BYU has first law school class that’s more than half female

Brigham Young University’s law school is preparing for its first class where women make up more than half the student body.

Dean of Admissions Stacie Stewart tells The Daily Herald newspaper in Provo that the 52-percent female incoming class is a significant milestone in the school’s history. It brings the law school in line with others around the country.

She says that many female applicants mention their experience serving on missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which owns the school. The church lowered the age requirements for women who want to serve on a mission six years ago, sparking an influx of female missionaries.

Stewart says the long hours and frequent rejection that missionaries experience can make applying to law school seem less scary.