Emory University’s Pre-Law Program Aims to Get All Students into Law School

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Summary: One-hundred percent of Emory University’s pre-law program students received admission to law school last year. They expect this year to be the same.

Emory’s pre-law program is preparing for a successful end to the year. The Class of 2018 is preparing to match the same level set by the Class of 2017 where 100 percent of the 43 Emory seniors in the pre-law program who applied to law school were admitted, according to the Law School Admission Council data.

  

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While 100 percent is not necessarily surprising from a school with high admission standards. Emory alumni and graduating seniors have received 135 offers of admission from the country’s top 15 law schools. Emory seniors average around 94 percent between 2013 and 2017 on law school admissions rates, whereas the national average if under 77 percent during the same period.

The program has worked hard in its partnership with students, academic departments and the school’s Career Center to get results. Executive Director Paul Fowler of the Career Center said, “The fact that Emory ranks so well with admission of its pre-law students to law schools is a testimony to the talent and hard work of Emory students themselves and certainly the quality and rigor of the university’s undergraduate academic programs. Add the Career Center’s director of pre-law advising, Rodia Vance, and you have a team that’s bound to succeed.”

Vance joined the center as a graduate student in 2001, later transitioning to a regular staff position in 2002. She became the center’s first full-time pre-law adviser. She has a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Florida, a masters in professional counseling from Georgia State University, and a juris masters from Emory School of Law.

The pre-law program also assists Emory alumni who later decide to apply for law school. Vance explains, “Our mission is to educate Emory’s pre-law students and alumni about their career options, how to apply to law school, and what to expect from life when they get there.”

Vance also takes the time to sit down with each student one-on-one. Senior Katherine Frisbie said about her mentoring sessions with Vance, “Rodia encourage me to pursue my dream law schools and helped me create my applications strategy. I was so grateful for the support and guidance that the Career Center provided.”

Vance has expanded the center’s programs to include pre-law advising, document critique services, curriculum guidelines, workshops on the application process, and networking opportunities with law school recruiters and law professionals.

Since law schools accept any major, the students in the pre-law program have a range of majors, making the center have to collaborate with the different departments. She also hosts an annual program with Emory School of Law with a panel of Emory law students who were also Emory undergraduates. The program also features presentations by the law school admissions and career services offices.

Senior assistant dean for admission, financial aid and student life for the School of Law, Ethan Rosenzweig, said, “Rodia has dedicated her career to ensuring our undergraduates receive the most valued pre-law advising in the nation. She is a valued partner not only to Emory Law but also to law schools throughout the country.”

Fowler concluded, “Placing 100 percent of pre-law students in law school is just our first goal. Our ultimate goal is for 100 percent of all Emory graduating seniors to be headed for the next opportunity of their choice after graduation, and we have an outstanding Career Center team to help them do just that.”

Do you think every college and university should take its career advising more seriously like Emory does? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

To learn more about pre-law programs, read these articles:

• University of Houston Pre-Law Pipeline Program Remains Strong
• First B2B Group Graduates in May, Some Preparing for Baylor Law this Summer
• 10 Best Pre-Law Undergraduate Programs

Photo: news.emory.edu