<p>Does anyone know any specifics about the FSU College of Law: Summer for Undergraduates Program? I posted this in the law forum without much response, but I'm hoping a parent or two has some inside info on it. I'm trying to get a feel for the program, beyond sorta the glossy prospectus that is their website. </p>
<p>I'm wondering if the students come out knowing much more about law school; do they get anything out of it, or is this like NSLC or NYLC? What exactly are they looking for? 60 students out of 550 means a selectivity beyond numbers. Is this a program reserved predominantly for minority students - excluding Asians or no?</p>
<p>I can’t answer all of your questions but I’ll tell you what I’ve been told:</p>
<p>I’m a freshman at the University of Florida and the Director of Special Programs really recommended that I apply for the FSU Summer Program in particular. I mean he was really pushing it. I didn’t ask him the specific reasons he recommended it but he seems to be the type of guy that would know. He did some good stuff for the University of Georgia’s graduate programs (increased minority enrollment by like 30%) and oversees a number of undergraduate research and scholarship programs so I assume he’s in the loop about those things.</p>
<p>On the other hand a friend told me that she has a friend that went there a few years back and their program focuses very heavily on suggesting what classes to take and how to gear your undergrad experience to prepare you for law school. What I got from that was they don’t do an exceptional job in boosting your LSAT score.</p>
<p>Those are just secondhand stories though…I have no anecdotes of my own but if I get in I’ll tell you about the experience. Their website states that they’re specifically looking for freshmen and sophomores so they can influence their undergrad plans though so unless you have something grand planned for summer (Trials Summer Law Program? ^_^) theres no reason not to go for it.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about this particular program but I’d be wary of ANY program that indicates that it is necessary for undergrads preparing for law school. Information about law schools is easily available without attending a program for which you have to pay. I can’t imagine what could be ‘taught’ that would be at all useful and which would be unavailable to someone not attending. There is no particular way to “gear your undergrad experience to prepare you for law school”. There is no particular undergrad major that is better than any other or that will give you any type of leg up on the competition. This is why many of the top law schools look at ‘pre-law’ programs with a skeptical eye.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t expect this to be a major enhancement at admissions time, though it might be a way to learn more about law school and the legal profession, as well as spend a summer with like-minded peers.</p>
<p>I can’t speak about this particular program, but I would hope they would include discussion of the challenges of pursuing a legal career if you aren’t a high-achieving grad from a top, or at least well-regarded, law school.</p>