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Amanda Finkelstein ’07 (Syosset, N.Y.) has been around the law profession her entire life. Her mother is an assistant district attorney and her father is a personal injury lawyer.
So it’s no surprise that the Marquis Scholar found last week’s Law School Admissions Dinner Panel such a rewarding experience.
“The dinner was very informative and was a wonderful opportunity,” says the English major. “I received some valuable tips from the panel, specifically regarding my personal statement.”
The evening was also productive for Matthew Weiss ’07 (Manalapan, N.J.), a double major in economics & business and government & law.
“Listening to the panelists was great but at times was intimidating,” says the Marquis Scholar. “Sharing a meal and having a conversation made the panelists seem human again. The dinner gave everyone the opportunity to ask individualized questions and let their personalities show.”
The panel was comprised of admissions representatives from Boston College Law School, Brooklyn Law School, Fordham University School of Law, George Washington School of Law, and University of Pennsylvania Law School.
According to Karen Clemence, associate dean of studies, most law schools do not grant interviews to students going through the admissions process. This makes an event like the dinner panel especially important, because it may represent a student’s only face-to-face contact with someone from his or her school of choice.
“The one-on-one nature of the panel really helps students decide what law school is best for them,” says Clemence.
A total of 20 seniors applying to law school attended the dinner panel, as well as 14 juniors and sophomores and one first-year student, who were interested in exploring more about the process.
Panel members discussed what makes a competitive application, what is common among law schools and what distinguishes one from another. They also talked about financing law school and the do’s and don’ts of the process. Following the general discussion, students were paired up with representatives from schools they were interested in for an informal dinner.
“Going into the dinner I was set on applying to Fordham and hadn’t really considered where else to apply,” says Weiss. “But, after hearing the panelists, I now plan on applying to Brooklyn and George Washington in addition to Fordham.”
Finkelstein is applying to a broad range of schools and is interested in social justice, an area she has become familiar with through coursework and two internships focusing on criminal prosecution and criminal defense. She believes that Lafayette has provided her with the right tools to continue her academic career.
“My academic experience at Lafayette has been a valuable one,” she says. “The English department is incredible. Every teacher I have worked with has been motivating and challenging. My writing skills have increased tremendously as a student here and I think this will serve me well in law school.”
Weiss credits James Lennertz, associate professor of government and law, and Ed Gamber, associate professor of economics and business, with playing a large role in preparing him for law school.
“Professor Lennertz gave good insight into what to expect from law school,” Weiss says. “He forced me to defend my reasoning in class and on tests. Through EXCEL research with Professor Gamber, I have learned how to read scholarly articles. He has helped immensely in teaching me how to conduct research, analyze other people’s opinions and then question your own arguments. Although our focus has been on economics and not law, I believe the value of skills that he’s helped me develop is immeasurable.”
Other students who attended the dinner panel are: Eric Askins ’08 (Millville, N.J.), Emily Battersby ’08 (Ringwood, N.J.), Dustin Bednarz ’08 (Shavertown, Pa.), Marquis Scholar Jeremy Cline ’07 (New Haven, Conn.), Joe Costello ’07 (Windsor, N.Y.), Jessica Cygler ’07 (Scarsdale, N.Y.), Lindsay Dennis ’07 (Torrance, Calif.), Trustee Scholar Kyle Doran ’08 (Portland, Ore.), Lauren Finder ’08 (Ridgewood, N.J.), Marisa Floriani ’07 (Wyckoff, N.J.), Alison Flowers ’07 (Dillsburg, Pa.), Rachel Gallagher ’07 (Allentown, Pa.), Marquis Scholar Diana Galperin ’08 (Warminster, Pa.), Ashley Gareau ’09 (Worcester, Mass.), Jennifer Gorchow ’07 (Cherry Hill, N.J.), Michael Harakas ’07 (Lakewood, Ohio), Bryan Hurtado ’08 (Bryn Mawr, Pa.), Roxanna Kobziar ’08 (Pelham, N.Y.), Marquis Scholar Richard Krebs ’08 (Kennebunk, Maine), Jennifer Lota ’07 (Wyckoff, N.J.), Anthony Mangovski ’10, David Myers ’07 (Rockville Centre, N.Y.), Brendan O’Dea `07 (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), Dan Olivi ’08 (New Freedom, Pa.), Trustee Scholar Allison Owen `07 (Cheshire, Conn.), James Hlavenka ’07 (Holmdel, N.J.), Chris Rosa `07 (West Islip, N.Y.), Haley Schaefer ’07 (Hamden, Conn.), Marquis Scholar Jaclyn Smith ’07 (Saugus, Calif.), Marquis Scholar Madeline Stavis ’08 (Bryn Mawr, Pa.), Nanor Terjanian `07 (Holmdel, N.J.), and Trustee Scholar Michael Zboray ’08 (Montvale, N.J.).