9 minute read
Meet Alumna Kirstiana Perryman
KIRSTIANA PERRYMAN, J.D. ’22
What led to your decision to attend UGA Law, and what was your experience like while you were there?
Two things led to my decision to attend: 1) Community and 2) Return on Investment. From the beginning, I felt like UGA could be a place where I could thrive academically and socially – the first thing current students brought up when I toured was the collaborative atmosphere, and to me that spoke volumes. UGA Law has given me the financial flexibility I needed to be able to determine what work drives me and to pursue opportunities like judicial clerkships.
What was your time at UGA Law like?
My experience at UGA Law lived up to those expectations. In terms of community, I have made some of my best friends in law school. I have had the privilege of getting to know people who will become leaders in the state and throughout the country. I have made friends with people who have vastly different life experiences and extremely exciting futures.
I feel very lucky to have been able to interact with faculty as much as I did. Faculty members have made time for me to help me navigate my career path, discuss class questions or legal issues, and to develop as an academic and a student. I would never have known I had a chance of securing a federal judicial clerkship without the help of key faculty members who alerted me to that possibility and supported me through the process. Prof. Chapman and Dean Barnett helped me navigate the process of applying for Judicial Clerkships. Dean Rutledge took the time as my faculty mentor to guide me and give me advice whenever I needed it. I am very grateful for their help.
How do you feel about being a UGA Law graduate and all that lies ahead?
I feel very excited about being a UGA Law graduate! I am clerking for Judge Lisa Godbey Wood in the Southern District of Georgia, and after that I am clerking for Judge Scott Matheson on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals! I am excited to become an active member of the alumni community and to try to support the law school in its efforts to increase accessibility to our institution and diversity within our profession. I intend to maintain the network that I have created during my time in law school, and I look forward to expanding it!
AUTHENTIC SCHOLARSHIPS
AUTHENTIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Prospective law students want both a reasonably priced legal education and clear guidance as they embark on a path to realize their professional goals. Our law school helps you achieve both by offering:
Authentic Scholarships – While scholarships
offered by some law schools represent little more than “discounts” on tuition, virtually all scholarships offered by our admissions office represent true dollars donated by alums and friends giving back to the institution to support the next generation of lawyers and leaders, whether in the form of an endowed scholarship or a gift to the Law School Fund;
Diverse Scholarships – Many of the law school’s scholarships are based on an assessment of the student’s academic achievements and potential; others, however, honor particular experiences or values such as first-generation college graduates, veterans, proven leaders or accomplished athletes. Enduring Relationships – Our law school’s
stewardship program helps to develop relationships between scholarship recipients and donors. Donors often become mentors as law graduates embark on their careers.
Over 70% of our incoming law students received scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to admitted applicants after a review of their admission files. For priority merit scholarship consideration, applications should be completed and received in the Office of Admissions by February 1, 2023. No separate application form is necessary to be considered for a School of Law scholarship.
Dean Bo Rutledge addresses a group of students at Orientation.
School of Law Scholarships Include:
• Merit scholarship awards ranging from a few thousand dollars to full-tuition plus Distinguished Law Fellowships, which include full tuition and a professional development stipend.
• Tuition Equalization Scholarships allowing non-resident recipients to pay tuition for the first year of law school at the
resident rate rather than the non-resident rate. (See Georgia Residency section on page 51 for more information on how to pay in-state rates beyond your first year.)
• Graduate Assistantships This unique scholarship opportunity provides a full tuition wavier for all three years of law school, along with a salary earned in 2L and 3L years.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
www.law.uga.edu/authentic-scholarships
FINANCIAL AID
The University of Georgia participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program in which eligible students borrow from the U.S. Department of Education. These loans are repaid directly to the U.S. Department of Education. All student loans are administered by the University of Georgia Office of Student Financial Aid.
FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LOANS, VISIT:
www.law.uga.edu/financial-assistance
FAFSA
The first step to borrowing federal student loans is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is used to determine eligibility for need-based financial aid administered by the University of Georgia Office of Student Financial Aid. The application is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The priority financial aid application deadline for FAFSA is December 15, 2022.
UGA OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
Federal loan information and application materials may be obtained by contacting the UGA Office of Student Financial Aid.
220 Academic Building Athens, GA 30602-6114 (706) 542-6147 • osfa@uga.edu • www.uga.edu/osfa
YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM
The University of Georgia School of Law is proud to be a sponsor of the Yellow Ribbon Program in support of our nation’s veterans. The program provides additional assistance to cover tuition and fees.
