Celebrating More Than a Decade of Discover Law
Published February 18, 2025
On June 28, 2024, the Discover Law Undergraduate Scholars Program wrapped up its eleventh session, marking over a decade for the popular program. Discover Law is intended for historically underrepresented or first-generation undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in law. It exposes students to critical thinking, develops analytical reading and writing skills, and provides an in-depth four-week residential summer experience.
We spoke with past and present scholars and previous program directors to hear their thoughts on the program's lasting impact and how it builds up students to succeed and excel.
1. But first: what is Discover Law?
Discover Law opens the door to what law school can be like for traditionally underrepresented or first-generation undergraduate students. They are invited to UB School of Law’s campus where they spend four weeks living and studying on campus.
“The program’s emphasis on critical skills such as legal analysis, research, and advocacy has proven transformative for participants. This structured approach not only enhances students’ readiness for law school but also cultivates professional networks, exposing students to law faculty and diverse legal practitioners. These achievements underscore the program’s capacity to turn an investment in education into a lifetime of professional and societal impact,” shares Kristen Kelly, director of the Discover Law Program.
It is a rigorous program where the scholars learn about the LSAT, while building connections and visiting practitioners. They also attend classes with UB School of Law professors. “I have seen countless scholars go on to have incredible careers in law and beyond,” says Amber Melvin ’13, assistant vice provost for inclusive excellence and previous director of the Discover Law Program, 2021-2022. “It is a life-changing program that has a lasting impact on the participants, instructors, law school, and larger legal community. I look forward to celebrating many more milestones as the program continues to grow.”
2. How impactful is Discover Law for students?
Immensely! There is no shortage of support for the program, as well as glowing reviews from past participants. Kendra Cadogan, previous director of Discover Law in 2018, says, “The benefits for students can’t be overstated. Discover Law gives students the confidence in themselves and knowledge of what skills they need to hone to feel more competitive and make law school achievable.”
We asked a group of four previous Discover Law scholars about their experiences, and how those experiences positively impacted them and their decision to attend law school. Here’s what they had to say!
Discover Law helped me navigate my decision to go to law school. I met my best friend during the program…and I got to meet other people with similar interests as me. I got to know the UB Law community early on and become familiar with faculty members and other UB Law students. We participated in numerous networking events with lawyers and judges from the community, which was instrumental in allowing me to see the different careers in the legal field. We got to attend workshops for the LSAT, so my first time studying and getting to understand the exam was not on my own. And Discover Law taught me what would be required of me to get into law school.
Arrianna Hart
Discover Law ’15, UB School of Law ’20
One thing that was apparent was the gap between the level of writing required for an undergrad compared to a law student. Getting that exposure and critical eye to writing gave me a target to guide myself towards during the remainder of my undergraduate career. Beyond legal writing, the LSAT Prep course was very beneficial, again focusing on the gap on reading comprehension. Those two things made a big difference.
Brandon Lê
Discover Law ’14, UB School of Law ’20
Discover Law solidified my interest in going to law school and confirmed that this was the right path for me. I was exposed to what this path was like, got to see if I really enjoyed it, asked a lot of questions and learned what being in law school was really like—dressing professionally, learning time management, and taking rigorous courses. I got to see how disciplined and prepared you need to be, but knew this was the place I wanted to be. I also got to network with many law firms in addition to the Minority Bar Association, faculty, law students, and overall got to know UB Law.
Sophia Saleta
Discover Law ’22, current UB 3+3 BA/JD student
Discover Law was an illuminating experience. I learned the fundamentals, learned to synthesize and write a case brief, and it reemphasized my love for legal theory. Discover Law created a much broader view of what the law is about, helping me look at other avenues of law, not just being an advocate as a lawyer, but being a tool that can pay it forward through networking and financing. Discover Law cemented my intentions of becoming a lawyer.
Emmanuel Wright
Discover Law ’21, UB School of Law ’26
3. Attending Discover Law
If you’re an undergraduate student looking to take part in the Discover Law program, here are a few more details to consider.
- First and foremost, it’s free! There is no cost to participants.
- Eligible students: Historically underrepresented undergraduates or first-generation college students who have completed their freshman or sophomore year, but who will not commence their junior year before the end of the program.
You can review a full list of frequently asked questions here.
Still on the fence? Here’s a bit more advice from our previous scholars to help you make a decision:
Law school is not a small undertaking and Discover Law allows you to immerse yourself in the material and in the actual setting before making the commitment. It is a good primer for anyone interested in attending law school.
Arrianna Hart
Discover Law ’15, UB School of Law ’20
Discover Law is a rare opportunity to get a trial run of what law school is really like. The program is so well-rounded and shows what life after law school looks like. You make connections and get introductions to the legal community and learn what practice is like on a day-to-day basis.
Brandon Lê
Discover Law ’14, UB School of Law ’20
We all deserve a place in the legal field and in this world. Just go for it. The opportunity wouldn’t be there if you weren’t ready. Just submit the application and do it. It will change your trajectory, whether it confirms your direction in law, or that it is not for you. But it also shows you how versatile a law degree really is. There are so many options. It will bring you so much fulfillment, and the people around you will enrich the whole experience.
Sophia Saleta
Discover Law ’22, current UB 3+3 BA/JD student
Discover Law was one the greatest experiences in my undergraduate career. If you want a brief critical intro to law school, this is the perfect program. You gain a plethora of connections you won’t get anywhere else. You get to interact with a group of like-minded individuals. I would say give Discover Law a try and it will either help you figure out what you want to do or solidify your interest in law.
Emmanuel Wright
Discover Law ’21, UB School of Law ’26
Since its inception, the Discover Law Program has supported 204 scholars from prestigious universities such as Cornell, Columbia, and Harvard. “A notable outcome is the successful transition of participants into law schools nationwide, with 46 scholars enrolled in or having graduated from law school and 23 pursuing other advanced degrees,” shared Kristen Kelly.
It's easy to see how impactful the Discover Law Program is to everyone involved! If you’re reading this as an undergraduate interested in the program, please reach out to Kristen Kelly, director for the Discover Law Undergraduate Scholars Program, to set up a meeting, or submit your application today. In closing, we’ll leave you with this quote from Destiny Hopkinson, a junior at UB in the 3+3 BA/JD program and 2023 Discover Law Scholar and Mason P. Ashe ’89 Scholar:
“This program has tested me far beyond what I deemed to be imaginable. But I survived... so, let's imagine what more I CAN do!”
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