Admissions Frequently Asked QuestionsAdmissions Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These represent some of the most frequently asked questions we receive as admission directors. We hope you find answers to your questions. If not, please feel free to contact us: Toll free: 877-452-9668 or Email: lawadmissions@onu.edu.
Q: WHAT ARE THE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS?
A: For answers to frequently asked questions about preparing for law school or the LSAT; your résumé, personal statement or letters of recommendation; transcripts; graduate experience; admission requirements and more, visit our APPLYING TO LAW SCHOOL webpage.
Q: WHAT IS ONU LAW'S MEDIAN LSAT & MEDIAN GPA?
A: The median LSAT for the 2012 entering class is a 152. The median UGPA is a 3.18. For more statistics on the 2012 incoming class, please visit our Quick Facts page.
Q: WHAT IS THE APPLICATION FEE?
A: ONU Law does not require an application fee. To apply, visit our How To Apply page.
Q: CAN I VISIT ONU LAW?
A: We love when students visit and strongly encourage them to do so. There is no better way to see what life is like as an ONU Law student than to stop by for a campus visit. Click Here, fill out the form, and we'll be in contact with you to finalize your visit itinerary.
Q: WHAT IS THE STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO?
A: We currently have approximately 290 students attending ONU Law, which allows us an incredible 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Small class sizes and consistent availability to our renowned faculty are major factors as to why our law students are so successful.
Q: WHAT PERCENT OF ONU LAW STUDENTS ARE FROM OUT OF STATE?
A: 2/3 of the student body hail from outside of Ohio. We have more than 40 states represented. Most of our students choose to go back to their respective home states, however a few choose to remain and practice in Ohio. Click here to view a map of the states that represent our student body over the last 5 years
Q: WHAT ARE ONU LAW'S MOST RECENT BAR PASSAGE RESULTS?
A: 100% of Ohio first-time takers passed the Bar Exam in February 2013 which is tied for first in Ohio and is 20% higher than the statewide average for first-time takers. 91% of ONU Law first-time takers passed the July 2012 Ohio Bar Exam. ONU Law's bar passage rates are consistently above the statewide average.
Q: WHAT ARE THE MOST RECENT CAREER PLACEMENT STATS?
A: ONU Law is 2nd in the state for full-time bar required job placement for Class of 2012. Overall, 81.4% of our 2012 graduates who responded to our survey were employed or seeking an LL.M. program within 9 months of graduation. ONU Law's job placement rate has consistently been above the national average.*
* Feb. 2013 Statistics based on National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and ABA criteria.
Q: WHAT ARE GRADUATES KEY AREAS OF PRACTICE?
A: Close to 50 percent of our students go into private practice. Others choose to practice in government positions, judicial clerkships, business law and public interest law. Visit our Quick Facts page for the full breakdown.
Q: DOES ONU OFFER CLINICAL PROGRAMS?
A: ONU Law offers 7 available clinical placement programs. For a summary and description of these clinical placement programs, Click Here. Roughly 70% of the student body particpates in clinics prior to graduation. Every student is guarenteed a clincial placement at ONU Law.
Q: WHAT IS THE AVG DEBT OF AN ONU LAW STUDENT?
A: The average debt of our law students after three years is roughly $94,000.
Q: WHAT ARE THE FEE AND TUITION RATES?
A: ONU Law continues to offer a premier legal education at a marginal cost. We remain the lowest private law school tuition in the state. Tuition for 2012-13 was $33,684. There is also Student Bar Association Dues of $40 and a tech fee of $240 per year. In addition, Law Review Dues are $20 and a parking permit costs $65.
Q: DOES ONU PROVIDE FINANCIAL AID?
A: More than 60% of our current student body is receiving scholarships or grants. Roughly 95% of our student body is receiving some form of financial aid.
Q: DOES ONU LAW HAVE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES?
A: Our average scholarship for the entering class in 2012 was $25,500. Depending on your combination of LSAT score, GPA, employment history, academic achievements and community involvement, you may qualify for a merit-based scholarship that is renewable for up to 3 years (upon maintaining a 3.0 GPA). We awarded more than 4 million dollars in scholarship and grant money for the 2012-13 academic school year.
