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What is the Early Welcome Program?
The Early Welcome Program, initiated in 2005, is a four-day pre-Orientation program designed to foster active, collaborative learning and a skills-based approach to law studies. Early Welcome gives its participants an early introduction to the College of Law, the University of Idaho, and the Moscow community as well as to the study of law. Through individual and group work, participants start developing skills they will use throughout their legal careers, from case reading and briefing to time management and professional development.
How are participants chosen?
Because the program is limited to approximately one quarter of the entering 1L class, about half the class is invited to participate. Usually we can accommodate every person who wishes to participate, but occasionally we may not be able to offer a place to every student who is interested. We strive to have Early Welcome reflect the class's broad diversity in terms of academic indicators, age, ethnicity, native language, residency, and other factors.
Is Early Welcome a remedial program?
No! Early Welcome participants usually end up reflecting the incoming class as a whole in terms of admissions “numbers.” Participants' LSAT scores and grades tend to mirror those of the class as a whole, with some high, some low, and many mid-range LSAT scores. Of the thirteen participants of our first Early Welcome Program who graduated in May 2008, five graduated cum laude or above and one earned the highest cumulative GPA in her class.
What happens during Early Welcome?
Through skills workshops, lectures, small group exercises, and social events, Early Welcome participants practice developing professional skills that they will use in law school and throughout their legal careers. All Early Welcome events are designed to instill three traits of highly successful law students:
• participating actively in learning,
• approaching the study of law as mastering skills, and
• working collaboratively with peers, faculty, and staff.
What type of classes are offered?
Here’s a representative sample of presentations in previous Early Welcome programs:
• Introduction to Law and the Legal System
• Case Reading and Introduction to Briefing
• Law School Finances
• Introduction to the Law School Class
• Taking and Transforming Notes
• Actual law school classes (subject matter varies)
• Introduction to Learning Styles
Who teaches in Early Welcome?
The program is team-taught by selected faculty members and staff. Upper-division students, including Early Welcome alumni, also participate. In 2007, the Early Welcome faculty consisted of
Associate Dean and Professor Richard Seamon
Professor Monica Schurtman
Professor D. Benjamin Beard
Director Nancy Luebbert
Director Stephen Perez
What if I have more questions?
Contact the Director of Academic Support at 208-885-6211 or lawsupport@uidaho.edu.
Last updated 2008-06-13 |