Orientation activities help new students launch their law school career
The USC Gould School of Law welcomed the incoming Class of 2016 at its annual orientation for new students this week.
Dean Robert K. Rasmussen welcomed the J.D. candidates saying, “my ambition for you, and my colleagues’ ambitions for you is to transform your lives.”
He spoke highly of their future at the law school, known for over 100 years of tradition of excellence and prized for its strong sense of community.
The Honorable Jay Gandhi ’97, a United States magistrate judge for the Central District of California, delivered the convocation speech and shared his thoughts on law school and legal careers.
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| Judge Jay Gandhi '97 |
“You’ve entered the legal profession and it is without doubt challenging,” Gandhi said. “And what fun would it be if it wasn’t? You are all type ‘A’s.’ That is why you are here. You are at one of the most prominent law schools in the country. I do not say that as a former student, I say that as a former partner of a major law form and as a sitting judge.”
He encouraged them to make some last minute notes of self-reflection as to what they want to accomplish as they start their first year of law school and use it as a touch stone years from now to see if they are, in fact, accomplishing in their careers, what they had set out to accomplish.
Chloe Reid, Associate Dean and Dean of Admissions, revealed some interesting statistics of the 176 students sitting in front of her. She spoke of the Admission Office’s mission to assemble a unique and individual group of students out of the 4337 applications received.
To her and the team of admissions, they saw the compilation of new prospective J.D. class as a mosaic; “composed of different hues, colors, shapes, sizes and intensity.”
“To put that into perspective, nearly twenty five applicants competed for the seat that you are occupying at this moment,” Reid said.
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| Associate Dean Chloe Reid |
With one of the highest ethnic identification percentages of the top 20 law schools at 47%, it was no surprise that the admissions team selected scholars from all over the world including China, India, Israel, Canada, Mexico, South Korean, Iran, and Japan. The members of the 51% female, 49% male student body come from all walks of life.
Dean Reid encouraged the students to embrace the vibrancy of their own individual experiences and work toward representing that distinguishing flavor in and out of the classroom.
The students enjoyed a boxed lunch picnic and met their peer mentors. The Peer Mentor Program assists incoming first-year and transfer students with the transition to law school by providing continuous guidance and support throughout their entire first-year in law school.
According to Aaron Ginsburg ’15, a member of the Peer Mentor Executive Board, having the 1Ls form a bond with their peer mentor is one of the most important things to accomplish during orientation. 
“On the first day of law school, I’m sure they’re experiencing mixed feelings of excitement and fear, and we try to channel that and direct it in a positive direction,” Ginsburg said.
Ginsburg said that peer mentors provide an easy transition into law school student life by offering advice on organizations in which to participate and act as a relatable counselor of sorts for questions that would seem too far removed to ask a professor or member of the administration.
“I don’t remember exactly what we talked about during my orientation, but I will never forget that having a peer mentor with me made all the difference,” Ginsburg said.
Orientation wraps up today with activities that include a luncheon with faculty and administrators.
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