FIRST YEAR CURRICULUM SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM:
• Three credit hours of Criminal Law • Five credit hours of Civil Procedure • Mandatory weekly teaching assistant (TA) sessions • Weekly exams to provide a better understanding of how to take a law exam • Weekly meeting with director or assistant director of Academic Support Class preparation, test preparation and study skills will be addressed in individual weekly sessions with the director of Academic Support. Test results also will be reviewed and analyzed. A heavy emphasis will be placed on providing intensive writing experiences with frequent feedback.
FALL CURRICULUM:
• 12 credit hours for fall semester • Contracts 1, Legal Research and Writing 1, Property 1 and Torts • Weekly TA sessions available
JANUARY TERM:
• Two hours credit for January term • Legal Problem Solving and Analysis
SPRING CURRICULUM:
• 14 credit hours for spring semester • Contracts 2, Evidence, Legal Research and Writing 2, Public Law and the Legal Process, Property 2 • Weekly TA sessions available 36 total credit hours after successful completion of first year with Summer Starter Program
SUMMER STARTER ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS:
Verbatim The Summer Starter Program was truly beneficial in helping ease my test-taking anxiety. Throughout the program, you attend seminars on test-taking, you meet one-on-one with your advisors for test feedback, and you learn what to expect for the fall semester exams.
Keesha N. Warmsby Esq., JD ’10 Associate, Bricker & Eckler LLP Columbus, Ohio Participating in the Summer Starter Program enabled me to become acclimated to the law school environment. At the start of the fall semester, I had a good idea of what to expect regarding the coursework and exams. During the summer, I took weekly tests and met with an ONU faculty member to discuss the results. By the time fall semester exams began, I understood my strengths and weaknesses. The Summer Starter Program at ONU is unlike any other. Not only did I gain confidence in myself early on, but the fast paced program provided a solid foundation to my legal career. Ashley L. Griffin Esq., JD ’08 Thomson, Rhodes & Cowie P.C. Pittsburgh, Pa. Ohio Northern fills its classrooms with law students who are not only intelligent, but those oftenoverlooked individuals who hail from diverse backgrounds, have dynamic personalities, sharp legal reasoning skills, inquisitive minds, and an ardent desire to enter the legal profession and make a difference in society. I credit my experience with the Summer Starter Program for getting me where I am today. Edward P. Canterbury Esq., JD ’05 Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A. Ft. Myers, Fla The Summer Starter Program is an excellent introduction to law school. The testing and feedback from professors is frequent, which eases the difficult transition from college. By the end of the summer, you should have a good foundation for recognizing and analyzing legal issues.
Tanya H. Schmid, L-3 Springfield, Ohio Ohio State University
The faculty members at ONU are awesome. They have a genuine interest in helping students succeed in the Summer Starter Program, and they are always willing and available to provide out-of-class assistance. The weekly one-on-one exam reviews with my professors during the program were so helpful as they took time to address my personal needs. Oyesanmi F. Alonge, L-3 Ekiti State, Nigeria Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria
OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY PETTIT COLLEGE OF LAW Office of Law Admissions 525 South Main Street Ada, Ohio 45810 Phone: 419-772-2211 Toll Free: 877-452-9668 Fax: 419-772-3042 lawadmissions@onu.edu law.onu.edu APPLY FREE ONLINE www.law.onu.edu
Join us
SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM
ONULAW
The Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law
What is the Summer Starter Program? LSAT IN THE 140S? HIGH GPA?
The Summer Starter Program is a unique opportunity for students whose outstanding undergraduate performance indicates probable academic success in law school despite a lower LSAT score. This eight-week program, consisting of two first-year courses (eight credit hours), provides our students with the one-on-one attention necessary to be successful in law school. From individual weekly meetings with your academic support advisor to weekly group teaching assistant (TA) sessions, you will learn the study skills and test-taking skills needed to set you apart from students entering in a typical fall program. Many of our Summer Starter students end up in the top of the class at the conclusion of their first year. This, in addition to hard work, can be credited to the skills and confidence acquired from completing the Summer Starter Program. Once you have completed the program, you are automatically enrolled into the fall entering class. It is not necessary to re-apply.
TIMELINE
FOLLOW ERIN DWYER, JD ’13, FROM THE START OF THE SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM THROUGH GRADUATION AND BEYOND...
PROGRAM SUCCESS
THE TRUE VALUE OF THE SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM
The Summer Starter Program provides small classes, emphasizes individual attention, and promotes student participation and class interaction. The rigorous eight-week program challenges students through a demanding schedule of two first-year law courses with weekly examinations and frequent evaluations. We believe that taking the time to participate in this program provides students with a “leg up” in their legal education.
