DIVERSITY AT PENN LAW

Andrew Sokol '11

Hometown: St. Louis, MO
B.A. 2004 Tufts

Before law school, I worked as an instructor in a wilderness education program with a diversity and anti-bias curriculum as its centerpiece. Between this work experience and my personal experience as a gay man, I came to law school with demanding expectations regarding respect for and appreciation of diversity. Penn Law has exceeded my expectations.

Having experienced communities and institutions that are intolerant, those that are merely tolerant, and those are truly committed to diversity, I can say with confidence that Penn Law falls into the third category. The administrators, faculty, and students truly understand the way in which each individual’s unique perspective enriches the academic experience and facilitates the personal and mental growth of every other student.

I have found the Penn Law community welcoming and accepting. That I have been enabled by this community to feel completely comfortable being who I am seems so natural that I almost take it for granted. The real benefit of Penn Law’s commitment to genuine diversity has been having the opportunity to engage with and learn from people with a broad array of perspectives and backgrounds. This experience has helped shape the way I think and has improved and enriched my law school experience immeasurably.