The 182 students in Elon University School of Law’s largest-ever class represent 31 states, 90 undergraduate institutions and hold a variety of experiences in the law and service.
Elon University School of Law enrolled its largest class in the school’s history this week, welcoming its 20th class to downtown Greensboro from locations across the country.
The 182 members of the class were selected from nearly 1,000 applications.
Together, the Class of 2027 brings rich and varied experiences to Elon Law, with a large number already demonstrating strong ties to the legal profession. Many have experience as paralegals, legal assistants, and interns in law firms, courts and judges’ chambers. Others served as deputy clerks, Guardians ad litem, or worked in jury research. One member also served as a police officer.
Outside the legal field, students include former teachers, real estate brokers, tax accountants, policy interns, and a staff assistant to a U.S. Senate committee.
“The Class of 2027 brings an impressive range of backgrounds, achievements, and aspirations to Elon Law,” said Alan Woodlief, vice dean and professor of law. “We were bowled over by the things they’ve achieved before arriving, and we’re excited to see what they will accomplish as students at Elon Law.”
Total Enrollment (as of Aug. 7, 2025): 182
- The highest in the school’s history, surpassing the 173 enrolled in Class of 2023
Average Age: 25 (ranging from 19 to 61)
Female-to-male ratio: 61% / 39%
Students of Color: 30%
Top States Represented:
The class hails from 31 different states across the U.S.
- North Carolina: 47%
- South Carolina: 8%
- Florida: 7%
- Virginia: 6%
- Pennsylvania: 5%
Higher education:
Ninety colleges and universities are counted among the alma maters of those in the Class of 2027. The top universities represented:
- UNC-Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University and the University of South Carolina (12 each)
- UNC-Charlotte (9)
- N.C. State (7)
- Elon University, East Carolina, UNC-Greensboro, Clemson and the University of Central Florida (5 each)
- Wake Forest and the College of Charleston (4 each)
- High Point, James Madison, UNC-Asheville and UNC-Wilmington (3 each)
Many other private and public institutions are represented, including: Auburn University, Catawba College, Louisiana State University, the University of Arizona, the University of Georgia, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
More than 35 majors are represented in the class, with the most common being political science, criminal justice, business, history, psychology, sociology, economics, criminology, English and biology.
Eighteen members of the class already hold advanced degrees, including one member of the class with a medical degree. Many members of the class studied abroad in countries that include Australia, Denmark, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Morocco and the United Kingdom.
Hobbies, interests and service
Six members of the Class of 2027 have served in the military, including five in the U.S. Army and one in the Marine Corps.
Many have been active in their communities and indicated a desire to serve in a greater capacity. The class includes at least two Eagle Scouts and an AmeriCorps member, and others have served through mission trips and by volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity.
One member of the class was a professional soccer player, and several are half-marathoners. Members of the class are weightlifters, swimmers, rugby players and hikers.
One is a composer and playwright, and the class includes several award-winning pianists. Others play tuba, flute and baritone. Several have acted in theater productions, sung in choirs, and one is a salsa dancer.
“This class brings a remarkable spirit of service, energy and purpose to our community,” Woodlief said. “Their enthusiasm is matched by a focus on making a difference, and we look forward to seeing how they channel that drive into meaningful engagement at Elon Law and the greater Greensboro community.”
Orientation week programming for the Class of 2027 included New Student Convocation, Aug. 5, in Alumni Gym on Elon University’s main campus, a professionalism lunch, and a day spent getting to know each other through activities, exercises and sessions led by Elon Law and Elon University leadership.
About Elon University School of Law
Elon Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required, full-time residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school’s distinctive curriculum offers a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which provides exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.
Elon Law has graduated more than 1,700 alumni since opening its doors in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students and the law school is regularly featured in the top tier of PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings. The Elon Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study for place-bound students at Elon University’s Charlotte campus, welcomes its second cohort in Fall 2025.