Ohio Northern University College of Law
SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM
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I cannot even begin to explain what an advantage the SSP is for students. By the time the rest of the class gets to campus, you already have confidence to speak up in class, you know what exams will be like, you have a relationship with professors and you have made a ton of great friends who will support you through the rest of law school. JENNIFER M. KINSLEY, L-2
The Summer Starter Program allowed me to gain valuable experience in testtaking, in interaction with professors and students, and become oriented with the high demands of a graduate program. JOSHUA A. BROWN, L-2 Ball State University Muncie, Indiana
Ohio Northern University North Olmsted, Ohio
The Summer Starter Program allowed me to learn how to take tests, understand how to read cases, and how different methods in the classroom are used which took some of the pressure off of my first year. Not only did it help relieve pressure, it also allowed me to start my first year with a good grade point average and build from there.
The Summer Starter Program was an awesome experience. It was the kick start to my legal education. The relationships I made with my fellow classmates during the summer was the biggest benefit from the program because those relationships were with fellow students who supported my academic and personal growth.
The Summer Starter Program benefited me because it gave me practice in reading cases and experience in taking law exams with necessary feedback. Either one of those are extremely valuable on their own, but having both made all the difference!
I learned great study skills and developed helpful study habits, leaving me out of the ‘if I only knew’ category. It has prepared me for the three vigorous years at ONU and everything I learned will guide me throughout those years.
THERESA D. DANIEL, L-3
REBECCA J. KAROL, L-2
ZACHARY T. BRUMFIELD, L-2
Frostberg State University Belmar, New Jersey
St. Bonaventure University Long Island, NY
Denison University Aurora, Colorado
Wittenberg University Springfield, Ohio
PATRICK J. BRUTUS, L-3
“An environment that also fosters caring, friendship, and respect among the students.” SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM
The Summer Starter Program is an opportunity for students whose outstanding undergraduate performance indicates probable academic success in law school despite disproportionate LSAT scores. This is a demanding 8-week program that challenges students through a rigorous schedule of first year law courses with frequent examinations and evaluations. Upon completion of the Summer Starter courses, students will have earned 8 hours of JD credit that can give them an added edge in their legal education. This is not a summer qualifier program. Once admitted as a Summer Starter, the student is a member of the entering fall class. Small classes, individual attention and a greater chance for student participation and class interaction are hallmarks of the Summer Starter Program. We believe that students selected for our Summer Starter Program reap the benefits of a ‘jump start’ in their legal education and that their potential for success is unlimited.
APPLY
Applicants may apply free online at either www.law.onu.edu or www.lsac.org. You are encouraged to include a statement of interest and a current resume. Applicants that qualify for the program based on their application will be invited to campus for an interview.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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. When should I apply to be considered for this program? Summer Starter Program interviews will begin in early February. Applications will be accepted prior to January and until all Summer Starter seats are filled. The program begins in late May or early June. 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 intense desire to attend law school and become a successful attorney. 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.
Is there a minimum GPA required from the credits earned during the Summer Starter Program to stay in the law school, and what if I don’t make it? Summer Starter students have until the end of spring semester to establish (or maintain) good academic standing. The Summer Starter Program is NOT a qualifier program. What is the cost of participating in the Summer Starter 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. Tuition costs can be found under Tuition and Financial Aid on the Admissions web page. 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 at www.law.onu.edu >> Admissions >> Housing. The Ada community also offers a variety of inexpensive off-campus housing options.
ACHIEVING SUCCESS
Summer Starter students have more than met our expectations -they have far exceeded them. Academically, they are found ranked among the top ten of each class. The valedictorians of the classes of 2005 and 2008 were Summer Starters. Summer Starters are also serving in leadership roles as members of all three classes at the College of Law. Many are serving on the Editorial Board of Law Review, sitting on the Executive Board of Moot Court and holding executive positions with the Student Bar Association and other student organizations. Summer Starters are landing teaching assistant positions, receiving book awards, competing on national and international moot court teams and acting as peer mentors. No facet of the law school has gone untouched by the Summer Starter Program.
Summer Starter Alumni Highlights: 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. KEESHA N. WARMSBY, ESQ., JD ’10
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Columbus, OH
Ohio Northern fills its classrooms with law students who are not only intelligent, but those often-overlooked 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.
FIRST YEAR CURRICULUM
SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM: • 3 credit hours in Criminal Law • 5 credit hour version of Property, Torts, Civil Procedure or Contracts • Mandatory meetings with tutors three times weekly • Weekly exams • 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 will also be reviewed and analyzed. A heavy emphasis will be placed on providing intensive writing experiences with frequent feedback.
ASHLEY L. GRIFFIN, ESQ., JD ’08
Thomson, Rhodes & Cowie, P.C. Pittsburgh, PA
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.
FALL CURRICULUM: • 12 hours credit for fall semester • First year classes not taken during summer session • Writing and advocacy class • Weekly tutorial sessions
JANUARY TERM: • 2 hours credit for January term • Legal Problem Solving and Analysis
SPRING CURRICULUM: • 14 hours credit for spring semester • Complete first year courses • Continue writing and advocacy class • Complete one upper level required course 36 hours total credit after successful completion of first year.
EDWARD P. CANTERBURY, ESQ., JD ’05
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. Ft. Myers, FL
CONTACT US
Office of Law Admissions Ohio Northern University College of Law 525 South Main Street Ada, Ohio 45810 Phone: 419-772-2211 Toll Free: 877-452-9668 Fax: 419-772-3042 lawadmissions@onu.edu APPLY FREE ONLINE www.law.onu.edu
2011