UMKC School of Law welcomed 122 students to the Class of 2020 in the orientation week that ran August 14-17.
Orientation began for the first-year students on Monday, where alumna and the Executive Director of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners, Andrea Spillars (’89), addressed the incoming class. She reminded the students that law school would teach them more than simply how to think like a lawyer, but also how to exercise the judgment to pause when making decisions to give time for that careful reflective thought, to make decisions based on facts and truth, and to be accountable for their decisions. She then administered the law school’s oath. Students were welcomed by UMKC School of Law Interim Dean Barbara Glesner Fines, Law Foundation President Lajuana Counts (’88), Law Alumni Association President Tony Miller(’01); and by members of the Law Foundation board including the Honorable Jon Gray (’76) and David Mayer (’92) as well as emeritus UMKC Law trustee member the Honorable Ann Mesle (’72).
Orientation includes information sessions on best strategies for critical reading, studying, and case briefing as well as networking activities. The students also had a chance to meet the leaders of student organizations, faculty, and staff members.
The new students joined 14 summer starters, 12 spring starters, and 8 international LL.M. students.
This year’s class represents 11 states, 2 countries (Canada and Georgia), 45 undergraduate schools and 9 graduate schools.
ENTERING CLASS OF 2020 PROFILE*
Full-time: 115
Part-time: 7
Demographics
Male: 51%
Female: 49%
Ethnic Minorities: 14%
Average Age: 25
Students 30 and Older: 11
Median LSAT: 152
Median GPA: 3.42 (up from 3.39)
Top 6 States of Residence:
Missouri
Kansas
Nebraska
Illinois
Iowa
New Mexico
Top 5 Undergraduate Institutions:
University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of Missouri-Columbia
University of Kansas
University of Central Missouri
Truman State University
Top 5 Undergraduate Majors:
Political Science
Criminal Justice
Communications
Finance
Psychology
*As of August 21, 2017