Seton Hall’s Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC) hosted its first annual Law School Expo on Feb. 10, bringing together dozens of students and more than 10 law school admissions representatives to connect, network and learn more about the law school application process.
Representatives from Seton Hall Law School, New York Law School, St. John's University School of Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Brooklyn Law School, Elizabeth Haub School at Pace University, Widener University Delaware Law School, Quinnipiac University School of Law, CUNY School of Law, Fordham Law School and Rutgers Law School filled the room along with organizations serving pre-law students such as the NJ Superior Courts, Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP): National Legal Center for Children & Domestic Violence, the Bridges Bring Veterans Home (BVH) Program, CASA Essex County and LSAT Demon.
Since its launch in August 2025, the pre-law department has expanded its support for students through weekly drop-in hours, professional programming and interactive workshops.
Director of the P-PAC Chantal Vergara said the expo reflects the center’s mission to prepare and empower students as they pursue legal careers.
“We are thrilled to provide students with this opportunity as part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring Seton Hall pre-law students are informed, prepared, and empowered as they pursue law school,” Vergara said.
“Events like the Pre-Law Expo help transform what can often feel like an intimidating process into an achievable and well-supported goal, and we hope to make this an annual event for our students,” Vergara added.
Pre-law Adviser Madelyn Ferrans, who coordinated the event, envisioned the expo as an opportunity for students to explore options, build connections and better understand the law school admissions process.
“It really is unique in the context that students will get to walk and meet admissions officers who will be the ones directly reading their files,” Ferrans said. “It'll help students really learn more about these schools. You're kind of figuring out what law school you want to go to, and the law schools figuring out if they want you.”
Emmely Suarez, a junior criminal justice pre-law student and president of the Pre-Law Student Association, worked closely with the P-PAC to plan the event, which she said began as a dream that eventually became reality. Suarez said they contacted law schools far and wide, as well as test-preparation companies, law students, and nonprofits, for the event. Several representatives emphasized the importance of networking and building professional relationships within the legal field.
Peter King, associate director of admissions at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, said Cardozo takes a holistic approach to evaluating applicants.
“We try not to treat people like a number and we really look at each application on its own merits,” King said. “At Cardozo, we have very active public events, programming, and we're famous for our clinical experiences and experiential learning and it's a very social place.”
Heather Hope Kuruvilla, an admissions counselor at Widener University’s Delaware Law School, said Widener was excited to participate in the expo.
Kuruvilla said Widener is looking for well-rounded individuals who appreciate the professional nature of the law school, emphasizing that the school is home to many first-generation students.
Kathryn Espiritu, director of admissions at Fordham University School of Law in New York, said Fordham regularly receives many great applicants from SHU.
“We are looking for students that not only have historical academic success but do something beyond just being good students,” Espiritu said. “We are looking from all different backgrounds to enhance the classroom and learning experience.”
Espiritu added that Fordham offers a wide array of internships and both academic and experiential learning opportunities.
LSAT preparation was also highlighted at the expo. Among the organizations was Damon Alvarez, outreach coordinator and veteran’s liaison at LSAT Demon, an AI-powered online prep platform, who shared resources including test prep books, student discounts, scholarship estimators and podcasts.
“We care deeply about student success,” Alvarez said.
Senior political science and philosophy pre-law major and pre-law peer advisor, Kaylyn Alejo, commended LSAT Demon as a vital part of her study process.
“I was excited to talk to them and just thank them for helping me through that process. It feels like a big relief now that that part of the process is over,” Alejo said.
Representatives of the Human Services Department at the New Jersey Superior Courts, Gillian Rowe and Myrtheldjyne Estivene, discussed paid and unpaid internship opportunities across divisions, including criminal, probation and family court, at the expo.
Estivene said they look for students who are “dedicated, passionate, critical thinker[s] and [have] integrity.”
Students also heard from 1L Rutgers Law student Brianna Lapadula, who described the emotional mix of excitement and stress that comes with starting law school.
“It is mixed with a lot of excitement, nerves and stress,” Lapadula said. “The excitement portion outweighs the stress.”
Students in attendance, like freshman 3+3 finance pre-law major Aaron Rogovoy, were grateful for the advice they received from professionals and academics at the expo.
“It’s so amazing to see the various law schools here, and have the opportunity to meet so many people in the legal field,” Rogovoy said. “I was excited to speak with Brooklyn Law School as well as BWJP, since they do work to represent people who suffer gender-based violence, which is something I am looking forward to working with.”
Sophomore 3+3 finance BS/JD student Viraj Shah said the event helped students gain experience speaking with professionals.
“A lot of students are really uncomfortable talking to professionals, and I don't blame them. That's very intimidating, so it's really good for them to get that experience,” Shah said. “But this can help them get that confidence in themselves.”
Kassandrah Blake is a writer for The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at kassandrah.blake@student.shu.edu.
