Summer Start
The summer start advantage
Summer Start Benefits
As a first-year student, you may choose to begin your studies at KU Law in the summer or the fall. Summer starters enjoy several advantages, including:
- Small Class Sizes: Summer start classes are significantly smaller than typical first-year law classes.
- Lighter Load: You'll work hard in summer school, but you'll only be taking two classes at a time.
- Flexible Start: Summer starters get an 8-credit head start on completing the 90 credits required to graduate, creating the opportunity to take fewer credits per semester and still graduate on time.
- Electives in the First Year: Because summer starters have already completed two substantive courses, they will take two elective courses in their first year.
Sample Schedule
Following is a sample schedule for the path you might take:
| Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year | 8 | 12 | - | 14 |
| Second Year | 2 | 14 | 2 | 14 |
| Third Year | - | 12 | - | 12 |
| Total Credits | 90 | |||
More Information About the Summer Start Program
Summer starters also have the option to choose an accelerated path to their degree.
Accelerated Program
Want to finish law school almost a year ahead of schedule? Summer starters who choose the Accelerated Program can complete their J.D. in a little over two years by attending school during summer and winter.
Here's how it's done:
| Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year | 8 | 16 | - | 16 |
| Second Year | 8 | 16 | 2 | 16 |
| Third Year | 8 | - | - | - |
| Total Credits | 90 | |||
Financial Considerations
For students worried about the cost of law school, the Accelerated Program is one way to keep your debt under control. Because tuition is on a per-credit payment system, you'll still end up paying about the same amount of tuition. So if the cost is the same, how do summer starters in the Accelerated Program save money?
- One less year in living expenses.
- Start your career one year early, providing a bonus year of employment.
- No student fees for the third year.
- Your scholarship may be affected depending on the terms of your scholarship. The terms will be available at the time of admission.
More Information for Summer Starters
How to Apply
The requirements and process for enrollment in the Summer Start program are the same as for the J.D. program, with the following exceptions:
- The deadline to apply for the Summer Start program is April 15.
- You will apply using the J.D. application on the LSAC website. The first question of the application asks whether you are applying for the "Fall Session" or "Summer Session." Please mark "Summer Session."
- Your choice of session is not binding until March 15. If you want to change your selection, you must inform the Admissions Office by that date.
Tuition
KU Law charges students on a per-credit basis, so tuition will be higher in your first year but lower in your second and third years. Comparing fall starters to summer starters demonstrates the difference:
| Fall Starters | Summer Starters | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | 29 credits | 37 credits |
| Second and Third Years | 61 credits | 53 credits |
Scholarships
Most scholarships are awarded per year, not per credit, and are disbursed in the fall and spring semesters. For example, if you have been awarded a $5,000 scholarship in the first year, you will receive a $2,500 award in the fall semester followed by a $2,500 award in the spring semester. Scholarships that are awarded on a per-credit basis will cover summer classes. For example, Jayhawk, Oread and Rice Scholarships will fully apply to summer classes.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for summer starters. For more information, please contact the KU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.
Information for 2023 Summer Starters
Information for 2023 Summer Starters, including class schedules, textbooks and first-day assignments, will be posted here beginning in spring 2023.
Find next steps for admitted students in our Admitted Students Portal.
Accelerated Program
Want to finish law school almost a year ahead of schedule? Summer starters who choose the Accelerated Program can complete their J.D. in a little over two years by attending school during summer and winter.
Here's how it's done:
| Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year | 8 | 16 | - | 16 |
| Second Year | 8 | 16 | 2 | 16 |
| Third Year | 8 | - | - | - |
| Total Credits | 90 | |||
Financial Considerations
For students worried about the cost of law school, the Accelerated Program is one way to keep your debt under control. Because tuition is on a per-credit payment system, you'll still end up paying about the same amount of tuition. So if the cost is the same, how do summer starters in the Accelerated Program save money?
- One less year in living expenses.
- Start your career one year early, providing a bonus year of employment.
- No student fees for the third year.
- Your scholarship may be affected depending on the terms of your scholarship. The terms will be available at the time of admission.
More Information for Summer Starters
How to Apply
The requirements and process for enrollment in the Summer Start program are the same as for the J.D. program, with the following exceptions:
- The deadline to apply for the Summer Start program is April 15.
- You will apply using the J.D. application on the LSAC website. The first question of the application asks whether you are applying for the "Fall Session" or "Summer Session." Please mark "Summer Session."
- Your choice of session is not binding until March 15. If you want to change your selection, you must inform the Admissions Office by that date.
Tuition
KU Law charges students on a per-credit basis, so tuition will be higher in your first year but lower in your second and third years. Comparing fall starters to summer starters demonstrates the difference:
| Fall Starters | Summer Starters | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | 29 credits | 37 credits |
| Second and Third Years | 61 credits | 53 credits |
Scholarships
Most scholarships are awarded per year, not per credit, and are disbursed in the fall and spring semesters. For example, if you have been awarded a $5,000 scholarship in the first year, you will receive a $2,500 award in the fall semester followed by a $2,500 award in the spring semester. Scholarships that are awarded on a per-credit basis will cover summer classes. For example, Jayhawk, Oread and Rice Scholarships will fully apply to summer classes.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for summer starters. For more information, please contact the KU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.
Information for 2023 Summer Starters
Information for 2023 Summer Starters, including class schedules, textbooks and first-day assignments, will be posted here beginning in spring 2023.
Find next steps for admitted students in our Admitted Students Portal.
Contact KU Law Admissions
103 Green Hall
admitlaw@ku.edu
866-220-3654