Incoming Fordham Law students got a sneak peak at what to expect at law school, when they attended a daylong welcome for admitted students, meeting faculty, staff, and learning about their upcoming fall curriculum.
“I want to make sure that you appreciate and understand how talented you are,” said Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Diversity Kimathi Gordon-Somers. “This is a huge milestone—getting accepted to law school and making the commitment to come is really a testament on everything that you have been working so hard for over the last couple of years, and we want to take you through the rest of that journey and help you to become the attorneys that you want to be.”
This summer, nearly 100 incoming law students connected with new classmates, friends, and mentors. They came from as far away as California and as close as Brooklyn.
“Joining you guys in your experience as you start law school is just the greatest thrill ever. You are about to mark on a remarkable journey. You are going to learn so much,” said Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law Pamela Bookman, who spoke to the students about what to expect with the curriculum, preparation over the summer, and the trajectory of their education over the next three years.
From Fordham Law Baseball to Fordham Business Law and everything in between, students learned about more than 75 student organizations they can join at Fordham Law. Students were encouraged to attend events to experience the Fordham alumni community and the expansive, generous network they’re about to join.
“As you start to develop your networks—not just amongst yourselves, but as you meet alums, as you meet faculty—you will find the collegiality that is inherent here at this law school,” said Gordon-Somers. “Because every single person that you will encounter here is really dedicated to your success. It’s all about putting a hand back and helping to pull others forward.”
A panel of rising 2L students fielded questions from the incoming group of admitted students and told them what to expect from their first year at Fordham Law.
“The community at Fordham is amazing,” said panelist Emmy McCabe ’27. “I feel like I got so much out of the 2Ls at Fordham and the community here, that I’m just so excited to give that back. I’m so excited to share my advice and everything I learned this year and hopefully help guide the new 1Ls through.”
“The community here has been nothing but welcoming,” said incoming 1L Isabella Fratesi ’28. “I felt really wanted, I felt recruited, and that was a big part of my decision to come here. When I was choosing between schools I had some really excellent options, but Fordham felt like home.”
Students gathered for lunch together on the plaza, catered by food trucks from across New York City.
More than 400 students will begin the fall semester on August 25.
View more photos from the event here:
