Former Pres. Hardesty speaks to prospective law students at the Honors College

For students who succeed in the classroom, the next step to success may be in the courtroom.

Former West Virginia University President and law ethics Professor David Hardesty and College of Law Director of Admissions Tina Jernigan spoke to the students about being a lawyer, how to apply for law school and the benefits of a law degree Thursday for students at an event hosted in the faculty apartments in the Honors Hall.

Hardesty and Jernigan covered several aspects of law school, from recommended curriculum to the Law Student Admissions Test, or LSAT. Hardesty said law school students come from a variety of majors, although the majority of law students received a liberal arts undergraduate degree.

"There is no perfect major. My students have been pre-law majors, political science, journalism and philosophy majors, among others," he said.

Hardesty said not all individuals may be suitable for law school.

"What you have to be able to do is write, learn, think and speak," he said.

Although law degrees may be difficult to obtain, Hardesty said being a lawyer is a sure path to success.

"Lawyers find their ways into positions of leadership and responsibility," he said.

Hardesty said almost half of all United States presidents were lawyers, including incumbent president Barack Obama.

Hardesty said an interest in law is common for students who want to impact the lives of others.

"Lawyers have in common that they somehow want to help people," he said.

Jernigan said a law degree may impact a student's ability to achieve their goals after graduation.

"If you really want to make a difference, a law degree is the key to that," she said.

Jernigan said the majority of the students she has taught have been deeply motivated.

"I think every one of our students is going to make a difference in the world. I believe in them," she said.

The WVU College of Law is still collecting donations for a massive renovation to their Evansdale campus.

The College hosts a variety of programs for law students, including clinics where students can practice under the supervision of faculty, and the college possesses an 11-to-one student-professor ratio.

Students in the Law School also have access to several study abroad programs, including trips to the Amazon rain forest in Brazil and study opportunities in Mexico.

After speaking, Hardesty left the students to consider their goals and opportunities.

"When you go home tonight, I want you to think about your goals and your dreams," he said. "Those dreams start now."