Summer Starter students have more than met our expectations – they have far exceeded them. Academically, they are ranked among the top 10 of each class. The valedictorians of the classes of 2005 and 2008 were Summer Starters. Summer Starters also serve in leadership roles as members of all three classes at the College of Law. Many serve on the Editorial Board of Law Review, sit on
Verbatim The faculty at ONU remind me very much of the faculty from my small undergrad college. They go above and beyond to help you succeed. I personally have had an experience with a faculty member that made me think, “This is exactly why I chose ONU. Kayla C. Kieszek, L-3 Natrona Heights, Pa. Chatham University
VALUE POINTS
• Automatic fall entry (non-conditional) • Faculty accessibility and small class sizes (approximately 30-35) • Weekly exams to acclimate you prior to fall entry • Weekly evaluations with academic support director • Weekly teaching assistant (TA) sessions for additional review • Knowledge of outlining and note-taking • Familiarity with Socratic method
Summer 2010: Summer Starter Program begins
First Year: Quarterfinalist in Daniel S. Guy Appellate Advocacy Competition; Phi Alpha Delta member
the Executive Board of Moot Court, and hold executive positions with the Student Bar Association and other student organizations. Summer Starters land teaching assistant positions, receive book awards, compete on national and international moot court teams, and act as peer mentors. No facet of the law school has gone untouched by the Summer Starter Program.
Applicants may apply for free online by submitting the general fall application. If qualified for the Summer Starter Program, you will receive a letter and email invitation to interview for the program. You are encouraged to include a statement of interest in the program with your application. To apply, visit law.onu. edu or www.lsac.org
DO I NEED TO SUBMIT A SEPARATE APPLICATION?
No. Simply submit our fall application, and we will flag your file and contact you if we feel your scores and qualifications make you a good candidate for the Summer Starter Program.
Summer Starter Program interviews will begin in early January. Applications will be accepted prior to January and until all Summer Starter seats are filled. The program begins the Tuesday after Memorial Day.
Bryce Winslow, L-2 Fishers Ind. Taylor University
Second Year: Staff editor of Law Review (with two case notes published); merit scholarship recipient; teaching assistant for professor Antoinette Clarke’s Criminal Law class; member of the Curriculum Committee
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM?
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS PROGRAM?
The Summer Starter Program is absolutely amazing! It gave me a great chance to prove to myself and to others that I can succeed in law school even though my LSAT score may not be superb. The professors and the academic support staff were great and willing to do anything the students needed in order to help them succeed.
Summer 2011 (after first year): Judicial externship with Judge Gregory Frost at the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Summer 2012 (after second year): Hired as full-time law clerk for Judge Richard Warren at the Allen County Common Pleas Court
DO I HAVE TO DO AN ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A POSITION IN THE SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM? Yes. Only you and your presence can convince us of your desire to attend law school and become a successful attorney.
WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF AN INTERVIEW FOR THE SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM?
All students meet with the director of Law Admissions and interview with two members of the Admissions Committee and the dean of the College of Law. You will receive a complete tour of the law building and have lunch or coffee with a former Summer Starter student.
IS THERE A MINIMUM GPA REQUIRED FROM THE CREDITS EARNED DURING THE SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM TO STAY IN THE LAW SCHOOL?
Summer Starter students have until the end of their first year’s spring semester to establish (or maintain) good academic standing. The Summer Starter Program is not a qualifier program.
Third Year: Editor-in-chief of Law Review; member of the Willis Society; graduated high distinction; worked part time as law clerk for Judge Richard Warren through December 2012 and Judge David Cheney January-May 2013
CAN I GRADUATE EARLY IF I SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM?
Students who take a full course load and summer classes are able to graduate at the end of the fall semester in their third year.
WHAT IS THE COST OF PARTICIPATING IN THE SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM?
A scholarship covering the cost of the Summer Starter Program will be offered to all students admitted to the program. Eight credit hours of first-year credit will be taken at the summer per-credit-hour rate. This is in addition to the fall and spring semester tuitions. Summer tuition costs can be found on the Admissions page under Summer Starter Program.
WHERE DO I LIVE DURING THE SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM?
ONU Law offers the option of two on-campus housing facilities: Polar Place and Courtyard Apartments. These options can be viewed online on the Admissions page at law.onu. edu. The Ada community also offers a variety of very inexpensive offcampus housing options.
Post-graduation: Hired as a staff attorney in the litigation department at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease in Cincinnati, Ohio