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Mordecai Scholars

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The Duke Law Blueprint encourages students to develop a broad range of skills that will enhance their careers as lawyers, urging them to engage intellectually, build relationships, and lead effectively. Incoming students who exemplify these ideals to the highest degree are named Mordecai Scholars and receive Duke Law's prestigious full-tuition scholarship.

Initiated in 1997, the Mordecai Scholars program is named for Samuel Fox Mordecai, the founding dean of the Law School who was a noted practitioner, scholar, and leader in legal education. Mordecai Scholars are individuals who possess a record of extraordinary leadership and scholarly achievement prior to law school, along with the personal qualities that are likely to result in community involvement and leadership at Duke, and in the years after graduation.

All admitted students are considered for the Mordecai scholarship during the scholarship review process. Students who are named Mordecai Scholars will receive merit scholarships that cover the full cost of tuition. In most years, 4-8 students enroll with the Mordecai Scholarship.