Highlights From Orientation 2023
“It feels like an absolute dream to officially be at UChicago Law!” said Maya Adel, ’26, one of 190 new students the Law School welcomed at orientation this fall. “I feel an immense privilege to be part of such a remarkable community.”
The program ran September 14-21, helping students get acquainted with their new intellectual home through a series of sessions that included building tours, a Free Expression workshop, a pledge of professionalism, a “First Legal Research & Writing Class,” and many others.
Danny Graves, ’26, said the research and writing class was his favorite session. “It was a stimulating introduction to the dynamics of a real law school class,” he explained. “I unfortunately missed the admitted student events, so I was glad to experience this class during orientation to help calm my nerves.”
Adel said she most enjoyed the Free Expression workshop facilitated by Professor William Baude. “I learned more about how the university is committed to fostering different ideas and prides itself in being a place where those differences can coexist. I was able to have a sneak peek into the classroom experience, and it was truly fascinating.”
The Law School is known for being a tight-knit community, and Orientation helps cultivate that dynamic from the very beginning. Students get to know each other through community-building activities weaved throughout the program, like an “improv” session, in addition to fun social events that mark the end of each busy day—from Wine Mess, a popular Law School tradition that offers an array of handcrafted beverages, to a dinner and boat cruise on the Chicago River. New this year was a Friday Social, where students played a Get to Know You Bingo activity and enjoyed a “Taste of Hyde Park” with food from different restaurants in the area.
The week concluded with the Entering Students Reception and Dinner, another long-standing tradition of the Law School, with Professor Brian Leiter serving as keynote.
“I enjoyed watching everyone slowly let their guards down as we all got to know each other better,” said Ahmed El-Sammak, ‘26. “With each new day more friends were made, more laughs were shared, and our collective relationship strengthened. I loved seeing our community slowly take shape, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves over the next three years. I see every student here as a potential friend for life.”
