2025 News UMass Law News 2025: UMass Law welcomes the entering class of 2025

New students bring diversity, experience, and commitment to the only public law school in Massachusetts

After reviewing a record number of applications, UMass Dartmouth's School of Law (UMass Law) welcomed the entering class of 2025, a dynamic and diverse group of 142 new students who began their legal education during last week's orientation. Representing 13 countries and 27 states, the incoming class brings a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives to Massachusetts' only public law school.

This cohort marks one of the largest, most diverse, and most academically prepared entering classes in UMass Law's history. Thirty seven percent of the class are first-generation college students and 88% of the class are first-generation law school students.

"Spending time with this group of talented, motivated students this week has been inspiring," said UMass Law Dean Sam Panarella. "Each of them brings unique experiences and perspectives to our public law school, and I have no doubt they will support and challenge one another as they prepare to pursue justice in the legal profession."

"Spending time with this group of talented, motivated students this week has been inspiring. Each of them brings unique experiences and perspectives to our public law school, and I have no doubt they will support and challenge one another as they prepare to pursue justice in the legal profession."

Entering class of 2025 by the numbers

• 142 students enrolled

Academics

• 152 LSAT 50^th percentile
• 3.36 Undergraduate GPA 50^th percentile
• 98 undergraduate institutions
• 10 UMass Dartmouth alumni

Demographics

• 63% women
• 39% students of color
• 37% first-generation college students
• 88% first-generation law students
• 19% members of the LGBTQIA+ community

Diversity

• 27 states represented
• 13 countries of origin
• 7 different native languages

Service

• 8 veterans or active military personnel

*As of this article's publish

Students participated in a four-day orientation program from August 19 to August 22. The program began with a welcome address from Dean Panarella, followed by sessions on legal reasoning, legal research, and the foundations of civics. In addition, students engaged in conversations around professional identity, cross-cultural awareness, and closing the justice gap.

Judge Joseph P. Harrington, Jr., First Justice of the New Bedford District Court, administered the Lawyer's Oath, marking the students' commitment to ethical and justice-centered legal practice.

Orientation emphasized community and service. Students took part in a service project at Sharing the Harvest Community Farm in Dartmouth, followed by an ice cream social at the UMass Law Library. Throughout the week, the class met with faculty, staff, student leaders, and alumni to help prepare for success in their first semester and throughout their law school career.

"We're off to an exciting start with our new students," said UMass Law Assistant Dean of Students Julie Cahill. "They brought their enthusiasm for the study of law, and we know they will make their impact on our law school community and beyond."

UMass Law welcomes the entering class of 2025

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