Outstanding admitted students live a day at USC Law
—By Lori Craig
USC Law Admissions launched the 2008 Incoming 1Ls Visiting Program this spring, bringing 15 exceptional admitted students to campus to experience the best of what the law school has to offer.
“This program gives admitted students a sense of who our students are and allows them to experience a little bit of all of USC Law, from the rigorous and interesting courses to the honors programs,” said Associate Dean Chloe Reid. “The informal conversations they had throughout their visit will give them a better idea of who we are at USC Law and the bountiful opportunities that can be found here.”
The prospective students hailed from schools across the country, including Stanford, George Washington, Harvard and Princeton. They began their visit with a breakfast in the Faculty Lounge with Dean Robert K. Rasmussen, along with a handful of current USC Law students and members of the Admissions Office, including Reid, Julia Castellon Cogan and Brenda Cortez.
With the skyline of downtown Los Angeles visible through the lounge’s glass walls, Dean Rasmussen asked the prospective students to consider studying law in one of the world’s great economic and cultural centers. Having joined USC Law last summer following 18 years in Nashville, Rasmussen said he’s now becoming an L.A. snob.
“What’s great is L.A. is so diverse that whatever your interests, you can find a community that resonates with who you are,” Rasmussen said.
Students come to USC Law from all across the country and from all walks of life. As the most diverse of the Top 20 law schools, USC Law strives to offer an open and inclusive environment, he said. The school is also particularly dedicated to public service, and encourages volunteer work among its students and its alumni.
“We encourage public service here because we have an obligation to our community,” Rasmussen said. “You can’t find another law school of our intimate size in a city of this stature with our commitment to public service and diversity.”
Dean Reid shared some stories from students to illustrate the character of the law school, including the account of a few who experienced personal setbacks and found that classmates “rallied around them without being asked,” providing notes, lecture recordings, outlines and even help with grocery shopping. A number of students throughout the years have married, and of course all students and graduates are part of the Trojan Network to help with professional contacts, job searches and personal connections.
Third-year student Marc Berman, president of the Student Bar Association, was one of several student leaders who helped host the event.
“The students are the best reason to come here,” said Berman, who also invited the visitors to spend the evening in downtown L.A. with a small group of students. “USC Law is really a fun, interesting and challenging place to go to law school.”
Following a tour of the law school, the visitors had the choice of attending a Property class, taught by Vice Dean Scott Altman, or Criminal Law, taught by Professor Carrie Hempel. Professor Susan Estrich welcomed the prospective students to a luncheon at the Davidson Conference Center, attended by current students and Professors Kareem Crayton, Thomas Griffith and Daniel Klerman. During the lunch, Matthew DeGrushe, assistant dean of career services, and Lisa Mead, associate dean and head of the Office of Public Service, hosted a panel discussion.
The admitted students wrapped up their visit by attending the Hale Moot Court Honors Competition final round in Norris Cinema Theatre.
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