Website: Where Will Your Legal Education Take You?: Dean of Law School Admissions

Dean of Law School Admissions

Graphic by Alondra Pulido

Law school admissions deans manage the admissions cycle, which may include responsibilities such as reading hundreds—if not thousands—of applications from prospective law students, conducting interviews, and, overwhelmingly, leading efforts to enroll a talented and diverse student body. Deans may also lead recruiting events, manage the Admissions Office, and work within the school's Financial Aid Office. Admissions deans are responsible for setting goals and targets each admissions cycle, whether those goals are statistical averages (LSAT and undergraduate GPA), diversity goals, or any other factor in admissions. Deans of law school admissions may also be responsible for maintaining waitlists, and accounting for factors like yield rates.

There is no one path to become a dean of law school admissions. Prospective candidates may work first as an admissions officer, in student affairs, in other admissions offices, or in another office at the university. However, having attended law school, applicants with a J.D. are competitive candidates for their first-hand experience in the admissions process, and for their insight into what it takes to be successful in law school.

Although this section is highlighting Dean of Admissions, there are plenty of other legal academic careers to pursue: Dean for Students, Dean of Academic Success Programs, Dean of Student and Career Services, director of a graduate program, staff attorney or director of a legal clinic, program manager/coordinator, law librarian and more!