Momentum Builds for Pre-Law Students After a Dynamic Fall Semester at the P-PAC

This fall, Seton Hall University’s Pre-Professional Advising Center (PPAC) formally launched pre-law advising, offering students a comprehensive range of opportunities to explore the legal profession, prepare for law school and navigate the application process. This marked the first semester that PPAC provided structured, centralized support for pre-law students, and the program was met with strong interest and participation, making it a clear success.

PPAC’s programming was intentionally designed to provide students with meaningful exposure to the law through both academic and experiential learning. The semester began with an interactive conversation with the Honorable Philip Degnan, a New Jersey Superior Court Judge and Seton Hall Law School alumnus, who spoke in honor of Constitution Day. His remarks helped ground students’ understanding of constitutional principles in real-world judicial experience and set the tone for the semester.

Building on this foundation, students continued their engagement through PPAC’s Lunch and Law Series, which featured informal discussions with practicing attorneys. These sessions introduced students to a range of practice areas, including immigration and employment law, and created space for candid conversations about legal careers, the current legal landscape and pathways into the profession. These events also allowed students to practice their networking skills!

Students further deepened their understanding of the law through guided conversations and topical programming. Political Science Professor Robert Pallitto, Seton Hall University student Sam Fox and P-PAC Pre-Law Advisor Madelyn Ferrans led a discussion on the 2025–26 Supreme Court calendar, fielding questions from students and encouraging active participation. Additional small-group and issue-focused discussions tied legal concepts to events, including sessions on Halloween, Ghosts and New Jersey Property Law and Limits on First Amendment and Public Workers: A Professor’s Prospective.

Exploration of law schools was another key component of the semester. PPAC hosted law school admissions representatives from several institutions, including Seton Hall, Fordham, Rutgers and Pace, providing students with direct access to admissions professionals and valuable insight into academic expectations and application strategies. Students also had opportunities to engage with law schools beyond campus. They visited New York Law School, where they toured the campus, met with admissions staff and experienced the law school environment firsthand. Additionally, students attended New Jersey’s Annual Law School Admissions Day held at Montclair State University, where over 40 law schools were present.

In addition to exploration, PPAC placed strong emphasis on law school preparation. Through a series of workshops, students were introduced to the law school application timeline and its key components, including resume building, personal statements, and articulating a clear “why law.” Recognizing the central role of the LSAT, PPAC deliberately developed multiple forms of support to help students navigate the test preparation process. To jumpstart this effort, PPAC hosted fall programming for students planning to take the LSAT in the spring, including sessions with the Law School Admission Council’s Director of Pre-Law Advising, a moderated discussion with three Seton Hall Law students focused on study strategies, and a diagnostic exam. PPAC will continue this support throughout the spring with PPAC sponsored materials, bi-monthly practice exams, study sessions, peer tutoring and wellness check-ins.

In addition to all this programming, PPAC offered individualized support through one-on-one advising and weekly community drop-in hours. These meetings gave students the opportunity to discuss all aspects of law school and the application process, including study strategies, resume and personal statement review and next steps in their pre-law journey. With the assistance of student collaborators, PPAC prepared a comprehensive list of current, pre-law internships — an initiative that has already resulted in student success!

Together, these efforts reflect PPAC’s commitment to building a robust, accessible, and student-centered pre-law advising program, one that equips Seton Hall students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue legal education and careers in law.

Students shared positive feedback on the center’s impact. Sophomore Carlee Cunha described PPAC as “an absolute blessing” for first-generation students pursuing law, noting that LSAT events helped her both meet peers and understand the exam better. Sophomore Ayden Hepp highlighted the stability PPAC brought to the 3+3 Business Law Program, emphasizing the team’s guidance at every stage of the law school journey. Junior Emmely Suarez praised the Pre-Law Launch event for fostering collaboration among student organizations and creating a sense of unity in the pre-law community.

Looking ahead, PPAC plans to continue expanding its programming for the spring semester and looks forward to the continued work with each student on their prelaw journey. Students interested in participating or staying updated on events are encouraged to make an appointment on COMPASS, join the P-PAC’s email list and follow @setonhall_ppac on Instagram.

Categories: Campus Life, Law