2008 Woodie Awards
University pre-law program sees success, student participation in 1st year
Amy Schumacher
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Campus
More than 200 Miami University students have been advised by the university's new pre-law center since it opened its doors in August, according to director of pre-law programs Yvette Simpson.
The center, to be relocated from Upham 143 to Upham 159 within the next six to eight weeks, offers advising for pre-law students ranging from helping first and second-year students choose what classes to take, to assisting seniors with the application and preparation process for law school.
According to Simpson, some students will just come in once or twice while several students visit the office often.
Simpson said one of the first things she does in her advising sessions is try to dispel rumors and misconceptions about what a career in law will entail.
To achieve this goal, Simpson said the pre-law center has put on more than a dozen programs throughout the year, most of them involving Miami alumni currently holding a variety of legal positions around the nation.
An average of 20 to 25 students have attended each program, except for the most recent, a young lawyer panel, to which almost 50 students showed up, Simpson said.
Simpson stressed the significance of the receptions at these events, which allow for informal mingling.
"It is important to have this interaction and allow the students to network one-on-one," Simpson said.
According to Simpson, when the new center was first announced by e-mail to alumni, more than 520 responded, most of who were very excited and enthusiastic about the program.
Simpson said 13 Miami alumni were selected for the center's oversight board, their expertise ranging from a judge to a current law school student. Simpson said the board's mission will be to help the program run smoothly, as well as work directly with the students.
"They will be mentors and will also be available for shadowing and facilitating internships," Simpson said.
The center launched its Web site, still a work in progress, in January. It has pages specific to students and alumni, as well as an alumni spotlight that highlights what Miami graduates are doing in the law field.
The center, to be relocated from Upham 143 to Upham 159 within the next six to eight weeks, offers advising for pre-law students ranging from helping first and second-year students choose what classes to take, to assisting seniors with the application and preparation process for law school.
According to Simpson, some students will just come in once or twice while several students visit the office often.
Simpson said one of the first things she does in her advising sessions is try to dispel rumors and misconceptions about what a career in law will entail.
To achieve this goal, Simpson said the pre-law center has put on more than a dozen programs throughout the year, most of them involving Miami alumni currently holding a variety of legal positions around the nation.
An average of 20 to 25 students have attended each program, except for the most recent, a young lawyer panel, to which almost 50 students showed up, Simpson said.
Simpson stressed the significance of the receptions at these events, which allow for informal mingling.
"It is important to have this interaction and allow the students to network one-on-one," Simpson said.
According to Simpson, when the new center was first announced by e-mail to alumni, more than 520 responded, most of who were very excited and enthusiastic about the program.
Simpson said 13 Miami alumni were selected for the center's oversight board, their expertise ranging from a judge to a current law school student. Simpson said the board's mission will be to help the program run smoothly, as well as work directly with the students.
"They will be mentors and will also be available for shadowing and facilitating internships," Simpson said.
The center launched its Web site, still a work in progress, in January. It has pages specific to students and alumni, as well as an alumni spotlight that highlights what Miami graduates are doing in the law field.
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