CLEO, the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, is a non-profit project of the American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education, dedicated to diversifying the legal profession by expanding legal education opportunities for members of under represented groups. Governed by the Association of American Law Schools, American Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, Law School Admission Council, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, National Bar Association, and the Society of American Law Teachers, CLEO provides pre-law recruitment, counseling, placement assistance, and training to increase the number of qualified students in law school. More than 6000 economically disadvantaged students have been oriented to law school through the CLEO Pre-Law Summer Institutes since 1968. Pre-Law Summer Institutes The six-week pre-law summer institute is the core of the CLEO program and is held on law school campuses across the country. Designed to evaluate the student's capacity for learning the law while simultaneously acclimating them to the law school process, the curriculum is taught by full-time law professors and simulates the rigors of the first year of law school. Pre-Law Curriculum Specialist As the premier pre-law curriculum specialist, CLEO focuses on legal methods and techniques that emphasize developing the students' abstract thinking, analysis, and synthesizing skills and has a track record of success. Legal writing and briefing are also stressed. Building its 30-year reputation on credibility within the legal education community, CLEO is the only national organization that has successfully placed qualified applicants, with less than traditional academic indicators, in over 170 ABA-accredited law schools. High Standards and Credibility CLEO delivers the highest quality service, a proven curriculum, experienced instructors, and small classes. Over 90% of the students who attend the institute enter law school in the fall. High standards, strict evaluation criteria, and a commitment to excellence foster an environment of success. Who is eligible to participate in the CLEO program? CLEO assists individuals who have a strong desire to join the legal profession. Many students with low LSAT scores and GPAs would not be admitted to law school without the benefit of CLEO. In order to qualify, applicants must be eligible to attend an ABA-approved law school at the completion of the summer program. While CLEO summer institute participants must meet predetermined academic requirements, CLEO recognizes and considers the numerous challenges many of our applicants have overcome in pursuit of their goals. Is CLEO for me? CLEO fellows consist of both those already accepted into law school and those needing placement assistance. In fact, about 60% of the participants have already been admitted to law school prior to the start of the program. Many CLEO fellows were reared in inner city or rural areas. Their grandfathers were not partners in major law firms, nor do they have an uncle who they can call on for assistance. Consequently, common legal terms, e.g. plaintiff, defendant, appellant, appellee, jurisdiction, duty, breach, causation, etc. are not part of their everyday vocabulary. Recognizing that competition in law school can be intimidating, these students devote six weeks to briefing cases, preparing outlines, practicing the Socratic method, and learning the legal terminology that will enable them to begin law school with an added boost of confidence. What are Alumni saying about CLEO? “The CLEO program was a stepping stone which gave me a lift at the most critical time in my quest to become a member of the legal profession. I can honestly say that my experience with CLEO paved the way for my career.” Michael D. Rosier, Washington Bar Association Past President “CLEO's efforts in providing intellectual encouragement solidified my desire for achievement in the legal arena. CLEO has done more than its share in fulfilling the American promise of equal opportunity, while instilling its graduates with a sense of commitment to the moral and philosophical ideals upon which this country was founded. It truly personifies America at its best.” Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Judge, Third Circuit Court of Appeals, State of Louisiana “CLEO has been an excellent source of support, opening many doors and giving me opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise. I am deeply indebted to CLEO. Thank you for believing in me when others did not.” Elsie Mata, Third Year Student, University of Michigan Law School How do I apply to the CLEO Summer Institute? Complete and mail the attached application, including a personal statement, four self-addressed stamped envelopes, and a $20 application fee in the form of a money order (personal checks can not be accepted). You must also register for the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) through the Law School Admission Council. Students applying under the low income category must also fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid which can be found at www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/express. html. Letters of recommendation are optional. All students whose application is complete by November 30, will be part of the first group of applicants to be considered for the summer program. The application deadline is February 1, 2000. How much does it cost to attend the CLEO Summer Institute? Low income students pay $200. All other students pay $2,000.