Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Scholars Program

The Division of Social Sciences sponsors the Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Program. This rigorous, highly selective, life-changing, interdisciplinary program is designed for incoming freshmen who are interested in attending law school, or pursuing careers within the legal profession, or who simply desire to learn more about the enduring impact of the law on the moral, social, legal, and economic institutions of our society and how it affects people from every socioeconomic corner. The program is also open to Tougaloo sophomore students who possess the same commitment to interdisciplinary study through the lens of the law. There is no required major for acceptance into the program, nor do we recommend any single major as best suited for success as a law student or attorney. Rather, the Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Scholars Program fosters the pursuit of academic excellence across disciplines.

Upon admission into the program, students are awarded a stipend and are expected to embrace the privileges, challenges, and responsibilities of participating in a variety of required courses, programs, seminars, symposia, lectures, and internships related to law.

Through the Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Program, students will have a chance to develop an accurate picture of the realities, rewards, and challenges of being a lawyer in today’s society.

Throughout the program, students will have an opportunity to:

  • gain a comprehensive grounding in fundamental legal concepts and techniques;
  • explore the varieties of professional roles open to lawyers;
  • prepare for law school, or a lifetime of informed citizenship;
  • develop professional contacts; and
  • receive a stipend of $2,500 per academic year to be distributed evenly in eight monthly installments

Mission

The mission of the Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Program is to equip Tougaloo students with all tools necessary to become high-performing, logical thinking, socially responsible graduates who can intellectually contribute at the highest level of discourse to various schools of jurisprudential thought and, if so desired, successfully matriculate through a law school program or any post graduate study of their choice.

Requirements to Apply

  • Sophomore students who have completed 24 semester hours at Tougaloo College with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Students must have an interest in pursuing a law-related career, or possess an easily discernable interest in learning how the law affects our everyday lives. Students who do not meet the required ACT or SAT score must obtain permission from the director of the program to apply.  Scholarships/stipends will be awarded based upon availability of funds.

Program Benefits

Through the Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Scholars Program, students will have a chance to develop an accurate picture of the realities, rewards, and challenges of being a lawyer in today’s society.  Throughout the program, students will have an opportunity to:

  • gain a comprehensive grounding in fundamental legal concepts and techniques;
  • explore the varieties of professional roles open to lawyers;
  • prepare for law school, or a lifetime of informed citizenship;
  • develop professional contacts; and
  • receive a stipend of $2,500 per academic year to be distributed evenly in eight monthly installments

Students will also be able to address such questions as:

  • How do the careers of lawyers portrayed on TV compare to those of real-life lawyers?
  • How much of my legal career will involve arguing over lofty Constitutional issues?
  • Will my success as a lawyer hinge on being the smartest person in the room?
  • Will I make a lot of money if I go to law school and become a lawyer?
  • What’s so great about being a lawyer?

Internships

To gain experience and insight into the day-to-day work of lawyers, students may be able to participate in a specially arranged full-time or part-time internship.

These internships are paid and unpaid, optional, limited in number, not guaranteed, and will be assigned by the Coordinator on a first-come, first-served basis.  If a student is interested in being considered for an internship, the student must aggressively make that interest known to the coordinator and advisor of the program.  The student should also be aware that market conditions may affect the availability of internships.

The program will make every effort to match students’ interests and talents with available internships.  The nature of each internship will be at the discretion of the hosting firm or institution.  Students should be prepared to work exceedingly hard at these internships as the goal is to replicate post-graduate work experience.

Past internships have ranged from private law firms to government agencies, and nonprofit organizations including, the United States House of Representatives, the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi,  the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, the District Attorney’s Office of Hinds County,  ACLU of Mississippi, Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (MVLP)