Detroit Mercy Law Welcomes Diverse 1L Class

Each year, Detroit Mercy Law conducts an anonymous demographic survey at the 1L orientation to learn more about the entering class and how students self-identify. This year’s 95 percent response rate provided comprehensive additional information about the wide range of backgrounds represented in the class.

Detroit Mercy Law is proud that it provides access to the legal profession for first-generation students. The survey revealed that 85 percent of the first-year students are first-generation law students and 29 percent are first-generation college graduates.

Detroit Mercy Law’s heritage of enrolling racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people of various religious affiliations in the earliest classes continues to be integral to the mission and identity of the school. The incoming class is 48 percent students of color and 59 percent women. Over 15 religious preferences are represented.

This year’s entering class includes an increase to 11 percent of students identifying as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. New this year, the survey asked about disability status, with 7 percent of students identifying as students with a disability.

Detroit Mercy Law values diversity in many forms, including gender, race, religion, national origin, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical ability, and learning style. In accordance with Jesuit and Mercy traditions, Detroit Mercy Law is committed to enhancing the legal profession and advancing justice through a commitment to diversity and inclusion, remains committed to increasing access to legal education, and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates who seek a legal education.

To learn more, visit www.law.udmercy.edu.