The Story
Law, Pre-Law Fraternity Reactivated and Recruiting
Last spring, for students looking to get involved in pre-law organizations on campus, the pickings were slim. Disappointed when the only pre-law preparation option that she could find was mock trial, current Junior Drea Castillo decided to reactivate the College’s chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International (PAD).
“The business school, for example, has lots of fraternities and societies, but people going to law school can be bio majors, or doing anything,” said Castillo, who emphasized that the fraternity is open to anyone who would like to join.
The main goal of the organization, which was active on campus from 1999 to 2001, is to help members make an informed decision about law school, according to Castillo. The fraternity will hold workshops, mock trials, and attend competitions and law school expos as well as provide a convenient networking opportunity for members. In addition, the fraternity also hopes to strengthen the link between undergraduates at the College and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law.
“It’s a great resource available to us as undergrads. I don’t know if it’s taken for granted, but it is definitely an untapped resource,” said Castillo.
PAD has approximately 30 members, all of whom joined last April, and is hoping to gain an equal number this semester. On the agenda for the near future is attendance at a national convention. The organization will also focus on bringing more guests to campus, such as former Tribe football player Todd Skinner, who currently owns a law firm in Williamsburg and will be speaking on 28 October.
PAD will meet six times each semester, and members are required to attend at least four of the meetings. The first step of the recruitment process will begin Sunday with an informational rush meeting in Tyler 102 at 7 p.m. The entire rush process will take approximately five hours over the course of two weeks.
PAD is the largest organization of its kind with chapters in Puerto Rico and Canada, and it boasts of alumni such as former President Bill Clinton. The organization is currently based out of Maryland. To learn more visit www.pad.org.