On August 19, Cornell Law School welcomed 218 students of the J.D. Class of 2028 to their first day of Orientation, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in their legal education. Selected from a competitive pool of 4,641 applicants, this cohort brings together a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and academic achievements.

The Class of 2028 boasts a median LSAT score of 173 and a median GPA of 3.92, underscoring their academic strength. The age range spans from 19 to 37, with a median age of 23. Notably, 62 percent of students have postgraduate experience, adding depth and breadth to their collective perspectives.

Geographically, the class is diverse, with students representing 34 states, the District of Columbia, and eight countries, including Canada, China, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Singapore, and South Korea. States with the highest representation include New York (41 students), California (32), New Jersey (20), and Florida (14). Their undergraduate backgrounds are equally varied, with students coming from 108 different institutions. Notable clusters include Cornell (26 students), NYU (10), Columbia (5), and UC Berkeley/UCLA/Univ. of Illinois (5 each). Additionally, 15 percent are first-generation college students, and 4 percent are veterans or military reservists.

“We’re excited to welcome this remarkable group of future lawyers,” said Shane Cooper ’03, Senior Associate Dean for Admissions, Financial Aid, and Student Services. “Each student arrives with a unique story, having overcome challenges and demonstrated the potential to become lawyers who will make a meaningful impact on society.”

The four-day Orientation program, held from August 19 to August 22, was designed to help students acclimate to law school life. It featured sessions on academic success, wellness, and professional development, student panels, and introductions to the law library and legal research tools.

Orientation began with the Dean’s Welcome event, during which Jens David Ohlin, Allan R. Tessler Dean and Professor of Law, and senior leadership shared an overarching message that each of the new students has a special role to play as part of the Cornell Law community. This was followed by a special ceremony at which Hon. Alison J. Nathan ’00, Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, administered the Oath of Professionalism to all entering students.

The week concluded with a celebratory luncheon, where students, faculty, and staff gathered to mark the beginning of the academic year and to strengthen the bonds formed during Orientation.