Few higher education topics are as important as the impact of the recent SCOTUS affirmative action ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.

The court held that race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions processes violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. 

In November, the Tufts Lawyers Association’s Public Interest and Social Justice Committee presented three dynamic speakers who discussed the ongoing impact of this ruling on students, educators, and beyond:

Monroe France, vice provost for DEIJ at Tufts University and professor of the practice at Tisch College of Civic Life

Cat Scott, labor and employment defense attorney at Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP

Steve Wermiel, professor of practice at American University Washington College of Law

Missed the panel? You're invited to watch the recording.

The Junior Deferral Program is an excellent option for students who know they want to go to law school but want to explore other professional, educational, or service opportunities first.

Through JDP, undergraduate students in junior standing can apply to Harvard Law School as long as they are scheduled to complete all required coursework and graduate the following year.

If admitted, they must commit to defer their admission offer for at least two years once they’ve completed their undergrad degree. Students can then use this deferral period to explore their interests and gain hands-on work experience before returning to the law school classroom. 

The Yale Law School Launchpad Scholars Program, powered by Latham & Watkins, is for applicants who are planning to apply to law school in the fall of 2024, with the goal of enrolling in law school in the fall of 2025. The program is open to current college students, as well as college graduates, to help guide them through the process. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3. There is no cost to apply to, or participate in, the program.

If you’re applying to law school, an important step is planning to take the LSAT, a standardized exam consisting of 4-sections of multiple-choice and reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and logical reasoning questions.

LSAT takers are also required to complete a written essay called “LSAT Writing.” Testing fees apply and accommodations are available if requested well in advance of the test date. 

Note: Registration is currently open for January 2024 LSAT. For more information, visit the LSAC website.

Check out these paralegal positions in the nonprofit and social justice field. For other legal job opportunities, make sure to log into Handshake or make an appointment to meet with Dovie King to discuss your options. 

Innocence Project of Florida, Inc. — Paralegal and event planner positions/criminal justice (Tallahassee, FL)

Day One New York — Paralegal position/domestic violence advocacy (New York City)

Ayuda — Paralegal, language access and data specialist positions/immigration (Silver Spring, MD)

University of Virginia Law — Clinical programs paralegal (Charlottesville, VA)

Volunteer Lawyers Project — Paralegal position/consumer & bankruptcy (Boston, MA)

Interested in law? As the pre-law advisor at Tufts, Dovie King’s role is to help students and alumni from any discipline, school, or major to explore career options in the legal profession.

It doesn’t matter if you are a new student, recent graduate or well into your professional career. If law interests you, it’s never too early or late to learn how to explore and pursue it.

To meet with Dovie, please log into Handshake and select a new Pre-law Appointment that works best for you. Currently all appointments with Dovie are virtual and via Zoom.

Questions? Feel free to email Dovie at dovie.king@tufts.edu.