FAQ Admittees

Barry University School of Law
Frequently Asked Admissions Questions (Admitted Candidates)

Do I need to send official transcripts from my prior schools? Yes, this is extremely important! You will not be allowed to attend class until ALL official transcripts from every undergraduate institution you attended (whether you received a degree or not) are received. Ask your school to send the official transcript to the following address: Ms. Kim Rupert, Admissions Office Manager, Barry University School of Law, 6441 E. Colonial Drive , Orlando , Florida 32807 . For those schools where you did receive a degree, the official transcript must state the degree conferred and the date. For example: Bachelor of Arts degree conferred, May 1996.

When can I expect to receive my registration packet? The Registrar expects to send the registration packets in early to mid-June. Keep in mind that for the first academic year, you do not have any choice with regard to classes as these are assigned. All 1L (first year) students will take the same courses, though they may have different professors. After the first year, you still have other course requirements but you may choose your schedule at that point.

When should I fill out the FAFSA to receive the Federal Stafford Loan? You should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible so the financial aid office has plenty of time to process your loan and ensure that your law school studies will not be delayed. Almost any law school candidate can receive this federal loan money ($20,500 per year) subject to the restrictions listed on the FAFSA web site. You may complete this application from our web site at www.barry.edu/law (click on Financial Aid). We do have other private loans available to further supplement your educational expenses. See the web site for more information.

Is a laptop required? No, a laptop is not required but many students use them to take notes and exams. The Barry Law campus offers wireless access in all buildings. The IT department will assist you during orientation to be sure your computer is law-school ready.

What should I do if I realize there is something omitted from my original application for admission? You must amend your application as soon as possible if you realize you omitted something. Such amendments must be submitted in writing reporting the relevant information and explanation for omission. You must also sign and date.

Do I have a continuing responsibility to update this application while a student at the law school? Yes, absolutely. Just because a significant event occurred after you submitted your application does not mean you do not have to report it. For example, if you are charged with a crime at any time after the date on your application, you must submit all related paperwork for inclusion in your file. Check with the Registrar to amend your application.

May I register for the Florida Bar as a first-year law student? Yes, first-year law students are encouraged to register with the Board during the first year of law school. The Board of Bar Examiners of the Florida Bar is expected to make a presentation at Orientation to address all of your questions.

When is orientation? Is it mandatory? Orientation is mandatory and is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2009 through Friday, August 21, 2009. Please make a note of the dates; further details will be released in June. The first day of class is scheduled for Monday, August 24, 2009.

How does the law school assist students academically? 1) Orientation: Barry Law provides an intensive orientation program with a broad overview of the topics most critical to new law students including an introduction to the common law, statutory law, the basic skills necessary to succeed in law school, concepts of professionalism, and the bar examination. 2) Study Group Program: All full and part time students in the first semester of the first year are assigned to study groups led by upper division Study Group Leaders (SGLs). The groups focus on the doctrinal subjects for a period of three weeks. This approach allows the SGLs to focus on developing study skills rather than the substance of a particular course. The program continues into the spring semester for those students who indicate an interest and commitment to attend. SGLs meet with their groups on a weekly basis and hold office hours for individual questions. 3) Academic Success Workshops: Professor Swezey teaches a series of study skills workshops which include the following: Outlining and Alternative Study Aids; Planning for Exams; Exam Writing Overview; and Advanced Exam Writing. 4) Individual Counseling: Students meet with their faculty advisors to discuss a range of academic and professional development issues. Students may also meet with Professor Swezey on any topic related to their academic success. Individual tutoring consists of identifying weaknesses interfering with success, creating a plan for addressing weaknesses, and developing a series of tasks designed to address the most common problems.

What about bar prep? In 2003, the law school implemented a formal supplemental bar preparatory program, at no cost to law students. The program includes lectures, simulated exams, and individual tutoring on both the national and Florida portions of the exam. Recently the law school hired a full time bar preparation coordinator, Ms. Kohler-Line, and expanded the multi-state portion of the program. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Ms. Kohler-Line at kline@mail.barry.edu.

