Early Start Program

Barry Law recognizes that many students have great potential to be successful in law school despite less competitive GPA or LSAT scores. In July each year, Barry Law's Early Start program is offered to approximately 30-40 students who are granted full admission at the time they enter this summer program. Early Start students are not competing against each other for a few seats; each student is a fully-enrolled Barry Law student from the day the Early Start summer program begins.

Early Start allows a group of students to get a head start by enrolling in two courses during the summer, including a three-credit substantive course plus a one-credit elective. Furthermore, Early Start students enjoy a reduced course load in the Fall or Spring semester, depending on the curriculum as designated each academic year.  Program attendees are invited back in the fall semester as long as the summer courses are completed, regardless of the grades in the courses.  The substantive course, usually Criminal Law, must be repeated if a student earns a failing grade during Early Start.  Additional study sessions or seminars may also be required for Early Start students for supplementary skill building.  Students who complete Early Start generally finish the first year of law school with an extra course credit, as compared with their peers who did not complete Early Start. 

Early Start is an invitation-only program.  There is no separate application for the program; instead, the Admissions Committee will extend invitations to appropriate candidates.  Federal loans and private loans are available for this special program.