How a UM Law School Placement Program is 100% Crushing It

Two years running, the Pre-Law Program is showing just how effective personalized mentoring can be for students chasing their dreams in law.

100% PLACEMENT

Phil Stempin with UM News Service tells us that the University of Montana's Pre-Law Program recently recorded two consecutive years in which 100% of participating students who applied to law school were admitted.

Program staff members say the results come from early engagement, steady preparation and one-on-one mentoring. Those elements are reflected in the experience of Gillian O’Neil, now a third-year student at UM’s Alexander Blewitt III School of Law, who will graduate this spring with a job already secured.

A BASKETBALL COURT TO A COURT OF LAW

O’Neil (pictured left in above photo) began working with Pre-Law Program Manager Soazig Le Bihan as an undergraduate who transferred to UM to focus on academics. O’Neil said that guidance helped her navigate the law school admissions process and later prepare for employment.

Gillian O’Neil grew up in Illinois and first attended Clarke University in Iowa, where she played college basketball. She later transferred to UM and majored in political science, choosing to step away from athletics to concentrate on her academic goals.

She said her time as a student-athlete shaped habits that carried into law school, noting, “Basketball taught me how to manage my time and stay disciplined. Those skills helped me succeed once the academic demands increased.”

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DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNDS

With two straight years of full placement, UM’s Pre-Law Program has positioned itself as a reliable pathway for students pursuing legal careers in Montana and beyond. The program works with students across campus and from a range of academic backgrounds. Program leaders stress there is no single formula for law school admission.

Congratulations to all who have been placed and contribute to be part of the driving force that contributes to the University of Montana Law School's lofty prestige and recognition. Lots more interesting information about the program can be found here.