POP Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I am no longer an undergraduate student? Can college graduates apply for POP?
A: Although you have already completed your undergraduate studies, you may apply to the program. However, priority consideration will be given to current undergraduate students with at least 1 but preferably 2 years left until they earn their bachelor's degree. One goal of the program is to advise students so that they can make changes to their GPA and extracurricular activities to be competitive for law school. As a college graduate, you are not able to do that. However, if it appears from your application materials that you are a very strong candidate and there is room in the POP cohort, you could be admitted to participate in POP. It is impossible to know at this point how competitive the pool of applicants will be.
Q: What if I do not have a 3.0 GPA?
A: You are welcome to apply, but please understand that priority will likely be given to those applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The further your GPA is from a 3.0, the less likelihood you will be accepted. That said, there are sometimes life circumstances that result in low grades for a period of time. If that is the case, please include a separate explanation regarding your lower GPA.
Please also be aware that if you truly want to attend law school, you should strive to improve your GPA as much as possible. Having a lower GPA will make you much less competitive for admission to law school and may impact your ability to receive financial aid assistance in the form of merit scholarships you are not required to pay back.
Q: I am applying to law school this year (Fall 2024 to start in Fall 2025). Why am I discouraged from applying for POP?
A: We strongly discourage applicants for POP that plan to apply to law school in the upcoming 2024 admission cycle (to begin in Fall 2025). It really is not in your best interest. By the time you complete POP and receive the certificate to attend an LSAT program, it will be the beginning of August. You will then have only a short time to take the course, study, and take the LSAT. You also have a smaller window of time to do well in your remaining classes and get grades that strengthen your undergraduate GPA.
Preparing your applications for law school is a huge undertaking, and you should give yourself adequate time to complete and submit strong applications - especially if you are a current student. Students that benefit the most from POP are those that have the opportunity to make meaningful changes in their academics and extra-curricular activities in order to make themselves more competitive for law school.
Q: What year in college is best for attending POP?
A: Rising juniors (current sophomores) get a lot out of the program. However, all undergraduates that meet the eligibility criteria (so long as they are not planning to apply for law school in Fall 2024) are welcome to apply.
Q: Do I need to meet all of the qualifications to be considered a disadvantaged student?
A: No. Only one of the factors is required, but you should mention all that apply to your situation.
Q: What if I cannot attend one of the six Saturday sessions?
A: You should not apply unless you can and will attend every Saturday session. Each session of POP builds upon the previous sessions and it's only by actively participating in the entire program that you will truly be set up for success in completing your remaining undergraduate years and navigating through the law school admissions process.
Being absent or tardy also makes you ineligible to receive your certificate of completion. Furthermore, you will not receive your certificate for a free LSAT course. If there is a significant life event that prevents attendance, you must immediately contact Zepur Simonian, Interim Pipeline Initiatives Director, zsimonian@law.uci.edu. Please note that participation in a study abroad program or traveling from out of town is NOT grounds for missing a session.
Q: What if neither my parents nor I have any tax documents to submit with the application?
A: Please submit tax information for any person that is providing financial support for you as well as a summary of the income of all members of the household, as requested on the application. If no tax information is available at all, you will need to submit a letter explaining why, and providing any documentation of income for yourself and/or members of the household. We are trying to get a sense of your financial situation, so try to provide any documentation that would assist with that determination, or at the very least an explanation of your household’s financial situation.