By Ava Halovatch, Pre-Law Peer Advisor
Deciding on a law school can be a difficult decision. With about 198 law schools in the United States alone, it can become overwhelming, especially when you have limited exposure to the many different options. That is the exact reason that we host the Law Fair at UConn.
Susan Ruggiero, the organizer of this event, says, “this is an ideal opportunity for pre-law students at the University of Connecticut and area schools to connect with law school representatives from across the country. It builds networking relationships in preparation for law school.” At this event, we have representatives from just about 40 law schools who are excited to share information about their respective schools. Students at the University of Connecticut have this unique opportunity to connec
t with and learn more about schools across the country.
Whether the pre-law students are freshmen or seniors, this fair can still provide a multitude of benefits to their career in law. Mihika Patel, a freshman at UConn on the pre-law track, mentions that the law school fair, “is a really great opportunity for someone as young as me to get experience in speaking to potential law schools and getting comfortable in a professional setting.” For underclassmen, this experience can help them to feel more confident in speaking with professionals. It can also give them a better understanding about whether law school is the direction that they want to take.
On the other hand, Hanna Merchan, my fellow pre-law peer advisor and a senior at UConn says, “I believe the law fair is super helpful for both people who are confused about law school or are confident in their decision to go. It is a great glimpse of what law school could be like.” No matter your year, the chance to connect with law school representatives is important. From networking experience and information acquisition to deciding which law school you want to
attend, this event provides exactly what you need.
As a junior, attending the fair this year was extremely informative. Currently, I am narrowing the list of schools that I’m interested in applying to, and hearing directly from representatives has impacted my decisions. The most important qualities in a school for me are that they have a strong corporate law program, opportunities for pro-bono and volunteer work, and that they genuinely care about their students. Through my conversations with the law school representatives, I found some schools that fulfill those qualities. I look forward to taking my conversations into consideration when applying and visiting law schools next fall!
If you don’t believe me about the benefits of attending, take it from our director of Pre-Professional Advising, Sarah Scheidel. She explains, “It is a great event because it gives students the opportunity to chat with staff and faculty from amazing law schools. I love getting to brag about our stellar students and alumni while connecting them with representatives and helping them to feel ready to network.” This is really the chance of a lifetime to get exposure to and learn more about the culture of various law schools. Everyone wonders how they can stand out when applying, and attending this event is definitely one of those ways to get your foot in the door!
If you are interested in attending law school in the future, or if you are debating it, I would recommend coming to the law fair. It is a great opportunity to connect, network, and learn more about the different pathways you can take. Come back next October for our next Law School fair!
