Our Mission Statement: While adhering to Elmira College's tradition of a liberal arts and sciences foundation, the Pre-Law Students Association is open to all students regardless of their major or post-graduation plans. The Pre-Law Students Association provides a fun, collaborative, and supportive environment that stimulates intellectual curiosity about the law, encourages networking and lasting friendships, sponsors a competitive mock trial team, houses a “Hall” of Phi Delta Phi, and provides valuable resources to its members such as: Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) preparation and study groups; law school application assistance; financial aid planning; hosting guest speakers (i.e. school recruiters, practicing attorneys, etc.); and hosting numerous events which enable students to engage with the law and discover the area(s) of the law and corresponding law schools that particularly interest them.
Living Our Mission: Some of the Association's most recent activities include:
- The "3rd Annual "Street-Law Day" which is open to the entire student body and allows students to ask virtually any criminal law related question to Dr. Daniel N. Clay (Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, Direct of Legal Studies, and Pre-Law Advisor). A tiny sample of this year's questions include:
- "What should you look for when hiring a lawyer?"
- "If an officer tells you 'halt' and you keep running, what happens?"
- "What are your self-defense rights during a fight?"
- "What should you do if you are riding with someone, they get pulled over, police search the vehicle and find drugs (i.e. marijuana) that are not yours during the stop?"
- "Generally, what are your rights during a traffic stop (i.e. speeding) and how should you interact with the officer?"
- The creation of Elmira College's First Competitive Mock Trial Team.
- Receiving recognition as the "Elmira College Hall" by the International Legal Honor Society - Phi Delta Phi.
- Hosting a number of law school at Elmira College's most recent "Graduate School Fair," including:
- Albany Law School
- Pace University
- Quinnipiac University School of Law
- Regent University School of Law
- Syracuse University College of Law
- University at Buffalo School of Law
- Vermont Law School
- Western New England University School of Law
Upcoming events: during Term II and Term III of this year, the Pre-Law Students Association also intends on offering the following events:
- A Karaoke night so that all students can have a chance to relax and have fun.
- A debate-night between a panel of experts on a topic of interest to the student body.
Future Goals: This is an on-going list of goals that the Pre-Law Students Association as the Association receives funds, donations, interest, etc.
- Starting next year, the Association, on the week of each LSAT, will start giving out “LSAT Survival Kits” to first-time registered test-takers. The boxes will include food, items to clam nerves (i.e. fidget spinners), and notes of affirmation. This will be a tradition we adopt on an ongoing basis as recognition of the student's hard work, our close friendships, and solidarity.