Assistant Dean for Public Service Ryan Faulconer ’08 joins Dean Blazer to discuss how political instability creates an even bigger demand for great lawyers, and how UVA Law students in particular benefit from the customized counseling and support that his office provides. Reflecting upon his 15-year career as a federal prosecutor, which took off at the height of the Great Recession, Dean Faulconer emphasizes the need for flexibility, grit and creativity to navigate uncertain times.
Apr 18, 2025•50 min
Back by popular demand, Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 and her microphone venture outside the studio to give listeners a look inside UVA Law’s Admitted Students Open House. Through on-site interviews with admitted students, their guests, current law students, alumni and staff, this episode highlights the admissions cycle’s main event that brought hundreds of visitors to Charlottesville this spring.
Mar 27, 2025•39 min
First-year law student Colleen Sullivan joins Dean Blazer ’08 to discuss how she navigated one of the most competitive and uncertain application cycles on record. From authentic communication to patience to staying true to her goals, tune in to hear Sullivan’s advice and how her journey brought her to UVA Law.
Mar 06, 2025•49 min
Kimberly Emery ’91, assistant dean for pro bono and public interest, joins admissions dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to discuss how the Pro Bono Program at UVA Law helps bridge the justice gap by providing free legal services to clients and communities in need and prepares law students for the significant responsibilities they will carry as attorneys. Through a variety of projects that span nearly all legal disciplines and regions of the world from Charlottesville to South Africa, the program enables l...
Feb 20, 2025•52 min
Matt Wakeman, assistant dean for financial aid, education and planning at UVA Law, joins Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to discuss the ways in which merit-based scholarships should – and should not – factor into an admitted student’s decision-making process when it comes to selecting a law school.
Feb 07, 2025•47 min
Mason Davenport ’25 joins Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to discuss how a UVA Law externship immerses you in legal practice and prepares you for a successful career, all while earning credits toward your J.D. Tune in to learn how the Externships Program works, where in the world our externs are working, what it was like for Mason to extern in the Office of the White House Counsel and so much more.
Jan 24, 2025•53 min
UVA Law’s newest admissions director, Jennifer Echemendia, joins Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 and fellow directors Katie Delsandro ’12 and Rosanne Ibanez to discuss the highs and lows of the 2025 application cycle so far.
Dec 06, 2024•46 min
In advance of the Thanksgiving holiday – always a popular time of year to submit law school applications – Admissions Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 collected applicants’ questions via voice memo, email, social media and an in-person Q&A session to learn what’s on their minds. With the help of Admissions student worker Chelsea McKelvey ’26, Dean Blazer addresses concerns about application timing, LSAT scores, the Why UVA essay, when to submit optional addenda, resume content, letters of recommendat...
Nov 20, 2024•41 min
Psychotherapists Dr. Kate Gibson and Karen Painter join Admissions Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to discuss how they support students at the Law School, offering insights on how individual counseling can help students overcome challenges to achieve success in school and in legal practice.
Nov 08, 2024•47 min
Assistant Dean for Academic Services and Registrar Jason Dugas ’01 joins Admissions Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to discuss how UVA Law students can earn a second graduate degree along with their J.D., study abroad while in law school, enroll in elective courses and more.
Oct 25, 2024•54 min
What differentiates a good application from an admissible one? Tyler Stapleton ’27 joins Admissions Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to discuss his journey as a reapplicant to UVA Law, sharing how he approached his essays, resume and letters of recommendation the second time around — all while staying optimistic about the process.
Oct 08, 2024•45 min
Lance Ledet ’26 and Bridget Mensah ’26 join Admissions Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to share how they navigated the law school application process — and their first year of law school — as first-generation students. Ledet and Mensah discuss the Virginia Law First-Generation Professionals student organization (which they help lead), resources they hope applicants will take advantage of in the admissions process, the importance of community and more.
Sep 25, 2024•39 min
Antitrust attorney Megan Granger ’11 joins Admissions Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to discuss how she built a successful legal practice at a preeminent global law firm. Granger shares what she wishes she had done differently in law school, her advice to young associates hoping to rise through the ranks, and the secret to longevity in a legal career. (University of Virginia School of Law, Sept. 13, 2024)
Sep 13, 2024•55 min
“Admissible” host Natalie Blazer ’08, admissions dean at UVA Law, is back with all-new guests sharing law school admissions advice for the upcoming cycle.
Aug 30, 2024•2 min
As deposit deadlines come and go, admissions offices turn their attention to the prospect of waitlist activity. Directors of Admission Katie Delsandro and Rosanne Ibanez are back to discuss how waitlisted candidates can manage expectations and maximize outcomes during this period of uncertainty.
