Pitt hosts pre-law boot camp

‘ ‘ ‘ Military boot camp is tough, and so is law school. ‘ ‘ ‘ For six weeks this summer, 40… ‘ ‘ ‘ Military boot camp is tough, and so is law school. ‘ ‘ ‘ For six weeks this summer, 40 students will participate in an intensive program called the Summer Regional Institute, that covers the basics of the legal profession. The Council on Legal Education Opportunity runs this program to help students with undergraduate degrees prepare for law school. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘It’s been described as law school boot camp,’ said Kevin Deasy, Pitt law school’s associate dean of students. ‘ ‘ ‘ During those six weeks, students will be covering as much material as possible, said Deasy. Because of the shortened time span, parts of the program are actually more difficult than law school, said Deasy. ‘ ‘ ‘ The program is considered a good preparation for law school, said Deasy. Pitt sometimes recruits through the program, and as many as four students might come to Pitt. ‘ ‘ ‘ Since 1991, Deasy has taught for the council at the University of Missouri School of Law, Dickinson School of Law and Pitt. In the CLEO program, schools and faculty generally try to exchange ideas and make the program as comprehensive and consistent as possible, he said. ‘ ‘ ‘ Deasy described the program’s participants as motivated and ‘hungry to learn.’ Many participants have gone on to succeed in law school and in their profession beyond, said Deasy. The alumni section of the council’s Web site features partners in law firms, professors and attorneys. ‘ ‘ ‘ The students sent applications through the program’s administration up until the Feb. 2 deadline and, once selected, chose a program to attend. This summer’s programs are at Pitt and at the Southern Illinois University Law School. ‘ ‘ ‘ Admission is somewhat flexible and can allow students admission if they have less than desirable LSAT scores or GPA, according to the council’s Web site. ‘ ‘ ‘ Since 1993, Pitt has hosted this program eight times. The University plans to apply every other summer, said Charmaine McCall, the law school’s assistant dean of admissions and financial aid. McCall also directs the CLEO program at Pitt. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘The students are really helped by this. They’re being taught by the best,’ said McCall. ‘ ‘ ‘ The CLEO program is federally subsidized and tries to minimize cost to participants. The six-week session costs $2,000 this year, and some students in need of aid pay as little as $200. ‘ ‘ ‘ The CLEO program was founded by a federal statute in 1968 to help diversify the legal profession, according to its Web site. More than 7,500 students have participated in the program since it began in 1968.