A Diverse Student Body
Both Vanderbilt Law School and Vanderbilt University view learning within a diverse student body as an essential component of our educational and co-curricular goals. We believe that talented students with a mix of backgrounds, experiences, and interests promote a vibrant and beneficial educational environment and that holistic, full-file review in the admission process is central to obtaining that objective.
Our selection process reflects our belief that the quality of the educational environment is strengthened by considering a range of information about each prospective student that is far broader than GPA and LSAT score. We review each file in its entirety for evidence of engagement with educational opportunities, community service, and employment responsibilities, as well as indicators of intellectual curiosity, interest in others’ welfare, perseverance, professionalism, and other characteristics of successful law students and lawyers.
Recruitment
The student organization, “Ambassadors at Vanderbilt Law School,” is dedicated to the recruitment of future students, and its volunteer membership fully reflects the diversity of the VLS student body. The Ambassadors’ substantial involvement with our on-campus Admitted Students Programs and direct outreach to admitted students is a vital component of our continuing efforts to enroll a diverse student body each admission cycle.
Our on-campus Admitted Student Programs each include diversity events that may include panels with current students and alums, Q&A sessions, and gatherings with current JD students. The Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Bass Berry & Sims has spoken in the past. Representatives from various student organizations help to organize and attend.
In recruiting new students, we consistently attend targeted law student recruiting events including:
- National Black Pre Law Fair
- Latino Justice PRLDEF Law Day
- Morehouse College Pre Law Fair
- Tuskegee University Law Fair
- AUCC Graduate and Professional School Fair, Clark Atlanta University
- Individual campus visits to HBCUs
- LSAC Forums from coast to coast, which are well-attended by minority students, particularly those who are college graduates in the work force. Prospective law students find such consortium events to be an efficient and productive means of exploring their law school options, and VLS consistently attracts a diverse student population through our participation
- Virtual events for prospective students that feature members of the Law School Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Council and leaders of various student identity organizations.
Outreach
We regularly sponsor on-campus group visits for minority students from area/ regional high schools, colleges, and pipeline organizations.
- Hosted Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization iLead Law and Leadership Conference for High School Students
- We annually partner with The Nashville Bar Association’s Diversity Committee High School Intern Program to host a Lunch and Learn that includes a Q&A. (around 15 attendees each year)
- We have hosted diverse groups including Summer Work Experience in Law (SWEL), The CAP and GOWN Project, and Oakwood University and provided tours and info sessions. These groups range from 20-50 students.
- Admissions officers make presentations to Vanderbilt’s National Black Law Students Association chapter (undergraduate students) and to similar groups on college campuses across the nation.
Questions? Contact the Admissions Office
615-322-6452 
| admissions@law.vanderbilt.edu
