Fostering Connections: Nurturing Mentorship & Community as a Black Law School Applicant
Finding a community in law school is essential for all students to feel supported, but it is especially important for Black law students. Having a supporting Black community could make it easier for you to socialize with classmates, alumni, or other group members that you might not have otherwise interacted with. It also significantly contributes to ensuring that your time in law school goes smoothly and that you finally succeed in your goals.
Here are the top ways of helping you locate mentorship and community as a Black law school applicant.
Finding Community in Undergraduate Organizations
One of the best ways to find mentorship and community as a Black law school applicant is by joining a pre-law organization or society. These pre-law societies and organizations are usually specific to a school or simply part of a national organization.
National pre-law organizations like the one offered by the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) provide a much broader network to Black law school applicants. NBLSA's Pre-Law Division advocates for and cultivates the next generation of Black lawyers. Black law school applicants who join this organization are usually educated about the law school application process and life as a lawyer.
As a Black law school applicant, you can join NBLSA's Pre-Law Division as a member of the local undergraduate chapter in the law school you intend to join or as a general member. It's worth noting that general membership is only available for applicants about to join a law school that doesn't sustain a Pre-Law Division chapter.
On the other hand, school-specific pre-law organizations usually have stronger connections with the administration of the respective school. You can join a school-specific pre-law society if you intend to study law in the same institution you're getting your undergraduate degree. You can also join such an organization if you intend to work in a field where the school has a strong influence or alums network.
Cultivating Relationships in Law School Organizations
As aforementioned, Black law school students usually face more challenges than their peers. In addition to financial challenges, Black law school students face emotional, psychological, and logistical challenges. They also feel isolated because few other Black law school students are around them. Consequently, finding a community or mentorship program that will support you during your time in law school is important.
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Fortunately, several law school organizations have been created specifically for Black law school students. One such organization you can join as a Black law school student to find the support system you need is the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA). This organization has several memberships for Black law school students, ranging from pre-law to alum status. In addition to providing Black law students with study resources, LSAT preparation courses, and a job board, the NBLSA also hosts conventions for members to interact with each other and meet prominent Black legal professionals.
First-Generation Groups
There are also law school organizations meant for first-generation law school students. These organizations may not be race-specific, but they can be a fantastic source of assistance for Black law students who don't have parents, siblings, or other immediate family members who work in the legal profession. These groups work to give first-generation law students the emotional and social support they need to succeed in law school and the fiercely competitive legal profession. First-generation law school organizations exist on-campus or off-campus.
On-campus first-generation law school organizations are usually specific to a particular school. They act as a safe place for law school students to be part of a community within the broader university context. On the other hand, first-generation off-campus organizations are meant to accommodate law school students nationwide. These organizations offer guidance and encouragement to first-generation law students throughout their legal careers. This ranges from law school application up to post-graduation job placement.
HBCU Law Schools
For aspirant Black law students who want to be a part of a varied and inclusive community, attending an HBCU law school is a great choice. The distinctive learning experiences and possibilities that come with this kind of institution are priceless and can help lay the foundation for continued achievement.
Here's a list of HBCU law schools:
Florida A&M University College of Law
University of the District of Columbia
David A. Clarke Law School
Howard University School of Law
North Carolina Central University School of Law
Southern University Law Center
HBCUs have an active alum network dedicated to assisting current students. HBCU alums have a reputation for being ready to offer current students guidance and support, enabling them to gain the abilities and information required to succeed in their chosen fields of study. Many alums provide financial aid to students to cover tuition and other costs.
Harnessing the Power of Online Communities
As a Black law school applicant, you can use various social media platforms and forums to find guidance and social support. Platforms like Reddit and Facebook are filled with many online communities focused on law school admissions and legal practice. With the help of these communities and groups, you can engage in insightful discussions and connect with other Black law school applicants.
Additionally, you can use these platforms to find current Black law school students and professionals who can share their experiences in law school and provide you with the social support you need. Some popular Facebook groups you can join as a Black law school applicant include Black LSAT Study Group, National Black Pre-Law Network-Aspiring Lawyers Community, and Barrier Breakers®: Law School Edition.
Take Advantage of the Beyond Barriers Student & Alumni Network Today
Developing a support network as a Black law school applicant is critical for success and perseverance throughout the application journey. By actively participating in undergraduate associations, law school communities, and online forums, aspiring Black lawyers can find mentorship, companionship, and essential tools to help them overcome hurdles and prosper. Remember that you are not alone on this journey and that by working together, we can break down hurdles and build a more promising future in the legal profession.
When you work with S. Montgomery Admissions Consulting in a private package or boot camp, you immediately get lifetime access to our Beyond Barriers Student & Alumni Network, where you can network with current and former clients. Our alumni network is majority minority and includes affinity groups for Black students, first-generation students, and more. As a part of the network, you can get paired with a mentor, earn BeyondBucks to put toward tutoring or other rewards, and much more.
Our goal is to promote BIPOC and other underrepresented students' access to and success in higher learning. As a result, we offer a sliding scale for students who fit either of those categories or who need financial aid. Our team will analyze your responses once you submit your application to work with us and notify you of the discounts you're qualified for during your consultation.
Contact us today at hello@smontgomeryconsulting.com if you have any inquiries.