Let’s discuss the impact of virtual advising
Here are some pros and cons of virtual advising to inform Pre-Law advisors and advisees. 

PROS

Accessibility and Inclusivity. One of the chief benefits of virtual Pre-Law advising is that it can make law school support accessible and inclusive for students with disabilities. Through virtual tours, advisors can share resources more efficiently. Advisees can access advising from anywhere. This is particularly important for first-generation undergraduate students, who are significantly more likely to underutilize academic advising services.

Convenience. Due to commitments like work and family, many prospective law students may be unable to commute to campus for Pre-Law advising. Virtual Pre-Law advising offers the additional benefit of no travel required to address this necessary time investment in the process. Therefore, students with caregiving responsibilities or intense work schedules may receive these services virtually that they would not otherwise receive.

Lower Cost. Many students become overwhelmed with the law school application and admissions process and may simply give up. Virtual Pre-Law advising can fill part of this gap by allowing for early intervention and mentorship, multiple advising sessions, and an ongoing relationship with a professional Pre-Law advisor. This improves a student’s chances of admission to law school without the higher costs of repeated visits to campus associated with missing work, parking fees on campus, gas for commuting, or navigating public transportation.

Flexibility. Virtual Pre-Law advising empowers advisees to schedule sessions at their convenience, providing them with control over their learning process. This flexibility allows for sessions to be held before work, during breaks, lunch, evenings, and weekends, catering to the diverse schedules of students.

Scalability. Virtual Pre-Law advising can be scaled up or down as demand increases or decreases to meet the needs of individuals, small groups, or large groups.

CONS

Isolation and Loneliness. While virtual Pre-Law advising is just one of many online services universities offer today, it misses that human connection of in-person conversation. This is important because 65% of college students feel isolated and lonely on campus (Inside higher ed May 23, 2024 https://tinyurl.com/538dp8ay).

Research shows that human interaction is essential to our well-being and emotional development.

Collegiate Experience Collegiality. Virtual Pre-Law advising cannot replace the experience of being on campus in the hustle and bustle of things that make you feel like you are a real college student. Likewise, the additional benefits gained from going to campus, such as greater access to facilities (the library, computer labs, cultural affinity clubs, and the university bookstore) and increased social interaction with peers and professors, cannot be duplicated in a virtual space.

Digital Divide: Students who struggle with broadband and Internet access lack the equipment to engage in virtual Pre-Law advising sessions. Even with smartphones, students face disadvantages due to the difficulty of reading websites and documents on a tiny 6-inch screen compared to a laptop or desktop computer.

Higher Cost. Pre-Law school financial investments can make or break an applicant by creating unnecessary barriers to Pre-Law advising resources. Attending in-person Pre-Law advising has a higher cost associated with missing work, parking fees on campus, and gas for commuting or navigating public transportation. Likewise, producing handouts, brochures, and flyers for advising sessions has a higher cost since it is impractical to review these materials in a small office on one desktop computer.

Scalability. It is difficult to scale up face-to-face Pre-Law advising on most campuses, as space is tight and limited.

CHOOSING WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU

When exploring Pre-Law advising options, consider your learning style: 

– **Visual**: learn by seeing = Virtual. 
– **Auditory**: learn by hearing = Virtual.
– **Reading/writing learner**: learn by research, reading, writing = In-person. 
– **Kinesthetic**: learn by doing and moving = In-person.

Additionally, consider your communication preferences and your access to and comfort level with technology. Regardless of your learning style, all students should meet with your Pre-Law advisor early and frequently.