Rafael Casallas is on a fast track to a career in law and today marks a bigΒ step alongΒ the track.
Itβs the first day of law school for the 19-year-old legal studies senior, who is attending Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law through a 3+3 Accelerated Law Program established by ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ and Barry Law.
Casallas is the first student in the program, which will enable him to complete a bachelorβs degree and a law degree in six years rather than the traditional seven, saving a year of time and tuition expenses.
βThis program works perfectly for me,β said Casallas, who earned an associate degree from Valencia College while completing his diploma at Lake Nona High School.
In addition to reducing his time in college, the program is enabling Casallas to begin law school now because Barry offers a spring start date for new students. In fact, Barry is one of just a few accredited law programs to offer this option.
Casallas also was attracted to Barryβs close proximity to ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ and his family, who moved from Colombia to Central Florida when he was seven.
Establishing an accelerated law program was a top goal for Professor James Beckman when he served as inaugural chair of the Department of Legal Studies from 2011 to 2016.
βThe fact that Barry Law is in Orlando made it a perfect partner for a 3+3 program,β said Beckman. βStudents who have obligations tying them to Orlando or who cannot afford to leave Orlando can achieve both degrees here and a year earlier than normal.β
As a legal studies major, Casallas already has been exposed to the topics heβll encounter in his first year of law school.
βOur curriculum includes legal research, legal writing, property, civil practice, criminal law, torts, constitutional law and contracts,β said Rupert Neish,Β professional advisor for the legal studies program. βLaw school admission reps say our students tend to be well-prepared for their first year of law school.β
Casallas said he hasΒ βloved the legal studies majorβ and would recommend it to anyone. βThe professors really help you out,β he said. βEveryone wants to help you succeed.β
Alisa Smith, chair of the Department of Legal Studies since July 2016, said the accelerated law program βis a great opportunity for motivated students.β
βThe best candidates for the program are students who have thought about lawΒ school for years,β she said. βTheyβll have an advantage working with the legal studies program early in their college career and in successfully completing the intensive 3+3 experience.β
To be considered for the accelerated law program, ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ students must declare a legal studies major, apply to the accelerated program in their freshman or sophomore year, and attend college full time. Students in the accelerated program must meet the eligibility and admission requirements at Barry Law to gain admission.
Casallas said he feels ready for law school thanks to his education at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ and his use of daily exercise to relieve stress. βIf you have a healthy body, you have a healthy mind,β he said.
Barry Law student Clyde Lemon approved. βKeep that mentality. Youβre going to need it,β he said. As a third-year student, Lemon knows the law school well. βWe call ourselves the Barry Law Family,β he said. βWeβre always willing to help each other out. Weβre all going through the same thing.β
Casallas recently attended Admit Day for incoming students at Barry Law. βIt was amazing. I met a lot of interesting students and everyone was so excited,β he said. βThat kind of energy is contagious.β
βWe are very excited to have Rafael as our first student in the 3 + 3 program,β said Barry Law Dean Leticia Diaz. βWeβre enthusiastically looking forward to this first admission paving the way for more ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ students in the legal studies program to follow suit and join us here at Barry Law.β
Diaz said she thinks the 3+3 program is an excellent way for students at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ to seamlessly transition to Barry Law and get an early start on their path to a legal career. βFortunately, we have amazing faculty and a dedicated staff to help guide students through the process,β she added.
Ten years from now, Casallas hopes to look back and celebrate his decision to attend law school. In the interim, he looks forward to earning his bachelorβs and law degrees and to launching a successful career.
In addition to the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program at Barry, two other accelerated law programs are available to ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ students. For information about ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½βs program with Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in New York (Long Island), contact rupert.neish@ucf.edu. For information about ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½βs program with Florida State University of Law, open to all majors, contact the ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising at phpladvising@ucf.edu. The first ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ student to enter the accelerated law program at FSU began last fall (see ).
(Photo by Abi Bell)