UCLA School of Law is committed to providing academic assistance to any student with demonstrated academic need. UCLA's academic support program is known across the country as an innovative and effective program. Professor Pavel Wonsowicz is the director of the program; this year he will teach a special section of Constitutional Law and an upper level course in Evidence. Professor Wonsowicz also conducts skills workshops and coordinates the Teaching Fellow-led study groups.
PROGRAMS FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
TEACHING FELLOW-LED STUDY GROUPS
Second- and third-year students with excellent academic records are hired as Teaching Fellows (TFs) to conduct weekly study groups for one course per section in the fall, and for one course per section in the spring. The TFs help students to develop effective study skills and to learn how to approach questions on exams. In the fall semester, any first-year student may sign up for a study group. In the spring semester, students may apply to participate in a group; they are admitted based primarily on first-semester grades. Both the fall and the spring groups require regular attendance. Any student, whether or not they are enrolled in the study groups, may get the handouts from the sessions.
All 1Ls will receive sign-up information for the TF-led study groups in the third week of class.
EXAM WORKSHOPS
Exam and outlining workshops are offered in the second half of the fall semester. All first-year students will receive a schedule of the exam workshops. All 1Ls are encouraged to attend.
WRITTEN EXERCISES
In the fall semester, every first-year section has several written exercises to help students sharpen their skills in analysis and legal writing.
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW SECTION 9
First-year students may elect to take Professor Wonsowicz's section of Constitutional Law in the spring semester. Students work on their analytical and writing skills through short written exercises, practice exams, and a mid-term. Students receive course credit; admission to the course is by permission of the instructor. Applications are available during the first week of the spring semester.
ACADEMIC COUNSELING
Professor Wonsowicz and Dean of Students Elizabeth Cheadle are available to counsel students on study skills, outlining, and exam techniques. They can also discuss course selection for the second year.
UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW SUMMER PROGRAM
The summer program is an intensive seven-day residential program for 40 incoming students, taught by 15 UCLA faculty members. The program has been highly successful in orienting students to law school and preparing them for the study of law. The students are introduced to skills such as reading and briefing a case, distinguishing cases, and interpreting statutes. These skills are reinforced through writing assignments and study groups.
PROGRAMS FOR SECOND- AND THIRD-YEAR STUDENTS
WILLS & TRUSTS: FALL
Second- and third-year students may elect to take Wills & Trusts with Professor Goodman. Students work on their analytical skills through a mid-term and many short in-class problems. Selected students may also attend a weekly study group with Professor Goodman; selection is based on the student's GPA.
EVIDENCE: FALL
Second- and third-year students may elect to take Evidence with Professor Wonsowicz. Students work on their analytical skills through a mid-term and many short in-class problems. Selected students may also attend a weekly study group with Professor Wonsowicz; selection is based on the student's GPA.
FACULTY-LED STUDY GROUPS
Several faculty members teaching bar courses volunteer to hold sessions for students in academic difficulty. Students are invited to these sessions by Dean Cheadle.
ACADEMIC COUNSELING
Professor Wonsowicz is available to counsel students on study skills, outlining, and exam techniques. He and Dean Cheadle can also discuss course selection for the third year.
For more information, please contact:
Professor Pavel Wonsowicz, Room 3349, (310) 206-8256
Dean of Students Elizabeth Cheadle, Room 1224A, (310) 825-4891