School of Law Admissions Blog

Attending law school doesn’t just build up your skills for pursuing a legal career, it gives you a chance to be part of—and contribute to—a larger community. Whether it's through experiential learning opportunities like fellowships, externships or moot court competitions; taking part in diverse student groups like LGBTQ-friendly OUTLaw or the Black Law Students Association (BLSA); or by joining one of the various alumni organizations when your academic journey comes to a close, UB Law has something for everyone. We are proud to host a variety of avenues for you to get involved in the law community, build a sense of rapport and camaraderie with your peers, and ultimately give back to the next generation of law students.

When applying to law school, it is best to be as prepared as possible. This blog will help you understand how the Law School Admission Council calculates undergraduate GPA for the purpose of your law school application and how it might differ from your undergraduate institution’s GPA calculation.

The bad thing about bar exam preparation? The stress, the anxiety, the time-crunch, or is it the…well, all of it? The good thing is all of your student colleagues are suffering through the same process! Okay, those might be some gross generalizations, but the fact of the matter is that bar exam preparation is as difficult—and as much a rite of passage—as any other part of law school, and there are plenty of helpful leaders, mentors and resources to make sure you are fully prepared to take the exam when the time comes.

Choosing the career path of an attorney is an honorable one, but there’s no denying it can be a difficult one. For starters, you need good grades and a determined mindset to want to tackle the legal field, but alongside a solid GPA and work ethic there is also something else to consider: the Character & Fitness (C&F) process. Some states, including California, Massachusetts and New Jersey, start this process as part of the application to take the bar exam, while other states like New York wait until you’ve completed the bar exam. In either case, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these processes, as law school admissions routinely contain similar forms as part of the application.

You’ve secured recommendation letters, wrote the perfect personal statement, submitted your application, and anxiously awaited a decision. Now, the moment has finally arrived. You’re about to start law school! As you embark on this journey, how do you make the best start? Before you dive into 1L classes, you will be introduced to your new school and classmates through an orientation program, and how you navigate these first few days could make all the difference in your law school experience. Want to start on the right foot? Here are a few things to consider to make the most of your law school orientation.

Many different careers intersect through shared skills, goals and ideals, and one of the more positive crossroads is between legal and social work. UB’s Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work dual degree gives students a chance to gain an incredibly unique perspective and set of skills that can lead them on a path to work in either realm. If you are interested in using the law to protect human rights, advance social justice and defend vulnerable communities, then this program could be for you. Let’s examine how both programs intersect to create the start of a rewarding career.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a 1L or you’re about to enter your final year of law school, the summer is the perfect time to catch up on essential books for prospective and current law students. Whether they’re tried and tested publications or newly printed fresh from the presses, the path to becoming a well-versed and versatile lawyer begins and ends with how much—and how varied—your reading material is.

Summer is a time for hot sunshine, cool shade and all the sweet activities that come along with better weather. But it doesn’t mean you should zone out from your schoolwork completely! In fact, the summer is a crucial time to further your law career through summer internships. Whether you know exactly what you want to do with your law degree, or you’re looking to experiment in a new practice area, summer internships can give you the taste—and experience—for something new.

With more than two hundred accredited law schools across the country, the search for the perfect fit is no easy feat for aspiring law students. Sometimes the first year doesn’t turn out how you quite hoped, and it’s time to consider transferring. Many universities, including the University at Buffalo School of Law, are proud to offer transfer opportunities to students finishing up their first year of law school ABA-accredited institutions. We got together with Vice Dean for Admissions, Lindsay Gladney, to get answers to the top asked questions for transfer students.

Buffalo may be known as the snowiest city in the nation, but to the possible shock of many, it does get warm here! We are lucky enough to have four full seasons, including a very warm summer. As potential UB law students; you will be living in this city for three years and may even stick around post-graduation. To help you get the most out of your summers, and experience life as a Buffalonian, we have put together a list of the best things to do in Buffalo while the sun is shining. Our admissions team also chimed in to share some of their personal favorites!