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Arkansas Law Review

Abstract

High school graduates whose parents did not themselves graduate from college are now entering undergraduate institutions in overwhelming numbers. They represent a significant constituency on college campuses across the country and undergraduate programs are investing resources to study and facilitate the academic success of these students as they work towards an undergraduate degree. Those students have been graduating in greater numbers and many are now pursuing graduate degrees, including law degrees. To grow student retention and graduation rates, law schools should be proactive in addressing the needs of this growing body of students.

First-generation college students bring with them to law school both tremendous skills and unique challenges. As with undergraduate institutions, it would behoove law schools to invest resources to aid first-generation college students matriculating to law school.

In Part II of this article, we identify first-generation students. Part III of this article focuses on a unique program of academic success implemented at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. We describe the Tennessee Institute for Pre-Law (TIP) program, its goals, and its functions. Finally, in Part IV of this article, we conclude that the TIP program should be replicated at law schools throughout the country as the number of first-generation college students pursuing law degrees rises.

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