Overview of Varghese Summersett Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship
The attorneys at Varghese Summersett PLLC practice criminal law at both the state and federal level. Although our careers reflect our love and passion for the criminal justice system, we are constantly striving to improve an imperfect system. To share our passion, we are proud to announce our annual Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship, which awards a student $1,000 to pursue their education.
As times change, laws and the penalties associated with them can become outdated. We are inviting incoming or current law school students to write an essay voicing their opinion on one current law or piece of legislation that deserves to be updated. The applicant should explain how this criminal justice reform can have a lasting impact on society. Students applying should have an interest in pursuing a career in the criminal justice field for this scholarship opportunity.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be:
- an incoming or current law student in the United States
- interested in a criminal justice career.
Application Requirements
- A current resume;
- A current transcript;
- The name of the law school you are attending or where you are seeking admission;
- A 100 percent original essay of 500-1500 words offering an opinion on a current law or piece of legislation that deserves to be updated and how this change will have a lasting impact on society.
- There is no GPA requirement.
Click Below for the Application
Application Deadline
All scholarship criteria must be submitted on or before October 1, 2025. Applications sent after the deadline will not be considered. Essays should not have been previously published anywhere and no copyrighted material may be used.
2025 Scholarship Winner
Congratulations to Hayley Richbart, the recipient of the 2025 Varghese Summersett Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship. Hayley attends the University of Virginia Law School in Charlottesville. Her winning essay explored recent legislation that threatens to severely limit incarcerated individuals’ access to post-conviction relief, especially defendants sentenced to death. Great job Hayley!
