98th Percentile LSAT ScoresPatrick Henry College students' performance on the LSAT places the College's Pre-Law advising program among the top in the nation. In 2021, our students set PHC's all-time high by averaging an incredible 170.6 on the LSAT, moving our average up to the 98th percentile. In 2022, the most recent year we have data for, we had a new high of 15 students taking the LSAT (11 alumni and 4 seniors). Even with more people taking the LSAT, PHC's 2022 median was 170.3, keeping our average at the 98th percentile.
Pre-law students work with PHC’s pre-law advisor, Dr. Jesse Merriam, to develop a personal plan for success. Dr. Merriam is an experienced lawyer, legal scholar, and LSAT tutor. He assists pre-law students in all phases of the law school application process, including the selection of internships, the pursuit of extracurricular activities, and most importantly, the creation of an LSAT preparation plan tailored to each student's needs and abilities. When it is time to apply to law school, Dr. Merriam works individually with each applicant to assemble and fine-tune the application packet.
To continue building on that success, Dr. Merriam has crafted a unique class, Logic and Law, tailored to prepare students for the logic on the LSAT and the reasoning skills required in the first-year of law school. In addition to Dr. Merriam's class, PHC students have access to a deeply discounted commercial LSAT preparation class, as well as practice LSAT offerings. Dr. Merriam also recently created the Pre-Law Society, a student-run group that organizes several law-related speaking events each semester. This year, he is in the process of organizing a Pre-Law Mentoring Program to connect current students with practicing lawyers.
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Five PHC alumni have clerked for the following U.S. Supreme Court Justices: Justice Scalia, Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Kennedy, Justice Kavanaugh, and Justice Alito. In addition, one PHC alumna has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. PHC has created the finest pathway to legal excellence in America for Christians.
The Patrick Henry Undergraduate Law Review is an undergraduate journal dedicated to the scholarly examination of legal issues and informed discourse on legal thought. This student-run journal provides a forum for students to publish their research and join the academic discussions that permeate the legal field while developing opportunities for the College's future attorneys to learn skills that few practitioners possess.
In moot court, students simulate appellate advocacy and hone their understanding and articulation of constitutional law and Supreme Court precedent. Well-deserving of an extremely rich legacy through years of dedicated coaching by Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Michael Farris and the late Dr. Frank Guliuzza, the Patrick Henry moot court team has won an unprecedented twelve of the last fifteen national titles in the American Moot Court Association. No other college or university has more than one title. Additionally, PHC students stunned the world by winning the 2016 Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Tournament in Geneva Switzerland. This was PHC's first year in the World Human Rights competition.
The Mock Trial program prepares students to enter the worlds of both civil and criminal trial advocacy. Students develop knowledge of the federal rules of evidence, courtroom procedure, witness examination, case-building, and more. PHC Mock Trial teams compete against more than 700 teams from 400 schools, including the nation’s top ivy-league institutions. Fierce competition hones their critical thinking skills and equips them to clearly articulate passionate and well-reasoned legal arguments.
Debate teaches students to communicate and engage with a wide variety of viewpoints in a winsome manner. Debate prepares students for a career in law by honing their critical reasoning and communication skills as they wrestle with and respond to key social, political and cultural issues. Civic debate provides opportunities for each student to develop their professional and leadership skills, skills they will need to lead successful careers as ambassadors for Christ.
At Constitutional Law Camp, you will explore our nation's founding documents and precedent-setting Supreme Court decisions. You’ll get familiar with legal terms and complex judicial and legislative concepts, while learning to reflect critically about the Constitution’s original intent. You will receive cases to decide, as if you were a member of the Supreme Court, and you will get to apply the legal principles that you have learned, to come up with an oral opinion as Supreme Court Justices. Leave camp with a thorough understanding of the world’s first and longest standing written constitution, the basis for how our country and its freedoms work.
Students in Patrick Henry College's Pre-Law Advising Program will be offered a customized LSAT study plan from Dr. Merriam to ensure that they are prepared for success. Do you want to get a head start now? You can find detailed LSAT information including a 12-Week LSAT study plan online here.
