With law school applications, recommendation letters and LSAT classes, preparing for law school can be a nightmare. One fraternity on campus is making that nightmare a sweet dream by helping pre-law students along their journey.
Phi Alpha Delta is a Greek letter organization that caters to pre-law students. Founded nationally in 1902, this fraternity has a rich history and notable alumni, including President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court justice Ruth Ginsberg and Senator Chris Dodd
Here at Miami the fraternity meets every week, bringing in speakers to talk to members about law school and what you can do with a law degree. Some recent speakers have been law professors, lobbyists, jury consultants and law school students. This networking opportunity helps brothers get insight before applying to law schools.
“I’d say that Phi Alpha Delta is just its own experience,” Veronica Ramirez, a new member said. “It’s a matter of putting in the time to really reap the benefits of being a part of it.”
In addition to their chapter meetings the co-ed fraternity attends a national conference every year in Washington, D.C. During this conference, the attendees get to network with law schools and professionals from all over the country while attending sessions with well-known speakers. The pre-law members participate in the mock trial competition and can win awards for their chapter.
Along with networking, the members use the fraternity to have fun, planning beach days and trips to the Rat as a group.
“We do a lot of the same things as a traditional fraternity,” said Kristi Mesmer, president of Phi Alpha Delta. “We have networking but we also have socials.”
As if the members didn’t have enough on their plate, some brothers of PAD are also in social fraternities and have to make time for both organizations.
“I try to make sure that whatever it is that I’m a part of that I have the time to dedicate to it,” said Veronica Ramirez, who is also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. “So I try my hardest to make sure things don’t overlap.”