NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA), the preeminent national nonprofit promoting diversification of top-tier universities, businesses and civic organizations, today announced the launch of LEDA Legal, a program designed to expand the pipeline of underrepresented, low-income students attending top-tier law schools nationwide. The program aims to help high-achieving participants explore legal careers, navigate the application process, and ultimately gain admission to the best law schools in the nation.
“I’m delighted that we are a founding law school partner of LEDA Legal,” said NYU Law Dean Troy McKenzie. “It’s critical that we expand access to the legal profession, and by supporting students from under-resourced backgrounds, LEDA Legal can play an important role in achieving that objective.”
“This program utilizes a cohort model, which will allow prospective students to build their applications in a supportive community that provides them with crucial guidance and resources,” said Kristi Jobson, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Chief Admissions Officer at Harvard Law School. “I’m excited to see LEDA participants connect with one another throughout their time together and beyond.”
The inaugural LEDA Legal cohort is comprised of LEDA Scholars, Career Fellows and Alumni, all of whom have been chosen via a selective and holistic application process. The Advantage Testing Foundation is a founding partner of LEDA. Having also created and launched Trials, the nation’s most selective full-scholarship pre-law program, the AT Foundation will select and teach an additional group of participants for LEDA Legal.
“Many of our Scholars develop a deep interest in studying law and in pursuing a career in the legal sector, as the field presents a path to advocate for their communities and to create truly lasting societal change,” said David Garza, LEDA Executive Director. “We are thrilled that LEDA Legal will empower these rising leaders and advance more diverse schools of thought in one of the most competitive industries in our society.”
LEDA Legal participants will receive intensive preparation for law school, including rigorous LSAT preparation provided by the Advantage Testing Foundation and additional support from LEDA in developing their applications. NYU Law School, Harvard Law School and Yale Law School will lead workshops and academic- and career-focused panels for the cohort throughout the eight-month program.
“Yale Law School is thrilled to work with LEDA as part of our deep commitment to lowering barriers to access,” said Miriam Ingber, Associate Dean in Offices of Admissions and Financial Aid at Yale. “Law schools and the legal profession are strengthened when students from all backgrounds are members of our communities.”
The Advantage Testing Foundation will also serve as an ongoing partner to LEDA Legal and provide expert preparation for the LSAT, a critical component of law school applications. The Advantage Testing Foundation has extensive experience launching groundbreaking initiatives designed to help underrepresented students gain access to educational opportunities.
“With LEDA’s uniquely effective support, and an education and a degree from a leading law school, talented and motivated students can grow into influential leaders poised to serve the public good,” said Arun Alagappan, President and Founder of the Advantage Testing Foundation.
About LEDA
Founded in 2003, Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) empowers a community of exceptional young leaders from under-resourced backgrounds by supporting their higher education and professional success in order to create a more inclusive and equitable country. LEDA’s vision is an inclusive and equitable America where leadership reflects, celebrates, and supports diverse perspectives.
About the Advantage Testing Foundation
The Advantage Testing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, identifies and cultivates future leaders of every background. By forging strategic partnerships with leading universities and other distinguished institutions, we expand the opportunities of our nation's extraordinary young people. Working in tandem with preeminent academic institutions and like-minded public service organizations, we pool the outstanding resources already available in this nation and help direct them to where they are needed most. The Advantage Testing Foundation is the public service arm of Advantage Testing, a private academic tutoring and educational counseling service.
