School of Law Admissions Blog

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.

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.

Law school is one of the most rewarding and memorable times of a person’s life. Nonetheless, there is no hiding it is also a demanding and grueling journey. While fostering innovative thinking in the classroom is one of the foundational pillars at the UB School of Law, we also consistently strive to develop supportive programs that help our students find success. Most recently, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) launched the Twelve Weeks of Wellness, just one more way our school is continuously preparing our students for the rigors of law school and beyond. This month’s post will dive into why mental health is important in the legal profession, the launching of the program and its various events. 

The University at Buffalo School of Law is proud to offer an array of Experiential Learning opportunities for law students to take advantage of. Clinical Legal Education is one such program that provides the community access to justice while teaching students to be “excellent, ethical, and engaged lawyers”. Upper-class and LL.M students are eligible to apply for these “clinics” and, if accepted, will work closely with skilled supervising attorneys and professors on real-world cases.

Teamwork is nearly synonymous with the sports world—and when it comes to the Sports Law Concentration, team-building is equally important. While athletes rely on cooperation and coordination on the field, sports lawyers rely on similar camaraderie off the field to find success.

The University at Buffalo School of Law is proud to have a diverse group of faculty members who bring insights from unique past and present experiences. Though many faculty members produce research and scholarship during their time in the classroom, many choose to continue to practice law and teach as adjunct professors. Here are some of our fantastic faculty who hold a great deal of experience in the legal profession, while also teaching courses here at UB Law.