Jul 31, 2024•27 min
Mike Spivey of The Spivey Consulting Group joins Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to discuss the latest iteration of the U.S. News and World Report law school rankings.
Apr 12, 2024•31 min
In this special episode, Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 and her microphone venture outside the studio to give listeners a rare look inside UVA Law’s Admitted Students Open House. Through on-site interviews with admitted students, their guests, current law students, faculty and staff, this episode highlights the admissions cycle’s main event, which brings hundreds of people to Charlottesville each spring.
Mar 29, 2024•21 min
Every year, UVA Law receives thousands of applications for 300 spots in the incoming class. When it comes to the process of getting admitted, how much is a numbers game, and how much is within your control? Directors of Admission Katie Delsandro and Rosanne Ibanez join Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 to discuss what makes an application package inadmissible — and how to give yourself every opportunity to beat the odds.
Mar 15, 2024•39 min
Public service auction winner Tommy Whiteley ’26 joins Dean Blazer to discuss how applicants can thrive in the admissions process, 1L classes, job search and more by accepting the unknown and moving forward despite not having perfect information.
Mar 01, 2024•34 min
UVA Law faculty members Crystal Shin ’10 and Jordan McKay ’10 met as first-year law students in 2007. A friendship formed in Property class eventually blossomed into romance, but an ACC basketball rivalry soon threatened to derail their relationship. Tune in to learn how they overcame a first date that felt more like a direct examination, months of long distance, and opposing careers in prosecution and defense.
Feb 14, 2024•36 min
Third-year law students Casey Crowley and Elizabeth Putfark join Dean Blazer ’08 to discuss the many ways law students take advantage of UVA’s location in scenic Charlottesville, Virginia. Putfark, who will join the Southern Environmental Law Center as an associate attorney this fall, shares how UVA Law’s environmental law clinic, curriculum, faculty, and student organizations nurtured her legal education and set her on the path to success.
Feb 09, 2024•39 min
UVA President Jim Ryan ’92 and UVA Law Dean Risa Goluboff join Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 for this very special episode. Ryan and Goluboff discuss their favorite moments from their time at UVA Law, the joy they find in teaching, the importance of transparency in higher education, their ideal ways to spend a Saturday in Charlottesville and so much more.
Jan 26, 2024•45 min
Directors of Admission Katie Delsandro and Rosanne Ibanez join Dean Natalie Blazer to break down the 2023-24 cycle so far. From essay missteps to interview tips, tune in to learn what the admissions committee is looking for in applicants this year.
Dec 01, 2023•40 min
In honor of Veterans Day, Captain Trey Ratliff ’24 sits down with Dean Natalie Blazer to discuss his unique path to law school and how the UVA Law community has supported him along the way.
Nov 21, 2023•39 min
Local business owner Mike Keenan ’08 shares how his UVA Law degree prepared him to practice law and launch his organic juice and smoothie company, The Juice Laundry. Having attended both law school and high school with Dean Natalie Blazer ’08, this episode is packed with tips for making the most of your time in law school, advice for charting your own career path and shared memories from their time at UVA Law.
Nov 10, 2023•38 min
In this spooky, special episode of “Admissible,” Dean Natalie Blazer ’08 shares her key observations of the 2023-24 cycle so far. From personal statements that are a treat to read to letters of recommendation that give her a fright, Dean Blazer provides listeners with tricks for putting their best foot forward in the application process.
Oct 27, 2023•21 min
Second-year law student and Double Hoo Brian Cameron joins Dean Natalie Blazer to discuss how UVA Law students interact with the Charlottesville community. From civic engagement to pro bono work to nature hikes, breweries, live music and more, Cameron shares how students make the most of their three years in C’ville.
Oct 13, 2023•28 min
Assistant Dean for Public Service Leah Gould joins Dean Blazer to discuss how the Public Service Center helps set students up for successful careers, and how the public service community at UVA Law supports students throughout law school.
Sep 29, 2023•28 min
You’ve seen lawyers on TV and in movies, but what does it really mean to practice law? What is law school like and what does it take to succeed as a law student? Professor Joe Fore ’11 joins Dean Blazer to discuss lawyering, law school and what he has learned from teaching 1Ls at UVA Law. Whether you’re just starting to think about law school or already deep into the application process, this episode is for you.
Sep 15, 2023•30 min
Learn more about what to expect in the coming law school admissions cycle through new episodes of “Admissible.” Host Natalie Blazer ’08, admissions dean at UVA Law School, gives a preview of the coming season.
Sep 01, 2023•2 min