ONU Law reevaluates students after their first year, oftentimes increasing students' scholarships for exceptional performance. Students who came in with no scholarship will also be considered for an award applicable to their second and third years. Additionally, students who do not maintain a 3.0 gpa do not necessarily loose their entire scholarship. Many times a scholarship is only decreased slightly, dependant on the students performance.
Q: WHAT ARE ONU LAW'S DEMOGRAPHIC STATS?
A: In the entering 2012 class, 56% were men with 44% women. Our ages range from 21-36. 17% of the incoming students classified themselves as minority students.
Q: WHERE DO ONU LAW GRADUATES PRACTICE?
A: ONU Law has alumni practicing in all 50 U.S. states. Click here to learn how many alumni we have practicing in your state.
For the class of 2011: 3.8% New England, 7.7% Middle Atlantic, 61.5% of our graduates stay in the East North Central region, 10.3% in the South Atlantic region, 2.6% in the East South Central region, 3.8% in the Mountain region, 3.8% in the West North Central region, 2.6% in the West South Central region, 1.3% in the Pacific region, and 2.6% in International regions.
Q: DOES ONU LAW HAVE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING OPTIONS?
A: ONU Law was recognized in 2012 by the National Jurist for our on-campus housing. We provide deluxe accommodations of 48 two-bedroom apartment-style options in either Polar Place Apartments or Courtyard Apartments. Both residences are reserved for graduate students only. The Office of Residence Life will assist students with finding housing in Ada and with placement in on-campus apartments. For more information, call 419-772-2430. To view photos of available on-campus law housing and for additional details, visit our Housing Page.
Q: DESCRIBE THE TAGGART LAW LIBRARY
A: Our law library contains 436,000 volumes, 30,000 square feet, 282 seats, and 25 computers, which is very competitive for a school our size. The Taggart Law Library was ranked #1 of all Ohio private law school libraries (2010) by the National Jurist. For more information, and hours of operation, visit our Library Page.
Q: WHERE IS ONU LAW LOCATED?
A: Ohio Northern University is located in the beautiful community of Ada, OH. Ada is located between the cities of Toledo and Dayton and is 20 minutes east of Lima, Ohio. The environment is quiet and peaceful, which lends itself very nicely to the study of law. The campus is filled with 342 acres of beautiful trees and lush forests (2011 Tree Campus USA), several ponds and plenty of friendly faces. ONU is also within easy driving distance of more than 10 major U.S. cities: Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, Indianapolis, Ft. Wayne, Detroit, and Louisville, among others.
Q: SCHEDULING & CURRICULUM
A: ONU Law was recognized in 2012 as one of the most innovative law schools by the National Jurist. For a full guide to your First Year Curriculum, click here.
After your first year at ONU, you meet with your advisors to determine your areas of interest. You can then choose to take additional courses in that area of interest. Click here for a list of our available Certificate Programs.
Q: WHAT IS THE SUMMER STARTER PROGRAM? | High GPA, Low LSAT
A: We have a non-conditional summer program for students with high GPAs and disproportionately lower LSAT scores. This program consists of two first year courses totaling eight credit hours, which are completed in eight weeks in the Summer prior to entering law school (beginning early June). Students are advised 3 times a week individually and in groups, as well as tested weekly. This program is a great way to get a jump start in law school. Many of our Summer Starter students have gone on to be the top of their class. If you fall into the category of "I'm a great student, I am just not great at standardized testing," than this may be the program for you.
Q: WHAT WILL MY THREE YEARS BE LIKE?
A: The first year is the most critical and anxiety filled. The second year is more academically demanding, and the third has the additional pressures of preparing for the bar and for employment after graduation, so each has its claim as the most difficult. Being in a smaller environment like ONU Law, you'll have a great support system among the many friends, faculty, and staff members you'll find here. To learn more about our Academic Support programs, click here.
Q: WHEN WILL A DECISION BE MADE REGARDING MY APPLICATION?
A: We make every effort to be in contact with all applicants within 6-8 weeks of applying, but this is not necessarily a final decision. We typically begin applicant review mid-December. We have no application fee, so we encourage you to apply now for the greatest consideration for admission and scholarship.
Q: ARE LAPTOPS REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED?
A: Most students do bring laptops to law school. Both PCs and Macs are used. Free updated versions of Microsoft Office are provided during orientation your first year.
For answers to any additional questions you may have, please contact an admissions representative! Toll-Free: 866-452-9668 or Email Us: lawadmissions@onu.edu
