#USA #West Chester #AccessLex Institute #Southwestern Law School #Admission Innovation

AccessLex Institute Announces Inaugural Admission Innovation Project Partnership

AccessLex Institute®, recognized as the largest nonprofit entity within legal education, has made a significant announcement on October 28, 2025. The organization has partnered with Southwestern Law School as part of its Admission Innovation Project (AIP). This collaboration aims to examine a pioneering pathway for law school admissions, specifically targeting waitlisted applicants. The innovative approach allows these individuals to secure admission via a structured interview process, thereby redefining traditional admissions criteria.

The Admission Innovation Project was introduced in 2024 with the primary objective of funding and supporting law schools in their efforts to execute and evaluate unique admission methods. A crucial component of AIP is the goal of enhancing understanding regarding the impacts of minimizing standardized tests, such as the GRE and LSAT, in law school admissions. Through this initiative, partner law schools engage closely with AccessLex researchers to conduct comprehensive studies assessing how these new admission strategies affect the makeup and academic performance of incoming classes.

As part of this initiative, Southwestern Law School is conducting an in-depth evaluation of its waitlist interview process, focusing on identifying effective predictors of performance among students who gain admission via this route. The findings from this initiative are intended to guide ongoing improvements to the interview process based on data-driven insights, potentially leading to enhanced outcomes for students.

Aaron N. Taylor, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence®, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “We launched the Admission Innovation Project to support law schools that select students in ways that truly capture the important principles of holistic admission. Southwestern's admission interview process has already demonstrated success in opening pathways to talented future lawyers. We are excited to help them learn more about the impacts of the process,” he noted.

In a joint statement, Southwestern Law School's Natalie Rodriguez and Anahid Gharakhanian emphasized that reexamining how law schools assess readiness can redefine merit and expand access to legal education, ultimately benefiting society at large. According to them, “This approach not only expands access to legal education and the profession but also benefits society as a whole. We're already seeing its impact through many inspiring, dedicated, and deserving individuals who have become part of the Southwestern community and the legal community as students and alumni.”

The Admission Innovation Project welcomes proposals on a rolling basis, allowing for a flexible timeframe of up to 24 months. During this period, AccessLex provides funding alongside research expertise to partner law schools to ensure comprehensive evaluations are carried out effectively.

To learn more about the Admission Innovation Project and its impact on legal education, interested parties can visit the AccessLex Institute's official website. The initiative represents a significant step towards democratizing legal education and promoting diversity within the legal profession.

About AccessLex Institute

Founded in 1983, AccessLex Institute® is dedicated to enhancing access, affordability, and the overall value of legal education for aspiring lawyers. The organization collaborates with nearly 200 member law schools to foster diversity and improve pathways into the legal profession. Its extensive contributions include financial education resources, scholarship initiatives, policy advocacy, and extensive research projects aimed at promoting student success and broadening access to legal education opportunities.