# Summer Law and Trial Institute

Free, fully scholarshipped two-week pre-law institute at Ohio University for rising juniors and seniors from Appalachian Ohio, combining a virtual week with a residential week in Athens.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Ohio University Center for Law, Justice & Culture |
| Category | leadership |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 10–12 |
| Format | Hybrid (in person + online) |
| Location | Athens, OH |
| Apply | https://www.ohio.edu/cas/law-center/about/summer-institute |

## About this program

# Summer Law and Trial Institute

The Summer Law and Trial Institute is run by Ohio University's Center for Law, Justice & Culture to build legal literacy among high-achieving students from Appalachian Ohio - a region historically underrepresented in law school admissions. The institute is selective, free of charge, and fully scholarshipped.

## What You'll Do

- Start with a virtual week of daily sessions, roughly 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on legal reasoning and the justice system
- Move onto the Athens campus for a residential week of law and trial coursework
- Work with Ohio University law-and-society faculty and visiting legal practitioners
- Practice trial advocacy skills and examine justice issues in your own community
- Live in university housing and see what a college campus actually feels like

## Who Should Apply

High-achieving rising high school juniors and seniors from Appalachian Ohio; outstanding sophomores and students outside the region are considered if space permits. A 3.0 GPA is preferred. The application asks for a transcript, one letter of recommendation, and a 250-500 word essay on a justice issue facing the applicant's community.

## Outcomes

Participants leave with a residential university experience at no cost, a written and oral advocacy portfolio, and a faculty network inside a university center that runs pre-law advising - a concrete on-ramp for students weighing law, criminal justice, or public policy majors.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Summer Law and Trial Institute cost?

Summer Law and Trial Institute is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Summer Law and Trial Institute?

Summer Law and Trial Institute is open to high school students in grades 10–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Summer Law and Trial Institute online or in person?

Summer Law and Trial Institute is a hybrid program with both online and in-person components (in-person portions in Athens, OH).

### How do I apply to Summer Law and Trial Institute?

Apply directly through Ohio University Center for Law, Justice & Culture's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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