On Tuesday, Sept. 30, Pi Lambda Sigma, Auburn University's pre-law honors program, hosted Yale Law School admissions, giving pre-law students a chance to hear directly from the school. The session gave each student an overview of one of the nation’s most prestigious law schools and advice on preparing for the competitive admissions process.
Students arrived early in the Mell Classroom Building to hear from the speaker. Most attendees were on the pre-law track, but many had different reasons for wanting to pursue law and attending the event.
Sofia Pugh, attendee and junior studying English literature and Spanish, explained that her interest in history and civics draws her to law.
“I’m really bad at math and science, but I find law fascinating and see it as a good career path,” Pugh said.
For Sydney Ladine, junior in law and justice with a minor in technical and professional writing, attending a top 25 law school is a priority.
“I want to be a lawyer, because I think it’s the best combination of my skills and passions,” Ladine said. “Going to a top 25 law school would open a lot of doors for me.”
At 4:30 p.m., the event began, and Lauren Thortsen, president of Pi Lambda Sigma, welcomed students and emphasized the importance of learning about opportunities beyond Auburn. After her brief introduction, Thortsen introduced Jon Perdue, the event speaker and director of recruiting and engagement at Yale Law School.
“I’m so excited to be here, because we need you in our institution,” Perdue said.
Perdue outlined Yale’s unique approach to admissions and academics. For the incoming law school class of 2028, GPA scores ranged from 3.23 to 4.23, and LSAT scores from 155 to 180. The enrolled class of 204 students represents 85 undergraduate institutions, with 28% being first-generation students and 8% being veterans or service members.
Throughout the session, Perdue also highlighted Yale’s small, collaborative environment. Only three courses enroll more than 100 students, and the school maintains a 5-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students at Yale Law do not receive class ranks, and courses are graded on a credit/fail or honors/pass system.
“Yale leverages its smallness to the advantage of its students,” Perdue said. “What we are really assessing in admissions is your judgment for professionalism.”
Mandatory application materials include a personal statement, where authenticity is emphasized, and a 250-word essay exploring an academic, extracurricular or professional interest. Students are also encouraged to highlight why law is the right path for them.
For Auburn students considering law school, the visit provided insight to the law school admissions process.
Freshman Jack Manolis, law and justice sophomore, said the event reaffirmed his long-standing interest in politics and debate.
“Law school admissions are very competitive, but it’s doable if you follow the directions and stay committed,” Manolis said.
The event concluded with a Q&A session where students asked Perdue questions about Yale’s admissions process, academic culture and what sets the school apart from its competitors.
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