Rob Cameron, who was recently promoted to the Law School’s director of admissions, has helped hundreds of new students join the Law School community over the last three years as a member of the admissions team. From traveling around the country for recruiting events to evaluating thousands of applications and interviewing hundreds of candidates, Cameron has played an integral role in UChicago Law’s admissions process. 

As director, Cameron will lead outreach to prospective students, the application process, and admitted student events. In this Q&A, he shares insights on what it means to shepherd the best and brightest students through the Law School’s doors each year.

You’ve worked in the Law School’s admissions department since 2023, and before that spent three years working in UChicago’s Careers in Law program. What have you learned about what draws students to law school in general, and ours in specific?

It’s always interesting to learn why an applicant wants to attend law school. Some see an alignment between their skill set and the work of an attorney. Others are interested in a particular field or issue and see law as the best way to make their mark in that area. 

Applicants are drawn to UChicago’s small, tightknit community, faculty accessibility, post-graduation success, especially with regard to clerkships and academia, and our interdisciplinary approach to the study of law. There is also a high value placed on the fact that ideas matter here. This is an environment that encourages discourse and engagement with ideas and beliefs that are different from your own. That’s a perfect training ground for a future attorney. 

What qualities tend to stand out in the strongest applicants?

The admissions team reviews every application for evidence of the applicant’s ability to succeed at UChicago Law and the legal profession. Given that there are so many qualities and experiences that could be offered as evidence and that they will vary from person to person, the applicants who stand out the most to me have advocated for their acceptance with authenticity and introspection. 

What do you think surprises visitors most when they get to know our community?

UChicago Law has a reputation for academic rigor, so I always love when visitors get to see how much fun our students have while they’re here. Not only is the intellectual engagement enjoyable, but the students are also forming great friendships, participating in student organizations and intramural sports, attending Coffee Mess and Wine Mess, and exploring the city of Chicago. 

What aspects of the Law School and the student experience do you most enjoy highlighting for prospective students?

I’ve lived almost my entire adult life in Chicago, so it’s especially fun to highlight the role that the city plays in the UChicago Law experience. Our students love exploring Hyde Park and other neighborhoods around the city. There are award-winning restaurants, concert venues, theater companies, lots of green space, teams for every major sports league, and a great public transit system for getting around. Professionally speaking, I think there’s a lot of value in attending law school in a major legal market. Even if you’re not planning to practice here after graduation, there is an opportunity to start developing a professional network and make an impact with pro bono work. We have legal professionals in our building almost every day for lunchtime talks and other events. That’s possible because of our location in Chicago and proximity to two major airports. 

What would you tell a prospective student who may feel intimated by Chicago winters?

I think Chicago winters get a bad rap – it’s not much worse here (if at all) than it is in New York or Boston. It will be an adjustment for those from warmer climates, but get a heavy coat and some gloves, and you’ll be just fine. There are a couple of especially cold days each year, but much of the winter is quite tolerable. If it’s not for you, our national reach will allow you to get a job anywhere in the country post-graduation. Why not give seasons a try for three years? 

What has been the most rewarding part of representing the Law School and working with prospective students?

It’s quite fun to watch the journey from prospective student to actual student to graduate. We need two decisions for a student to join us in the fall: the admissions team must decide that the applicant is going to thrive here, and then that applicant must decide that they agree. Then they start in the fall and for three years we get to see all the different ways that they excel in and enjoy their time here. That’s a great feeling to realize that both the admissions team and the student made the right call. The Class of 2027 will be the first class to graduate that I had a hand in admitting, so I’m really looking forward to graduation this spring.  

Outside of admissions season, how do you enjoy spending your time?

I’m a big soccer fan and I also play in a flag football league. I try to see a lot of theater and live music, and I am always down to discuss the latest season of Survivor or Drag Race. 

What advice would you give to the incoming class as they prepare to begin their new chapter this fall?

Take advantage of the moment and make the most of your time with us. Find ways to get to know and become part of our community and try to make sure that at least one of them offers a break from academics, whether that’s an intramural sport, the Law School Musical, or the Vincent Gambini Society. And get out and explore the city beyond Hyde Park and the Loop. 

What about prospective students beginning the law school research and application process—what advice do you have for them?

I think applicants can sometimes be so worried about what they perceive as weaknesses in their application that they forget to acknowledge their assets. There is no perfect applicant for law school. Focus on highlighting the skills and experiences that you have had that are going to help you succeed, both at UChicago Law and in your legal career, and don’t stress if your best pitch looks a little different than someone else’s.