Pre-Law at Hunter

Introduction

  • Speaker Introduction: Elise Jaffe, Director of the Pre-Law Program

  • Setting: Remote conversation with the audience, focusing on student success and engagement.

Background of Elise Jaffe

  • Professional Background:

    • Law, policy, and education.

    • Experience in corporate law and public interest.

    • Interest in each student's individual career path, whether in law/business, public policy, or government.

Main Focus Areas of the Pre-Law Program

  1. Career Opportunities:

    • Work of attorneys and various career paths available to students.

  2. Admissions:

    • Assisting students in understanding law school admissions processes and requirements.

  3. Pre-Professional Development:

    • Equipping students with both soft and hard skills essential for legal success.

Diverse Opportunities in the Program

  • Guest Attorneys:

    • Various attorneys from different backgrounds visit Hunter to share experiences with students.

    • Alumni involvement is significant, fostering connections with current students.

Luncheon with Lawyers

  • Event Description:

    • "Lunch with a Lawyer" events involving prominent attorneys arranged with Hunter's president.

    • Example Speakers:

    • Leslie Rosenthal (Lincoln Center)

    • Sheila Birmbaum (torts and the 9/11 fund)

Student Insights

  • Audrey's Experience: Beneficial interactions with Sheila Birmbaum, highlighting diverse career paths.

  • Tasnim's Insights: Found the event inspiring regardless of differing interests.

Regular Programming

  • Monthly and Weekly Events:

    • Opportunities for students to meet attorneys casually.

    • Examples include panels, law firm visits, and networking events.

Types of Law Highlighted in Programming

  1. Various Legal Fields:

    • Criminal law, election law, intellectual property, non-profit law.

  2. Clerking:

    • Importance of clerkships for student career trajectories.

Placement and Admissions Success

  • Hunter's Competitive Edge in Admissions:

    • Hunter graduates regularly accepted into top law schools (T14), such as Yale, Harvard.

    • Notable acceptance statistics and ongoing placements acknowledged.

Student Demographics and Skills

  • Diverse Student Composition:

    • Hunter's students recognized for their independence, tenacity, and initiative.

  • Skills Development:

    • Importance of acquiring practical skills through internships and networking.

Pre-Professional Resources

  1. Internship Opportunities:

    • Paid summer internships partnered with law firms and non-profits.

  2. LSAT Class:

    • Subsidized classes aimed at preparing students for law school entry exams.

    • Average student score improvement noted (+10 points).

Moot Court Program

  • Program Overview:

    • Intensive one-credit course simulating Supreme Court arguments.

    • Provides public speaking and legal reasoning development opportunities.

  • Student Feedback:

    • Positive reflections on the rewarding and challenging experience shared by Audrey.

Networking and Community

  • Building Connections:

    • Importance of engaging with attorneys and participants within pre-law programming.

  • Advice for New Students:

    • Utilize available resources and actively pursue opportunities starting from freshman year.

Diversity Initiatives

  • Programs Explained:

    • CLEO: Designed for first-generation minority students, providing resources and exposure to law education.

    • Various city-wide initiatives to enhance diversity within legal professions.

Majors and Interdisciplinary Studies

  • No Required Major for Law School:

    • Common majors: Political Science, History, Philosophy, English, Human Biology.

    • Importance of diverse academic backgrounds in shaping law interests.

    • Connection to Roosevelt House: Public policy and human rights emphases supporting pre-law students.

Opportunities for Engagement

  • Student Organizations:

    • Active participation in relevant clubs and internships encouraged for networking and skill-building.

Final Remarks on Admissions and Success

  • Institutional Support for Students:

    • Ongoing engagement after graduation for alumni success in law trajectories.

  • Focus on Practical Outcomes:

    • Balancing prestigious law school placements with post-graduate opportunities that fit individual student needs (funding vs. prestige).

Q&A Session and Closing

  • Logistics for Interested Students:

    • Website details for pre-law program registration and events.

    • Summary of significant takeaways for prospective students to consider.

  • Encouragement to Engage:

    • Continual invitations to learn more through future events and engagements.

  • Reminder of Important Dates:

    • Deadline for committing to Hunter College for the upcoming fall semester.