Name:
ID#:
E-Mail:
Major(s):
Minor(s):
Expected Graduation Month/Year:

Please answer the following:

  1. Are you able to meet the requirements for the Legal Studies adjunct-major or standalonemajor before graduation? (Review the requirements table below, then check one:) Yes__ No__
    NOTE: Students enteringthe University Fall 2016 or later must follow the standalone major rules. All other students may choose. Review the requirement charts below.
  1. If accepted, do you plan to complete the adjunct major or the standalone major?

Adjunct Major__Standalone Major__Undecided__

  1. When would you like to take the Advanced Research Seminar series?
    (Please rank your preferences as“1st choice”, “2nd choice”, “3rd choice”, or “Cannot do” if you cannot enroll in any of the following sequences based on your graduation date, study abroad plans, a Medill Journalism Residency, or other significant conflict.)

Fall 2017/Winter 2018Choose an item.

Fall 2018/Winter 2019Choose an item.

Fall 2019/Winter 2020Choose an item.

  1. List the approved Legal Studies courses and electives you have completed or are currently enrolled in (see
  2. Please list any other law-related courses you have taken at Northwestern:
  3. Please list two faculty members who can serve as references (if possible, please include one of your First-Year Seminar professors):
  4. Research Interests: The Legal Studies Advanced Research Seminaris a required 2-quarter sequence that includes writing an original thesis. Students should keep an open mind about topics, but if you have an idea about a topic or methodology, please describe (you may submit your answer on a separate page if necessary).
  1. Are you planning to write a joint thesis (combined with another department)? Yes__No__

If yes: Which department?

  1. Essay Question:Please answer the following question on a separate page: What is the most important legal issue facing society today and why? (This should be no more than one page, single spaced).

Please submit by Wednesday, February 1, 2017:
(1) this form, completed,
(2) the one-page answer to question #9,
(3) an unofficial transcript
Applications should be submitted by email as a single pdf document, to .


The Legal Studies major requirements may differ depending upon when you entered Northwestern.

WCAS guidelines stipulate that students can follow any set of requirements in effect during their undergraduate years. For example, if you entered Northwestern in 2013, you can choose to follow the requirements from the 2013, 2014, 2015, or the 2016 Undergraduate Catalog—but you cannot pick and choose the requirements you like best from each.

Catalog Requirements:
Academic year 2013-14 / Catalog Requirements: Academic year 2014-15 Academic year 2015-16 / Catalog Requirements:
Academic year 2016-17
Adjunct Major - requires another standalone Major to graduate / Adjunct Major- requires another standalone Major to graduate / Standalone Major
11 courses required for the major (398-1,2 and nine other courses)
Majors must take at least one course from each area category.
  1. Theory/Philosophy
  2. Global/Comparative Perspectives
  3. Institutions/ Organizations/Economics
  4. Law and Inequality
  5. Legal Argument/ Communications
/ 11 courses required for the major (206, 398-1,2, and eight other courses)
Majors must take at least one course from each area category.
  1. Theory/Philosophy
  2. Global/Comparative Perspectives
  3. Institutions/ Organizations/Economics
  4. Law and Inequality
  5. Legal Argument/ Communications
/ 12 courses required for the major (206, 207, 398-1,2, and eight other courses)
Students are required to take 207 after 206, and before 398-1,2.
No area category requirements.
Students may double-count two courses toward the adjunct major. / Students may double-count two courses toward the adjunct major. / Students may not double-count courses toward the major.