In a history-making week, the most academically gifted class on record took their seats in the classrooms of Sullivan Hall.
The new Seattle University School of Law class boasts a median LSAT score of 159 and a median GPA of 3.59, the highest of any incoming cohort to date.
“Each successive entering class over the last several years has broken various records, and this year’s newest students are no exception in adding excellence to excellence,” said Seattle U Law Dean Anthony E. Varona. “They comprise record-breaking cohorts across all degree programs.”
The new group is also exceptionally diverse. Nearly 40% of the class comprises students of color, up four percentage points from last year. Female students make up 58%, and 4% identify as non-binary. The LGBTQ+ community is represented in 29% of the class.
More than a quarter of students are the first in their families to go to college, and 6% have served in the military. The average age of the Class of 2028 student is 28.
While 69% of students will be used to the rainy weather, as they hail from Washington, 31% come to Seattle U Law from other parts of the country.
The students attended 93 different colleges and universities for their undergraduate years, including New York University Tisch School of the Arts, George Washington University, Brigham Young University, Brandeis University in Massachusetts, Oberlin College in Ohio, and, right here at home, Seattle University, Cornish College of the Arts, and the University of Washington.
Those who worked in between their undergraduate education and law school were in a variety of fields, from health care to law enforcement to collegiate athletics.
“I am excited to be part of Seattle U School of Law because of its commitment to social justice and public interest law. As a former public servant, it is especially meaningful to be here during a time when the rule of law is under attack,” said new 1L Julia Parkey of Seattle, who most recently worked as a paralegal at the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. “I am looking forward to getting to know people and developing my advocacy skills through Moot Court and legal writing.”
New 1L Connor Vaughan of Corona, California, said he was spoilt for choice when it came to which student groups to join, but having taken part in Moot Court as an undergrad, he is especially interested in some type of oral advocacy. He fell in love with the urban yet green campus after coming from the sprawl of Los Angeles.
“Once I visited it was a done deal. The campus is incredible, right in the middle of the city,” he said.
Having been confirmed as a Catholic his last year of his undergrad studies, Vaughan also identifies with the school’s Jesuit mission.
“It really spoke to me, this is the perfect school, everyone is incredibly personal, the community is amazing,” he said. “I’m really excited to be part of this community.”