USC Gould School of Law welcomed incoming 1Ls to Gould Preview (GP) this August, offering new law students a deep dive into what to expect and how to thrive in law school. The weeklong program led by Sara Berman, professor of lawyering skills and director of the Academic Success Program at USC Gould, and Barrett Schreiner, associate professor of lawyering skills and associate director of the Academic Success Program, attracted the highest enrollment since the program was launched in 2021.
“I had virtually no experience in the law and how to be an effective law student,” one student participant wrote about their experience. “In four days I learned so much, and I established a sense of community at Gould. I feel immensely prepared to start law school now.”
“Based on learning science and grounded in principles of growth mindset, Gould Preview creates a powerful fusion of skills, substance, and support for students,” said Berman, also the author of law student success publications including the 2024, 1L Success: Becoming a Lawyer, a Professional Identity Formation Workbook.
According to Berman, “GP students experience real law school content and classes. Even more importantly, they bond and become part of the Gould family.”
Schreiner sees the program as a radical act of hospitality, “We strive to create a deep and immediate sense of belonging at Gould, so that our GP students feel rooted and empowered to be their best academic selves as they begin their law school journey.”
Reed Smith, LLP sponsored the GP Welcome Reception. This year, a number of Reed Smith attorneys who are also Gould alumni attended the reception where Los Angeles partner Christopher Rivas, a first-generation professional himself, offered powerful and impassioned words of wisdom.
GP also featured torts classes with Professors Gregory Keating and Jody Armour, a Legal Writing course with Professor Lybby Carroll, and a lunch session with Gould law librarians, Paul Moorman, Amber Madole, and Adrienne Kelish.
Berman and Schreiner praised the program for its great value to new students. “The idea that because of GP, those least familiar with law school will begin their legal education journey feeling prepared and at home at Gould is both pedagogically sound and will provide a solid professional foundation for this diverse group of exceptional students who as Gould grads will be our future leaders.”
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