students take part in a first-year law class, discuss case studies in teams, practice negotiation and learn from law students, young lawyers and guest speakers. The residential experience also includes structured campus activities and time to reflect on each day’s learning.
Why Succeed highlights Law Institute
The program connects legal concepts to realistic activities, including case analysis, negotiation and a criminal litigation scenario.
Students encounter several practice areas instead of receiving a narrow introduction to a single branch of law.
Mentoring from law students and young lawyers adds direct insight into legal education and early career paths.
The curriculum includes professional ethics alongside advocacy and transactional work.
The residential campus format combines academic immersion with supervised community activities.
Who is Law Institute for?
Best for
Students who want an intensive, practical introduction to law and are comfortable living on campus for a structured week.
Not ideal if
You need college credit, prefer a commuter option or want a long-form course with extended independent research.
Is Law Institute worth it?
It can be worthwhile for a student who wants to test whether legal study and practice genuinely interest them. The mix of legal topics, simulations, practitioner contact and residential campus life provides more direct exposure than passive career research.
The limitation is that the institute is short, non-credit and relatively expensive once the application fee and travel are considered. Its value therefore depends on active participation and thoughtful reflection afterward, rather than treating attendance alone as a university-application credential.
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Cost and what is included
$3,500; includes All meals during the five-day campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Official Certificate of Completion after qualifying attendance.
Accommodation
Residence hall required
Meals
All meals provided
Supervision or safety information
Program staff supervise students during academic, recreational and evening activities. Professional staff live in the residence hall, maintain an on-call rotation and are supported by campus police.
Provider details
Review the Wake Forest University provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
1 week; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Law Institute need?
Effort level
Moderate application effort and an intensive residential week.
Best started
Begin four to six weeks before applications open to draft essays and brief a recommender.
Main challenge
Turning a broad interest in law into specific, convincing application essays.
Typical preparation
Choose examples that demonstrate academic curiosity, responsibility and readiness for a college environment.
Ask a teacher, counselor or administrator for the recommendation well before submitting.
Review the residential schedule, travel arrangements and required packing information as a family.
Useful if
You can explain which legal questions or careers you want to explore.
What do students do on Law Institute?
Students move between legal instruction, practitioner perspectives and applied exercises designed to show how lawyers analyze, advise and advocate.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Learn how undergraduate pre-law preparation and law school connect.
- 2
Participate in a first-year law class and question a law-student panel.
- 3
Read and discuss legal case studies with a team.
- 4
Practice negotiation and work through litigation-based scenarios.
- 5
Explore legal ethics through discussion and a disclosure exercise.
- 6
Hear from lawyers, law students and industry guest speakers.
- 7
Debrief and reflect on the day’s legal learning.
Law Institute dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Law Institute — June 2026
14-19 June 2026
Law Institute — July 2026
19-24 July 2026
Applications open
1 November 2026
Summer 2027 application cycle.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Reference date | |
Law Institute — June 2026 | 14-19 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Law Institute — July 2026 | 19-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 1 November 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Current students in Grades 9-12
Good academic standing required
No school suspensions or disciplinary record
Fluent English participation required
Home-schooled students may apply
International students may apply
Need-based aid unavailable to international students
How much does Law Institute cost?
Program tuition
$3,500
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable and due with the application.
- Enrollment deposit: $550 — Nonrefundable payment used to secure a seat.
- Need-based scholarships: Limited funding — Requires the scholarship section and prior-year W-2.
What's included
All meals during the five-day campus stay, Transportation for off-site field trips, Official Certificate of Completion after qualifying attendance
How to apply to Law Institute
- 1
Create an account in the Wake Forest Pre-College student portal.
- 2
Complete the online application with two essays and a self-reported GPA.
- 3
Provide contact details for one teacher, counselor or administrator recommender.
- 4
Submit the completed application and $60 nonrefundable application fee.
- 5
Monitor the student status page for the admission decision.
- 6
After acceptance, select an institute week and submit the $550 deposit.
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What does Law Institute cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Litigation
Explore civil and criminal litigation through cases and advocacy scenarios.
Legal systems
Examine the judicial system and how legal cases are read and prepared.
Family and government law
Consider family law, government practice and lobbying as legal career areas.
Transactional law
Practice representing a company through a contract-negotiation exercise.
Legal ethics
Discuss confidentiality, conflicts, candor and lawyers’ other ethical duties.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Law Institute?
A typical day during the program.
Morning sessions
Breakfast and a morning meeting lead into pre-law teaching, a law-student panel and academic sessions.
Afternoon learning
Students study case reading, law-school preparation and legal ethics, then complete an ethics activity.
Campus evening
Supervised activities and free time follow dinner before the residential lights-out routine.
Who teaches on Law Institute?
The listed academic leader is Deja Kemp, University of Pennsylvania research faculty and Director of Legal Policy for Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy. Her background includes education law, regulatory compliance, civil litigation and a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.
Students also receive mentoring from law students and young lawyers and engage with guest speakers.
Where do students stay on Law Institute?
Residential plan
- Campus residence hall: Every participant must stay in an assigned Wake Forest residence hall throughout the institute.
- Campus meals: All meals are provided, with dietary restrictions collected through the Medical Authorization Form.
- Overnight supervision: Professional staff live in the residence hall and participate in a 24-hour on-call rotation.
- Evening activities: Staff-led activities may include basketball, karaoke, s’mores, Spikeball, volleyball and optional panels.
Roommates are normally assigned randomly; mutual roommate requests are considered but not guaranteed.
What happens after Law Institute?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Use firsthand exposure to evaluate interest in legal study and careers.
Build confidence reading and discussing legal cases in a team.
Develop introductory negotiation, advocacy and ethical-reasoning experience.
Learn from law students, young lawyers and professional guest speakers.
Earn an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Participation does not provide college credit or preferential treatment in Wake Forest admission.
Where does Law Institute take place?
The institute takes place at Wake Forest University’s Reynolda Campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Students live in campus residence halls, eat in university dining facilities and participate in supervised academic and evening activities.
Law Institute FAQs
Current students in Grades 9-12 may apply if they are in good academic standing and have no school suspensions. Home-schooled and international students are encouraged to apply.
Applicants submit two essays, a self-reported GPA and one recommendation from a teacher, school counselor or administrator. Transcripts and test scores are not required.
The curriculum covers civil and criminal litigation, family law, government law and lobbying, the judicial system, transactional law and professional ethics.
No. Every participant must live in the assigned campus residence hall for the full institute week.
Yes. All meals are provided during the campus stay, and students can report dietary restrictions after acceptance and registration.
No. The Law Institute is non-credit, but qualifying participants receive an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
Program staff supervise students during academic, recreational and evening activities. Professional staff live in the residence hall, maintain an on-call rotation and are supported by campus police.
Alternatives to Law Institute
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Online politics and international relations course
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Wake Forest Pre-College Programs Applications
- Wake Forest Pre-College Campus
- Summer Immersion Program Dates | Wake Forest Pre-College
- FAQ | Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
- Apply - Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
- Wake Forest High School Summer Program | Law Institute
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)
Official program page checked
Eligibility requirements reviewed
Application process verified
Tuition and fees checked
Residential arrangements reviewed
Session dates cross-checked
Scholarship terms reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Law Institute
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