Written By Allie Plunk
The first Pre-Law Society meeting of the semester gave students an evening packed with opportunities to learn, ask questions, and connect with members of the legal community. From regular business to a Law School Admissions Panel to school-specific informational sessions, the evening offered a firsthand look at several different steps along the path to a legal career.
The first event of the evening was a Law School Admissions Panel featuring Dean Pilar Mensah of University of Houston Law and Dean Danielle Saavedra of Texas Tech Law. Professor Yawn led the discussion, covering some of the most common questions students have about applying to law schools, including median LSAT scores, personal statements, and how each part of a prospective student’s application is considered and weighed.
Then, we split into two groups and were able to discuss with both Dean Mensah and Dean Saavedra the specifics of each of their schools’ admissions processes and program offerings. Dean Saavedra took a more traditional approach, giving a presentation on Texas Tech’s statistics, rankings, and programs, including the unusual ability for 1L students to participate in organizations such as Moot Court and Mock Trial that are typically reserved for 2L and 3L students only. The presentation was followed by the opportunity to ask questions, one of which was about where most TTU Law graduates end up. Much to my surprise, many of them end up in Dallas!
Dean Mensah, on the other hand, treated her session as a Q&A, allowing students to ask whatever questions they had about University of Houston’s Law program. This allowed students to ask questions that were a lot more personal and addressed specific concerns that they had about the law school experience both in general and at U of H. This meant covering a wide range of topics, from financial aid to study habits!
Between the admissions panel and the individual law school sessions, students left with a clearer picture of what the road to law school can look like. Hearing directly from representatives of University of Houston Law and Texas Tech Law allowed students to move beyond statistics and application requirements and gain insight into the experiences and opportunities offered by each program. With practical advice, personal perspectives, and plenty of questions answered, the evening gave Pre-Law Society members a stronger foundation as they begin considering where and how they want to pursue their legal education.
