Southwestern Law School began the 2024-25 academic year by welcoming 428 new J.D. students during a series of orientation events held in July and August. The students come from 28 states and countries, representing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. They are enrolled in various programs, including the Full-Time Day J.D., Accelerated J.D. (SCALE), Part-Time Day, Part-Time Caregiver J.D. (PLEAS), and the two new Online J.D. programs (full-time and part-time).
The incoming class, Southwestern’s largest in decades, includes graduates from 134 universities, with many from UCLA, Cal State Northridge, USC, UC Irvine, and Loyola Marymount. The class is remarkably diverse, with 43% identifying as students of color, 59% as women, and 36% as the first in their families to graduate from college. The students range in age from 19 to 53, with an average age of 27.
This year also marks the introduction of the Online J.D. program, which offers flexibility for students balancing professional and personal commitments. The program attracted more than 1,500 applicants (first or second program choice) in its first year, reflecting the growing demand for innovative, adaptable legal education options. Like their peers in the on-campus programs, these students bring a wide range of professional experiences to their legal studies.
Dean Darby Dickerson, President and Dean of Southwestern Law School, welcomed the class, offering words of encouragement as they begin their legal studies. “As you begin your studies, remember that success in law is not only about mastering the material—it’s about becoming a leader and contributing to the profession in meaningful ways,” she said.
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