Worst...news...ever

[creationstory]

Just applied for admission to Charter Oak last week, all set with 80 credits under my belt and a degree plan ready to go using only CLEP and DSST...and I get this email. Now there is no way I'll be able to finish in time to go to law school next year, I will have to take real 15 week courses. This stinks.

June 16, 2010



Dear Prospective Student,

A new academic year begins at Charter Oak State College on July 1, 2010, and I am writing to advise you of some changes you need to be aware of as you plan your next step toward earning a Charter Oak degree.

Effective July 1, 2010, we will have a three credit cornerstone course which will be required of all new students. This is our way of ensuring that you are prepared to succeed in completing your degree. The course is offered in an 8-week term and must be taken in your first term of study.

Students matriculated after June 30, 2010, will be required to earn 30 credits at the upper level. Presently, the academic requirement mandates that 30 credits are earned from beyond a two year college, with 15-18 credits being at the upper level. This is a significant change and may impact any degree plan that was issued prior to June 30. Please consult with your assigned Admissions Counselor for more information on this change.

The cost of developing and providing high quality academic programs and services continues to rise. In response, we must, reluctantly, raise some of our charges, including our academic services fee and course tuition. While no one wants to hear anything is going to cost more, if you look closely, we believe you will still find that completing your education with us remains quite a bargain. Effective July 1, 2010, most fees will be increased approximately 4%.

Not only are our fees/tuition amongst the lowest both in the state and compared to other distance learning providers, you also save time and money because we have a very generous transfer credit acceptance policy. We accept up to 87 credits from an accredited two-year college and there is no age-limit on the acceptance of credits. Hence, the total number of credits remaining in your degree is often less than you would find at a traditional college or university.

We recognize that when you applied to Charter Oak State College you had a goal in mind – completing your degree, economically and conveniently. We intend to help you achieve that goal. Contact the Admissions Staff (860) 832-3855 or [email protected] to take your next steps towards completing your degree!

We look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Lori Gagne Pendleton
Director of Admissions

ok.. if law school is your goal...


Prospective Students | Students | Incoming Students


Applying Without a Bachelor’s Degree
Most Cooley students have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Yet, under court rules adopted by the Michigan Supreme Court, an applicant may also attend if the student has completed at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours either toward an undergraduate degree from an accredited school or from an accredited junior or community college.
Cooley Law School welcomes inquiries from individuals with associate's degrees or 60 to 90 credits at a four-year institution.
Students who have completed from one-half to three-quarters of the work necessary for a bachelor’s degree must meet the admission requirements outlined in the next two sections to qualify for admission. Please call the Admissions Office at (517) 371-5140, ext. 2244 if you have any questions about your particular circumstance.



3/4 Rule
At Cooley, to be admitted without a bachelor’s degree, but with three-quarters of the work completed necessary for the degree, Cooley will need a statement from a four-year institution confirming that you have completed 90 semester hours applicable toward a bachelor’s degree.



You must register with the LSDAS for the transcript evaluation of all your undergraduate work. We will use three-fourths of the cumulative undergraduate GPA, (UGPA determined by Law Services), in calculating your Cooley index. You must meet the minimum LSAT score and index required for Regular Admission. Ninety (90) semester hours must be completed and applicable towards a bachelor's degree. The formula is:



UGPA x .75 x 15 = Product
Product + LSAT Score = Cooley Admission Index



Two-year Rule
At Cooley, to be admitted without a bachelor’s degree, but with 60 semester hours, Cooley will need a statement from a four-year institution confirming that you have completed 60 semester hours applicable toward the bachelor’s degree or proof of completion of an associate’s degree with 60 hours applicable towards a bachelor's degree. If you have completed two years of college but not three-quarters of your courses, you must still register with the LSDAS for transcript evaluation of all of your undergraduate work. We will use one-half of the cumulative undergraduate GPA (UGPA determined by Law Services) in calculating your Cooley index. You must meet the minimum LSAT score and index required for Regular Admission. Sixty (60) semester hours must be completed and applicable towards a bachelor's degree.



The formula is:


UGPA x .50 x 15 = Product
Product + LSAT Score = Cooley Admission Index



If you are applying to Cooley Law School under the two-year rule and you meet the index requirement for Regular Admission, your file will be reviewed by the Faculty Admissions Committee. The Committee will determine whether you have the maturity level sufficient for the study of law and for beginning law practice. You will be required to write a statement (1) explaining why you want to start law school without a bachelor’s degree and (2) convincing the Committee to accept your application.



Please Note
Some state bars require a bachelor's degree; however, the State Bar of Michigan does not. Please check the educational requirements of the bar in the state in which you plan to practice law.