The University of Montana’s Pre-Law Program recently recorded two consecutive years in which 100% of participating students who applied to law school were admitted.
Program staff members say the results come from early engagement, steady preparation and one-on-one mentoring. Those elements are reflected in the experience of Gillian O’Neil, now a third-year student at UM’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law who will graduate this spring with a job already secured.
O’Neil began working with Pre-Law Program Manager Soazig Le Bihan as an undergraduate who transferred to UM to focus on academics. O’Neil said that guidance helped her navigate the law school admissions process and later prepare for employment.
“Pre-law advising is about preparation and consistency,” Le Bihan said. “Students who engage early and stay focused tend to do well.”
O’Neil, who grew up in Oswego, Illinois, first attended Clarke University in Iowa, where she played college basketball. She later transferred to UM and majored in political science, choosing to step away from athletics to concentrate on her academic goals.
She said her time as a student-athlete shaped habits that carried into law school.
“Basketball taught me how to manage my time and stay disciplined,” O’Neil said. “Those skills helped me succeed once the academic demands increased.”
Through the UM Pre-Law Program, O’Neil received advising on coursework, Law School Admission Test preparation and applications. She said regular check-ins and clear expectations helped keep her on track.
“Soazig was very supportive and always went above and beyond,” O’Neil said. “She helped me stay organized and focused and was always there to give support.”
Le Bihan advised O’Neil throughout her journey, assisting with job searches and professional networking. O’Neil was able to secure a job with a local firm through these connections. Now that she is about to finish law school, she already has accepted a position with this same firm.
UM’s Pre-Law Program works with students across campus and from a range of academic backgrounds. Program leaders stress there is no single formula for law school admission.
The program’s recent placement success, Le Bihan said, reflects steady effort rather than shortcuts.
“Students at UM have the intellectual chops and determination needed to get into law school,” said Le Bihan. “We help them navigate the admissions system. This increases their chance at being successful.”
The achievement comes as law school admissions nationally remain competitive. Advisers say consistent guidance helps students approach the process with confidence.
“Our focus is readiness,” Le Bihan said. “We want students to understand what law school requires before they get there.”
As she prepares to graduate, O’Neil hopes her experience encourages undergraduates considering law.
“You don’t have to do it alone,” she said. “Having the right support makes a difference.”
With two straight years of full placement, UM’s Pre-Law Program has positioned itself as a reliable pathway for students pursuing legal careers in Montana and beyond.
For O’Neil, a path that began in a campus advising office will soon lead to her first day as a practicing lawyer.
By Phil Stempin, UM News Service