Academic Support Program

At USF, we understand that the path to law school isn’t the same for everyone. The demands of a legal education can be especially challenging for students who have faced educational, economic, cultural, or historical barriers, or who are returning to the classroom after time away.

More than 35 years ago, USF created the Academic Support Program (ASP) to ensure that every talented student has the opportunity to succeed. Applicants may indicate interest in the program on their application, and the Admissions Committee then identifies applicants who may benefit most from ASP through a careful, holistic review.

ASP gives students the tools, strategies, and community they need to thrive. The program begins with a two-week summer orientation that fosters connection and introduces effective learning techniques. Throughout the first year, ASP students join study groups led by upper-division mentors and take a course designed to strengthen legal analysis and exam-writing skills. The program director also meets individually with each student to monitor progress, build personalized study plans, and refine writing.