Each year before the broader Orientation, the University of Chicago Law School holds a five-day Pre-Orientation program to strengthen the academic, professional, and interpersonal skills of incoming 1L students. This year’s program took place from August 30 to September 3. Throughout the week, students engaged with faculty, explored the Law School’s resources, participated in workshops, and much more.

On the first day of Pre-Orientation, students got a program overview, participated in a diversity and inclusion workshop, and, seen here, received an introduction to the Dean of Students Office.

During one lunch session, the incoming first-year students learned about the Law School experience from students in last year’s Pre-Orientation cohort.

Last year’s Pre-Orientation students also led a tour of the Law School.

The tour then branched out to the broader University of Chicago campus. Here, Pre-Orientation students are visiting Botany Pond on the Main Quad.

Over the course of the week, students attended sessions introducing them to the Office of Career Services, financial aid, student-run journals, clinical offerings, and more.

Students also toured the D’Angelo Law Library and learned more about its services.

Throughout the week, the incoming first-year students were able to connect with administrators and fellow students. Here, a student is speaking with Dean of Students Charles N. Todd between sessions.

Professor Jennifer Nou led a session on cold calls and classroom etiquette.

Here, Dean Thomas J. Miles is teaching students an introductory course on Law and Economics. Other classes included Introduction to Legal Theory, taught by Professor Saul Levmore; Introduction to Legal Research and Writing, taught by Bigelow Fellow Adam Davidson; and Introduction to Critical Race Theory, taught by Professor William H. J. Hubbard.

Pre-Orientation also featured a number of evening activities. For one of these, students got the chance to meet and engage in a Q&A with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, ’89.

Another evening, students took a bus trip down to Millennium Park. Here they are pictured with Chicago’s famous Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as "The Bean.”

At the end of the program, students took a final exam, participated in a program debrief, and celebrated their achievements.

Congratulations to the Law School's 2021 Pre-Orientation students!