By Andrew Granger, CGC ’26

Thanks to the South Carolina Supreme Court’s oral arguments recently held at The Citadel, cadets, students and members of the community had the privilege of experiencing up-close one of the highest levels of the judicial system at work. Over the span of two days, the audience watched as four cases were brought to the Court, in which attorneys representing each side made their arguments and answered any questions the justices had. Students in the audience were given accurate representations of what they might expect from careers in law.

While still at The Citadel, cadets can take advantage of other opportunities when considering or pursuing law school. Some opportunities include obtaining a concentration in law and legal studies through the political science major, interacting with the pre-law advising program and joining The Citadel’s Inn of Court, the school’s pre-law society.

In fact, four of The Citadel’s recent graduates have been accepted into law school. Benjamin Kahn, ’24, is at The Charleston School of Law. Robert Bain, ’24, attends Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. First Lieutenant Srijit Mukherjee, ’23, is at USC’s Joseph F. Rice School of Law. Aaron Harris, ’22, is studying at North Carolina Central Law School.

The alumni attribute their acceptances into law school not only to The Citadel’s development of principled leaders shaped by its core values, but also to the various opportunities they had as cadets to learn about and prepare for law school.

Kahn describes his positive experiences with the Political Science department and pre-law groups. His journey to law school began before freshman classes had even started.

“During Challenge Week knob year, the Political Science majors had a meeting where we met each other and exchanged contact information. Even though I did not know it at the time, these relationships developed into a roommate, close friends and members of the various pre-law societies that I engaged in throughout my time at The Citadel. The courses that I took through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences certainly served to prepare me for law school as I will take these courses again in a greater depth,” said Kahn.

Cadets and alumni also have the opportunity to join The Citadel’s Inn of Court. This organization, started in 1981 by retired Colonel Edward Tucker, sets out to unite fellow pre-law students with each other and with alumni already in the legal field. Members of the Inn of Court learn about law school and their potential careers in law through on-campus speakers, organized trips to Southeastern law schools and other various banquets held for learning and networking. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Platte Moring, J.D., is currently the faculty advisor for Inn of Court.

“The Inn of Court is an undergraduate club that informs pre-law students about legal careers, helps them navigate the law school admission process and better prepares cadets for life in law school,” says Moring. “This year, The Inn of Court is pleased to announce the restart of The Citadel Mock Trial Team. The eleven-member team will compete with other colleges in mock trial simulations during both semesters.”

All four alumni also remember the help of one pre-law advisor, Thomas Horan, J.D., Ph.D., when reflecting on their success getting into law school.

Harris says, “I believe the biggest help for me on my journey to law school was the advising and guidance I received from Dr. Horan. He was incredibly helpful and answered any questions I had about anything from my personal statement to general questions. He also counseled me when it was time to apply to schools.”

“Throughout the application process, Dr. Horan’s pre-law advising and guidance was crucial. His oversight not only helped me polish my applications but also ensured they showcased my best qualities as a prospective law student,” said Bain.

Mukherjee recalls, “Although I was never his student, Dr. Horan still offered me a significant amount of his time to help me with my applications. I was shocked at how much care and effort he gave to me despite there being no requirement for him to do so. His support and guidance were instrumental to my success during this challenging process.”

Horan, a dedicated advisor of students considering law school, explains his role in the pre-law program at The Citadel.

“As The Citadel’s Pre-Law Advisor, I help Citadel students and alumni decide if law school and the practice of law are right for them, choose law schools that suit their professional ambitions and craft applications that showcase their academic and personal strengths,” said Horan. “I endeavor to connect with advisees as early as possible so that as knobs, sophomores and juniors they make wise choices, positioning them for success when they ultimately apply. According to the latest data available from The Law School Admission Council, more than 70% of our applicants matriculate and typically choose among multiple law schools.”

These alumni will continue their educations in law school with sturdy foundations built from their time at The Citadel. Whether it was through the daily challenges they faced as cadets or learning from classes, advisors and clubs, they are more than prepared to thrive in their new environments.

Andrew Granger of Atlanta, Georgia earned his bachelor’s degree from The Virginia Military Institute in English, Rhetoric and Humanistic Studies. He is currently working as a graduate assistant in the Office of Communications and Marketing while pursuing a master’s degree in Project Management and competing for The Citadel’s Track and Field program.