Academic Excellence Program

Our Academic Excellence Program (AEP), a learning community committed to excellence, provides you with the tools to help make your transition to law school easier. The program provides lessons on class and exam preparation, legal research, reading and writing.

What is a Learning Community?

A learning community is a group of people with shared values and beliefs actively engaged in learning together. The Academic Excellence Program is committed to helping you maximize your academic performance during the first semester of law school. As a law school learning community, the AEP:

  • Respects and values diversity
  • Includes an integration of knowledge and learning
  • Promotes active learning
  • Provides opportunities for meaningful reflection and assessment
  • Supports community development

AEP Orientation

AEP begins with an orientation program in Keller Hall Aug. 6-10, 2012. During AEP orientation, faculty, staff and upper-level students will introduce you to the methods of instruction and testing employed in law school. You will attend sessions on effective class preparation, critical reading, case briefing, legal writing and time and stress management.

During the Semester

Once the academic year begins, you will attend weekly small group sessions facilitated by successful upper-level students. The small group sessions will focus on the development and improvement of legal analysis and exam writing skills through handouts, practice problems and practice exams. Throughout the semester, you will receive extensive feedback on your class preparation strategies, course summaries and practice essay exam answers.

For More Information

Application Process

There is no cost to participate in AEP, and any student who thinks he or she would benefit from the program is invited to apply.

To apply, submit an application (PDF) and the required statement of interest to professor Staci Rucker by email or by fax at 937-229-4769. The deadline to apply is July 27.

For more information, contact Professor Rucker at 937-229-4072 or by email.

What Our Students Are Saying

Micha Hall, Class of 2012: “Because of my participation in AEP, I gained many new academic skills that have been critical to my overall law school success. AEP taught me how to use my own intellect to maximize my academic performance and, without guidance from AEP, I never would have realized my full academic potential.”