This article was originally published on December 2020 and was fully updated on October 12, 2026 to reflect the latest information and recommendations.
Getting a good score on the LSAT can feel like the end all be all when it comes to law school admissions.
At ONU Law, however, we recognize that there are other ways of determining if an applicant has what it takes to succeed in law school. Our Summer Starter Program is perfect for those students who feel like their academic potential isn’t reflected in their LSAT score.
What is the Summer Starter Program?
The Summer Starter program is an 8-week program consisting of two first-year classes (8 credit hours), such as Civil Procedure and Legal Analysis, that will ease you into law school and build confidence. In this rigorous program, you’ll grow your abilities in class preparation, test preparation, and study skills at weekly individual sessions with academic support personnel. You’ll also have frequent examinations and evaluations of your test results that help you track your progress and find areas of improvement.
Upon completing the program, you’ll have earned 8 hours of JD credit that can give you a head start on your legal education. In fact, some 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. After you complete the program, you’re automatically enrolled in the fall entering class.
Who is the Summer Starter Program for?
The Summer Starter program is designed for students who have excelled as undergraduates but received a lower LSAT score.
“As a summer starter, I was given the opportunity to demonstrate my ability to succeed in law school, despite a lower LSAT score,” says alumna Allison Kesler. “Other law schools wouldn’t consider my application, but ONU was willing to take a chance on me, and I am forever grateful.”
Is the Summer Starter Program a qualifier program?
No — all students admitted into the Summer Starter Program become a member of the entering fall class. However, Summer Starter students have until the end of spring semester to establish or maintain good academic standing.
What are the benefits of the Summer Starter Program?
The Summer Starter Program provides students with the opportunity to get a jumpstart on their law school skills and knowledge by touching upon every facet of the law school experience. Benefits of the Summer Starter Program include:
- Small class sizes and access to faculty
- Automatic fall entry
- 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
“The Summer Starter Program benefitted me because it gave me practice in reading cases and experience in taking law exams with necessary feedback,” says law graduate Rebecca Karol. “Either one of those are extremely valuable on their own, but having both made all the difference!”
And law student and student law ambassador, Gabriella Evilsizor says, “ONU Law’s Summer Starter Program gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to perform at my highest level.”
Since they establish a solid foundation of academic skills in the Summer Starter program, our Summer Starter students are set up for academic success throughout their studies.
“I find it very rewarding to see SSP students develop the confidence and skills necessary to be leaders in their law school classes, and beyond,” says Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of Legal Research and Writing, Professor Allison Mittendorf. “In fact, many students from our SSP program graduate at the top of their law school classes.”
That was the case for Summer Starter Savannah Murphy. "I chose ONU Law because they were the only school that could look past my low LSAT score and see a hardworking, dedicated student. I am dyslexic. I worked long and hard for many years to get to a point where I did not need accommodations. My triumph helped me succeed in all scenarios except standardized testing. I needed somebody to listen to that side of my story. ONU Law did. Their Summer Starter Program game me the tools I needed to be a successful law student." Savannah graduated three years later as the valedictorian of her class.
Summer Starter students also serve in leadership roles in student organizations, compete on national and international moot court teams, and act as peer mentors.
What is the application process like for the Summer Starter program?
No separate application for the Summer Starter Program is required. Instead, students should submit the general fall application from early September until the middle of May. With their application, students are encouraged to include a statement of interest in the program. If you’re interested in the Summer Starter program, you should also apply early because once the spots are filled, interviews are no longer granted.
Our admissions team reads through every application to determine whether or not an applicant is a good fit for the Summer Starter Program. If you qualify, you’ll receive an personal email invitation to interview. The in-person interview is required to be considered for the program. Each year, we interview about 75 students to fill the 25 available seats.
What is the interview process like?
In the in-person interview, you’ll meet with a law admissions counselor and interview with two members of the Admissions Committee and the dean of the College of Law. You will also receive a complete tour of the law building and have lunch or coffee with a former Summer Starter student.
“I decided to participate in the Summer Starter Program because after my interview I knew that the school was the best fit for me, especially the Summer Starter Program, because the faculty care about their students and don’t treat them like they are a statistic,” says alumna Amanda Hudson. “The Summer Starter Program also gave me the opportunity to adjust to law school and the course load before the busy fall semester.”
Where do students live during the Summer Starter program?
Students can choose to live in on-campus housing and stay on-campus after the program’s completed, or they can move off-campus for the rest of their time at ONU Law.
How much does the Summer Starter Program cost?
ONU’s reduced tuition is comparable to most private (and even public) law schools without the benefits of the Summer Starter program. In fact, ONU Law is the most affordable private law school in the Great Lakes Region.
Financial aid is also available to Summer Starter students. All applicants are evaluated for grants and merit-based scholarships.
Get a Jumpstart on Law School With the Summer Starter Program
Does the ONU Law Summer Starter Program seem like a good fit for you? We’re proud to offer this unique opportunity to students whose outstanding undergraduate performance indicates that they have the academic potential to succeed in law school.
“I most definitely believe that the Summer Starter Program has set me up for success in my future legal career,” says Amanda Hudson. “The program perfected my study habits, introduced me to the new world of legal writing, and prepared me for the workload that law school presents.”
Apply for the Summer Starter program by submitting ONU Law’s free online application.