Mitchell Hamline leaders have confirmed the fall 2020 incoming class of 404 students was the largest-ever in the history of the school and its legacy schools. The entering class was the most qualified in the five years since the combination that formed Mitchell Hamline, slightly more diverse than last year, and included the highest-ever number of blended-learning students.
“We are honored that so many students decided Mitchell Hamline was the place for them to continue to work toward their goals in this extraordinary time,” said Ann Gemmell, vice president of enrollment. “This school’s history of success in online learning gave students the confidence to continue toward their goals despite the uncertainty this year has brought.”
The tally of new 1Ls bested the previous high by at least 20, which was set in 2018. Enrollment figures aren’t finalized until October. The school’s total enrollment stands at 1,226 students – up from 1,194 in 2019-20.
Students in both the partly online blended-learning enrollment option and the on-campus program started the year fully online and will remain so through the spring semester, because of the ongoing pandemic.
When the pandemic forced law schools across the country to go online earlier this year, Mitchell Hamline quickly found itself assisting other schools who had never ventured into virtual instruction.
“We’ve always been a pioneer in online learning, and I think people who were looking at law schools recognized that and decided to put their trust in us,” Gemmell said.