TO LEARN MORE, VISIT:
www.law.uga.edu/school-law-veterans-services
Resident Annual Tuition $17,604
Non-resident Annual Tuition* $36,362
Annual Fees $1,390 Resident Total Estimated $39,860 Cost of Attendance**
*It is possible for non-residents to pay tuition at the resident rate by the beginning of the second year of law school. In addition the Law School offers some tuition reduction scholarships that allow non-residents to pay the resident tuition rate for one or two semesters of the first year of law school.
** The Cost of Attendance breakdown includes tuition.
EASY PATHWAY TO GEORGIA RESIDENCY
Many students become Georgia residents for tuition purposes after the first year of law school. If you enroll as a non-resident and you are an independent student, you may be classified as in-state for tuition purposes if you demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that you have established a domicile and legal residence in Georgia.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
www.law.uga.edu/georgia-residency
The School of Law stewardship program fosters authentic relationships between scholarship recipients and donors.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply beginning September 1, 2022 at www.lsac.org
A completed School of Law application must be received by the School of Law Office of Admissions by June 1, 2023, in order to be considered for admission to the 2023 entering class. All supporting materials must be received by the School of Law Office of Admissions by June 30, 2023. The University of Georgia School of Law will accept both the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). If an applicant has both scores, the LSAT score must be reported.
For priority merit scholarship consideration, applications should be completed and received in the Office of Admissions by February 1, 2023.
Application Dates
September 1, 2022–June 1, 2023:
Applications accepted for the Class of 2026 on www.lsac.org
December 1, 2022:
Early Decision application submission deadline
February 1, 2023:
Application submission deadline for priority merit scholarship consideration LSAT Dates
August 12 & 13, 2022 September 9 & 10, 2022 October 14 & 15, 2022 November 11 & 12, 2022 January 13 & 14, 2023 February 10 & 11, 2023 April 14 & 15, 2023 June 9 & 10, 2023
*The June 2023 LSAT is the last acceptable LSAT score for the 2023 entering class.
For LSAT registration information, visit Law School Admission Council (LSAC) www.lsac.org.
GRE
Information on the GRE can be found at www.ETS.org.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE CLASS OF 2026 MUST BE SUBMITTED BY JUNE 1, 2023.
www.law.uga.edu/how-apply
Register and take Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Exam
Register with LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Request official transcripts from all college/university registrars be sent to LSAC
Request recommenders send letters of recommendation to LSAC
Order Law School Reports from LSAC
Monitor LSAC/CAS files Submit online application through lsac.org by February 1, 2023, for priority merit scholarship consideration
Submit online application through lsac.org by June 1, 2023, final application deadline Pay $50 nonrefundable application fee through lsac.org
Include required supplemental materials, e.g., explanations for “Yes” responses to Character & Fitness questions, resume and personal statement.
Include optional supplemental materials, e.g., optional essays.
BINDING EARLY DECISION PROCESS
The Early Decision process is designed for students who have considered their law school options carefully and are confident that the University of Georgia School of Law is their clear first choice. Early Decision admission is binding.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EARLY DECISION COMMITMENT PROCESS, VISIT
www.law.uga.edu/early-decision-process
Early Decision 2022-2023 Timeline
September 1, 2022 Application available on www.lsac.org November 30, 2022 $500 Non-refundable Seat Deposit due December 1, 2022 Application submission deadline December 15, 2022 Application completion deadline January 31, 2023 Non-refundable Deposit Due for Early Decision students admitted after mid-November
Alumni and alumnae Chris Bruce (J.D. ’12), Ryan Scates (J.D. ’13), Texys Morris Wheelock (J.D. ’11), Bill Custer (J.D. ’86), and Cheryl Fisher Custer (J.D. ’86) enjoy the School of Law’s Homecoming BBQ.
2022–2023
Office of Admissions • 225 Herty Drive Athens, GA 30602-6012 • (706) 542-7060 ugajd@uga.edu • law.uga.edu
S. Jack Hu Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost provost@uga.edu Jere W. Morehead UGA President president@uga.edu Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge School of Law Dean borut@uga.edu
© 2022 University of Georgia School of Law.
The University of Georgia is a unit of the University of System of Georgia. The University of Georgia does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or military service in its administrations of educational policies, programs, or activities; its admissions policies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or other University-administered programs; or employment. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Equal Opportunity Office 119 Holmes-Hunter Academic Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. Telephone 706-542-7912 (V/TDD). Fax 706-542-2822. https://eoo.uga.edu/
