CLEO 2013 Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute

The 2013 online application is now closed. If you missed the opportunity to apply for the Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute and you have been admitted to law school, then you can apply for the Attitude Is Essential Seminar.

2013 Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute Dates and Locations:
University of Mississippi School of Law - June 2-July 13, 2013
Georgia State University College of Law - June 9-July 20, 2013

Training Tomorrow’s Lawyers, Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders

High Standards

Commitment to Excellence

Successful Environment

The CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute is designed to demystify the law school experience. Preparation builds self-assurance and participants enter law school more confident in their ability to succeed.

A full-time program, held on two law school campuses during June and July, the Institute is rigorous and demanding.

The Institute focuses on legal methods and techniques that help to develop students’ abstract thinking, analysis, and synthesizing skills. The Institute has an impressive track record of success! Nearly 9,000 diverse and/or economically disadvantaged students have been oriented to law school through the Institutes since 1968. More than 90% of the students who attend the institute enter law school in the fall.

William Mitchell College of Law - 2012 CLEO Program

Who is eligible to participate?

CLEO recruits individuals who have a strong desire to join the legal profession. Applicants must be eligible to attend an ABA-approved law school at the completion of the program. Applicants must also have obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to the start of the summer institute.

What about my GPA and LSAT score?

Many students with marginal LSAT scores and GPAs would not be admitted to law school without the assistance of CLEO. While CLEO Pre-Law Summer Institute participants must meet pre-determined academic requirements, CLEO recognizes and considers the numerous challenges that applicants have overcome in pursuit of their goal to attend law school.

Although CLEO may be liberal with respect to academic eligibility, it is unlikely that a student with marginal LSAT scores and GPA will be selected without a recommendation from a CLEO Member School or Supporting/Sustaining Institution (MSSI).

How do law schools recommend applicants for the CLEO program?

Although there is a rolling admission policy, CLEO will send your name to law schools that appear on your application. Any of those law schools may choose to make recommendations. Therefore it is very important that an applicant correctly identifies the law schools to which he/she will apply.

The University of Mississippi School of Law - 2012 CLEO Program

How many students are selected and how much does it cost?

Each of the two law schools will host 40 students. The cost is $2000, which includes dorm housing, food, books, and materials for six weeks. There are a few low-income seats at a cost of $700.

CLEO Institutes will consist of both students already accepted into law school and students who may need placement assistance. In fact, on average 70% of the participants have already been admitted or conditionally admitted to law school prior to the start of the program.

When will applicants be selected?

CLEO is competitive. Each year, the program receives approximately 600 applications. CLEO has a rolling admission policy. The CLEO early decision enables applicants who apply by November 30, 2012, to receive “early admit” status. If selected, you will be notified by January 31, 2013. The regular applicant pool will be selected before May 2013.

When is the deadline for applications?

All applications must be submitted by February 15, 2013.

How do I get started?

Applicants for admission to the CLEO Six-week Pre-Law Summer Institute should:

Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university earned prior to the start of the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute
Obtain LSAT scores and CAS subscription from www.lsac.org. In order for CLEO to receive your Law School Admission Council (LSAC) report, please apply to LSAC. On the LSAC application, you will go to the school list which is in alphabetical order. On the list you will see a line titled "non-member schools." Under non-member schools select "Council on Legal Education Opportunity."
Be prepared to upload a typed, double-spaced personal statement
Apply online by February 15, 2013, for the Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute
Pay a nonrefundable $30 application fee as part of the online application; only credit cards are accepted. No fee waivers will be granted.
Apply to at least one CLEO Consortium Member School or Supporting/Sustaining Institution
Return the Student Aid Report (low-income applicants only) by March 30, 2013. Only, if you are accepted into the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute, will you be requested to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from www.studentaid.ed.gov).

Note: Any changes in application information after its initial submission should be addressed in writing to the CLEO Admissions Administrator or sent by e-mail to Bernetta.Hayes@americanbar.org.

Get a free CLEO Edge magazine filled with excellent articles on LSAT preparation and making your personal statement "Personal." You'll also get information on the 2013 CLEO Member Law Schools and Supporting/Sustaining Institutions.

Click here to request
the NEW CLEO EDGE
magazine