Charleston School of Law opened its doors for the 2025-26 academic school year today.

The Law School welcomed its new students to campus last week for Orientation, a week-long primer to prepare new students with the tools and resources for their law school education. 

“While you may begin this journey and adventure with some trepidation and concern, you are not afraid to take the first steps of the journey. Each of you working together can help yourself and others in the class to face and overcome any fear that you may possess. In three years when you arrive at your graduation, you will feel a sense of accomplishment unlike anything else you have ever experienced.” — Dean of Admission Jacqueline Bell

During the final event of Orientation Week Dean Bell pointed out a list of facts and figures about the new class including:

• 2263 students applied for admission to the Charleston School of Law
• 239 of you are full-time students
• 4 are part-time students
• 9 transfer students and 2 visiting students
• 63% of the class are non-residents, 37% of the class are residents of South Carolina
• 62% of the class is female, 38% is male.
• Median age of the class is 23, the average age is 24; the oldest team members are 51 and the youngest are 20.
• 117 colleges and universities are represented in the first-year class:

“I challenge you to take time to get to know your classmates. Law school should not be a lonely experience. There are many people to assist you on your journey, people who want you to succeed.  There are many people who will serve as guides along the way, people who wish you well. You have much to contribute to the law school community and to the legal profession.  I challenge you to leave your mark on the Charleston School of Law, to help us be the best law school we can be.  Leave your mark on the legal profession.” — Dean of Admission Jacqueline Bell

As of Monday morning, 243 new law students (1L) are enrolled in the fall 2025 entering class.