Can I work during law school? Part Time students may work as desired. However, Full Time students may not work more than 20 hours per week per the ABA standards and Barry Law policy. Full Time students must sign a form indicating that they understand this rule and agree to abide by it. These forms will be given out by the Registrar during orientation. The law school encourages students to focus on their studies during the first academic year.

Does Barry offer scholarships? How do I apply for a scholarship? Yes! Barry Law is very proud of the scholarship program. In fact, 75 percent of last year's entering class received an institutional scholarship from $1000 to $20,000 . Admitted candidates are automatically considered for scholarships and do not need to complete any additional forms. If a scholarship is offered to you, notice will be sent within 3 to 4 weeks of your official acceptance letter. Barry Law wants you to have this information as soon as possible in order to weigh your options.

What happens if I don't meet the required law GPA to maintain my Barry institutional scholarship? The scholarship renewal process automatically occurs after Spring term grades are posted. Renewal is based on the student maintaining the minimum cumulative grade-point-average (cgpa) noted in the award letter. Unlike most schools which remove scholarships if renewal criteria are not met, Barry University School of Law will reduce your scholarship if the required cgpa is not earned but is within a certain range of the requirement. If the cgpa is outside of this range, the scholarship will be removed.

What kind of financial aid is available aside from scholarships? Students are eligible for the Federal Stafford Loan regardless of financial circumstances (certain criminal convictions may be a hindrance, however). This covers $20,500 of tuition. The remaining tuition (don't forget to subtract scholarship money) and living expenses can be covered via loans from private lenders obtained on your own or via our financial aid office. Feel free to contact the financial aid department for more information about subsidized loans and special payment plans (Connie Allman at callman@mail.barry.edu and Jean Walker at jmwalker@mail.barry.edu.).

Can I defer my acceptance for more than one year? Is my scholarship offer still valid if my deferral is granted? Accepted candidates may request a one-year deferral in writing. The admissions committee will reassess the file during the following admissions cycle based on the new parameters set for the next entering class. There is no guarantee that such deferrals will be granted. If approved, the applicant may be asked to complete a new signed application to ensure nothing has changed from the time of initial application. Previous scholarship offers are not renewable. However, if the deferral is granted, the file will be considered for any scholarships currently available.

Does Barry Law offer on-campus housing? No, Barry Law does not offer on-campus housing. However, the Orlando area has a wealth of apartments and houses for rent. Students may check with the admissions office for a list of apartments where law students currently live, the local newspaper, or agencies like Apartment Hunters.

How can I find a roommate at this point (not knowing anyone from my class)? In June, admissions will start a new message board for the entering class of 2008. In the past, this has been one medium by which classmates could arrange social gatherings, inquire about apartments and those interested in a room mate, and other school-related information. Orlando also has other services for room mate matching. You may try Apartment Hunters (apartmenthunters.com), 4809 E. Colonial Drive , Orlando . They can assist you with apartment searches and room mate matching. Ask for Ken or Shirley. Other than that, you may want to consider living alone for the first semester or first year and then approaching a potential room mate once you get to know the folks in your class.

Is Barry Law accredited? Yes. On December 2, 2006, the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association (ABA) granted full accreditation, effective immediately, to Barry University School of Law. The School of Law, established 1999, was provisionally approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) in February 2002.

How large is the entering class? The goal for the entering class changes each year. For the entering class of 2008, the admissions office is planning for 150 Full Time day students and 50 Part Time evening students. Full time day students are generally divided into two sections.

Are summer classes available after the first year? Yes. After completing first year courses, students may attend the summer session. The available courses offered during the summer change each year. Look for the summer schedule sometime during the spring semester. Summer classes are charged on a per credit basis as opposed to the fall and spring semesters included in the annual tuition figure. Check with the financial aid office for current per credit hour rates and for information regarding available financial aid during the summer. Barry Law will honor credits for study abroad as long as the program in question is ABA-approved.

Checklist Prior to Orientation

• Return registration packet to the Registrar within 2 weeks of receipt
• Send official transcripts from every institution you ever attended
• Fill out FAFSA and other loan paperwork as soon as possible
• Secure housing and transportation
• Attend mandatory orientation (Monday, August 17, 2009 through Friday, August 21, 2009).